Merry Christmas!

 From our house to yours

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Mantels

This is the first house we have owned that has a fireplace (and we have two!)

2016

This was the first Christmas we were here and the first time I had a mantel to decorate.

I made do with things I already owned.

 

2017 

Basically the same as the year before.

2018

We had been using the same stockings since 1984. I had stitched the cuffs and my grandmother made the stockings. I had bought enough extra fabric to make another stocking so when kidlet number three came along, I just stitched another cuff and my grandmother made another stocking. Well, 34 years later our numbers had changed and the stockings were looking a bit worse for the wear so I decided we needed new stockings. I found these pretty cheap and bought extras. (I love the look of them though) These are only supposed to be temporary - I have dreams of stitching new stockings for everyone. I have patterns and fabric but have only completed the stitching on one so far.

2019

I added a couple of Santas (on each end) this year. Not much of a change but it worked. 

Still no cross stitched stockings.

2020

I finished and framed my French Alphabet Sampler in 2020 and didn't really like the red, lighted picture with it so I put it on the mantel outside and found a new one for inside. We also got new logs this year - I shoulda had them on for the photo but who knows what the temp was when I took this. I could have been running the a/c full force. 

2021

Changed things up last year! I bought new lamps that looked better with the sampler and started collecting trees as soon as they started putting them out - I had something in mind. I love the more simple look. I waited until a few days before Christmas to put out all the stockings 

2022

Kept the simple look from last year (the lights are there - just not showing up well) I added a couple of small trees right in the front but they don't show up much here either.

How do you like those stockings? There was a reason those stockings were cheap. They still looked good on the outside but we discovered on Christmas morning last year that the lining had disintegrated. That stuff got everywhere. Since I knew I couldn't get that many stockings stitched by this Christmas, I had the big idea to make some quilted ones. Well how many do you think I got done? That's what happens when you put things off. Since I have had surgery on both hands in the past 5 weeks, I don't think they are going to get done this year. I think we are going to have bags this year!

I didn't put out all my Christmas decor this year. With all that was going on it was just too much. I put up one of the smaller trees in the living room and just put my handmade ornaments on it. They are kept in a separate box so I didn't have to drag out a lot of boxes. I usually start the day after Thanksgiving and it usually takes me a week to get it all done. Well, that wasn't going to happen! I had everything I was going to do done before surgery last week. I had hubby pull a couple of totes from the garage and  I pulled out some of what was in the cedar chest but there was a lot of boxes I didn't even look in so there is a lot of stuff missing this year - but it's plenty festive! Hubby and DIL thought the fireman tree needed to be put up so they did that one last weekend - I had nothing to do with it - and I told them they had to take it down! LOL

I'm slow at getting things put back together after Thanksgiving but I'll get pictures when I get it done. I had it all clean before Thanksgiving but we had a houseful and with limited use of my hands it's still a bit messy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The hands will get better and the house will get clean eventually. One day at a time!

Have a great weekend!

Round two

 

Because once wasn't enough. LOL 4 weeks to the day, had the right hand done on Wednesday. This one has hurt more than the left and it's harder to do things with my left hand on a regular day but it's even harder because the left isn't completely back up and running yet. At least I didn't have to cook or do dishes yesterday!

Pa and Tyler playing with Hot Wheels.

That table is like a Timex - it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. It's had a lot of abuse over the last 35 years. We had to replace the chairs a few years back but the table is still going strong!

I've been sitting in the recliner (it's easier to get out of without hands) so Bella decided she would take over my chair. 

I did my Christmas decorating before surgery. I didn't put everything out this year. I just didn't have time. I only put up one tree in the living room and only emptied a couple of totes in the kitchen. I didn't finish until late Tuesday and had to be at the hospital at 6:30am on Wednesday so I'll have to get pictures after all the kids are gone and I can get things somewhat put back together.

Hope you are enjoying time with your loved ones this holiday weekend.

I'll be back soon with Christmas photos.

A Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy!

We had a little mini celebration while he was here visiting.

How can it have been 36 years already?

Obviously, he has always been 'cool'

So proud of the man he has become.

Wish he didn't live so far away but we make the best of the time we have when he visits and we got a bonus visit this year since he came for his brother's wedding at the beginning of October. That was a short visit, but he came back for a longer, planned visit the end of the month. 

Miss him the minute we drop him off at the airport every time.

Happy birthday, Jason!

Love,

Mom

A Few More Wedding Photos

Finally got some more wedding photos 

so I thought I would share a few.

Simple and sweet. 

Hand update - bandages are off, incision is almost completely healed (but still very tender). I don't have any restrictions other than what is 'tolerated' and it definitely tells me when it's too much. Not much grip strength, I can't pick up anything heavy, I can't put any pressure on my palm at all and there is limited range of motion. (The incision is right in the bend of the wrist)

All will improve with time.

I can stitch as long as I have the project on the lap stand but I'm not going to win any races - that is true even when I have full use of both hands.

Should have a date for the right hand this week - that'll be another challenge since I am right handed!

It has turned cold here finally. Hubby got the Christmas lights on the roof this weekend and will do the ones on the ground next weekend then finish up Thanksgiving weekend. We won't turn them on until Thanksgiving weekend. I haven't started inside yet - I usually wait until Thanksgiving but depending on surgery schedule I might give in a start a little early.

Have a great week!

Happy Anniversary!

 

Happy Anniversary to Brian and Brittany!

So This Is Fun

 The things we will do to keep stitching!

I've been fighting (progressive) carpal tunnel syndrome for probably 30 years and the time had come. It reached the point it didn't just affect stitching but pretty much all areas of life - so I had the left hand done this past Wednesday.

Also appears I'm allergic to the antibiotic they used during surgery.

Wednesday evening. Looks like I had been digging in a bag of cheetos!

Progress! Finally got to take off the surgical bandage! Swelling is way down and after a good shower some of the orange glow is gone. Still have to keep it covered and I have limited use but it will be a little better every day. (pic, minus he support brace)  In 4-6 weeks they will do the right one - that'll be extra fun since I'm right handed.

Kinda puts a squash on any handmade gifts this year but hopefully next year I'll be able to stitch longer at one sitting without my hands going numb!

We have Jason and Rachael visiting this week so I have plenty of help. :)

Happy Halloween!

RIP Nicholas

It's always hard to say goodbye to our furbabies. 

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Nicholas.

We met Nicholas when he was a tiny pup

He lived with Jason and Ashley the first three years 

before coming to live with us for 13 years.

Autumn always let him know she was there first

He just took whatever she dished out

Didn't take him long to learn if he left his food until he was ready for it,

it wouldn't be there when he came back.

His favorite place to sleep until he could no longer jump 

He loved to cuddle

He also loved to roll around in the grass

Even when he could no longer see and his face turned gray

he still looked like a puppy when he was freshly groomed.

Such a sweetie.

Nicholas

Oct 6, 2006

Oct 6, 2022

 

Since my last post...

 We have had a bit of excitement here. 

Middle kidlet called on Sept. 15 and asked what we had planned for October 1st.

Well, nothing, why?

While Cindy and Tyler have been a part of our family for well over a year, 

 it was time to make it official and they wanted to do it here, at our house. 

Yep - gave mom a whopping 15 days to plan a wedding!

Mom is not a wedding planner, but I got to work. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime!

I think it turned out okay for my first attempt.

I was up early on Saturday morning and in an attempt to not wake anyone else in the house I took my coffee and went out on the patio. I turned on the lights and snapped this picture.

Once everyone else was awake we started taking care of last minute details. I don't have many pictures yet. My niece was in charge of photos and I trusted her to capture the day so I put my phone on silent and left it inside. I just wanted to enjoy the moment without looking through the phone/camera lens. The few pictures I have here were shared with me by others. I will share more when I have them.

It was a simple ceremony with just family and friends. 

I love this picture. All the men in my life.

My brother, hubby, oldest kidlet, 'new' grandson, baby boy, middle kidlet and my dad.

I am truly blessed.

Ended the day back on the patio. 

(This is the other side)

It has been unbearably hot this summer (Texas really doesn't 'do' fall) but we got a bit of a break and the weather was perfect over the weekend.

Nothing makes this momma happier than seeing her children happy.