Time Marches On, Even When We Are Dragging

For many years, after Christmas, I have gathered some of our many clocks from around the house to arrange with old New Years post cards.

As usual, we will be staying in tonight. Turner has all the old Thin Man movies on so we will be lost in another time watching them.

New Years' hugs to all my friends in blogland!

Resting Comfortably and Enjoying the View

That old Cold Bug finally snagged me and I am spending lots of time on the couch. I have this darling framed original magazine cover that was a gift from my dear friend Karen propped up on the hearth to enjoy. Isn't he just sweet as sweet can be? Illustrator is Annie Benson Muller.

Take time to SEE what you love all around you today!

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Love to you as you make Christmas Memories today.

My favorite thing about today was our 9 year old Riley reading us the Christmas story from Luke before we opened gifts. He and 5 year old McKinley are our greatest gifts.

Christmas Eve

Hoping you receive everything you NEED for Christmas and that you also GIVE what others need as well.

Christmas Hugs to all my blogland friends~~~~~~~~~~~Grammy Linda K

Crocheting Obsession-I Can't Seem to Stop~~~

My hands have been very busy this week---------I am now working on my 5th scarf! The pattern is simple---sort of a combo scarf/boa. I told my husband I could call them a SCOA, but he suggested BARF! Hope this finds you full of Christmas cheer and finding fun in your days.

Picture is another one from Jessie Willcox Smith and I post it in honor of my friend Gwen, who is also crocheting scarves right now.

Understated Christmas Decorating

Simple is the word at our home this holiday season. We lead very simple lives really and the small amount of Christmas fluffing seems very much in keeping with us.

Here I show pics of the dining room hutch that I change out so often. Although pearls and whites are big this year, I bought all of these many years ago when I did a White Christmas theme. I love the white candy canes peeking out of each of my little white baby shoes. And, I have always been a Star-Girl, so Christmas is their time to shine.


















The mantel shows minimal fluffing, with 3 large dinner platters and neutral candles. I also strung some cranberries and also hung one of my woolie garlands.










The dining room table has a very simple ironstone platter with candles. I used an
idea from Martha and rolled them in Epsom Salts, after coating them with Mod Podge. They also sit in a mound of the Salts too. I dug out a remnent of lovely cream colored cloth and cut it into strips. Tied it in a knot every few inches or so and draped it around the platter with more pearls.










Each year, the grand kidlets and I do a kitchen table display of a little winter village, adding to it each year. Last year, my Riley and I made a BIG igloo from sugar cubes. This year he decided to put the Holy Family in the igloo and then he made two lines of snowman, reindeer other bits and told me they were all lining up, going to see Jesus. This year I made a little sugar cube house and a sugar cube snow fort.


















I found a great huge silver tray at a sale a few weeks ago and it works great for a table display in front of the couch with my Miniature Snow Babies. They frolic around there in Epsom Salts too.





Simple and fun. (And, not as much to put away later!)

Christmas Book with Meaning to Ponder

As much as I read, I really ought to blog about some of the great books that I love.
I happened across this delightful one at my library used bookstore. It was written in 1886 by the same author that wrote Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Kate Douglas Wiggin.



The Bird in the title refers to the family name and tells the story of the life of its' youngest child, Carol, and how she lived her short life with joy and meaning.

I do not believe in accidents. I believe that I was meant to find this, read it and share it with you in blogland. The story touched me and has made me reflect more on my own life. After all, isn't that what the best stories do?


Have you read any books lately that cause you to ponder?

Pot Holder Cuties

When we visited at our sons' home for Thanksgiving dinner, I discovered he had NO pot holders, but was just using towels. I came home and quickly found several of mine to give him. It also reminded me of an old stitching pattern given to me by my dear friend Sue. I bought 2 pot holders and after stitching the designs onto muslin and lining them underneath with some iron-on Pellon, I turned under the edges and neatly zigzagged them on. They will be a fun little Christmas gift from mom.

Stringing Wooley, Buttoney Garlands

While keeping warm and watching old movies and basketball this past weekend, I strung several garlands for Christmas gifts, made from scraps of wool and old buttons.

Here's' my method. Cut out a multitude of wool or felted wool scraps into squares. Just guesstimate the size as you do not want them to all be perfectly the same. I made one about 2 inches and another about 1 inch. Using carpet thread and a large needle, begin the garland with an old button. Make a loop at the end too for hanging. String about 25-30 squares, then add 7-10 old sew thru buttons. Continue until desired. I made mine about a yard long. Finish with another button and loop.

If you do not have carpet thread, string or a double length of strong thread would work too. Also, regular felt or fleece would work instead of the wool. Although fabrics that do not ravel are best, I think chenille with pearl and white buttons would be good too. I have some scraps of pink and white from a bedspread and Grammy may just have to do one of those too!

These are fun to make and a sweet little heart-warming gift.