On The 15th Day of Advent

Sing We Now Of Christmas, on this, the 15th Day of Advent!

Thank you, to Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, for hostessing this wonderful Advent Calendar Blog Event!

This beautiful Christmas design was begun at a Stitcher's Hideaway Retreat, in December 2005, just two days after our daughter's wedding. (I had registered for the retreat months before our daughter became engaged to be married.)
This was a wonderful and very memorable retreat for so many reasons.

                                      'Victorian Noel'
                                   Betsy Stinner
                                             of
                                  Earth Threads

Memories, Memories..... As I think back to so many Christmases past, with our children as they were growing up.  
For our family, the Season of Advent, is the most precious time.  Each year we look forward to getting a new Advent calendar, with the little numbered windows to open each day.

Our children always looked forward to taking turns, each day, opening up the little windows, and then reading aloud the scripture for the day. Now my husband and I take turns opening the little windows each day.  

For each Sunday in Advent, after dinner, we always read a scripture and  light the candles on our Advent wreath. Then we sing a Christmas song or two.  Our children always loved doing this every year.

Another sweet memory is the traditional visit to go see Santa Claus and have the children's pictures taken with him.

                                               

We will never forget this Santa picture.  The children said that "he was a very 'smelly' Santa Claus", and they couldn't wait to get off of his lap!  That was so funny!  Oh such sweet times!

This is a very special ornament, stitched for me last year by my very true love, my darling husband, who is an avid stitcher of Hardanger designs.  Isn't it truly beautiful?

We are so blessed in so many ways every day.  Let us hold dear, in our hearts, those very treasured Christmas memories, and the special memories that we will create in our hearts and homes this Christmas.

Blessings to One & All of You, My Very Dear Friends!

Sit a While and Stitch With Me....

Please, won't you sit a while and stitch with me, and we shall have a cup of your favorite tea!  My fire is warm, my friendship is free, and I would love to share some time together.

                                  At the Salem Cross Inn

                               Brookfield, Massachusetts

There is nothing as special as spending a lovely day with a dear friend, sipping tea and stitching together, especially during these long cold December days.  Last Thursday, was just such a day, with my dear friend, Janet (no blog).  

Quaker Christmas II
Blackbird Designs

We worked on Quaker Christmas II, and although we know that it won't be finished in time for Christmas, we are thoroughly enjoying the journey together.  After all, isn't that the most important thing?

'Christmas Garden' (Blackbird Designs), is hopefully, going to be finished very soon!  I chose and ordered the frame last week, in anticipation of finishing this weekend, but alas, it was not to be.......  My plan is to 'work feverishly' over the next few days, and we'll see....  Please say a prayer for me.

Could these possibly be Two Calling Birds?

Love these darling little Christmas trees!

(This is the true colour of the linen in this photo.)

Last week, our Stitching Group had a wonderful Christmas dinner party, where we exchanged little stitched gifts with one another.

My Gift from Janet

Inside were tucked some sewing notions..... a sweet gift!

Would you believe that I forgot to take a photo of  the ornament that I made?  One of our friends took some photos, thank goodness, so I will post pictures of mine next time.

There were definitely some very nice 'little distractions' last week, which took this Grandma-ma's attention away from stitching.  Three of our precious little grandchildren decided to pay a visit, all dressed up to help decorate the Christmas tree!

10 month old, baby Harrison, came with his Reindeer hat and binky.

Two and a half year olds, Miss Ella and Emerson, dressed in his Santa suit, for the occasion, helped to decorate the tree.

Miss Ella and Emerson sharing a quiet moment together.  Aren't they just adorable?

Over the weekend, we attended my husband's company Christmas Party, a lovely event, and also went with Janet, her husband and two of their friends, to a very old, historic inn for A Christmas Dinner Musical event.  It was just wonderful.

As we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner of roasted turkey, these delightful singers entertained us with Christmas stories and songs.

                                Janet (left), Santa and Me.

After all, you don't have to be a little child to still love Santa!

May you share in the joy, peace  and love in this beautiful season of Advent.  

Blessings, My Very Dear Friends!