Christmas 2023 Decorations

 Finally, I've finished decorating for Christmas 2023!  Just haven't had the energy or the mood to do so.  I started this past weekend getting all the boxes out...which is a feat in itself!  HA 

I always hang this little quilted ornament my cousin, Tootie, made back in 2000.  I have posted before about Tootie. In fact, my daughter and I flew to Pennsylvania for her surprise 90th birthday party.  You can read about this unique, wonderful lady here. 

This is the front of the ornament.  It's only 2 1/2"x2 1/2" and was paper pieced!  I love it!

The tree is all decorated and in the family room downstairs.  The quilt on the left is a beautiful hand appliqued and hand quilted by the Genesee Star Quilter's Group in Flint, Michigan. 

Years ago I belonged to this great group but slowly the days just didn't work out.  This quilt was a raffle and I won it!!!  I usually put it on our bed but decided to have it out to enjoy along with the other Christmas decorations!

I put minimal decorations up this year.  Seems just right this year!

This is a corner in our living room.  The little stuffed reindeer was given to me by my daughter-in law's mom last year.  It's so cute!

I purchased that textile textured painted panel several years ago in Florida.  It was heck wrapping and getting it home in one piece!  HA

This is in our foyer.  I covered my glass enclosed quilt cabinet with a circular quilted tree skirt.  This was a round robin from the GSQ group I mentioned above.  A fun piece to do.

The mantel upstairs in the living room is decorated very minimally too!  But I'm happy with it! I collect old Santa's and I usually put them on the bottom of the fireplace but Kalee loves to sniff them and, yes, at times chew on their heads!  HA  She doesn't chew anything else in the house but the Santa's!  Go Figure!

Over the weekend I played Betty Crocker.  I made five different batches of cookies:  Chocolate drop cookies (in picture), frosted sugar cookies (my fav!), Bob's chocolate chip mound cookies, Russian Teacakes (aka Snowballs, Mexican tea cakes) and candy cane cookies (they just look like a candy cane but I don't put peppermint flavoring in them!).  

My kitchen was a mess!  

But well worth it...all the cookies tasted great!  They are in air tight containers in the freezer.  I'll be putting into gift boxes for some folks and others will be for our Christmas Eve with family!

Happy Holidays one and all..we're  looking forward to the new year of 2024!  It's going to be a great one!!!

Has it really been a month or more!

 Yes, I have been lax in updating my blog...other social media calls before our blogs now!  Which is sad.  I use my blog as a diary of sorts.  I print out each year and I so enjoy reading my blog book when it's printed.  This year may be the cheapest printing I will have.  

I'm pointing to the decorative side panel!

Well, after my 2nd carpal tunnel surgery (this one on the right side) I am back to knitting.  I may just finished this sweater before Christmas....I am working on the right sleeve in this picture but Kalee is being my model this time!

I am not happy with my workmanship but I will still wear this piece....It wasn't really as difficult as the lace tops I've knitted...so not sure why I had so many issues with it.  BUT I will finish and wear at least once!  HA

And on another very sad note, my next door neighbor passed away.  It was so sad.  I did get to say goodbye two days before she passed.  She wasn't responding but I do feel she still heard me.  She's no longer suffering and for that I am glad.  But I am so sad for her hubby and two daughters.  A life cut short...toooo soon.

And to read a story about Lori and I and the snake...click here...Snake Story  You have to scroll down a paragraph or two...you'll see a snake pic!

My daughter always makes Thanksgiving dinner for her hubby's family.  She cooks most of it at home then they do a 'delivery' and she'll also put in an apple pie while they are eating.  She's such a sweet daughter.  She got me these beautiful flowers because she wouldn't see me/us on Thanksgiving.  

I just threw out the flowers.  They have lasted so long!!!  

We had our Thanksgiving at Darrin's house as usual!  It's always such a feast and good food and company.  

I love these grand kids.  Hard to get a good pic of us all but at least I remembered to capture one of the three of us!

Kris always makes the best meal(s)!!!  She's an awesome cook and prepares the entire meal all herself.  

 I did get a pic of my plate!  It was delicious!  We had pumpkin squares made by my DIL's mom, Nancy (which were yummy!).  I made lemon pie, cream puffs and white bark candy.

These cream puffs are SO good...it's from an old, old recipe I've kept all these years...at least from the 70's or 80's!

We took home the pumpkin bars and ate during the week!  SO GOOD!  Nancy is a great cook!

This was what was left of my lemon pie.  Yes, it was good.  I love lemon pie and another recipe from the 70's!

One of Kris' displays at the kid's house!  So pretty!

And that it was!  A Happy Thanksgiving with loved ones!