Butterflies

 Wow I got a package in the mail! 

Such beautiful work and so many butterflies! 

I know how much time is put into the embroidery....it is beautiful handwork.  These came from my long time blog friend Linda in Colorado!   I shall treasure the pillowcases...they are almost too beautiful to use...but I will use them!  Thank you Linda! 

Far Side

50 years and counting

Yesterday was calm.  We both worked on various activities.   I did some laundry, wrapped a few gifts, dusted, cleaned the bathroom...finished a "it would be nice to do last minute Christmas project"  Far Guy made his famous Chili Cheese Dip and Caramel Rolls....and we both had a nap.

Far Guy gave me the wood carving he has been working on for months.   It is a much appreciated gift...I know how long and hard he worked on getting it all just perfect!

Here are some photos as it was in progress.

Each flower petal was carved separately.

He loves to carve flowers. 

My gift to him was not very romantic...a can of special spray to help lubricate the automatic garage doors that are being a pain in the butt when it is cold.  They open just fine...getting them to close again is a real effort as most of the time they have to be pulled down.

Later today there is a family gathering...I have it on good authority that a Trivia game featuring us will be played. 
Far Side

Bits of Sunshine

Got a little sunshine for my birthday!

The best jelly ever!  I figured I would have to go back to Hawaii to get some.  My husband is very thoughtful!

Our youngest daughter Jen makes the best cards!   The scissors were part of the crafty gift she sent.  I have always wanted a pair of bird scissors!

I have a cold, Far Guy too...we must have picked it up at the same place...no doubt a Clinic someplace.

We are resting , drinking copious amounts of fluids and napping.

Good thing we made Chicken and Noodles a few weeks ago and stocked up the freezer.

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday!

Far Side

Gifts from friends

This was a great week for gifts!

Always fun to get something in the mail or from neighbors that stop by with a bag of gifts!

A Border Collie Table Runner and Coasters from special neighbors Leah and Jo.  The gift made us smile!  I had fun finding Border Collies that looked like our Chance...we still miss him everyday.

Soap, lotion, cuticle cream and lip balm from Araignee's Tangled Web...she has more hobbies than I do!

Yes Far Guy was woodcarving at the dining room table when I took photos.  He has a special board he uses at the table to catch chips and it also protects the top of the table.

Sheila at woodcarving shared a pattern with him...and another fellow was cleaning out his garage so we have all kinds and shapes of basswood for carving.   One of the pieces was just perfect for his project. 

We have not yet picked a Christmas Ornament for this year...we have two ideas and will see what makes the cut...so to speak.

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.

A gift and a project

It is raining and has been for several days.  The sun is not shining here.  It just rains and rains.

Far Guy and Chance braved the rain to get the mail.

There was a note and a gift from Jen.

She is making journals! They are so cute! I think I will use mine to make my lists.

Now for my project.  I talked to Granddaughter Paige, she is going to the winter formal.  Yes she would like a bracelet, her gown is mainly white with a little very pale pink.  Sparkly and white was her suggestion.

I told her I would give it a whirl.  I added a row of pink beads.

If she doesn’t like it I can always rip it apart.  I use very tiny beads called Japanese Delicas.  I use an even count peyote stitch to weave the beads together one by one with a needle and special beading thread.

So I have a pretty place to make my lists now and a project…life is good…other than the rain that will probably be snow soon.

Christmas Shopping

I dislike shopping. Shopping for Christmas gifts is not real high on my priority list. I believe it to be a myth perpetuated by shop keepers and ad agencies, we are all sucked into their shopping vortex. Some are sucked in so hard and trampled on by so many sometimes they die. Shopping can kill you.

Just because some wise men from the east brought some gifts to a special baby in a manger, does not mean we should be assaulted with Christmas Carols and Christmas Shopping way before Halloween. How and why did Christmas become something I believe it is not? Christmas has become a shopping nightmare. Some stores invite you to Christmas in July. That is just SICK. I would like to forget Christmas shopping all together. Does that mean I would forget Christmas? NO, I would just like it to mean something again, on a non shopping level. I yearn so for the simpler times...perhaps with the recession now a certainty (for the past year) and a depression on the horizon more people will "GET IT." Some will be forced too get it and realize a pair of socks under the tree or something homemade or handmade and from the heart is the real treasure, that and the Christmas Story read out loud from the Bible. ( end of sermon.)

I guess I should take a class in shopping, like remedial shopping, or maybe shopping for dummies. I am a female, shouldn't I have been born with some type of shopping gene? Or am I deficient in some type of hormone? What is wrong with me?

Believe you me, I have pondered this for years. If I could find all of the Christmas gifts I am required to purchase in a Bookstore, Antique Shop, Auction Sale or the local Thrift Shop or even a Garage Sale..I would be the best shopper around. When I realized this, I realized it is not me that has the problem..but the gifted, you know the people who get the gifts. The gift I choose that will say I love you, you are special misses something in translation. I am a failure, I always get the wrong gift in the wrong size, wrong kind, wrong color..wrong, wrong, wrong..like a big old buzzer going off in my head. Then one day I just said to myself "Self, this is madness, stop the shopping cart."I also told Far Guy if he wanted to shop he could, far be it from me to hold anyone back from shopping. I did assist him for a few years until he finally saw the light, and it was a blue light special.

CASH! In a Card! Low and behold, it might not always be the right size, but after Christmas you can buy twice as much with your cash. I do buy a few gift certificates at local restaurants. I do not purchase gift cards. I will shop for Far Guys gift online, I know exactly what I want him to want ..he has not mentioned it for years..but I just know if I can find it..he will declare me the best shopper ever! Chance will probably join right in, cause he is easily bought with a few yummy treats:)