Christmas Eve!

 Santa's Big Night!

No little ones at this house but my Grandies are getting excited I'm sure!

I've done a tiny bit of baking:

Povatica-known in this family as P-tisca.

I have no idea how it's supposed to be pronounced!

It's a tasty sweet bread filled with crushed walnuts.

To get those layers and layers you roll the dough out as large as you can (I usually get it to 3'by 4-5').  This is the hardest part of the whole deal!

It makes twice this much but I gave the other half to Beth, 

Sorry boys, again she lives here!

It wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Christmas will be strange, likely to be remembered as the Zoom year.

Like everything else!

The virus has not peaked here so still much care is needed.

I've been careful for 10 months, I'm not about to stop now!

Haven't done much else but recover from the Nashville trip and read.

I know that my friends "Down Under" have already celebrated but here we still wait.

Everyone, no matter where you are, Happy Christmas!

Best Laid Plans

I give up!

I had half of Flipflops at the farm- two quilted and began the other half and soon discovered that there were large pleats forming in the fleece backing.

Why this happened on this quilt and not on the other one is a mystery to me.

At any rate, I will have to unsew what I've done and then I think I'll tie it.  Of course I didn't bring the things to tie a quilt!  I will work at the unsewing but it isn't going to be finished by Saturday!  

I could work on #2020 but it's a big quilt and I just don't have what it takes to do it on the Bernina. So I've decided on big stitch hand quilting.  Did I bring that with me?  Of course not! It may be finished by Christmas but I kind of doubt it.

I've packed away the Bernina.  I should just say here that I do not like the Bernina!  It doesn't stitch evenly nor does it hold tension.  UGH.

What did I learn?  To either hand quilt or pay for quilting.  So most of next year's quilts will go out to be quilted.  That means I have to find a quilter as the one I used before stopped doing it for others. 

On to other, much less stressful things.  Like writing out Christmas Cards. I'll begin sorting and packing the truck for the trip home in a day or two.  It's easiest done a bit at a time.

Four more days, on the fifth I head home.  I'm ready.

I've Taken over the Dining room!

As you can see, My stitching has covered the table at my son's house!  So far I've bound the Big block quilt, now know as Snuggle Together.  My Bonus Daughter has asked for a quilt large enough for the two of them (and probably the dog) to snuggle under while watching the telly.  It is rolled and tied with a bow under their tree. 

I've also finished Flipflops at the Farm-one.  It still needs to be checked over and rolled after being washed.  

The quilt on the table is Flipflops at the farm -two and is a bit over one-fourth quilted.  I should get ti finished up today, I hope.  Then it's on to #2020.  If I can get all that finished while here I will be happy.

 The other side of the room has my computer stuff on it.  That hasn't gotten much use this trip but I'm still here until Saturday.  Notice Quinn photo bombed me!

The girls, Lola and Quinn, have been enjoying the 60-70F weather and the deck which overlooks a green space.  They play together and Lola has only gotten told to back off once or twice.  Lola may be twice Quinn's size but Quinn doesn't take any nonsense!  Now, if Scott's 5 pound Coco just looks at Quinn - Quinn is backing away slowly!

My tree

I "collect" quotations.

Things I read and that are meaningful to me.

This one seems especially fitting for this year.

"Nothing ever seems too bad or too hard or too sad when you've got a Christmas tree in the living room.  All those presents under it, all that anticipation.  Just a way of saying there is always light and hope in the world.  And you're lucky enough to have a family to share it with.

J. D. Robb Memory in Death

 

Each year when I place the ornaments on the tree I am besieged with memories.

Places and people,  Christmas past, trips and small collections.

This one my oldest son made for me when he was 4 years old.

He's 43 now.

It always has a place front and center on the tree.

Every January I carefully wrap it in tissue.

A reminder of the wonderful Shetland Sheepdogs I've shared 

(and share--thank you Quinn) my life with.

Reminding me of the ornaments I'ver received as gifts.

This mitten is from Ann Campbell and so it the Koala

above it.

There are others from Chookyblue, Simone, Maria and my children.

 

A little bear bought in St Charles, Missouri.

Scott and I were "seeing what's there" one Thanksgiving weekend.

There are others from trips.

Purchased in Colorado, Montana and Dublin.

There's Santa.

One of many on the tree!

A fragile white dove.

Life is fragile.

Peace is fragile.

Still, 

Let there be Peace on Earth.

.