A Big Thank You for a Secret Santa

A Fine Collection by Blackbird Design

In the email late last night, I got a surprise Secret Santa certificate for a website I've never seen before! I was soooooo thankful and so intrigued by who in the world did this. A 25$ gift certificate to use here:



http://www.ehandcrafts.com/



Mary Kathryn Handcrafts Online



Check it out. I spent 2 hours browsing through this wonderful site and dreaming of how I could use this Secret Santa certificate.

I decided to use it to buy a Blackbird Design book that I have been admiring a long time! The book is called A Fine Collection and has 13 designs in it.

A BIG Thank You for who sent this to me! This was so thoughtful and I thoroughly enjoyed looking through this site and now, I will be able to get this BBD book I've been looking at all year!!!!!! You know it's driving me crazy the mystery of this kind soul but I do thank you, thank you, and more thank yous! ;)

This afternoon was quiet and peaceful. We didn't cook.......again. Found a local restaurant open about 3pm and ate lunch/supper. Then we came home, ate Chex mix by the fireplace.

I played with my new camera.

I also decided to start into this piece. Northanger Abbey by The Sampler Girl. Remember when I posted about this one a few weeks back? I also have the fabric as pictured here to back a pillow when finishing.

I used some fabric I had in my stash. 28 ct cream Irish linen. I basted it to my scroll frame and started the border.

I counted 87 stitches in 2 rows and counted another time. And another time ..........until I was sure.

I have most of the DMC colors called for but there are several specialty threads that I do not have yet. We will be going to Pigeon Forge a couple of days this coming up week, so we will definitely stop by Dixie Darlin' Cross stitch store for those threads.

We turned off the TV several hours ago and with the fire place and no TV, I'm getting very, very sleepy.

Yes, time for bed indeed.

Christmas morning at the Dalenberg homestead

We are so blessed this morning. It's a quiet morning and our dry creek that runs behind the house is flowing with water from the rain last night. Now, the skies look as though the sun is struggling to peak out but not quite. The village is lit.


And the animals are attended to first.

While I said goodbye to this! (even though I thought it was a great camera over the one I had before).

Santa left me this~~I shrieked and yelled and jumped up and down!!! He says its a better or best camera for close ups like stitching pictures. I was so excited I took a picture of anything and everything to try it out, including a picture of Body Guards belly button which he would be appalled if I posted, so I won't. LOL I thought it was funny.

Oh, I have so much to learn with all those buttons and stuff.

Santa also left BG a laptop case.

And the exact drill bits and tool box he wanted. That whole shopping experience a couple weeks back was another story. But, as I know nothing about tools he had to write them down for me on his wish list.

Closeup pics are much better with the new camera...........if I didn't shake with excitement so much.

Santa also left some nice shirts for BG. He always leaves a flannel shirt for Christmas.....just a given. ;0

And speaking of flannel, Abbie gave me these jammies. Soft and comfy and has pics like her on them! She would love to snuggle with them.

This was totally unexpected from BG. He had this whole story of gifts and in what order I should open them. He gave me this necklace and after I opened it, he said, "and don't you think you need something to better capture that tiny necklace?" That when he brought out the camera. How clever is he? And I love the garnet heart! As you can see I popped it out of the box in excitement!

To Brandon and Meghan this morning. I miss you so much. But I hope you read this sometime today if possible.............

We both opened this gift from a nice neighbor down the road and I felt so bad because we had to cancel our party and they left us this. It came with a stand and it's absolutely beautiful.

Ok, I'm still playing with my new camera. See my craft store? LOL

While visions of sugar plums/dog treats, dance in their heads..............Ren had his treat and breakfast and is sleeping through the excitement. He says, Man it's my 17th Christmas, let me sleep!"

Look who is attending the gathering and peeping through the windows this morning? They know their treats are just a minute away! Thomas is sitting on our chair outside and peeping in. When he is ready to eat (about 10 times a day now) he just makes the rocker bang on the window for our attention. Raven and Ruby are also taking their stances. Ruby is keeping her distance as usual and my girl, Raven, is lounging in a mud puddle.

And Miss Diva Girlie, is ready for the weather! She doesn't mind the scarf but the leg warmers were a bit big. She's so funny because as she grows and changes, the lighter brown has faded around her ears and she is mostly white with darker brown under her eyes like she has smudged eyeliner and mascara! ;)

She enjoyed one of her little bitty dog treats and is now taking a little nap. She says, "Have too much junk mail in your house? I'm the paper shredder......in minutes I will shred to prevent identity theft"

I hope each and every one has a peaceful and safe holiday.

Not a creature was stirring?

Well, the creatures at our house are definitely stirring.

Body Guard said he even saw a coyote this week. I've only seen one in my whole life and they run pretty darn fast is all I can say. Another reason I am in the house by nightfall!

But I had to show you a few Santa gifts this year. Thomas is getting a blanket (not made yet) but the material is flannel and has cats of every color. The long peanut butter and apple jelly treats/beef and cheese are for the Labs as well as the long rope toys. Ren is getting a new blanket. He has quite a collection now.

And Miss Abbie is getting a scarf and leg warmer set in Diva pink. It looks bigger here than it really is. She is also getting a little blanket too. We will see how this goes over tomorrow...........I hope to get pictures of her.

I'm pooped out right now after getting out and about in the Christmas Eve rush. We did get to IHOP and ate pancakes after taking loads of medicine to accompany it. BG ordered the largest plate with jalepeno peppers in eggs with cheese and sour cream AND a stack of pancakes. Of course I ordered a bland pancake but it was still so good. We saw a man taller than a man I've ever seen in my life. He had to be 7 and 1/2 feet tall. Everybody was just staring at him. His mama must have fed him pretty well! ;)

The weather was partly cloudy at first and really windy and then by 5p, it was blowing cold rain pretty hard. Just a quick glance at the weather channel looks like alot of folks have got a White Christmas this year. They are warning travelers to stay off the roads so I guess there were alot of reasons why we couldn't make the trip up to Chicago.

We are planning to start an early fire in the fireplace in the morning after sleeping late and just relax. I have a stack of books to read and many stitching projects to work on......plenty, plenty to keep me busy that's for sure. After reading Wednesday Letters, I picked back up on a book called A Good Yarn.

Well, Ren ate leftover jalepeno peppers/eggs with cheese (from BG's plate) and he is curled up in his freshly laundered blanket while Miss Abbie is almost falling asleep in BG arms right now. She evidently had a severe case of separation anxiety while we were gone and decided to shred her paper into the smallest bits as she could, poop in the wrong place and roll in it. So, we had our work cut out for us when we walked in the door. They are settled now for a long Winter's Nap.

Here's hoping Santa is good to you!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Christmas Eve means new traditions

Slowly getting better physicially but feel like I lost 10 lbs this week but I know I didn't. Haven't ate meat in 1 week. Yesterday was Mashed potatoes and crackers. Then my Gastro doc called in another med to help and it seemed to be helping more. I'm trying to drink alot of fluids as they say but I'm not a water drinker. There are some people I work with that do a great job at that and fill up their water cups frequently. Me, I prefer decaf coffee, or tea (hot or cold). Normally, I like Pepsi but that bubbly drink stuff is not for me this week. I have been drinking Gaterade alot.

So, I'm craving soft scrambled eggs and pancakes.........from IHOP (International House of Pancakes). If they are open this evening, we may go out and start a new tradition of breakfast on Christmas Eve nights.

Santa has been very secretive at hinting what he is bringing tomorrow. He gave me a hint yesterday that I had to open the packages in a certain order....... hmmmmmm.

He is also planning a small overnight trip next week if all things are well, to Pigeon Forge for some after Christmas shopping. I have been watching the weather on TV and seeing that most of the country will have some frightful weather this weekend so we will have to go when things clear up. It's only about a 2 hour drive from our house. We went last year. If you like quilt stores there's one to die for up there and also many outlets and of course the big knife store he likes. We are just going to take one day at a time and see. Of course the trip there means, going through the little town of Sylva NC where the old general store has the largest Vera Bradley selection I've ever seen and She Beads.....oh, my She Beads! There is also the best old bookstore I"ve ever, ever seen and you could spend easy 2 hours in it, buy 12 books for about 4.00 in there.

My shopping was pretty simple this year but I haven't wrapped a thing yet. Do you like wrapping? I know there are some people who love it and can make those corners perfect and bows home- made and beautiful. Me? I fold whatever way I can, slap a piece of tape on it sideways and if it has a bow, it's the peel and stick kind! I thought when they started using gift bags, that was the best idea ever invented for this very reason. So, usually I have alot of gift baggies around my tree.

Our Christmas Jar is still sitting there and tonight we decide who gets our change. BG estimates it's about 50.00 of change. I still need to check all my purses I've been switching around to and gather more change to put in there. I have a real good idea of who needs it and this will also be another 1st tradition for us.

I did bake some simple sugar cookies last evening, mainly for my hubbie with colorful sprinkles on them. Just the simple mix kind. Then I went back to bed. But he did like them when he came home from a long day of work.

I looked through my stash yesterday as well but didn't feel like starting to work on anything. I have so many projects to choose from that I realized that I need to get a bunch of threads and some cuts of linen. I'm excited that Terri, formerly from the Dogwood Patch, will be opening her new store in Buford, Ga. I think January 4th. It's a good little ride from here, about 50 minutes but I will try to go to her grand opening and maybe get some threads while I'm there.

Last night I learned something totally new about Body Guard that I didn't know in the approximate 14 years of being together. The Christmas Carol movie was on TV last night and I walked in half-way through the movie but he was intent on listening to the British accented actors and actresses and actually quoted along every script of it. Come to find out, he said he knew this movie by heart because when he was in elementary school, he was the "director" of the play each year! He was responsible in the background for all the sounds and directing it. I can only imagine him at 10 years old doing this! ;)

So, I learn something new every day.

Hope you all are having a good Christmas Eve and thanks again for all the support and kindness you've shown. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

Stay safe in your last minute shopping today and remember.......be nice.....Santa is watching!

The village party is at our house this weekend!

I'm truly a procrastinator and oh, so not proud of that. I mailed out Christmas cards to our little community out here and planned it for this weekend. I usually do this as a drop-in sometime on Christmas Eve, knowing that alot of folks have family dinners and may not be able to attend but the idea began many years ago that our house would be open for cider and cookies then especially for folks who do not have family. I've been looking at all the good recipes on some of the blogs and can't make up my mind to what else I will cook Saturday.


This year, it's a weekend event and I'm feeling better now but have put off doing that cleaning house stuff until the last few days......as usual. I have alot, I mean alot, to clean up between now and then. Our little community has several folks who are elderly or don't have family local so I just like to mingle and chat and stay in touch. I can't imagine being completely alone on Christmas Eve.


Last year, I went to one of the local old country stores and got some special cidar mix. It's a concentrated little bottle of stuff mixed with apple juice that makes a big pot of cider. I then take some cheesecloth and put in several sticks of cinnamon, orange slices, ginger and wrap it up and let it simmer all afternoon on the stove. It definitely makes the house smell warm and inviting! I found out some people really like it or they really don't, so I have alternative drinks handy. And for those brave folks who want to spike up their cider, I will have some on the side bar. Usually, that's not very many people, but.......just in case.

I have a few more things to do before Christmas too so the rush is fixing to be on! It will be work, clean, work, clean, shop, wrap, and start to pack for our trip.

Packing for a trip is a whole different posting. I usually take the whole house somewhere! LOL It's another habit I'm not too proud of, but since we are driving this time, I can take more!! More books, more stitching projects, more pillows for the backseat, and maybe do a little after Christmas shopping while in Chicago too. Hubbie takes one bag, small and organized. Mine is loaded, unorganized and alot. He's always good about accepting my traveling habits so I can't complain there at all. I remember when we first got married and moved here, he was in awe of how many purses and shoes a woman can have! :0
He told me that first year after being a bachelor for sooooo long and now married, he was going to write a book one day and name it.........Gentleman, Start Your Engines......which would definitely describe the oddities of the female species living habits!

Tonight, I am writing all the names down on pieces of paper for the give-a-way. And this will take me awhile. I will be checking my list, cutting up the pieces and drawing a name at midnight tonight. I may mix them up really good and let Miss Abbie find a name!
So, if you haven't entered, please hurry over and add your name in. I will be checking and adding until midnight.

Some time tomorrow night I will announce the winner! Good luck!

Stitching and cooking the gray day away

Today was a good day off, although the weather outside bids me differently. It's filled with gusty, cold winds. No snow but misty wet rain occasionally.
This morning I worked a little on Clara's Christmas Dance Sampler 1892 by The Sampler Girl. I've really got to get moving on this piece and hope to get done with cleaning so I can stitch more tonight. I love the colors. They are sort of muted Christmas tones.

I'm using Qsnap frame and stand with this. My scroll rods didn't work with this piece but this method works well too.

I put my Christmas angels out today. I keep them tucked away during the year. I"ve had these for 40 years. My grandmother gave them to me when I was very little and each year I like to look at them. They have survived the years with exception of one small tiny chip on one of the angel's wings.

I put them in the kitchen right beside Brandon's picture. I feel he needs them the most right now.

I love the flute player. Well, I actually love all of them.

The dreary outlook at the window makes me thankful that I didn't have to go out today. I think I could become agoraphobic during the winter.

I've got much to do anyways today. Like build a fire and cozy up with my Christmas cards to address. I spent most of the day with Andrea! You know Andrea Bocelli. Body guard will be jealous but I have to say he seranaded me through the day with his new CD and I loved his company! ;)

I'm ok, until Andrea sings Blue Christmas. Then I have to fast forward that one.

Because I can't be blue. Speaking of colors, how about green cupcakes? I just made these. I was craving some cupcakes and that Christmasy frosting in my pantry was begging for me to put them on some lovely cupcakes.

Well, 2 of them didn't pop out of the pan right, so you know what that means......yep, just had to eat 'um. But here are the pretty ones left. I know this is way too many for two people but believe me they will be gone in 2-3 days.

Besides, this makes the house even more cozy with the smell of cupcakes, cinnamon pinecones, a cozy fire, and Andrea seranading me........I'm drifting now with my thoughts as I stare at the fire and eat my cupcakes.

A Cold Quiet Evening in Helen, Georgia

Tonight after work, we went to grab something to eat, went to the Dollar General store to look through all their stuff and then decided to go get the pictures of all the lights in town as we rode through the other night and they were all so pretty! We had fun playing with all the talking toys in the store that I think the clerk was glad when we left! ;)


I took 81 pictures according to my camera and about 8 were clear enough to post. So disappointed because I wanted to share with you the beautiful lights everywhere.
Body Guard and I went to several spots and our hands were about frozen by the time we got through. I think my face was froze by this last one here.

This is a random picture of Miss Abbie tonight. When we got home she had a bath and I'm drying here in front of the TV. She likes TV. Funny. How do you like that wavy, wet hair?

Ok, back to some lights. This is the gazebo at Pete's Park. They were really so much prettier than I could take pictures of here.

A glimpse at part of the town.

We were about the only people in town but we took the spot of the horse and buggy so the driver threatened us to move our car or pay a 300.00 fine. So, we quickly took this picture.

We were running around like kids. I wish this pic had turned out clearer because it is a good picture of my hubbie.

And here is where Santa will sit! Santa Baby! I started my wish list on ABC stitch therapy and 123 Stitch online and maybe I will go back this week and whisper this in Santa's ear.

The little Alpine village is so beautiful at night and I hope to get some really good pictures. Seems that after we got home, I had the camera on the wrong setting but one night this week, I'll go back and get some more to post! Promise!

After taking care of all the animals when we got home, we finally have sat down to take a breath.

We are catching up on world news now.

I know my morning started out quite bizarre as in my commute a woman, dressed as Santa with a hat was weaving all over the road. There were double lines but I finally tried to get around her and she waved a gun or a cellphone in the air at me/ I couldn't tell and had rage all in her face while I was flooring the car to pass around her. She was so mad I could see the veins in her neck while she was yelling at me. In my rear view mirror she was back to weaving and then the State patrol who probably clocked me, thought it was the person in front of me and he turned his lights on and pulled over the person in front of me. I was so hoping that he would see the maniac lady/Santa that I passed.

When that lady saw the cops, she turned her car around and went the other way, so I guess she was in her mind enough to know to run when she sees blue lights!

So, stay safe out there! Hopefully, there is an APB out for weaving Santa's who are not driving reindeers, according to BG! LOL

Till later,

Jennifer

Signs of the Season

Well, it was a silent night here until Abbie started chirping a while ago. We both stayed up late to find some snow. But only a few flakes. I think the ground is a bit too warm to stick plus as I write this the sun is beaming.

Angels are among us. I just know they are and I hope each and every one of you has a busy angel today!

I did clean out more old pocket books and put more change in the jar. I'm excited over leaving this at someone's door this Christmas! I'm also excited to read those books Sandy sent me and listen to Andrew Bocelli. His voice is angelic in and of itself!

I have a busy day planned including trips to get a hairtrim and do some shopping. I really have most of my shopping done. But......you know how it is around Christmas! There's always a place or two to stop in an say Hi!

And also I got out my Christmas cards to start addressing for tonight as well. I love to send Christmas cards out. I found a few this year to send from a thrift store. They are quite old but still as cute as ever.

So, a busy Saturday for me.............stay safe out there shopping. On the news 2 nights ago in Atlanta at one of the malls, a man dressed all out as an elf, stood in line for Santa and when he got to him, he told him he had dynamite and was going to blow him up! What a nutcase. He didn't of course after they checked his bag but he is in jail. I'm sure Santa is very nervous now.

So, stay safe out there in this season!

Talk later...

Jennifer