merry christmas!

well almost, but i'm hopping on the blue sled to be with family so will post my wish today....spent a bit of time on a festive UFO that is progressing at a snail's pace, a very old snail...LOL!

my facebook group 'celebrate hand quilting' showed off their red and green quilts this week so was inspired to spend some time on this.  it'll be 4 blocks altogether with a swag border of some sort...no deadline...maybe next christmas?  

so disheartening to wake every morning to news of shootings and murders overnight.  a young police woman was ambushed and shot a week ago and just yesterday taken off life support....imagine if the only gift you can give is to unplug a loved one....christmas is forever changed for her family.  makes me even more thankful for the cherished blessings in my life..."blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted" matthew 5:4....may all my readers find joy in the season and hope for the new year to come.....

ready to ride!

 rudolph is all set for his big one-night gig....

finished this seasonal wall quilt and a table topper for that all-important plate of cookies....

speaking of cookies.....another batch got made....

simple butter cookies with a dab of raspberry peach champagne jam, courtesy of stonewall kitchen, a maine purveyor of yummy things.  the recipe called for rolling the balls in walnuts, but didn't have enough, and also for candied cherries instead of jam, which i can't eat.  even so, they are delish!  

my secret elf sent along some very nice gifties...first, an adorable mug rug

and a selection of very pretty repro fabrics....

received a surprise gift card that provided another giftie to myself....a new toaster oven.  i use this every single day and the one i had was about 10 years old with a spring-loaded drop-down door that caused innumerable tiny burn accidents.  the new design door stays down and the opening is a bit larger as well.  all that's needed when cooking for one.

have been ready for the holiday for a couple of weeks now, so could spend time on finishing a UFO that'll get its binding today.  the december mini is ready to bind as well.  pulled out civil war diary project and decided will finish the blocks potholder method perfected by my maine pal wendy.  all ready to go when january arrives.  

the holiday will be low key with just daughter, son-in-law and me but just as meaningful.  christmas is all about family no matter the size.