Blogmas Day #21 - December 21st

Today is the shortest day of the year..........from now on they get longer.  It doesn't bother me one way or the other although I am very tired today but I did go to Walmart and that seems to do me in!
Here's your little bit of Christmas for today........I've always wanted to know how to do this and make one..........here's the link

As for the Advent gift Day #21...........Amy wrote "Just one more....okay...one more....." and that really said it all because by the time I remembered to take a picture............

there was only "one more" left! LOL!  So good....made in Wisconsin of all REAL ingredients....yummo!
Today was Walmart and I was up at 3:00 a.m. and now I am ready to go to bed at 4:30!  Not quite yet but I think I will put my feet up!
I got 2 of the 3 Thrift books I ordered in the mail..........
this one is for Uriah............it's a great book about a young boy surviving in the wilderness and I've read it and loved it............it's called Hatchet by Gary Paulsen...it is the first in a series.............a very nice edition too with an almost leather feeling cover.........

 and this one for me...........

There's another book coming on knitting.......I'll show you when it arrives.
I got all I needed today and now I won't have go out until after New Years!  I plan it that way every year and I love knowing I can stay in with the girls and our Hygge house for the holidays!
It was sunny and mild today but felt much colder because it was pretty windy so I'll be glad to get my flannel pj's on and have some hot soup!
Oh, here's my outside decorations at night.........

 and I got the Santa plate out for the cookies I will hopefully get baked...........this is another wonderful ceramic from my Aunt Alice..............we used to have Santa mugs too but who knows what happened to them?!?

Happy Trails!!!

Blogmas Day #20 - December 20th

Here's your little bit of Christmas for today..........a little Hygge...and if you don't know what Hygge is click on this link

As for my Advent gift..........Amy wrote "I got nuttin, okay, a little sumpin"......another family joke.....but these are just what I needed for my journal.............stickers!  Thank you, sweetie!

I also got a Christmas card from Connie at The Far Side of Fifty..........she makes them and it is beautiful!  I had a cupola and weather vane just like that on my farm but it was on the garage not the barn.........

 plus she sent me this sparkly scrubbie for doing my Christmas dishes!   It is really snazzy, thank you Connie!  One can never have enough of these scrubbies....I love them!

I spent all afternoon outside stringing lights.   I plug them in inside to ensure they work first then I wrap them around the railing in front and I first plug them into the outside outlet too....they were all working until I got done winding them around the railing.....then out they went!  This happened with 2 strings of lights......a big waste of time! So, this is what I have for outside lights this year...........the older I get the sparser the outside decorations.  I think next year I will get a real tree and put it in the window and it will be the inside and the outside decorations....if I'm still here in this house.

This is not my fire....it's on You Tube and you can hear the fire and there is Christmas instrumental music.....just what I need...very soothing......

The soups been cooking all day, I got more laundry done, fixed my headboard on my bed that was rattling every time I moved in bed, I changed the sheets, vacuumed, and cleaned up after Miss Annie.
Time for me to get my jammies on and kick back and watch the news and then maybe a Christmas movie.....I'm tired.  Still no baking or card writing and I have to go to Walmart tomorrow....woe  is me! LOL! 
HappyTrails!!!

Blogmas Day #19 - December 19th

Here's your little bit of Christmas for today...........I'm pretty sure I have talked about Christmas Crack before and I have made it for myself and gifts.  It is easy, inexpensive and delicious!  But I have not seen this version with the white chocolate and the festive sprinkles!  This is great!  Here's the link

***ADDENDUM***  A kind reader pointed out that this recipe has no amounts for sugar or butter....I am giving you a link to the original recipe I used and you can replace the dark chocolate with white and decorate with the sprinkles if you so choose.  I apologize for the 'bad' recipe!  Here's the link


Is that a Pioneer Woman Mug?  I do not have a Christmas mug yet and I love that shape of mug....hmmm....I'm going to Walmart Friday.....I'll have to check it out!  I will be making this for the people that work so hard....my mailman, Phillip, who dresses up every Christmas Eve as Santa Claus and delivers the mail.  I'll try and get a picture this year plus his fellow workers at the Post Office in Franklin, plus the mechanics that fixed my car, and the pharmacy people who are always so friendly and answer all my questions.  Also, the garbage guys who even told me they never get anything and trust me...they REALLY work hard in the heat down here with the smelly garbage!  Oh yeah!  I have great respect for the garbage people.  A little Christmas Crack and a little note will  hopefully let all these people  know how much I appreciate them all year long!
 Advent gift #19...Amy wrote..."Reminds me of Biaggi's"...now, Biaggi's is this wonderful Italian restaurant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that we would frequent as often as possible!  For dessert we would always have the Creme Brulee....which is my all time favorite dessert...I think....so now you will understand when you see this..........
Okay, to be fully transparent I will tell you they are long gone! LOL!  Delish!

  Today was all about "catch up" but not the kind in the bottle.  I was wrapping and mailing on Monday, Tuesday I was gone to Mountain Home and so the house was 'trashed' in order to get the priorities taken care of.  So, today I got more Christmas stuff up from the basement.  These were made by my Aunt Alice and have been around since my kids were little.........

 I found the lights finally after purchasing some new ones but really there can never be too many lights!

and garland..............

I went and picked up prescriptions, a few ingredients for supper and I mailed Uriah's present today.  I did some laundry and cleaned up the house and prepped a crock pot full of Olive Garden's copycat recipe for Pasta Fagioli which will cook all day tomorrow........... here's the link for the recipe

 That's all for today.....I have more 'catching up' to do tomorrow! LOL!  I hope I am prepared come Christmas Eve so I can relax!
P.S.  When I was at the doctors yesterday I got that new pneumonia shot.....Prevar 13?  Don't quote me on the name.  I was not due for a pneumonia shot but they said it works in conjunction with the other and now I am covered for life!  No more pneumonia shots!  I feel like Super Woman!   (Disclaimer:  This shot is only for those over 65 and I am way over 65! LOL!)
Happy Trails!!!

Blogmas Day #18 - December 18th

Here's your little bit of Christmas for today..................L O V E these..........I think the pattern is free but the buttons you have to purchase.   But come on.....worth it for sure in my book!  Here's the link

For Advent Day #18, Amy wrote....."So happy, all smiles".............and look!  It's this lovely hand cream called  "All Smiles".........my daughter and I can never have too much lip balm or hand cream!  I want to smell it but the packaging is so pretty I may just wait until I'm ready to use it.

I'm sorry if I haven't been visiting much....it should get better now as the 'deadline' projects are in the mail.....there's another one that I wrapped tonight and will mail tomorrow.   Today I was gone all day to the doc and he was very nice to me (remember last time I got mad at him about ignoring my liver function test which as it turned out was in error anyway)....I had a great checkup, he said I'm doing great and he never mentioned my weight...LOL!    BP is super and blood work is all good!  Merry Christmas to me!  I stopped at the pet store and got a variety of health treats for the girls for Christmas.   I already hid them away but I'll show you tomorrow.  I went to Starbucks and got a Holiday Latte for the way home.........it was delish!

But before that I went to my favorite store..........T.J. Maxx.............and look what I got..............a Christmas candle that should last the season and will hopefully smell like a Christmas Tree!

Some liquid soaps in holiday gear.............I really did need these too..............I haven't had time to make any soap..............plus I don't have those cute labels! LOL! 

a candle for the bedroom and this one smells divine!

On Christmas Eve we always used to have snacks.....cheese and sausage, dips and Christmas cookies....just in case I don't get the cookies made I picked up some delicious looking gourmet treats........yes, T. J. Maxx still............

 and these...........I can't wait to try these........

I think I'll make Zuppa Toscana soup for my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...I love it and it is just right for me with my homemade bread.  I will have phone calls so it will just need heating up and I can talk to the grands and watch Christmas specials and movies and craft to my hearts content and still have plenty to eat! LOL!
Look at this beautiful card I got from Rain, Alex and 'the furballs'.....I think she painted it....I still have the one she did last year to display again..........she's such a great artist and self-sufficiency expert and cook and creator.....another amazing woman!  Thank you so much Rain!

 That's all for today folks....I'm pretty bushed and I still have to make supper and give everyone their meds.  We're all doing well and I hope you are too!
P.S.  I was going to go to Hobby Lobby but I spent my money at T.J. Maxx so just as well.  I need to use up what yarn I have.....until I start planning and making for next year! LOL!
Happy Trails!!!

Blogmas Day #17 - December 17th

 Here's your little bit of Christmas for today.............isn't this cute?  What an inexpensive little Christmas village to make by yourself, with your children or your grandchildren.  Here's the link

 Advent gift #17.....Amy wrote....."What a sticky situation".............and this is what it was.........
Washi Tape!!!  I love it and what cute ones they are!  Thank you dear daughter!  I love me some washi tape!

Today was c r a z y busy but who isn't this time of year?  I got a lot done though so I feel good!  I got the presents wrapped and off in the mail.....at least the ones that are here........

I got the car filled with gas, went to the bank and the dollar store and the library..........Whew!
Here's what I got at the library for over the Christmas holiday.............I have to start planning for next Christmas.....it's never too soon! 

 And cookies?  Of course.....I still have baking to do and cards and decorating................

I have to keep reading so I can meet my Good Read's Challenge...I need to update it and post a Book Date episode!
I think I will continue reading Janet Oke as the library has quite a few of these and I love them............

This is another author that I have read a few of her books and loved them so why I stopped I don't know....it could have been those years I was almost blind......I plan on reading all her books this coming year............big plans already!

I've not read this author before but it has a horse and the Christmas theme so I had to pick it up!

My sprouts are doing well and new ones continue to pop up.  I need to succession plant some more.....

Tomorrow is Mountain Home...doc, labs, and some shopping!  The weather is supposed to be like today.....sunny and 60's........I am such a lucky girl!  Plus, the toy from Fat Brain arrived this afternoon!  He wasn't kidding!  They sent it right out, priority!  What a wonderful company!  I need to write them a thank you note! 
Well, I'm off to hop in the tub, eat supper and 'hit the hay'....a little crochet or knitting and a good book...what a wonderful day and what a wonderful life! 
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #25

And here's your little bit of Christmas for Blogmas Day #16  Here's the link

She has some beautiful items and patterns and kits.  I think I have her book too....I need to check....some of these could be just inspiration or you could start off the New Year with a kit for yourself..........ahh.......inspiration.....where would we be without it.....the hopes, the dreams, the plans....that's the most enjoyable part!  

As for my Advent gift for today...Amy wrote  "warm  up to a hot cup of........" and it was this........

It is lip balm that really does taste like it too!  Yum!
I did 'slam' the other ornament from yesterday and it blew up into a cute red truck.............too fun!

There are some finishes this week:
1) and 2)  For my son and SIL...Cowls for Christmas................
 

Also, for my son's girlfriend..............This from the Fiberflux pattern I mentioned last week...so enjoyable and I think it turned out really nice!  I used 2 different variegated yarns held together.  On the boys it was a different pattern and not a good one either but I adjusted and did my own thing and I just hope they fit!  The light spots on the girlfriend's cowl is sunshine....

WIPs (works in progress)
1)   I'm working on these today and hope to finish but thought I would go ahead and blog and get to the sewing.........I chose the backing fabric and need to cut it and then iron on some interfacing, sew and stuff and apply cording............I best get going!  I'll have pictures next week of the finished items before I mail them off.........

2)  I started another cowl for my daughter and I want to make one for MOI too.....they are easy and fun and take no time at all!

3)  It's grown a bit but haven't spent too much time on it this week or any of the other WIPs I had going before Christmas making took over! LOL!

 Finishes so far for 2018-2019:

1.  4th of July xs pillow
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

Last week before Christmas!  I sent some Swiss Colony, I still have books to arrive and a toy plus some food gifts, cards, wrapping more, finishing work, dr. appt. Tuesday all day and decorating....woe is me! LOL!
 Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other  YOP'ers are working on.
Happy Trails!!!

Blogmas Day #15 - December 15th

Here's your little bit of Christmas for today..........we can't forget our feathered friends!  Here's the link

And for my Advent gift for Day #3...my daughter sent me this...not for the faint of heart.........but it is the neatest thing of the season and you can get 4 for $1 at the Dollar Tree! 

It 's this little package and Amy wrote..."for anger management".......you slam your fist down on the package pretty hard and it inflates into a Christmas ornament!  I was amazed and I think it's the 'bees knees'!    I haven't done the truck yet....my hand is still hurting from the peppermint candy one...lol!  I'll show you when I do it! 
Today I got out a few more decorations............the nativity scene.....

My vintage Santa card holder that I love..........

and this snow mama with her snow baby I got at a craft fair years ago...it's made out of old quilts and a chenille bedspread....another favorite.......some people are so talented!

I wrapped a few more presents..........I can only seem to wrap about 3 before my back starts hurting....standing in one place bent over is not for me.....that's why I take 'breaks'! :)

I also worked on the last gift I'll be making other than 'finishing' the collectible ornaments which is tomorrow for sure!
I hope you enjoyed your Saturday and got everything you wanted to do done!
Happy Trails!!!