Change of Plans

In October, having never quilted before, I decided that I would make lap quilts for my four nieces, two nephews, and one sister-in-law.

At the beginning of December, I changed my mind and decided that I would make lap quilts for two nieces, one nephew, and one sister-in-law.

Six days before Christmas, with one lap quilt done, one lap quilt needing binding, one lap quilt pieced, but needing quilting, and one lap quilt left to cut out, I went to the dentist for an unexpected (emergency?) root canal. I decided that only my sister-in-law, whose quilt was done, would receive a lap quilt. :)

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures in my own home in day light before I gave it to her.  These pictures were taken in the evening after she opened it.  I was very pleased with how it turned out.  She loved it!

Enjoying the candlelight while we all sing
"Happy Birthday, Jesus" on Christmas day.  

Can you see the cake and candy in the background?  Every year, I bake two round cakes-one for the boys and one for the girls.  I set out the plainly frosted cakes with two "sets" of candy and the children decorate the cakes for Jesus.  We light the candles, turn off the overhead lights and sing.  It is one of my favorite Christmas traditions and we share it with whomever is celebrating with us at our house.

Ollie Helps With Christmas

Ollie "killed" the maribou feather edging for me.

He "gathered" up the stray tinsel.

(Don't worry, I removed it from his mouth 

before he ate any.)

And he "helped" me lay out a quilt.

How could I have done it without him?

Friday Flower-12/16/10

Isn't this gorgeous?

It's called a Cyclamen.

Just look at those variegated leaves

and that rich red color!
Look at all those blooms!

I have 11 new followers!

I will feature six today and

five on another Friday Flower.

Clarice at Storybook Woods-Clarice has great decorating, beautiful things to make, and delicious food to prepare on her blog. She is also an author and her recent book, Wren Bay, is on my wish list.

Nita Stacy at Mod Vintage Life- Nita's blog is filled with her wonderful decorating projects as she restores her home. Beautiful! It is also filled with another great love of mine-dachshunds! I can't get enough of her little family of doxies. I'm putting her button here because I think it's just too cute!

Patty at Olla-Polrida- Patty is a fabulous cook! How do I know? I've tried some of the recipes she's posted on her site! Really, really good stuff! Patty's Etsy shop is pretty cool, as well.

Martha at Martha's Favorites-Martha's site is filled with many of my favorite things...teacups, china, and an English garden!  Martha has an Etsy shop and an e-Bay shop.  (There were quite a few things I wanted in her eBay shop.) She co-hosts Teacup Tuesday with Terri, who is my next follower.

Terri at Artful Afirmations-Terri's blog is filled with all sorts of delightful things.  She is very knowledgeable about china and such.  I have learned many new things by reading her blog.  You really need to check out her free video tutorials in her sidebar on her blog!

Heather at Life and Love at Leadora-Heather also has an old house and enjoys "crafting, sewing, baking, cooking, and decorating."  Those are all things I also enjoy:)

Please join Laura at A Place For Tea and Melissa at Miss Sew & So for more Friday Flowers.

Thank You, Sarah Jane

A month or so ago I won a calendar from Sarah Jane.

She is a wonderful illustrator.

The package was so beautifully packaged!

Isn't that the cutest sticker?

I love this picture.

It reminds me of me as a child...

I always had my nose in a book!

Thank you, Sarah Jane!

I love my calendar!

We Have a Winner!

I want to thank all of you that entered my very first giveaway!

No one wanted to guess my age;)

I cut apart all of the entries and put them in a pretty glass Christmas bowl.

I had my ten year old daughter pick out one name.

The winner is Saminda from Ferns By the Fireside,who said,

"It has been a delight to find you this week. :)

And snow - how wonderful!! I can only imagine cold snow in our current Aussie heat! ;)

It has been rainy at least, which cools everything down nicely.

These Christmas items look delightful. Blessings. :) xx "

Congratulations, Saminda!

Just e-mail me your address and

I'll mail the package.

Birthday Tea

Last week was my birthday.

To celebrate, I fixed myself

a pot of Earl Grey tea and

set a pretty place setting for myself.

I then took it outside to photograph because the light

was better out there.

My favorite birthday cup to use during the month of December.

I love having a December birthday!

The bottom of the china says:

Royal Albert

Bone China

England

Flower of the Month Series

Christmas Rose

1970 Royal Albert LTD.

Candlewick cream and sugar bowl--handed down from my husband's paternal grandmother.

When I was growing up, my maternal grandmother

always kept this spoon in the sugar bowl. It's bowl is engraved

"Queen Elizabeth visits Canada-1959."

Maternal grandmother's silver.

I treated myself to Walker's shortbread because I had never had them before.

You can see pictures of a flower arrangement I made with this teacup here.

This is for Teacup Tuesday at Artful Afirmations and Martha's Favorites

and Tablescape Thursday at

Between Naps On the Porch

Christmas Blog Party-2010

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

but inside, it's so delightful...

Living Room:

Our Christmas tree is in the corner of the living room.

We don't have a mantel, but I decorate the bookshelves

on each side of the armoire like little mantels.

I'm sure there is a name for this decoration.

It is one of my favorites. When you light the candles

the heat causes the propellor at the top to spin.

The shepherds and wise men then

rotate around Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

Hark the herald angels sing!

The top of the other book shelf.

The nativity takes center stage.

Kitchen:

I love my big, lit wreath in my kitchen window.

It's decorated with teapot and teacup ornaments

that I've collected in various places over the years.

Christmas mugs

Tin sign from Hobby Lobby

Old water bottle that my Grandma L.

used to keep well water cold in the

refrigerator.

Fire King bowl from Grandma L.,

"holly elf" apron made by Grandma L.,

various kitchen utensils from Grandma D.

Grandma L's silverware,

small depression glass salt shaker

from my mom

Teapot ornament on the wreath

Dining Room:

We are using this as an Advent wreath this year.

I used a mirror as a base.

The garland that hangs on the living room side of the doorway.

I hang all my glass and vintage ornaments here.

Garland ornaments.

More garland ornaments.

My front porch can be found here.

Thank you for coming to see my decorations.

I will be posting more as the month progresses.

Believe it or not, I still have more to do.

Look for: nutcrackers, window seat decorations, more nativities,

snowmen, lit houses, our Jesse tree, and what ever else happens

to come out of the boxes:)

Please check out these fabulous blogs for more party fun!

A Delightsome Life-

A Return to Loveliness-

Christmas with Victoria-

Between Naps on the Porch

Linda at Coastal Charm