Another Ornament Recieved

Met up with some stitching friends today to stitch, what a great way to spend part of New Year's Eve.  Marguerite made this mason jar lid ornament for me!  I love it! 

Such a wonderful remembrance of my "year of making jam"!

Thank you Marguerite!

A Christmas Gift in the Mail

This came in the mail yesterday!  All the way from Italy!  It is a RICO kit to make this lovely bow, and the writing is in German.  My dear friend Rosanna sent it!  Thank you so much for thinking of me!

One of my Most Favorite Christmas Gifts

I received this lovely afghan for Christmas!  It was crochet by my daughter-in-law's sister, Christy.  It is soft and warm and so very pretty. 

I just love it!  I will keep it out all winter and not pack it away with the Christmas things.

He Likes It, Hey Justin!

 Justin received the framed Superheroes Alphabet for Christmas.  He immediately found Batman, who seems to be his favorite at the moment.

 But the piece needed very careful further inspection!  He seemed fascinated for quite some time.

Here is the entire piece framed close up.  I am quite happy with how it turned out.  I would have chosen a different frame, but Justin's parents wanted a black frame, so that's what we did.

An Ornament Received

At our yearly Holiday Party, the member of our EGA Guild, Needle's Nest, have an ornament exchange.  Most years I participate, and this year I received this stunning ornament from Jan Christiansen.  It is beautifully stitched (Over 1!) and finished.  It has a place of honor on my tree.

Thanks, Jan!

Cardinal Ornaments

 I stitched these over the course of the year, but didn't ornamentify them until Christmas Day, shortly before they were given as gifts.  I purchased them when I visited Dixie Darlin' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a few years ago.  I recently called the shop to see if I could order some more, but was told they have been unable to get more from their supplies. 

I did 3 sizes.  The small and medium (shown above) and the large on the right.  One had already been gifted when I took the picture. 

A Christmas Visitor

On Thanksgiving Day, we had a Cooper's Hawk visit our deck and partake of his breakfast.  He returned on Christmas Day, and was probably hoping we would provide a bird for his breakfast, but alas, he came up empty handed.  We were too busy cooking and getting ready for the big family feast that was to take place later in the day.

Merry Christmas to all!

The Last of the Christmas Baking

 ....well, for this year!  First up are Honig Busserln.  Literally translated: Honey Kisses.  I am not fond of these, but one of my sons and my sister love these cookies. 

Lastly, Spritz Cookies.....these almost killed me.  I misread the recipe....twice!  This is the third attempt at the dough, and they finally turned out. This is my mother's recipe, but it is too stiff for my cookie spritzer....next year, I will have to use hers to get the desired effect.

Merry Christmas to one and all, stop by if you can, I have plenty of cookies!

More Christmas Baking

 First up, Kolatschki....the German Version.  they may not be pretty but they taste good!  I used my homemade jam, but it oozed out of some of them.  I need to work on this recipe a bit.

 Next:  Peanut Butter Blossoms.  I have never made this before and always thought they were hard to make, but they were quite easy and taste  good too!

This recipe is called Christmas Crack.  Homemade toffee pour over saltine crackers then baked, and topped with chocolate.  I forgot to add the sprinkles.

Almond Joy Cookies

Another new cookie recipe today, Almond Joy Cookies!  They are yummy!  Definitely a keeper.

More Cookie Baking

Today I baked Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.  Everyone loves Reeses Peanut Butter Cup candy, so when I came across this recipe for a cookie, I had to try it.  They came out yummy.

Baking on a Very Cold Day

 Sunday was bitterly cold in my neck of the woods.  I stayed in and did a little baking.  I made thumbprint cookies, using my own homemade jam.  This is a new recipe, and they turned out well.  They are yummy!

I can't forget my grandpuppies, they want cookies too!  I found this recipe for doggie treats, and I hope Murphy and JoJo will like them!

Happy 4. Sunday of Advent

First Batch of Cookies!

This week's baking adventure has turned to cookies.  I have not baked cookies on over 20 years!  I decided that this is the year to start again!  I started with a chocolate chip short bread cookie, a new recipe to me, and I am very pleased with how they turned out.  My taste testers liked them also.  I do know that I made them a bit too large and next time I make them I will have to make them a bit smaller. 

I went shopping yesterday evening for cookie scoops so that I can make more uniform cookies going forward. 

Today's project

By special request, Orange Marmalade!

Happy 3. Sunday of Advent

This Week's Baking Adventures

This week's baking adventure was Mason Jar Pies.  I made six apple and six cherry pies, and they were a hit.  All gone.  I didn't even get one!

Happy 2. Sunday of Advent

November Progress and December Goals

Again, not as much stitching as I would have liked, but I will take what I can get.  I only have one piece left to finish for the crazy January Challenge, so that will be my focus for December.  Meanwhile, I am gathering a list for the 2017 crazy January starts..........

November

WISPS:

10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Mini Embellishment Project 
French Alphabet Sampler page 3 
April flower of the month

Crazy January starts (28 new starts in January)

Justin’s Birth Sampler  finished
Landon’s Stocking  worked on it

Future New starts

Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
November Joyful World
December Joyful World
Small bargello ball  worked on it
4 cardinal ornaments finished
 

December

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress
4 person RR Marguerite’s
Mini Embellishment Project 
French Alphabet Sampler page 3 
April flower of the month
Small bargello ball 

Crazy January starts (28 new starts in January)

Landon’s Stocking 

Future New starts
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
November Joyful World
December Joyful World