The BIG Tree ~

 

The big tree is always the last thing decorated and the last thing put away, so it's only apropos to show it last.  I think I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it.  My old artificial tree had seen better days, so last year after Christmas I purchased a new one.  I have many heavy ornaments and I love that this tree has stiff branches making it easier to hang them.  However, I have never had a tree with such a perfect shape.  I prefer a tree that is rather wonky.  This year on my Facebook page, lots of wonky trees kept popping up (I guess big brother is really watching, isn't he?) but I could not justify buying yet another.  So . . . this one will have to do for at least a few years.

A couple ornaments my boys made in preschool many years ago.  They are now 43 and 41 and pretty soon the ornaments . . . and my boys . . . will be "vintage" 😁  The candy cane grandson Jake and I made in 2012.

Older son Bill made this in 1987 (age 8).

And younger son J also made this in 1987 (age 6).

A favorite picture of grandson Jake.

One last Christmas picture.  It's not like I don't have a couple other sleds in the attic . . . much older ones . . . that have not been down in a few years.  I saw this at the antique mall the other day and found the small size charming.  I bought it thinking I would give it as a gift next Christmas, but love it here on the old blanket chest (aka coffee table).

Happy New Year's Eve.  My NYE will be spent "partying" on the couch, watching a movie and crossing a few Xs.  (One of these days I will finally pick up my hook!!!)  The perfect Eve, in my book.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

And Still More ~

 

The never ending Christmas pictures 😁

Sweet candle tin, a Christmas gift from my brother's DSO.

Dining room stepback cupboard.

A favorite wood box bought many years ago with a Christmas graphic.

Celluloid Santas and vintage bottle brush trees.

All vintage with the exception of the Santa on skis.

A favorite Santa by Vaillancourt Folk Art.

The devil's head ornament, a gift from DSO many years ago, is based on an antique.

LOVE the snowman, a gift from hooker friend Melissa.  Isn't he the cutest?  Perhaps inspiration for a hooked rug???

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Merry Day After ~

 

Another Christmas has quickly come and gone.  It was kind of bittersweet.  My older son, "Billy Vegas", sadly did not make it home.  After a couple of flight delays, the flight was cancelled with no hope of getting on another, except for one he found that cost $5200 one way.  Hopefully I will see him soon.

One more Christmas rug I forgot to share.

Some more of my decorating.  Patriotic decorations on my small landing.  So hard to photograph.

Salt glaze Santas and my choir.

Vintage look ornaments on wire tree.

My "Chris" tree.  Friend Chris gifted me with all the items, all vintage, except for the feather tree which has seen better days.  Not sure what happened to it, but the branches seem to have been scorched.

Thankfully the days are warming a bit and by the end of the week we should see 50*.  It was nasty for a few days but I know other places had it much worse.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Merry Christmas ~

~ Merry Christmas ~

Thank you for taking the time to share my life's journey.

Please remember the reason we celebrate this day.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Baby It's Cold Outside ~

 

It's Christmas Eve Eve!  We are at a balmy -3* here in northern Ohio with 32 mph winds, making it feel like -29*.  I know others are much colder 😢  My sister lives in Mobile, Alabama, and she said it is 21* there.  Their homes are not insulated so it is impossible to keep the house warm.

The pumpkin rolls are baked (4 of them) but not yet stuffed.  That is a tradition I would gladly forego, and somehow it became tradition for my son to give them to a couple of his friends when he comes to town.  Still hoping and praying his flight is not delayed/cancelled.

To unknown commenter . . . that sweet little Santa I cross stitched can be purchased as a digital download from Pineberry Lane.  I LOVE digital patterns.

More pictures from around the house.  

Santa tree

On the mantle with antique samplers, St. Nicholas, one of my favorite pieces that my mom made for me.  

Well, I'd best go get out the silver.  I only use it at Christmas (why?) and I am hoping it does not need polishing.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

A Finish ~

I really am not good at "finishing" a cross stitch project.  I enjoy the stitching and then put them in a shoebox to languish.  I knew this most recent project would need to be totally finished ~ and soon ~ if it was going to be gifted on Christmas Day.  As I posted previously, the stitching gave me some fits but I persevered.  Yesterday was the day!  I must say I am happy with the way it turned out.  I have very little fabric stash but did have the perfect fabric for the back.

I wasn't sure if I would like the vintage tinsel around the edge, but I love it!  I really don't want to gift it . . . but will along with the little vintage Santa boot . . . which I would also love to keep 😁 

I thought I would share some of my holiday rugs.  I have given away many more than I have kept!  This is the most recent one I gave away.  Mr. Jingles, pattern by Notforgotten Farm.

These first rugs are ones I won on blog give-aways many years ago.  This one is from Sandi Lucero.  

From Kelly Belfast.

And a pillow from Joanne Walker.  When I got it, my foster dog ate some of the French knot snowflakes.

Some that I have hooked.

Pattern by DoodleDog Primitives

Michelle Palmer (his coat is actually a subtle blue)

Lori Rippey

Inspired by friend Lynn's rug

One of the first rugs I drew out and hooked in 2005.

Snowman was a class with Marlene Troyer a few years ago.

Now if I were more organized, I could show you some of the others I have gifted, but organization is not my forte! 

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren