Back at it............

Trying to get back in the groove after the holiday and it feels good.  I wanted to show you my star that I made for my tree last year................I think it looks more like a star fish but I'll take it.............

I am in list making, planning and organizing mode.  I get this way every year around this time.

 I have another gift to make for my son for his birthday the 18th.  He wants a Bear's color hat like Uriah's Cubs hat so I ordered yarn today and some needles and some sock yarn from Knit Picks.  They're having a sale!  I'm also looking and looking and looking at cross stitch patterns but I haven't bought any yet.  I want to get back to my weekly stitching schedule too.  Today is Stars and Stripes Saturday so if I can get the ornaments done....the finishing takes the most time.........then I will work on my cross stitch.  I have many WIPs too that need to be paid attention too.  I may do that 'bag trick' where you put the project, pattern and supplies in a bag and then number all your bags.  You put the numbers in a jar and draw one out and that is the project you work on until done and then you pick another number.  Sounds good to me!  A little reward of a new project to work on would be nice too.  Of course, I guess that sort of defeats the purpose.  LOL!  But I definitely need carrots dangled in front of me.

 I've spent 3 days untangling another skein of this yarn!  It takes more time to untangle these skeins than it does to crochet the blanket! LOL!  But at least now I can get back to the mindless C2C which I love.

  I made some cheese spread today......very easy but it is supposed to sit in the frig for a few hours so if it 'makes the cut' I'll share the recipe tomorrow.

That's all for now....I'll finish up the ornaments hopefully tonight so I can show them tomorrow and maybe do a little cross stitch.  I need to update Ravelry and make a collage....maybe.
Happy Trails!!!

Friday night lights.......

Not a very productive day but I did manage to vacuum and wash my bathroom floor....on my hands and knees too!  It needed a thorough cleaning.  Other than that not much else was done.  I was a slug and the day went by so fast!
I did manage a few scrubbies on my breaks.........I'm using up the 'scrubbie' yarn I have and stockpiling little gifts to have on hand.  I'm already thinking about all the birthdays this coming summer and my son's birthday the 18th of this month and SIL on the 23rd although I have his done.

 I must admit I did some window shopping online but no Christmas sales on the things I want....

I did buy one item though.  It was something I have been looking at for awhile but it was on Amazon for $40 not counting tax but then I have this app...Wikibuy and it searches for a better price and it came up with one on Ebay for $25 including shipping and tax.....total!  I was ecstatic!  I bought it too!  That was $15 less than Amazon!  Now that I've saved so much money I can keep shopping! LOL!  I highly recommend the Wikibuy app and you don't have to log on to it either....it takes you right to the place where the cheaper price is.
Enjoy your Friday evening!
Happy Trails!!!

The day after the day after............

I am getting up early again and loving it!  I get so much done until I try to recount what I did and then it doesn't seem like so much...lol!  But I am keeping up with daily chores and I'm back to doing my 5 minute pickup and 15 minute de-clutter.   It makes a huge difference.  I hope to continue that routine forever. 

What a great tool for those of us who can't do any one thing for very long.

I thought I would show you my greens coming up...they're getting bigger and I've already reseeded for more...............

I haven't gotten my seed catalogue I ordered but I'll go online as I am out of seeds for my 'greens'.  I see salad in my future and hopefully eventually this whole bag will be full of greens that I can harvest over and over and never buy greens at the store.
I got the 2018 collectible ornaments sewn together and now tonight I will stuff and do some crochet and wind a ball of yarn and write out some cards and.......well, you get my drift...........I'm all ready.........I just need to give the girls their meds and treats, get my jammies on, heat up some soup and then recline.... at least the lower half of my body!  LOL!  What are you up to in these days between Christmas and New Years?  Kwanzaa was yesterday....I need to research that as I really don't know much about it.  Is it a religion or  just a day of celebration?  I can't keep up with things now a days.

 I have everything I need in that picture above and the rest is on my nightstand!
Happy Trails!!!

The Day After.............

 The excitement of Christmas and then the aftermath.....I feel lost, uninspired and unmotivated...what's up with that?  I think it's just getting back on track with my normal schedule.
More cards are trickling in which makes me feel better as mine are not in the mail yet....okay, so they're not even written yet but I did find them!

I got some lovely things for Christmas..............candles.....I'm stocked for the rest of winter I think.......there were 2 candles but one broke in the mail................

These 2 are Yankee Christmas candles..........

these are traditional.....

Remember  when I mentioned I might make some of these for gifts?  Ben's girlfriend beat me to the punch......wool dryer balls.....love!

Amy and her family sent me these.....right up my alley....she got me 2 as she knows I will probably use them for curtains............so cute!

I got this plate from them a few years ago and I love it and use it....love me some vintage!

It is rainy and foggy here with more coming this way and wind warnings through tomorrow.  I was able to deliver the Christmas Crack to all the rest this morning (even the garbage guys) and back home before the rain and I have no reason to go out again until after New Years.  I'm trying to get back on track with my 5 minute pickup, 15 minute de-clutter and 15 minute paper work.  I'm catching up with laundry and a few bills and maybe a little birthday shopping online......hmmm...maybe that will bring my creative mojo back.....punch needle has my attention for the moment but so do all those wips! LOL!
Do you have creative plans for the New Year?  Are there any interesting KALs or CALs or MALs that you're joining?   Curious minds want to know!
Happy Trails!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

from me to you!
HappyTrails!!!

Blogmas Day #24 - December 24th

This is the last day of Blogmas so I thought I would share a very special moment with you.........Santa came to my house today and he had a present for me.....and I had one for him!  I was so excited to see him!  I asked him if he minded if I took his picture because I knew no one would believe me and of course, he didn't mind at all.....he's such a great guy!

My last Advent gift for this year........it's been really fun and I think we're going to do it next year again.  Amy wrote "it's a wrap" and it was........a little board covered in pretty paper with 2 clips on it...perfect for Sam and Grayson's school pictures.............

  the package was from Ben and Uriah.........and maybe Natalie....I'm not sure but that looks like her hand writing on the front..............

I tried to deliver the packages that I had for others but the pharmacy was closed and so was the garage and of course.......the garbage men won't be here until next Tuesday.....oh well, they'll get it eventually............

I got my "snowballs" made this afternoon............my favorite Christmas cookie along with cutout decorated sugar cookies.............

Now I'm getting ready to have my Christmas Eve celebration.  I've been listening to Christmas "oldies" all afternoon and Ben and Amy both called.  Uriah will be calling later as he gets to open one of Grandma's presents on Christmas Eve and he wants me to be on the phone when he does, what a sweetie!  I feel so loved!  Sam and Grayson wished me a Merry Christmas too and I'm sure I'll talk to them tomorrow.  Here's Grandma's Christmas Eve festive food..........

  

I'm off to 'pull it together' and enjoy a peaceful Christmas Eve......here's a look at my little Christmas vignette...........with the nativity taking center stage...........

I wish you a wonderful and meaningful Christmas Eve......peace on earth good will to all of us!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #26

And Blogmas Day 23...here's your little bit of Christmas for today..................here's the link

I am going to deviate from my normal YOP post as I am tired of 'making'...not creating but making! LOL!  I've decided that I will no longer 'make' gifts for others not because they don't appreciate it but because I went to T.J.Maxx last week and they had lovely gifts for less than I could buy the materials to make something mediocre.  I'm burnt out right now.....I got the interfacing cut for the ornaments but that's as far as I got...........they'll get done.....after Christmas..........but their main presents are all mailed and some received already. 
I did create though..............I made 2 big trays of Christmas Crack for the people that deliver my mail, take away my garbage, keep my car running and fill my prescriptions.  I'll deliver them tomorrow.....I posted the recipe in a previous post this past week...........

I also did some decorating so I could enjoy my little corner of the festivities.............

As for Advent Day #23...my daughter wrote........"You light up my life".........you light up mine too sweetie!  Here they are...............
teeny tiny battery operated lights.............I love lights and will use them for sure....maybe tomorrow!

To all my blog friends and especially for those who only visit on Sundays.......

Happy Trails!!!