HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We have had a wonderful Christmas and week after Christmas...I will update with all details and photos probably tomorrow. It was great to spend lots of family time with ALL our children and also with extended family.
Everyone have a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve.
Take care
Marion

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!

I am up bright and early this Christmas Eve....I was trying to think of a creative post, but decided to just wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Wherever you are, whatever you have planned for Christmas....I hope you have a wonderful one!
We will be home most of the day and my husband has invited some locals to drop in as they can....later this evening my daughters and I may head over to my sister in laws for an hour or so, weather permitting...to see some family...then it's home for hot chocolate and a Board game...and off to bed.
Take care.....have a wonderful Holiday........

HELLOOOOOOOO WINTER!!

Nova Scotia got hit with a major storm last night/today...with snow, and hurricane force winds....we lost power this morning, thankfully we have a generator, however, our main source of heat when the power is out (only source actually) is our pellet stove and we are unable to get pellets this year!! We have ONE bag left from last winter that is sitting by the stove in case we need it.....our power was off for a few hours, and then came back on, so the house warmed up...then it went off and is still off. We are expected to get power back my midnight. Some parts of the province may not get it back until tomorrow night. If there is one thing I am forever thankful for...it's our generator! We had it installed when I sold my parents home, and it will last a couple of weeks! It's wonderful!!



Tonight I plan on sitting in my stitching chair, with my heating pad for heat...LOL and stitch the evening away. DH has to go pick up our daughter at 11pm at work. Her boyfriend came an picked her up earlier today and drove in. Speaking of boyfriend...I gave him his present from DH and I on Saturday night, as he is leaving tomorrow to spend Christmas with his grandparents....and parents ofcourse.....anyway, I had made him one of my blankets and was truly touched by how much he loved it!! It's nice when a handmade gift is genuinely appreciated. I did not take a photo of him with the blanket, wish I did!!



Take care...stay warm........and will post again tomorrow when I hope the house is a bit warmer!!

Marion

Pass the tylenol please!!

So...you may remember that several weeks ago I did a post about how my girls were going to have a party....well, my oldest decided that since she is working so many hours and busy with school, plus she turns 18 over Christmas vacation, that she would rather have a few friends in later (after Christmas)...so we decided to let youngest invite a few friends for a party after school...thankfully 3 of the 10 invited couldn't come (oops did I say that...LOL)....and two of the 4 invited to sleep over couldn't....so I ended up with 8 (counting mine) 11 year old girls getting off the bus at 2:45.

I know they all had a good time....but geesh.......one girl laughed like a hyena (sp) the whole time.....and thought that there wasn't much food (I'm beginning to wonder what she eats at home! LOL)...the "not much" food...was a fruit tray with 4 kinds of fruit, a big bowl of chips, two kinds of drinks....a big platter of mozerella sticks, a big platter of mini pizzas, and a big platter of nachos!! (I thought that was pretty good, considering pick up time was 6:30)....and homemade cupcakes for dessert! Another girl left 45 minutes early because she couldn't stand to be in the same house as her ex-best friend. (see where I'm going with this!!)....all in all it was a great time for the girls, but it's just amazing how these girls act sometimes! I KNOW they would not do this at home, so why would they do this when they aren't at home?

I did favours for the girls to take home, and we had a Dollar Store gift exchange (I just found out that the girl that went home early took her present and the present of one of the girls staying all night! (I'll have to dig out the stocking stuffers I have and find her a gift later).

Anyway, here are some photos of the cupcakes I made (in a shape of a tree), the party favours ( two candy canes, a Christmas straw and a Christmas pencil) and a container of candy canes...we had them guess how many Candy Canes in the jar.

Also, a photo of my tree. (It looks small, but it isn`t...really!)

Have a great night everyone....

Marion

OF Christmas' Past....

An email to my Blogger friend Katy prompted me to do this post......

A few years ago, my daughter loved Cabbage Patch dolls (she still has one on her shelf in her room) and now she likes Build-A-Bear......anyway, as I mentioned, a few years ago I knit her a box of cabbage patch clothes for Christmas, to go with the cabbage patch doll my mom was giving her for Christmas and Katy, Sara informed me this morning that this doll is named Madelyn! I had totally forgotten that! This box of clothes was loved very much and still is used all the time with her friends and Build a Bear. I got her to take a few pieces of the clothing out this morning to photograph. Katy, you will absolutely love knitting clothes like this...it is so much fun!

I made alot more, but my all time favourite is the cream coloured cable sweater, brown hat and brown pants.

I will get to the patterns today and hopefully get them in the mail to you in a couple of days.

Have a great day everyone....after the house clears out..I am off to wrap presents!!

Marion

HO HO HO....

I have been thinking about what it is that I really like to cross-stitch...for the larger projects....I have come to the realization that I really like Santas! I like the "old world type" Santas. I bought this book at the TS a couple of weeks ago.

..and I have been looking through it...I had a Santa chosen in my mind, but asked my girls which one they liked...they picked the same one I did without knowing! It will be a challenging one, as it's done on black, but I think I can do it. I have hopes of starting this New Year's Day, providing I can get the fabric from Joanne at 123 stitch on time. (I have already ordered it, so she's fast, I shouldn't have a problem getting it)....and I will leave this up all year. I am thinking this may be something unique to display in my home...maybe add one or two to the collection, maybe it'll be something people like to see when they come to visit.

I have this one I did years ago in the family room.....

and this one I did for my cousin about 4 years ago...he really liked it and displays it all year

....so now I am a bit excited about this new project. I will ofcourse have others on the go, but I will work away at this and finish it up in time for the Holidays next year.

I finished up my shopping this morning! Now I just have to organize it and wrap...I'll do that on Wednesday, as tomorrow I have to go out.

Have a great afternoon and evening everyone!!

Marion

Christmas Meme

Saw this on one of my friend's Blogs, so decided to do it.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. It depends on the gift and also what I have on hand. I tend to buy paper and bags after Christmas for the next year.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. It creates less hassle and I like to get mine up early. This way I get my pre-lit tree out of the box and put it up and voila...all lit. LOL Hey, works for me!
3. When do you put up the tree? Around the end of November.
4. When do you take the tree down? Around New Year's Day.
5. Do you like eggnog? It's okay, but I don't usually have it.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My cousin made me a box of Barbie Doll clothes...I LOVED those so much! This is the older cousin I see each week now....she's like a sister to me.
7. Hardest person to buy for? At the moment, my 14 year old son!
8. Easiest person to buy for? My 11 year old daughter.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not really. I have Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, which is actually from Avon...all white and I really like them!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Some people I send to do not use the computer, but I would not email Christmas cards anyway, not personal enough for me.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Purple Dinosaur placemats from my MIL two years ago! And I am NOT a hard person to buy for or please! LOL
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch that Stole Christmas...origional cartoon version.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sept.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, not really. I have given a couple to donation....
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's dressing, and now that she is no longer here, I make it!
16. What decorations are on your tree? Everything! Some my mom got me before I was married, some the kids made, some I made...etc...
17. Favorite Christmas song? Deck The Halls.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? We stay home, we always used to go to my inlaws, but my father in law passed away two years ago and now there is no more open house at that place....so...last year we stayed at home.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Donner, Blitzen, Cupid, Comet, Prancer and Vixen.
20. Angel on top of tree or star? Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning! The kids open one on Christmas Eve, which is PJ's
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Can get pretty stressful!
23. What theme or color are you using when you decorate? I use alot of red...don't really have a theme...have a lot of older decorations.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey and all the trimmings.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Peace, health, happiness...

WE BELIEVE!

Well today I had planned on going out to finish up my Christmas shopping. (It's hard to go without my youngest unless she is at school).....but my DH did not hear me say this, and decided today was a good day to take my car for it's safety inspection and oil change..LOL...actually it's fine.....it's such a nasty day that I am glad. I will try and get out tomorrow while youngest is at a Birthday party. I know what I want...just have to go and get it. So that changed my plans for today...and since I finished up the stitching on this piece last night....I will do the sewing it into a wall hanging today....I like this...."We Believe"...it was a little kit and a fun stitch.

I'll take photos later when I finish up the "finishing"...take care everyone and have a wonderful day!!

Hugs

Marion

My Drummer!

This week has been busy with a storm day, a Band Concert and a Christmas Concert..with the band playing at that as well. Last night was the Christmas Concert...and I was a little sad...it's the last Christmas Concert at that school for my children.....I've attended them since 1996!!

My youngest wil be in junior high next year.

Also, I need to finish up my shopping...just need a nice day to get out and finish!!

BUSY WEEKEND AND A SNOW DAY!! EDITED to ADD a Kids Photo!

The kids have no school today..it snowed quite a bit last night! As of right now, the house is still very quiet.....they don't know there isn't school yet...LOL.

It's been a busy weekend! Friday night, my three cousins and myself went to see "Holiday On Ice" at The Metro Centre in the city...wow! What a fantastic ice show!........lots of talent.....Kurt Browning, Sasha Cohen,Jamie Salé & David Pelletier, and lots more! Th icing on the cake was that fiddler Natalie MacMaster played the music, as did The Cotters. For those not familiar with those names.....they play Celtic music, and what better place for Celtic music than Nova Scotia! It was an amazing show!

On Saturday, same 3 cousins and myself headed out to a neighbouring town to do some shopping and have lunch! We spent the afternoon and evening doing some Christmas shopping and eating lunch at a wonderful restaurant! What a great way to spend a day!

Today was supposed to be the day I wrapped Christmas presents, but that isn't happening with the kids home from school!! Maybe I'll work on my Christmas cards instead!!

EDITED: I actually managed to get ALL 3 kids and the dog in a photo!! This will go in some Christmas cards as I don't have my daughter's grad photo until just before Christmas, and I don't have enough wallet photos of the other two for everyone...so this will solve that problem..LOL I think it's okay. My son has his "riding his dirt bike splash pants on, but that's okay.

Take care everyone!!

Hugs,Marion

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS....

ALL AROUND THE HOUSE......lol

Normally I am not one for artificial flowers, but my mom could not have real flowers or plants, as dad was allergic. She used to love to fool around with basket arrangements, etc...this is a basket she made several years ago, and it has survived the move from her house to mine. I do not have this nack...my flowers would look like I plopped them in there and that's it! LOL

This is on our dining room table.

This little guy was given to mom by my son when he was about 8 or 9. She loved it because he picked it out himself and at that time he was big time into scooters....this little guy is riding one.

This is now on our buffet in the dining room.

I am off to take oldest to the Dr....she is sick today....have a good day!

Hugs

Marion

Whatcha working on Wednesday...

Okay, so it's evening, but better late than never!! I'm hooking up with Leslie again....

Here is the 3rd window topper I made. This one is for my front door, and is made a bit differently, but I am liking it! I have window decals of snowmen and snowflakes on the windows as well, they don't show up in the photos.

It's a busy week. I'm trying to work on my blanket for another friend, and also finish up my Christmas shopping. I have nothing wrapped...(usually I do!)

I want to also thank Sandy, I received this wonderful cross-stitch kit and two wonderful cards from her today. She had a giveaway on her blog and I won!! Thank you Sandy, I value your friendship!

I've been trying to get my decorating done...this tree was made by my aunt about 30 years ago. I really like it. The other photos are just random. I'll take some more tomorrow.

Have a good evening everyone!

Hugs,Marion

Is ANYONE still out there?

I know I haven't posted all week, but I do hope my readers are still around! Please let me know if you are still reading! I love to get comments!!

It's a gorgeous sunny day here in Eastern Canada. I have been up since 6am, made sure my daughter got off to work on time and worked on the newest Swedish Weaving blanket I have started. This one is for someone special. The background is pale yellow, but it isn't showing up in the pattern. It's pretty...I'm liking it so far!!

I finished the blanket I did for my friend. I had hoped to give it to her this weekend, but we couldn't manage to meet anytime...so hopefully in the next couple of weeks. She doesn't know I made it for her, so I can't wait to see her expression!

I made these two window toppers yesterday...my back door that opens to the deck is a long pane of glass, so I have two curtain rods on it....I like how they turned out....I have one more to make for the front door...probably won't get that done until tomorrow.

Anyway...hope everyone has a great Sunday!!

Hugs

Marion

Still here!!

Gee, I haven't updated all week!!!!
First of all, I picked a bad week to have giveaways, but I did draw Sandy's name for the bookmarks!! Sandy, I'll email you in a bit for your address. As for the cross-stitch chart...I'll repost that later next week, and if you want to have it, great....but please remember, it's just the chart, and in your comment, please tell me if you want the chart! :) Thanks...

Well, it was a busy week. And a very nice week weatherwise! That's part of the reason I didn' update the blog...the weather has been spring like!

I've been thinking about the holidays alot....I'll do a post on that probably tomorrow....

I did get productive today and made two window toppers for my back door...Christmas fabric! I'l take a photo of those later and post it. I have one more left to do for the front door. Our tree is in the family room...not decorated yet though, and other than a couple of smaller decorations, I haven't dug out the majority of the Christmas things...it will get done in the next few days though.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another nice day, so I think that DH and I and probably youngest DD are going away for a few hours. I have a couple of Christmas gifts I want to pick up.

I had a really good experience Christmas shopping today. I went to buy a Hoodie that my DS said he had liked...there was a sale going on in the store, plus no tax. I asked what the $1.00 sale was and the manager said it was on certain items in the store...buy one..get another for $1.00. I asked him if the Hoodie was part of that, he said no, sorry, only the sections that had the sign above the racks (made sense)....anyway, I said I wanted the Hoodie anyway, and still wanted to look around...he said he'd put the Hoodie at the counter. It was really busy in there today, and when I went to pay for it, the people had died down somewhat...the manager said for me to pick out another Hoodie of a certain rack he pointed to...and he'd give it to me for a $1.00! I thought that was so nice....because he knew I was going to buy the other one anyway, and he really didn't have to do that!! I now have two Hoodie's for DS for Christmas!! Made me feel really good that there are people like that out there.

Anyway fellow bloggers, I will end for now and be back tomorrow with photos and a new post!!
Have a great evening!
Marion

SECOND POST AND ANOTHER GIVEAWAY...

This is for the CHART only...I have finished stitching it...and would like to pass it on.
It's Little House Needleworks.....Reading, Stitching, Writing.
If you would like this...please leave me a comment, also please read my previous two posts...thanks! I will draw for this on Thursday.
Marion

Monday Morning,prayers and giveaways!

First of all, if you haven't read my previous post, I'd greatly appreciate it if you would, and I would appreciate all the kinds thoughts and prayers for my family.
In honour of my wonderful blog friends that I have met up with on this blog....and because last week I won a wonderful cross-stitch kit off Sandy's Blog...I would like to offer this set of bookmarks from my husband's business. I offered a set of these several months ago as well. They really are very nice. It is 10 laminated, collectible bookmarks of our wonderful city.
If you would be interested in winning this set, please leave me a comment.
Also, I am about to post another giveaway. I will draw for this on Thursday.
Thanks
Marion

MAY I ASK FOR KIND THOUGHTS..AND ALSO..

TOMORROW I WILL BE POSTING A PIF AND A COUPLE OF GIVEAWAYS....in honour of my wonderful blog friends...
Something has arisen in my family today that basically was a bad choice of one of my children. It was a very bad choice and disappointing, but at the same time, I feel it was an eyeopener for the person involved and for our family. It is not life altering...it was just a bad split second decision, that could in turn be a positive time in that child's life. The punishment will give this child a chance to think,make some good decisions and a chance to spend good quality family time and wise life decisions. I will say no more....I truly believe everything happens for a reason and good will come of this. No one is perfect and we love our children no matter what. This wasn't horrible...just disappointing.
At the same time I ask for prayers that the right decisions and choices be made by this child, during the appropriate time ahead, as there will be lots of "thinking" time. Enough said..
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

ANYONE WANT SNOW????

Well, we got LOTS of snow over night, and it is actually snowing again now (after being sunny for a few hours!). This morning there was SO much snow....we couldn't open the front door...I got

the basement door open, as it opens in....let our dog out and she got stuck!!! She was so not impressed! DS and DH have been out clearing the walkways and driveways for hours, and just took our daughter to the bus stop down the road for work....she was supposed to work at 9am, but we were in the midst of the storm then, and besides nothing, including where she works was open then!

There is a bright spot today though....DH checked the mail, which we didn't get to do yesterday, and there was my matchbox exchange from Sara! I cannot get over her stitching....I always new she was a fantastic stitcher, and this proves it.....I was spoiled!! The photos do not do it justice. She sent me a scissors holder...with my initials on it...and scissors!! She sent me my own needlebook....and a floss tag, as well as Dinky Dyes floss!! Thank you Sara...this was so much fun!! She posted what I sent her here. http://sarasimplestitching.blogspot.com/

Today for me has been spent pretty much down in my sewing room. I am re-organizing and also I can watch any DVD I want down there. I'm off in a bit to watch either Anne of Green Gables, or a 7th Heavern DVD. I have a comfy chair down there, and I will try and finish my blanket for my friend. Youngest is not feeling well, so is sleeping....a quiet day indeed.

Take care and enjoy your weekend...if anyone wants some snow...I can spare some!!

OH MY GOODNESS!! (edited to add more photos)

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW....NOT!!!!

Snow, snow and more snow, again!! Today is sunny, but the forecast is more snow tonight, and again tomorrow...we could get up to 30 CM!! Wow!! It's only November!!! I've already got a list for DH for today...just incase we don't get out tomorrow. My daughter is supposed to work early tomorrow morning, but she is going to talk to her boss today...she lives the farthest away, and if we get all that snow, there is no way she can get in!! She can probably change her shift for later in the day.

I took a couple of photos of our back deck earlier this morning......and one of youngest DD ready for school....also, my oldest got her grad proofs back....I filled out the order and she'll pass it in today...this is a photo of a proof, so not great, but I think she's beautiful!!

I decided to add some photos of what I saw outside the basement door this morning....very pretty....

Have a nice day everyone!!

Marion

AFTERNOON DELIGHT!!

Enjoy, it really is beautiful!

Marion