Friday, 24 December 2021

Day 24 of the Online Advent Calendar πŸŽ„

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.

Tuesday, 21 December 2021

Scavenger Photo Hunt - Homemade πŸ“·πŸͺ‘🧢

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! πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

Friday, 17 December 2021

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!

Monday, 13 December 2021

Scavenger Photo Hunt - Mug πŸ“·πŸΊ

Welcome to the second 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. Now this time I have a legitimate excuse for being late... the flu! It took a week, but I'm almost back to "normal".


Mug
These are the mugs in our coffee/tea area, I had to add shelves so that they would all fit. Most of them are mine, but I like to share.


The is from DH's Georgia Tech days when he was in college and we were dating. This tea changes colour when you add lemon, so this mug is perfect.


This was a delicious treat in my Christmas mug. It was nice and warm, hit the spot for sure!


I made these beer mugs for DH's birthday one year.


Oh my, another delicious drink in my mug, and I felt it! German Gluhwein was perfect for this day a few years ago, I even had two.


Sorry for the blurry picture, but this is one of my Dad's photos of the Toby Mugs he collects. I know I've given him a few over the years, but I think he's finally stopped collecting them... no more room!


Luke's Diner, has anyone not seen Gilmore Girls?


A Mill Hill cutie, I can only imagine it has some very good chocolatey cocoa with whipped cream in it.


Dragon loving mug.


I'm thinking some pumpkin coffee must be in that one!


My perfect trio, with cranberry cream coffee this time of year!


And I couldn't leave out this "ugly" mug, Chewie! This is how he smiles, it's so funny to see every morning.


See you Friday for some Homemade Goodies, maybe I'll have a fresh batch of something to share.

Wednesday, 8 December 2021

The Return of Spike and Scotch 🐢

 Well, Spike and Scotch have decided to join us for another year. Sadly, Nathan doesn't seem to be very interested this year. I think they came back just for me!

On day one, they brought Nathan an advent calendar, and one for Chewie too!


On day two, they tried the dog treats and while Scotch liked it, Spike was thankful for a chocolate snowman.


On day three, they met some new gnome friends.


On day four, they decided to visit their old friends before they went on display.


On day five, they waited for Ming and Maximus to snuggle with them, but had to find them on their own.


On day six, Spike tried to play Santa and got stuck.



On day seven, they hung out with Santa to try and get some tips.


 On day eight, they caught the flu that's going through the house. Gman1 and C were visiting Oma and Opa this past weekend and had to cut their trip short because Gman1 wasn't feeling well. He got tested for everything and it came back positive for flu. Thankfully, neither Oma or Opa got it. But, C and I did, ugh, this one is nasty!


Hopefully we'll feel better tomorrow, at least it's before the holidays!

Monday, 6 December 2021

Scavenger Photo Hunt - Ornament/Menorah πŸ“·πŸ•Ž

Welcome to the first 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. 


Ornament
We do have quite an assortment of ornaments, from ones DH made when he was a child, to our own boys creations. They each have a container that has all of their own ornaments to place on the tree and then take with them when they move out.
Here are just a few since our tree isn't up yet and they're still packed away.
I'm pretty sure this is the first cross stitch ornament I ever made. It came in a kit of these snowmen and Santas. I gave this one to my parents and somehow it made it back to my house! I'm pretty sure I still have the kit/pattern somewhere.


I made this cute little guy for an exchange. I think I might need to make one for myself one of these days.


This one is a reminder of last year, but do we really need it?! No matter, Cori likes him!



Menorah
On Friday night, DH and I joined our friends and went to Ellicott City's Midnight Madness.
I saw these menorahs and thought they were perfect to add here.


This was in the antique store I love to shop in.


There were even fun menorah socks!


See you Friday with mugs, what do you like to put in yours?