Merry Christmas!

Whether you celebrate Christmas with your loved ones or mourn the absence of someone dear, these words are for us all.

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will on his shoulders,
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Is. 9:6

"As you celebrate the wonder of My birth in Bethlehem, celebrate also your rebirth into eternal life. This everlasting gift was the sole purpose of My entering your sin-stained world. Receive My gift with awe and humility. Take time to explore the vast dimensions of My Love. Allow thankfulness to flow freely from your heart in response to My glorious gift. Let My Peace rule in your heart, and be thankful."

-Sarah Young from Jesus Calling.

It's my devout hope that your Christmas season this year will be blessed beyond measure; any hurt or pain comforted, and that you have His peace.
God bless you all. Merry Christmas!!

Good News at Christmas Time

Yay! Surgeon doesn't want to replace DH's shoulder until all possibilities are exhausted. The first surgeon irrigated the area; some patients get relief with this. Also gave DH some alternatives to try first. He will eventually need the replacement done, but it could buy him a few years. So good news for us! Thanks so much for your prayers, comments, and well wishes. They were all truly appreciated.

In light of the season, I've seen some beautiful decorations, trees, nativities, etc. I thought I'd share a few of my own.

Truly my favorite room at Christmas. I love everything about the tree. Each year it grows to accommodate the increasing mass of ornaments. However, this is the last year for many of these. My children will all be married by next Christmas and I'm giving them most of their ornaments for their own trees. However, I retain the right to a few of them. :)

I crack up every time I see this. I love this plate, but do you notice the incongruity? Doesn't everyone have a machete hanging in their kitchen?? (Gift from DS from HS mission trip)

These candles on the top and the little sparkly church and house below on the right are very special to me. They're from my childhood and before, so I guess in some eyes they would be ancient LOL. My soon-to-be new SIL gave me the Dickens house last year; it has a lacemaker and he knew how much I loved needlework. Think we'll keep him...

And as always, nativities are my passion. I have many in various forms, but I love all of them.

This particular one a dear friend stitched for me years ago. Many hours of hard labor here. We have to be somewhat careful where we put it. Zoe (demon cat) knocked off the little lamb, and Indiana ate him. So we're trying to preserve the rest!

BTW, in case you noticed the threadbare condition (chewed on, I should say) of Montana's "couch", Indiana "made it his own" first. This is our dining room that was originally used as a den. Now it's an extra room that I'll turn back into a dining room when I don't have to worry about said "puppy" chewing it all. Hence the lovely sofa....LOL (See last post)
While not in the pictures here, I have gates in front of some these items to keep Montana away from temptation....

And I leave you with one final picture. "Santa" (my brother) surprised us with a gift under the tree on Christmas Day a couple of years ago. What house is complete without a Harley Santa? Is he ugly or what?!, but DH thinks he's hilarious...sigh.

Hope you all have a wondrous Christmas season!

Unexpected Turn of Events and Stitching Fun

Thank you all so much for the many well wishes, thoughts, and prayers for DH's surgery. Surgeon went in...and took pictures only - too much damage. DH is now a candidate for either partial or total shoulder replacement. This was a shock and DH is pretty bummed about it. So the 14th is D-Day with the doctors to decide what and when.

This past weekend was the Tarheel Stitcher's Christmas gathering. I've visited once before, but I'm mostly new to the group.

Here everyone is oohing and aahing over donations. Since DH was doing well, I went for a few hours and it was a blast. Linda was a most gracious and generous hostess - pretty darn funny, too. She'd received donations from Weeks, Silkweaver, GA Sampler, Victorian Motto, Emli's, Valdani's, Glendon Place, and 123stitch.

Sara, Cylvia, Juanita, Faye.....

Heather, Mariann, and Linda.....

Melanie, Judy, Jan, Lynda.....

Linda, the fearless hostess (yes, there were three Linda's) and Heather...

Sara, from our Friendship RR and me...

Faye and me, whom I'd met earlier at a retreat along with Karen SC - we're all blogging buddies.

Everyone had a great time talking, stitching, and eating; we all came home with some awesome goodies, too...
Victorian Motto sent these super cool threads that were created for the group...

named Blue Devil, Demon Deacon, Wolfpack, and Carolina - love it!
Elizabeth of Elizabeth's Designs gave us a special chart and Sara was the lucky winner of a gift certificate to 123 stitch.

ILCS had a "Sock it to Me" exchange. I was thrilled with mine from Nancy Cricket Tucket. She individually wrapped each item - what fun to open them all!
My Christmas exchange recipient, Carol, has finally received her package from me. I really do wonder about the mail sometimes...

Stitched a pinkeep from 2007 JCS Ornament issue. I used Colonial Knots instead of beads - little did I realize there were more than 200???) Also, sewed a little scissor fob and corded a needle threader, and included some other goodies.
Finished a heart for Marian's Friendship RR. She's stitching it in the original colors. Only two more to go...



Now, take a few moments, relax, pick up your stitching, and enjoy a bit of pleasure during this Christmas season, or take a nap.....

And no, he is NOT supposed to be on the couch in there, but he looks so peaceful, doesn't he? Indiana didn't get on the couch until he was 8 years old. Don't understand it. Wait, DS, what did you say? Mystery solved -when Montana was 5 months old, DH would take a nap here and let Montana get up there with him. Funny the things you find out from your children...BUSTED!! :)

Exchanges

Recently I participated in a lovely Christmas exchange. To say that I was thrilled with Roberta's package is an understatement. It's as if she read my mind and gave me exactly what I wanted. The box was filled with fun tissue with three delightful-looking packages inside. What could they be?


First was a Bavarian Art Wax Christmas ornament. Ornaments are my most favorite Christmas item and I'm always on the lookout for unusual new ones - which is why the tree keeps getting larger and larger...


Next was this beautifully lined Whitman tin set with awesome gold scissors and French needles. Isn't it wonderful?


And lastly, she included a lovely tin filled with German chocolate. Can't get much better than that...


I was really excited with all these lovely goodies. Much appreciation to Roberta!

My exchange has been sent, but not received, so I'll post pictures of that once it reaches its destination.

My DH is scheduled for shoulder surgery tomorrow morning. Recovery is supposed to be a beast, so I'd appreciate any prayers for him. I'm taking my needlework while I wait, so maybe I can get some stitching done.

Everyone take care. :)