Happy New Year's Eve!!!

I am running really late tonight...........phone calls and then there was football games to watch etc.  I did manage to get the dishes washed and some laundry done.  It poured here last night and this morning but then it finally stopped and the sun came out for just a bit.  I needed to get other things done today but I always run out of 'day'! LOL!
I have made quite a few scrubbies.....8 to be exact............and still going.....

I finished the cowl but need to weave ends in on it and the scrubbies..........

I'm back to my cross stitch schedule and here's Stars and Stripes Saturday..........

and Santa Sunday which there is a problem with...in cutting out the other ornaments it looks like I wasn't paying attention and cut into the Santa area............uh oh!  Not sure what to do but I'll think of something........any suggestions are welcome............

I did defrost a chicken to roast tomorrow with potatoes and carrots and onions.  I need to make bread tomorrow too and a cherry dump cake for dessert with ice cream.......Happy New Years!!!
Happy Trails too!!!

YOP Week #27

Finishes:
1)  I'm working on refilling my gift basket with dish cloths and scrubbies so these were done this week....it feels so good to get back to my regular 'makes'........

WIPs (works in progress):
1)  C2C Blanket - After  untangling 2 skeins of yarn not much progress has been made.......

2)  2018 Collectible Christmas ornaments - still not done...they're stuffed and sewn together but need the trim and hanger sewn on.......

3)  I still haven't finished this cowl but it should be done this week...so close.........I have truly enjoyed making these and they may join my 'regulars' for the gift basket.....this was a free pattern from Fiber Flux................

Acquisitions:  I have purchased a few things. I will be 70 years old on January 4th and I feel I deserve it! LOL!  I am getting into a new hobby this year....punch needle so I need the supplies for it.  I bought a 7" and 10" standing hoop and I still need to order a pattern, punch needle and fabric.  You use embroidery floss to punch with and I have plenty!  I also ordered yarn for a Chicago Bear's hat to make for my son, Ben, who's birthday is the 18th.  While I was at Knit Picks (they were having a sale by the way) I picked up some speckled sock yarn and some more needles.  Today I plan on ordering some  cross stitch supplies.  I've been putting away a little money for my birthday and I'm glad I did because ordinarily there is nothing left after Christmas! LOL!  So, I might have some things to show you next week along with a list of plans and projects for the next half of YOP!


 Finishes so far in 2018-19: 
1.  4th of July cross stitch pillow/ornie
2.  Hitchhiker shawl
3.  Felici Hibiscus self-striping socks
4.  Felted wool loafer slippers with leather soles for me Sam
5.  washcloth (extra large) and back scrubber for Christmas or birthday for SIL
6.   Iowa Hawkeye hats for Sam and Grayson
7.  Techniques learned so far this year: a) knit cast on, b) reading a knitting chart, c) lace work, d) inserting and using a lifeline e) charting a graphghan
8.   dishcloth(s)...I need to count them
9. Cubs hat for Uriah
10. 12 days of Christmas Advent gifts
11. Cowl for Ben
12. Cowl for Tracy
13. Cowl for Natalie
14.  Scrubbies....5 so far

 Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other  YOP'ers are working on.  Happy New Year and this coming year may we all have wonderful projects to work on and the money to buy more! LOL!
Happy Trails!!!

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!!!

Blogmas Day #22 - December 22nd

Here's a lot of Christmas for you.......these are all recipes for diffuser blends for Christmas and I couldn't stop myself from downloading as many as possible!  There's no link as the recipe is right here............

I don't have all these essential oils but I have some and now I know which ones I want to get!

For Advent gift #22 Amy wrote "It's a snap!"  I guessed it.............gingersnap cookies!  I think I've already gained weight with all these edible goodies......I've had these before and they are delectable!
I will save these for Christmas Eve to have with my Spiced Eggnog heated up.....I can't wait!

My other book came in the mail today.........I was going to save it until Christmas but why?  I'll be looking at it tonight...........

I got little done today as several of my children called and the latest craze is exchanging USPS tracking numbers! LOL!  I had a nice long talk with my son who rarely stays on the phone that long and then I got to talk to his girl friend too and then my daughter called.....it was like 'old home week'!
I hope you are anticipating the holidays ahead and for all those who are struggling this time of year, I wish you peace and comfort.
Happy Trails!!!