Sleds and another question

Thank you for your suggestions on what to do with the wooden sleds. Guess what I found while cleaning up my craft room...

Oops, totally forgot I bought these!

I think I'll wait until after the holidays to paint/stain the other sleds, at least it will give them plenty of time to dry.

I received a couple of presents early for Christmas, this print is from Cori, I just need to get a frame for her. Isn't she beautiful?

And this lovely mermaid came from DJ. I will always have enough room for mermaids!

I've had these Tokens and Trifles for years and I finally made something with it. This is the first one I finished and I'm working on another one.

The company has gone out of business, but you can still find places that still sell them, although I don't know for how long! So sad, I really love the ornament ones.

I much prefer using this instead of perforated paper because it's smaller. I've only ever seen the paper come in 14 count, has anyone ever found anything different? Or if I use fabric, what's the best way to make it stiff without ruining it or having the floss bleed? Does that make sense?

Day 11 of the Advent Calendar

It's December and you know what that means, Jo's Online Advent Calendar! 
Welcome to Day 11.

This is one I stitched last year, it's the Mill Hill Holiday Stamp. I still can't decide if I'm giving it as a gift or keeping it. I wonder if the postman would like it?!

Jo asked us to show our favourite decoration, family heirloom, something our children made, or one with a special memory.
I've got a hodgepodge!

This is Odie, from Garfield. Even though I'm a cat lover, I just adore this pup! He's been on my tree for quite a while.

This sweet couple will be on our tree 21 years this Christmas.

This nut of a Santa is something my DH made as a child and my mil gave to us. 

This is one I did, probably in my late teens. It came in a kit and there was another one with Santas on it. This is the only one I kept, the rest were all gifts.

Each one of the boys made these adorable ornaments in school. They've made so many, but I really like these.

This is our family heirloom. DH's Nana made this in 1971, and several years ago asked me if I'd like it. Of course! It's even more special since she is no longer with us. We miss you, Nana!

Please go visit Oh Sew Crafty to see another post for the 11th.
Thanks again, Jo, for another fun year. I'm looking forward to opening the rest of the doors!

Pinterest winner! And a question.

Cranberries? Yes, please!

Cranberry Christmas Cake to be exact.

We were having a holiday potluck at book club and I signed up for sweets, no surprise there!

I've been wanting to make this cake ever since I saw on Pinterest, and this was the perfect time.

It's a very simple recipe, the hardest part was not tasting it before I left!

Not the best picture, but I thought it looked yummy and it smelled wonderful.

I guess it was, because this is what I came home with! Now this wasn't eaten all at once, some of it went home with the ladies. 

You can find and print the recipe here - Barefeet in the Kitchen. The only thing I did differently was use orange extract instead of vanilla. The next time I'll add some orange zest to give it even more flavour. I normally use a bundt pan because I like the way it looks, I'll try that next time too.

Last year I made these two ornaments, using the Foxwood Crossing sleds. So simple, I love they way they look.

I bought these after Christmas thinking they would be a cute variation.  

My question is, is it better to stain or paint these sleds? Will either one have an effect on the perforated paper being glued on there? Thoughts or suggestions?

Spike's 1st week

Spike has returned to "watch" Nathan, although we really don't make it a big deal that he's being watched and reported to Santa. It's more like he's just saying hello and apparently getting into trouble. More like we're going to report him!

At the end of November, he showed up to chill with Ming and Max.

On the 1st, he tried to get into Nathan's chocolate advent calendar.

On the 2nd, he found the candy jar.

On the 3rd, he was hanging out eating chocolate. 

On the 4th, he got stuck getting M&M's.

On the 5th, he found MY stash of chocolate.

 On the 6th, he made his own trail mix using our topping collection.

On the 7th, he opened up the Dove bag that wasn't supposed to be opened until Christmas. I think Nathan put him up to that one.

This is only his first week, can it get any worse?

Getting ready for Christmas

I'm trying to get ahead of the pressie game, so I ordered the gmen some socks they like. Four pairs, two of each colour, ordered online at the same time.
This is what I received - one box and one bag.

 
One set in the box, one set in the bag, both came from the exact same place. Really?! Who packages this way?!

I got this book for Nathan a couple of years ago, but we forgot about it last year. It's a little bear's journey following the "glittering star", as he meets traveling companions along the way. Very cute and we enjoy reading it together.

Last night he went to St. Nick's Night at school, and enjoyed making his "gingerbread" house. Then he played BINGO with Gammy so DH and I could have a night to ourselves - Win, win!

I received part of my Christmas pressie early from my chosen sister, Cori. Does she know me or what?! It's hanging on my craft room door, perfect spot for her.

One of my friends, Lisa, made me this decorated jar from a jar candle that was empty. I love the snow flake on top for the handle. It's a perfect ORT jar!

Excuse my messy table, but I think I finally have something big enough for all the Christmas/Holiday kits I have accumulated throughout the years. This was half price at Joann Fabrics so I couldn't resist. I always feel like I'm forever organizing something, but it feels so good when it turns out! 

What special way do you have of organizing your stash?

November outings

DH and I spent the day at Harpers Ferry, WV last month, before the leaves were totally gone. It's one of my favourite places to go.

I think the last time I climbed this overlook, I was 12 - such a long time ago! What a hike, I obviously need to do that more often. And bring water!

I don't normally do selfies, but I like this one.

Sadly, the Hilltop Hotel is slowly falling down.

Even though the Tavern wasn't "open", we had an enjoyable lunch outside with views of the train station, with trains coming by, and a little feathered friend.

Another beautiful day, this time in Sykesville for the Chili and Beer Festival. This time I decided to partake and I'm glad the boys were with us to drive home!

 

Such fun, a henna tattoo!

This is the first year the gmen could vote. Oh boy, great choices. Let's pray for the best!

Phoenix! We got to dogsit this precious girl.

Max was still a little leery, but Ming had no problem sharing her spot by the fire.

This mess has finally been put away - 

Only to be replaced with this soon to be mess, getting ready to decorate for Christmas. I know it will be worth it in the end, but I'm just not feeling it at the moment.

I didn't finish this before December as I had hoped, but it really doesn't matter since I'm not putting the year together until after the holidays.

I am not a Turkey... found turkeys!

I was at lunch duty today and seven turkeys showed up on the wall! They must have been hiding before Thanksgiving, just in case people thought they were still turkeys.

Hi, I am not a turkey. I am a tooth fairy. I use the teeth I get to make buildings in tooth fairy land. To get to my home from the human world, find the apple.

 Hello, my name is Luke Skywalker. I go around teaching many turkeys the force. Oops, I mean Jedis.

I'm not a turkey. I am a priest. Look at my rosary. I go to church to pray and worship God with other turkeys. Oops, I mean people.

 I'm not a turkey, I'm a robot. Look at my square head. I walk around space all day helping other turkeys. Oops, I mean robots.

 I'm not a turkey any more. I am Santa Claus. I am with you to celebrate. I brought thanksgiving.

I am a big woolly mammoth. The only one walking on the earth. How can you eat an extinct animal? That's right, you don't!

I am not a turkey. I am Charmeleon. If you eat me you will be on fire. Stay away from me!

Let's hope there aren't any more turkeys running loose in the school!