Lost and Found

 Far Guy lost some medications...then he found them in the mailbox...it kept him busy half the afternoon.   All is well...then he spent some time on the treadmill.

Last Fall I found something that has been missing for a number of years...23 years to be exact.  It wasn't exactly lost...but was found. 

The winter of 1998-1999 we spent the winter in Florida.  We walked on the beach almost everyday  we collected shells and drilled a hole in the top for a ribbon....mailed them to people for Christmas ornaments...even though we washed them and rinsed them well it was a smelly shell that was delivered.  Uffda...not sure how many were used.  I found ours in  a rubbermaid container full of shells that was put up in the rafters of my garage...Andy got it down for me.   It was a fun project going through all the wonderful shells we picked up that winter.  I put them in large peanut butter jars for a garage sale someday.

Christmas 1998 at Tyndall AFB in Panama City Florida.  We went out for Christmas Dinner at the Officer's Club and spent the rest of the day enjoying the sunshine!   We also spent Christmas 1973 in Florida at Mac Dill AFB in Tampa....I have a few red satin ornaments packed away from our tree that year.  

The cold wind howled all day yesterday, it was even blizzard like in town. 

Far Side

Special Ornaments

 Last summer during my Mom and Dad's garage sale, my Mom had a bunch of old Christmas ornaments for sale.   I took two ornaments...Far Guy's Mom made them during her Cross Stitch days and gave them to my Mom as gifts. 

I in turn gave them to Jen. 

Far Guy's Mom liked to cross stitch and did it until her eyes couldn't do the fine work anymore.   It was a good hobby for her.  I believe these ornaments were made in the early 1980's so they are about 40 years old.

Far Side

Ideas

 Here is an idea that I will file away for an ornament. 

When I was clearing out some "stuff" upstairs at home I found a whole bunch of old silverware that I bought for some old forgotten project.   So that is a start.  I would design mine a bit different...ya know put my own twist on it!

Quiet day here today,  I cleaned two bathrooms and did some laundry. ( the house has 4 bathrooms) The rest of the family were off shopping and doing their own thing...Far Guy and I made Pork Chops and Rice for supper.  Adam had pizza his preferred food and the rest went out to a fancy smancy restaurant for a three hour meal.  Jen has company here from Ohio.  It is a very busy household. 

Far Side

A few decorations

 Jen and Andy put up their Christmas tree during the blizzard on Sunday.  I helped to fluff the branches and we all put on a few ornaments.   The ornaments are familiar enough that it all seemed like home. 

Very cold here yesterday with a wind chill of -25....brrrrr.

Mitten ornaments from 1991.   Far Guy and I don't have this ornament so it was fun to see!  We apparently skipped making ourselves an ornament that year.

Far Side

Sharing

We share our woodcarved Christmas Ornaments with many people.    

Some times the recipient dies before Christmas and the ornament is passed on to other family members. My Cousin shared her Mom's ornament..my Aunt Anna who died in November.  Happy to see it on a tree...sad that my Aunt couldn't be here to see it.   She appreciated carvings and was a woodcarver herself....but she liked quilting and fabric  more. 

Sometimes a recipient moves half a world away. Shortly before Christmas I got this photo from Belgium! 

Jonas was the foreign exchange student that lived with Andy, Jen and Adam for almost a year.  He sent Christmas greetings and a photo of the ornament we made for him in 2019. 

I do not have a photo to share for the next ornament.  Years ago Far Guy met a gal through my blog from Washington State they both had Trigeminal Neuralgia...and became a good long distance support system for each other.  We were very surprised to get an email from her daughter telling us about a very aggressive form of cancer that took her Mom within weeks.  She said her Dad placed the ornament next to the urn that holds her ashes. 

I don't share these stories of the ornaments to make you sad.  They are a reminder that each day is a gift and should be appreciated as such.  So go out, grab the day, embrace it with gusto! 

Far Side

Glass bulb ornaments 2005

In 2005 I used small glass bulbs to make the ornament that year.   I have always regretted that decision...I wonder how many were broken.   I know I broke one...but I had an extra...I always have a couple extras of every ornament we make.  ( The bulbs came in packages of four or five they were small lights used in candelabras)

This is a clear decorative glass bulb painted red...many coats of red.  A wire is attached to the base of the bulb and then a face painted and then lots and lots of snow.  It is cute...but breakable. 

I bought this glass creation about the same time...it isn't exactly a tree ornament but it could have been.  This one has a copper wire soldered to the underside bulb so it can be added to an arrangement or put in a house plant.  A smaller copper wire with tiny beads is attached with a bit of glue to the base of the bulb to be wings and antennae.  I bought it at a small antique/craft shop in Walker Minnesota.

This pretty bulb is in the tin Chickadee container in the window. 

Not sure where I got the container...probably from the local dime store....and the fru fru sparkly stuff probably the same place. 

Far Side

Trees and a new ornament

 Yesterday I picked up groceries curbside and then put gas in the vehicle and then waited for Far Guy to come out of the Infusion Center.   They stopped taking temperatures and just ask you questions now about Covid; have you been exposed, been around anyone with Covid, do you have an symptoms of Covid and do you have a Covid test which results are pending?  Go figure...of course throughout the whole Pandemic things have been fluid and ever changing. 

We headed downtown to see what was happening on Main Street. This is the new tree.

Even the heart that says Cindy Lou and the Grinch is upside down. 

There is a new tree in Pioneer Park.

At least it is a tree. 

Not nearly as pretty as the one that blew over in the wind and was too damaged to be saved. 

Then we dropped off some Christmas Ornaments for friends...tied one bunch around the drivers handle of a vehicle and the other on the handle of a garage door.  It kinda felt like May Day! 

This ornament was a gift from a dear friend...it was hanging on her garage door for me to pick up.  It is fabric.  Being a non seamstress I have yet to figure it out.

Grocery pickup was ok...missing oranges, yogurt, and Outshine Fruit Bars.  After disinfecting everything at home and washing Far Guys town clothing I went to my office on the couch to crochet until it was time to fix supper;  salad and Philly Cheese pretzel buns. 

Yes I still make Far Guy take all his clothing off that he wears to town and insist that he wash up real good.  We have heard of several people that have gotten Covid at a clinic...so he tries to be real careful not to touch anything...but he still has to press the buzzer to get into the Center and sit in their chair.  He disinfects his hands twice in the Center and then when I pick him up I hand him a Lysol wipe. It is all we can do to try to keep safe.  

Far Side

Another Day

 One day seems just like the other.  

Yesterday after usual house stuff I began the process of packaging up the 2020 Christmas Ornaments.  The are simple wood carvings this year.   I will give a few away here on the blog after Thanksgiving. 

I made quite a mess on the dining room table. 

I had to make some of my own boxes out of old checkbook boxes....no going to the Dollar Store to get pretty boxes to shove in the envelopes that will be mailed.  Far Guy came to the rescue to make a few boxes too.  I ordered Christmas bags and tissue paper from Wally World and was pleased with the result.  So I am ready to make a trip to the Post Office and make some deliveries locally...keeping my distance from everyone. 

Then I sewed buttons on a cowl.

 

I am so not a purple person...but I know someone who is.  The cowl is more purple than this photo shows.  I do love the purple buttons they make me smile. 

Brother in Law Ron is very sore after his bypass surgery but he is supposed to get home today.  The Doctors are pleased with his recovery...although it will never be fast enough for him! 

Far Side

One tree down, one to go

I attacked the downstairs Christmas tree...I needed to reclaim the corner. It was time!

I sorted ornaments as I went...the ones that are not special...you know the ones bought at garage sales for a quarter ended up in a pile on the table to go to a someday garage sale.  Our youngest daughter tells us to hold "stuff" in our hand and if it doesn't bring us pleasure then we should get rid of it.

Most all of our ornaments on the tree are special...from friends or defining times of our lives.
Here are a few from this year.

Paper folded ornament from Charlene.

Our 2019 Woodcarving

From Nancy in Wyoming

From Sam in Arkansas homemade cinnamon ornaments

The ornament on the right is a Shutterfly ornament a photo of us and Jen in Hawaii.  The ornament on the left is  a creation by Far Guy and I ...we had leis of shells from Hawaii we put them inside a clear Christmas ball and then I printed a photo and rolled it up and put it inside the ball...and shook it up a bit. 

A ornament from Jen for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. 

Even though I took the time to sort through it seems like I still struggled for room in my ornament boxes. 

Not everything is cleared away yet...boxes/containers are sitting all over... tomorrow they will make their way upstairs.  I will go through all the Christmas Rubbermaid containers upstairs...get rid of the not so special stuff and vacuum out the storage corner where they reside. 

Far Side

Silver and Gold

At Bingo on Thursday Charlene gave me an ornament...it is all folded paper!

It is just beautiful!  She said it was all made from heavy wrapping paper, some of the paper has a bit of a gold accent. 

Some things  don't turn out as planned.  My No Fail Fudge was a failure....who can mess up no fail fudge ...apparently me.   Jen took it anyway for the cookie exchange...they will just have to use spoons to eat it or warm it up for ice cream topping.  Sometimes you just have to make the best of circumstances. 

I went through a box of memories yesterday and photographed them....some things are over 50 years old and some things will be 50 years old next week.

These are candles that were used at our wedding...not sure where...in some arrangement for the tables is my best guess.

So there you have my Silver and Gold.

I am reminded of a round that I used to sing with my girls.  "Make new friends, keep the old, one is silver and the others gold." Trying to sing that round each singing our own part...singing louder and louder to drown out everyone elses voice and then laughing...then one of them would say lets try that again Mom.

Far Side

103

That is the number of Christmas Ornaments that are complete. The paints are put away and the dining room table has been cleared off.  The ornaments are in three boxes awaiting Christmas bags or boxes of their own...

It has been rainy the past two days, yesterday morning I could not see how my day would progress as it was a "me day"  so I did some laundry, scrubbed the Furnace/Laundry room floor and continued on into the kitchen.  I took apart the vacuum cleaner and cleaned it up real good...my vacuum not Far Guys robot vacuum.  I worked on some bits and pieces for stage two of the ornaments.  The sun peaked out for a bit and Far Guy was able to buff up the last few of stage one...I put the last coat of sealer on them and at 9 PM last night I was finished with the 2019 Ornament Project.  Yeah us!! 

I even found time to transcribe my knit sock pattern in the afternoon and have a 20 minute nap.
The sock pattern is tucked into a page protector with extra sticky notes so I can easily keep track of which row I am on.  Yeah me!  Hopefully I didn't make any mistakes or typos!  ( I still have two pair of socks on needles)

Liatris  more than likely the Floristan White one.

Far Side

Two new ornaments

Christmas is finally put away.  Far Guy and Jen just finished putting the tree away under one of the twin beds upstairs.

New ornaments this year.

Jen made this snowflake ornament. It is made from three different glitter papers: blue, silver and light blue.  Three on each side coordinating designs and then glued together and a jewel added to the center.  These were cut out on the new die cut machine.

Far Guy picked out an ornament for me in Hawaii.  We packed it inside an ice cream container and then wrapped it in a couple of shirts inside the suitcase.  It made the trip home just fine and spent a few days on the tree.

We have lots of snow and it has been bitterly cold.

 We finally ventured out to the grocery store, we have been staying "put" since Far Guy is still taking it easy after his surgery.  His new port works, no blood return but that was not a surprise for us.   The surgeon said it was sluggish in the OR...so it goes. 

Jen is here with Miss Miney and Little Elvis, they are going to the groomers. They were happy to see us and we are happy to see them!
Far Side

Wistful Wednesday: Gift from the heart

Each year I try to do something a tad special for someone.   Something that might make a difference someday.  Who knows how or when…but maybe if you just believe that is enough.

The antique sleigh bells were a Christmas gift a number of years ago from Jen, Andy, Noah and Adam. Last winter I polished them.

Some ended up with sparkly dark ribbon and some with sparkly white ribbon.

Back in 2006 we received a sleigh bell/jingle bell ornament from Brother In Law Tim, Nephew Jacob and Niece Rachael.  It always has a special place on our tree.

  They wrote; “ Merry Chistmas 2006 from Tim, Jacob and Rachael!  We hope you enjoy this authentic Victorian Sleigh (Jingle) Bell.  It would be difficult to figure out the exact date that it was made , but it is close to 100 years old if not older.  The kids and I have restored this bell and offer it to you in celebration of the Christmas season.  We hope that you will find a place on your tree or perhaps and entry door to hang it and each time you hear it jingle, be reminded of all your blessings in life.”

Tim died November 1st, 2018.  He has two grandsons both just babies…one is a year old and the other a few months old.  They haven’t a chance to remember their Grandfather.  So two bells along with the story were mailed to the oldest Grandson with instructions to share with his cousin someday.

My sister with Tim, Rachael and Jacob.  I believe this photo was taken in 1995.

Other recipients of the sleigh bells were our daughters, grandchildren and our great grandson.

Tree Accomplished

We didn’t overload the tree this year.

It is simple and sweet.

Tree Decorating 2018

We finally managed to get the downstairs tree decorated.  It was a struggle.

Neither of us looked forward to it.  But we got it done.

We seem to miss Chance more every day instead of less.  How does that work anyways?

This was the test ornament this year, before I learned how to paint plaid.  It was Chance’s ornament.

This is Chance’s carving that has his years on it 2004 – 2018 and a proper plaid.

Someday we might be able to look at all his ornaments and not cry…just not this year.

Ongoing Projects

Every day or two I pick a project to FINISH.  My desk is cleared off now…so more projects will accumulate there.

Can you guess what this is?

I designed this pattern last year.  No it is not a winter bikini top for a skinny minnie with no boobs.   I used a heavy chenille yarn that is very soft. 

The sleigh bell Christmas ornament project is completed.  Well ahead of the 2018 Christmas deadline. I hope I don’t forget about them.

I contacted a “bell expert”  who said that these bells on a brass stand were most likely used on a dinner table and maybe the guests used them to ring in the new year.  Since I wasn’t planning any such dinner in the future the bells were taken apart.

There was a screw that held the base onto the bell.  Far Guy removed all the bases and ribbons were attached at the point where the screw attached and then the screw was replaced holding the ribbon firmly in place…it worked perfectly…the extra brass “stands” are now in the button jar along with one small bell without a dinger.   It was a fun project but I am glad it is done.

Still guessing what I crocheted?

No… not a bank robbers mask.  It is a face mask that people with breathing problems can use in the winter…the yarn is heavy enough to keep out the cold and the way it is designed air can be warmed up before you breathe it in.  This one serves a dual purpose as it is soft enough that Far Guy can wear it next to the right side of his face where his Trigeminal Neuralgia resides.  When he puts his parka on you only see his eyes.

We have a fellow at woodcarving that complained about breathing in the cold air…so I made him a mask also.

We struggled for years to find something that worked for Far Guy…we have a whole collection of face masks…that were either too tight, too loose, too cold…this one is just right.   One skein of bulky chenille yarn from wallyworld makes two facemasks. 

Ongoing Project: Sleigh Bells

Christmas gift from long ago…probably about 5 years.

 

It was a bunch of sleigh bells from Jen, Andy and the boys.   I put the bells in this wooden container and put them up on a shelf in the kitchen…twice a year when I would clean off that shelf I would think…I need to clean up those bells.

I started this project before Christmas.  I soaked them for a few days and then polished them…and polished…and polished.

Most of them still need their throats cleaned…but I could not stand the suspense of what one might look like? They were laying out on the counter drying.

Pretty…this one is a B/C bell ( Must be the place it was on the harness)

I am not sure how I will use these four bells…They are attached to the base with a screw.  Historically I can find no reference to bells mounted in this fashion.  So they are mystery bells.   They are all #3  petal bells. The creative part of my brain has a few ideas how to use them as Christmas ornaments….but I am not sure how they will look. 

For now, I will finish the cleaning…attach ribbons and put name tags on them and put them in a Christmas Tin to be opened before Christmas next year.

It was turdy below that old zero mark on the trusty old thermometer yesterday morning.