It's been months since I worked on my Santa, started in a class with Donna Hrkman.  I didn't have much left to hook but it got put aside for other projects and the fact I needed to reverse hook the antique black border.  Even though a well known teacher said the black was fine and not to change it to brown, I just found it too harsh.

Yesterday while hooking at the historical society I was changing out the black for a dark brown.  Much better me thinks.  Hopefully this will be and hooked and bound before Christmas.  (The color in the above picture is more accurate.)

Today was the annual TubaChristmas at our downtown theater.  Cheesy fun as always.

Many decorate their instrument.

Our downtown theater is the Lorain Palace Theatre.  It opened in 1928 with a cost of $500k.  In today's dollars that is nearly $9.5 million.  In 1928, it was the largest one floor theater in Ohio.  Over the years there were hard times, but it never closed.  It seats 1,441.

The chandelier weighs 3/4 ton and has 87 40 watt bulbs to light it.  The cut crystals are Yugoslavian.  (I am proud to be Slovenian on my mother's side.)

A few pictures of her beauty.

My sister worked the concession stand when she was in high school.  I was able to go with her on Saturday afternoons and watch the cartoons and film.  That was a VERY long time ago.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Working on my Christmas miracle ~

I have been busy as all get out trying to finish up my holiday preparations.  Decorating is done except for a couple piddly things that may or may not get done 😁, gifts are wrapped and cards are mailed.  I am usually at this point only a couple days before Christmas.

The next few days are busy ones!  Tomorrow I volunteered to demonstrate hooking at a historical society in Bay Village, a western Cleveland suburb, Sunday is the annual TubaChristmas which is cheesy fun and Monday heading a couple hours south to visit with my dear college friend Wink.

I got my greens in crocks today.  I am not much of a floral decorator, but after watching friend Laura arrange my crocks last year, I gave it my best shot.  Not the best, but I am pleased with my results.

On the front porch ~

By the garage ~

And the baby bathtub ~

Please keep my Alabama sister in your prayers.  She has been in the hospital for over a week with some major health issues.

Thanks so much for stopping.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Well Darn ~

 

This is what happens when you drop Santa on his head 😭.  I was so bummed, but at least when he is sitting a little higher on a shelf you can't see the damage.

 

Several people commented that they wanted to see my purchases when I was being bad last Saturday.  I had completely forgotten to take pictures.  Here are a few of the things that came home with me.

Additions to my growing snowman collection.  A sweet little snow angel for the top of my snowman tree.

LOVE the grins.

Santas . . . like I need another Santa 😁

Cotton batting ~

Celluloid ~ with a hole in his head.

Reproduction feather tree and a couple Santas (not old).  I love the big Santa but he is a gift.

Also bought a number of new and vintage bottle brush trees that are scattered about.  And to think I wasn't planning on buying anything . . . lol!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Whole Lotta Nuthin' ~

 

I am busy all the time and making progress, but still so much to do.  I just wanted to pop on and say I hope you are making progress, too . . . or maybe you are so organized you are all ready.  If so . . . YEAH for you.  I am decorating, wrapping, writing cards, and binding my heart hook-along rug.  

I was on a "play date" with a friend yesterday so was gone all day.  And boy is she a bad influence.  I came home with a feather tree, bottle brush trees, a few Santas, a snowman, a celluloid Santa and a vintage cotton batting Santa.  Did I need any of it?  Heck no!!!

Today I went to the hooking group an hour plus south of me.  (If I went north, I would end up in Lake Erie 😁)  No pictures but a good time was had by all.

Tomorrow my flight attendant niece has a layover in Cleveland so will be spending the day with her (after my dentist appointment).

Then on Tuesday another hooking get together an hour plus away with a special group of hookers.  I can kiss this day goodbye, too!

GEEZ!  Maybe if I stayed home I could get stuff done . . . sigh . . . but that would be no fun.

The super moon a couple days ago was beyond magnificent.  I never can get a good picture, but this one over Lake Erie is not too shabby.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

A Finish and a Christmas Miracle?

 

I have finally finished the hooking on the heart hook along hosted by Saundra.  The finished size is 33" x 22.5".  I rehooked the center of the left heart and like it much better.  Of course the dreaded binding hasn't been started.

I have been a crazy Christmas decorating fool for over a week.  I have never started this early (only ever once started before Thanksgiving).  I have the BIG tree left to trim which is a major task (I always leave that for last), but other than a few piddly things, the inside will be done.  I don't do too much outside, but have that left and want to put together some crocks filled with greens.  If I can pull this off and have a relatively stress-free Christmas season, it will be my Christmas miracle 😁

We woke up to our first real snow of the season.  Maybe 2-3" ~ and schools are closed.  Seriously???  I have no recollection (I know I am old!) of school ever being closed for snow or the cold.

The view out my dining room window.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

The Zs ~

I am watching my granddogs, Zeke and Zala for a few days while my local son and his girlfriend visit some of her family in Kentucky.  My son was excited because there is a Buc-ee's on the way and he could get a brisket sandwich (and I must say they are pretty darn good!).

The Zs are Pomskies, a Pomeranian-Husky mix.  Zeke has the Husky coloring, but Zala got the talkiness of a Husky.  They are very similar in size and only weigh maybe 20-22 pounds.

Getting them upstairs to bed the first night was like trying to nail jello to a wall, but we made it, and once in bed all was well.

A few more pics just to show their cuteness.

Husky butts.

On the way to the airport this morning.  I always hate having to say goodbye to my #1 bad boy.  His visit was short but sweet 💙

And speaking of bad boys, here are mine, Bill (L) and J (R).  Last year at this time J had just had his first chemo treatment.  It is so good to see him healthy.

And finally, I can't have a dog post without a picture of Ernestine.  Poor baby is really starting to show her age 😭

That's it.  Back to decorating.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Happy Thanksgiving ~

 

Thanksgiving around the dining room ~

Ceramic creations from my mom 💕

Dining room cupboard ~

For a better view ~

Large turkey on the bottom right
was purchased on my last "antique" play date.

I wish you all the most wonderful Thanksgiving ever.  I have much to be thankful for and hoping you do, too.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 🦃🧡
Lauren