📷 Scavenger Photo Hunt Link-Up Party ~ Celebrate

 

A huge thank you to those who have participated in the weekly Scavenger Photo hunt when I took over from Katie, and to those who read the blogs that joined in.

It looks like this will be the last hunt, not just for this year, but maybe for good?

I might try a few words for February, but only posting once a month instead of weekly and see how it goes.

Thoughts, suggestions?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wrapping up with Spike and Scotch 👋

On day seventeen, they were hanging out in my mermaid stocking on my craft room door. Maybe they were trying to meet some mermaids in there?

On day eighteen, they decided they wanted to come with me on my trip to Pennsylvania with Cori, so they hopped in my luggage.

On day nineteen, they enjoyed see the lights.

They were a little cold, so they borrowed my mittens.

And then they had a little swing in the hanging basket.

On day twenty, they found another reindeer to ride with.

They relaxed in a red wagon after the ride.

Then decided to climb a tree just for fun.

On day twenty one, they were wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Then they joined Cori and I watching The Santa Clause, but they hogged the popcorn!

On day twenty two, they wanted to be a two headed gingerbread man before we left to go home.

And Nathan didn't even miss them while they were gone! 😢

On day twenty three, hide and seek was the game they were playing.

Found them!

On day twenty four, they tried to help DH and I wrap presents. Unfortunately, they didn't do a very good job and we had to do it on our own. So much for being a wrapping elf.

On day twenty five, they wished Jesus a Happy Birthday.

And finally, on day twenty six, they almost went out with the wrapping paper!

So who know if they'll be back next year, it's a lot of work keeping up with them!

Scavenger Photo Hunt - Stocking 📷 🧦

Welcome to the fourth word of the Scavenger Photo Hunt for December. As always, anyone can join in with whatever inspires you and I can always add it after the sign up is closed, although this week it's open a bit longer.

Stocking

Imagine, another oldie from my Dad! 

Growing up, we always had real stockings, filled with small presents, nuts, chocolates, and fruit. Because it was so stretchy, there was plenty in there! It took a while to open them, but it was always fun to see what was inside.

Even as an adult, my parents were still giving me one.

The Gmen didn't mind having a smaller stocking.

I think this was the last year I received one, it just got to be too much!

These were our stockings this year.

Gman1's girlfriend, C, joined us this year since covid hit her house. It was so lovely to have her and I had this stocking that I had made years ago for her to use. It was hanging with Gman1's stocking, but was a little heavy to put back up when filled and Santa was afraid they both might fall.

I made this little stocking ornament for my brother one year. Geaux Saints! 🏈⚜

I saw this on Instagram and thought it was appropriate!

See you next week with our last word for the year, Celebrate!

Are there any words you'd like to see for next year, or other suggestions for the scavenger photo hunt?

Day 24 of the Online Advent Calendar 🎄

Welcome to day...

I hope you have been following along with Jo @Serendipitous Stitching's Online Advent Calendar this year, with so many wonderful posts full of lovely stitching, tree photos, and stories from other stitchers. I've joined in since the beginning and have enjoyed every year!

Our question this year is about our Christmas tree, the traditions, ornaments, and whether we use a Star or Angel on top.

As you can see (sort of) we have an Angel on our trees. Although we've talked about replacing this one because we're not keen on it flashing and would like a change. And is she actually an Angel if she's really Mary holding baby Jesus?

Since we've been in the "new" house, we've finally been able to have a large tree, I think this might be our biggest one yet.

This one is in our basement, it's an artificial one and very simple. I used to put all handmade ornaments on it, but now it has our family names on it as well as lots of the White House ornaments that come out yearly.

This is where all the stitched ones are now, included mine, gifts from friends, and exchange pieces. It's normally in my craft room window, but this year it's sort of just hanging around.

The photos of all these trees were taken while Cori and I were in Pennsylvania earlier this week. They are all so beautifully decorated, even the gingerbread trees. It's alway fun to see the whisk tree in the kitchen shop. 

This was taken earlier this month during Midnight Madness in Ellicott City. 

Looks like a live tree to me with a star on top!

A few Christmas stitching pieces.

My most recent finish, although it's not fully finished yet. I made this for my Momma, she'll probably put it her room year round.

Just for fun, I'm going to the wayback machine to show more Christmas trees through the years.

This is my Momma on Christmas Eve, 1959, at Black Notley Hospital after walking about seven miles from Coggeshall with her beloved Christmas tree. Nothing was stopping her getting a tree!

My parents tree in 1960, "We couldn't afford a Christmas tree having just moved into the bungalow that summer but my cousin decided to remedy that with a bread knife, scaling the fence of H.M. Forestry and brought back this beauty! Ulrike was living in dread we would be raided by the police!"

This was our first Christmas in the states, 1969, in Virginia. That bike wasn't mine (I was two), it my was big brother's. I'm hoping it was really a red bike because it looks pink to me!

This was after we moved to our house in Maryland, I was four years old. The ornament I'm holding was made by a neighbour there, and I think they still have it.

My goodness, they really liked adding all that tinsel!

This sweet tree was in my Momma's chapel years ago, probably the first live one they've had since moving here. This one has actual candles on it like she used to have growing up in Germany.

I will leave you with Mary's Sampler from Plum Street Sampler.

May the love of Christ and the warmth that comes with this holy season remain with you and make your holidays the best ever. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a special thank you to Jo for once again putting together this year's Advent Calendar and those who participated in it.

📷 Scavenger Photo Hunt Link-Up Party ~ Stocking

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Scavenger Photo Hunt - Homemade 📷🪡🧶

Welcome to the third word of the Scavenger Photo Hunt for December. As always, anyone can join in with whatever inspires you and I can always add it after the sign up is closed. My excuse for being late THIS week? A getaway in Pennsylvania with my girl, Cori!

Now this blog is full of my homemade stitching things and other crafts, even and some baking here and there. Here are some other homemade items from friends and family. 

Handmade

These sweet gnomes were made from a new friend who sells them at our little local Farmers Market. She uses all scrap fabric, aren't they adorable? I bought them for Cori for Christmas. The red hat one is one that his hat comes off and all the little ones where hiding inside!

I made these for Cori, the nutcracker was from last year and I had forgotten to add my name and date on the back. The naughty one is truly appropriate for her, although she's really only a little naughty and mainly nice!

The blanket here is one that my Momma made from scraps of yarn she had leftover from making other blankets. This is my favourite one, even though we have ones from her that have lovely colours knitted together. I love the hodgepodge!

These sweet treats were baked and decorated by Cori while she was visiting her sister one year at Christmas. Her sister the THE ultimate baker!

I almost didn't want to eat them since they were so cute, but they were delicious.

I just received these from her sister tonight, the perfect time to post them!

These were made from my friend, Nina, friends since Jr High, too cute!

She has a laser printer and creates so many fun things.

That's it for now since I'm already so late. See you Friday for Stocking. Since it's so close to Christmas, I'll leave it open longer for those who are celebrating!

Happy Christmas! 🎄🎅

Another Week with Spike and Scotch

I was down with that darn flu about a week, with a few extra days of still needing to take it easy and nap. DH and Gman2 also ended up getting it, but thankfully Nathan didn't! He's the only one who had a flu shot so I guess it worked!

On day nine, they still weren't feeling well and decided to hide out with the meds.

On day ten, they moved over to the tissue box because it was more comfortable.

On day eleven, they got into the good stuff and finally started to feel better!

On day twelve, they ventured outside for some fresh air and a ride with a reindeer.

On day thirteen, they found my stash of Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Nutcrackers to share with the real Nutcrackers.

On day fourteen, they went outside again, this time to chill with the snowmen.

On day fifteen, they got into Gman1's gift from work - just their size! Scotch was a little disappointed his namesake wasn't there.

On day sixteen, it was 67° (19°C), and absolutely beautiful! So they decided to relax outside and enjoy the weather. I think they needed a day of rest after their shenanigans. 

Even though it was nice today, I'm ready for it to be cold again since it is December and Christmas is so close!