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

I never met a Santa I didn't like ~

 

Well, that's not quite true, but lately I have been meeting too many I like!!!

Remember the hand carved Santa I bought a couple weeks ago?  I knew he needed something in his hands and friend Laura had the perfect suggestion.  Now I just need to find the real feather sprig I forgot I had (that was buried in the attic!!!) . . . that I now can't find . . . to replace the cheesy plastic one.  Santa has the sweetest face.

From the same dealer, I also purchased this guy.  I thought maybe he would be a gift, but I just may keep him 😄

So the same Laura and I went on a "play date" yesterday and she really is a bad influence.  If you have seen my Christmas decor in years past ~ or have seen the You Tube video of my house ~ you know I don't need another Christmas item.  Plus in sorting thru things in the attic, I found Christmas items that had not seen the light of day in 20+ years that I want to display this year.  I think I need a bigger house!!! 

Here's "stuff" that came home with me yesterday.  I guess the reason I am purging items not used is so I can buy more stuff that I don't need 😁😁😁.  The lower branches on the feather tree need a little TLC (they are loose and wobbly), but for the price I could not leave it behind.  

I have started my Christmas decorating early this year, something I normally don't do.  Turkeys and Santas are co-existing for another week.  Today I really need to get my act together and get the house in a half way decent shape.  My Las Vegas son will arrive Tuesday.  Not that he cares what the house looks like, but I would like for him to be able to walk through and not trip over boxes!

Nothing to update on my heart hook along rug.  Hopefully soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Hook-y Stuff ~

I finally made it to the new hooking group about an hour and a half from home.  Sue had the idea of starting a new group and another hooker got the ball rolling.

Four members of the group (in addition to me) are participating in the heart hook-along that Saundra started.  She will be updating you soon, I'm sure, but here is my progress so far.  I still haven't decided how I will finish the heart on the right.  I am getting close to a finish!!!

I took a little break to hook another Christmas tree, this one attached to an old cutting board.  A gift for a friend.

Before heading to hooking, I stopped at a so-called antique and collectible flea market.  I just cannot believe the junk people offer . . . but they must sell enough to make it worth their while.  I did find this little putz sheep at a great price, so I was a happy camper.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

What a Crock ~

 

I have shared some of my crocks before, but here they are again with my newest additions.

With the crock bought a couple weeks ago (second from the top) I now have a great variety leading to the first little landing.  All are two gallon except for the one at the very top which is a three.

The stairs leading to my second floor has a 90* turn and now I have 3 little Donaghho crocks.

Under a little table on the upstairs landing along with a sweet little chalkware kitty.

In the kitchen.

A variety in the living room.

Cracked crocks don't bother me.  Many of my crocks would have been unaffordable if they were not damaged.

One of my favorites.

And finally in the dining room.  I refer to this grouping as my cracked crock collection.  It took me many years to find what I considered an affordable bird crock.  This one had been completely broken in half (luckily not thru the front).  Whoever glued it back together did an excellent job.

That's it for the trip down crock lane.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

God Bless our Military ~

 Past and present.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918.  It became a legal federal holiday in 1938, honoring WW I veterans and celebrating peace.  After World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. Military veterans past and present.

Freedom isn't free.  May God bless our military.  
May God bless America.

Lauren