Sunday, December 29, 2013

Post-Christmas Post.

Hello everyone!  Well, Christmas is finally done and it was a very nice time that was had by all.  And we all spent some time remembering the reason for the season,  the people that count, and what we can do better for others.  

I didn't finish everything I 
was supposed to, but that's ok, I will get it done.  I did make my chocolate/peanut butter fudge, mostly to send to my daughter in Massachusetts, and I made gingerbread cookies, just for fun.  


As you can see, I am still not finished with the blanket for my granddaughter.  It is just the tangled mess that is left.  That is, the threads to sew in, and cut off, making it nice and clean.  It is beautiful, if I do say so myself.  Not my pattern, or my color choice, by the way.  I found it on Pinterest and there was no pattern, but it looked pretty easy to follow.  I made some slight changes to what it looked like, but I am pleased with how it is turning out.  

The 
cookie jar has since been filled with gingerbread cookies.  And then emptied!  Yum!  
This was our tree this year, a little sparse , as I just didn't have time to drag everything out.  But it was pretty.   I made some star and snowflake garlands, and some tree garlands that I gave as gifts, plus several cowls and a snowflake garland, too!  What fun I have had.  Now I can start for next year!  



I love my little elf, sitting on the bench waiting for guests to arrive.  

I have so enjoyed making things this year, and blogging, and Pinterest and blogger friends.  This has all been a God-send for me, as life has it's difficult times, and we all need something to help us get thru them.  This has all been relaxing, comforting and cozy for me.  Thank you to all who have given me inspiration and support.   I hope that I have been able to give a little inspiration to others, as well.  

Later......JO

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!


I have to share with you a most special gift sent to me by a treasured friend.  We don't see one another often, as she lives in Vermont, and I live in Arizona, but our friendship has endured.  My family lived in Vermont for about seven years until 1984, and I loved it.   For many years since we moved from Vermont, my friend, Gayla, sent us a fresh Vermont wreath at Christmastime.  For the last few years, she hasn't sent one for whatever reasons, but I understood.  But this year, I was surprised to see a flat box, that looked like it might be a wreath, in my mail.  I can't tell you how excited I was.  I almost bought one for myself a week or so ago, but I smelled it, and it wasn't the same.  It hardly had any nice scent at all!  No, I just didn't want it.  
But yesterday, lo and behold, there was my wreath.  Simple, but beautiful, and it smelled sooooo good.  I stick my nose in it every time I go outside.  

Thank you, my friend!  You know me so well!  

Later.......JO

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Back from TEA!

Hello again!

I'm back from tea!  What a wonderful time we had for the day!  We arrived a little early as we had been told that there was a Winter Festival going on in the immediate area today.  We walked around for about a half hour taking in the sights at various booths.  But we knew that tea was waiting, so we hurried over to the tea room.

 My niece and   


 I had been there  before, but the other two girls had not ever been to "tea",  so they really enjoyed the delights that were served, and the tea room itself.    

 




 We chose pretty hats for ourselves, took our time with tea, and even  took pictures for others, and had some taken for ourselves.   We all enjoyed it, and the girls decided that next time, they would invite their mothers, and a couple of neighbors.  So we are on in a month or so.  Yay!  

  

We even
 encountered a couple of folks who were going to be in the parade later, and they were kind enough to pose for us.  
My niece is my new partner for tea now, as she is my sister's daughter, and as such, the tea room is a special place to her, also.  
We rounded out the  day, with a walk around the festival booths, and taking photos of the tea room and the festival.  


It was 
a wonderful day, and by the way, the temperatures were in the high sixties for most of the day, so it was the loveliest of days all around.  While we were walking around, we saw this festive dog with his owner, and I couldn't resist asking him to pose for a photo.  
AND  I got to bring leftovers home, namely scones, jam, and clotted cream!  Ooooohhhh, be still my heart (and stomach), for it awaits in the fridge!   

LATER.........JO 

TEA!

Hello all!  And welcome to my little piece of the world!

I have soooo much to do, but today I am taking time off to go to tea!  At the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree, Az.

.i must get this blanket finished, as I have to mail it across the country, as well as other gifts, and the little tidbits need to be finished, too!, of course.  

But for now ......  TEA!  I am so excited, as they are having a Winter Festival, in Carefree as well today, so that will make it even nicer.  It's quite cool right now, about 42 degrees, but will warm up a little later.   So I'll be back with some photos and blabbering  about my tea with my niece and her friends.    later.......JO

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Busy, busy, busy!

Oh, I have been busy!  You have too!  We are all busy at this time of year.  I haven't felt this happy about Christmas for a long time.  I am just having fun, and sharing all your blogs make me really appreciate the season.  I have very little family here that can get together, so I get together with all of you, virtually!  Thank you.  You have no idea how much my life has improved since I got involved in the blog world, and got back into crocheting and knitting.  

So first of all is the lovely little gifts I received from Stef at Crochetapy!  You know I love my tea, so that was nice, and the little folder for charge cards, or tea bags to carry with me is so cute.   The snowflakes reminded me of the snow that I miss from New England, so I loved all my gifts.   Thank you, Stephanie!  

 My good friend , Jeanette, had a birthday , so I whipped up this beautiful cowl for her, and guess what?!  When she got it, she called to say "what do I do with it?  She had never worn one, but she loves it now that I told her how to wear it.  She lives in Delaware where it is colder.   Happy Birthday, dear friend.  



 Next, I made this wonderful, delicious  vegetable chowder for dinner last nite.  Oh, it was so good.  I don't know where she got the recipe from, but my sister sent it to me years ago, before I lived in Arizona.  Now that it is winter here, albeit not like the winters I remember from New England, I keep soup as a regular on my menus at least once a week.  Everyone loves soup in the cooler days, don't they?  

And lastly, but not leastly, are my projects that I am working on.  I have several going.  Most are for gifts, so I am working on the ones that have to travel to their rightful owners before Christmas.   And now, Jeanette just called and asked me to make two cowls for gifts for her daughter and daughter in law.  Ooooeeee.  Now, I am busier!   My hubby has never seen me crochet this much, and he smiles as I work.  And I think I have made the yarn stores a bit richer!!!  I have bags and bags in my closet.  Hehe.   I will share pictures of finished projects after Christmas, hopefully.   

I lied about the lastly thing.  I have one more thing.  I would love to hear comments on my blog, if you are so inclined.  I so love hearing what you are doing, or if you enjoy my goings on, so I welcome you to jot me a short note if you can.  I appreciate all the comments.   

Take good care of yourselves, stay warm and cozy, happy hooking, and sewing, and crafting, AND  cooking and let us all remember the reason for Christmas!    Later.......   JO

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

One Down, One to Go

Well, that's one holiday down and one to go.  Thanksgiving was wonderful!   We had seven here altogether, and it was warm out, so we sat out on the patio quite a bit.  The food and the company was great.  We had contributions from my brother, brother-in-law, and niece;  all delicious!  We chatted, never got to dessert, as we were all too full, but everyone took some home, along with leftovers from the meal.  I always get a pretty large turkey, as everyone likes to take some home.

We talked over Christmas plans, and my niece and I decided on tea at our local tea shoppe very soon. That will be a very welcome break for me, and for her too, I think.  Tea!  I will be so happy.  We usually go to the antique shops nearby afterwards, so that adds to the pleasure of the day!

I've been working on quite a few projects, which I can't show until after the holiday, as it will spoil the surprise.  But I am almost finished with one grandaughter's blanket.  I'll lay it out tomorrow, and sew it together, then add the edging.  One down, one to go.  Now the grandson wants one, but he knows he is on a "waiting list".  lol.  

Will post a couple of photos tomorrow, if I can.  So busy, so busy!  Love it!  Good luck with your projects.  I'd love to hear what you are working on.  Drop me a line.  Take care, keep busy, take a break with tea, and we will see you .....Later.......JO