Happy New Year

There is more snow on the ground now than in the frosty picture above. We have "enjoyed" temperatures hovering around zero, and maybe getting into the 'teens in the daytime since just after Thanksgiving. There has been very little snow, but what there is has not melted. Also, as those who listen to the news or read newspapers, Cache Valley has had the worst air quality in the whole country. Thank goodness we live at the far northern end, so ours is not quite such pea soup as farther south. A little snow fell yesterday, giving us some relief. Jenny took the picture below when she was here for Christmas. This was taken at her aunt's and uncle's ranch at Eight Mile southeast of Soda Springs, ID.

Christmas Means Family

Jenny and her Dad on Sunday.

Christmas flowers and greenery from the Consoliver 5. The smell of the greens was wonderful. We laughed, because when the florist came, he rang the doorbell, and we were slow coming to answer the doorbell. When Ron got there, the florist was walking through the front door, because he didn't want to leave the bouquet on the porch to freeze. More than once, we have come home to find something from the florist on the kitchen counter. We hate to think of our small town growing so big that we can't leave the door unlocked at times, or that the florist wouldn't feel comfortable doing that service.

Christmas Day

Lights never fail to enchant.

The Japanese cranes stained glass is reflected in the table where three Nativity sets are displayed. The one on this end is made of corn husks.

And this is the entire tree - full of ornaments from Germany, friends, Ron's making, and other acquisitions.

The miniature tree always delights. These are the outward signs of Christmas. More important is the sharing that takes place over the miles - pictures sent, expressions of caring, neighbors and friends dropping by with treats, all of the Christmas cards that come to remind us of friends past and present. We are thankful for them all.

Christmas Eve - The Nativity

It's Still Christmas at Our House

This cuddly elf was found years ago at a craft show. Someone paid attention to detail in constructing him. He has never sported a label, so perhaps he was home made?

Once upon a time I did counted cross stitch. This is a long, narrow wall hanging, in the shape of a bell pull. We're getting ready for Christmas dinner.

And this husband has done his Christmas shopping!

You can see how long ago this was done - my zillions of counted cross stitch books sit on the shelf while I make quilts.... To everything there is a season.

Ornament of Friendship and Love

My friend, Dorrit, (who came from Denmark) gave me this Danish ornament before we moved to Preston.

Granddaughter Brittany made this Christmas decoration for us a couple of years ago. It tells a truth not to be forgotten.

Years ago, Dad and Mother cut silhouettes of Christmas out of wood. Steve took the patterns, and cut out a smaller pattern of the baby Jesus, lying in the manger, guarded by a couple of cats with curling tails. It's nice to have reminders of people we love as we put our Christmas decorations about the house.

Winter Wonderland

There is always a beautiful aftermath to the foggy, cold mornings that we sometimes experience. The rime frost makes a beautiful etching against the darker colors. No blue sky yet to complete the contrast. With today being the shortest day of the year, we are going to have clear skies, cold weather, but no frost this morning. There was a red sky - sailor, take warning.

Only 4 1/2 Days Until Christmas

This little ornament came from Rothenburg a.t., Deutschland - I left the tag on this little angel.

Julie painted this welcoming sheep, and it's out by the front door, welcoming people to our home.

Jennifer remembers buying this Santa Claus figure. Ron had it in January, 1981 when I went out to Washington to be married. He looks antique, quaint, etc. You will note that he is a pretty slim Santa - he wasn't always as plump as he appears these days.

More to see on the Christmas Tour

Ron's woodturning skills have given us more little bird houses (acorn shaped) to hang on the tree.

The ark dates back to Washington days. Missing are the two birds that are supposed to sit on the roof. Time does bring about attrition, as these ornaments go in and out of boxes.

This nativity scene is always in its glass case. You have to click on this one to see the charming Petersen mice.

More Christmas Memories

After our cockapoo, Rani (never could figure out how to spell the name) died, Jennifer gave us this little Christmas dog - it comes out of the box every Christmas to charm us over again with our pleasant memories of this little dog.

In lieu of a star at the top of our tree, there is always a teddy bear - this angel has lost one of it's wings, but that's only a minor detail.

And, Steve, this brings back memories. When I was doing the craft boutique on Tumwater Hill, Dad cut out bunches of Steve's wonderful Northwest Christmas designs, and I painted them. Surely there are still some of them out there, because we sure sold a lot. (By the way, the design is copyrighted, so don't be tempted.)

Some of my favorite German-made ornaments

Some of these ornaments are over 30 years old. I always loved this one, because the little book that the star-sitting girl is holding has the music and words to the first part of "Heiligen nacht, stille nacht."

And this fat king - is he St. Nicholas? probably.

This Santa Claus came from Rothenberg a.t. when we went to visit Dorothy and Ken.

And this fish was acquired there, too. Are fish good luck? I hope so, because the green pickle ornament that I purchased at the same time, (and is supposed to bring good luck), broke last year.

More Signs of Christmas at Our House

This little tree has lots of little ornaments. Just another cheery reminder of Christmas coming.

The German apple candleholders date back to 1976. The sand dollar was an ornament from friends in the early 1980s. My friend, Jeanine, said that Christmas trees should be full of surprises. I try to make ours fill the bill every year.

This German tower was sent from Germany by Sara and Frank, way back when Lauren was small and they were touring.

And this little Santa comes out of the box every year to grab onto something to remind us of our friend, Phyllis Hanson, who loved to collect Santa Clauses, and also loved to share.

Signs of Christmas - Christmas Countdown #2

These two stained glass pieces were made by friends in Arizona during the years we went there for the coldest part of the year. They are stored carefully after Christmas to make their appearance in December to brighten our days and our outlook on life.

Signs of Christmas - Christmas Countdown

Ag students from the high school raised poinsettias this year - Good for them. This time I kept an article on how to keep them from year to year. We'll see how faithful I am????

This is the same picture, altered to look like a colored woodcut.

Signs that Winter is Truly Here

This sunrise was earlier this last week - before the snowstorms began. "Red in the morning, sailor take warning."

Ron was removing snow for the first round of snowstorms. (The strange lights in the picture are reflections from the Christmas tree lights on the window. I took this picture from the living room.) This was on Wednesday - not as much snow. However today, (Saturday) is a different story. It's been snowing hard all day long. Ron has blown the snow off once, but it has rapidly filled in again. First we have big flakes and then little flakes and back and forth. We needed the moisture, but dread having to keep everything cleared of snow. (I still think that Ron needs one of those plastic covers that fits over your body to keep him from looking like the abominable snowman when he is finished.

Nativity Wall Hanging

Louise and I found this book 4 or 5 years ago, when we were "browsing" through a quilt store. The nativity scene had been constructed and was hanging in the store, so we went on a hunt for the book - (by the way, it's called "Home Bound", and is designed by Janet Selck, copyright date of 2004. I proceeded to make four "I Spy" quilts for 4 grandsons, and wondered if I'd ever make the nativity scene. This was the year - and it didn't take too long to make. (You can tell by the stop border that looks a little less than perfect.) However, it fits the season just fine for me. Our stake is hosting a neighborhood nativity display this Friday and Saturday, and this will be there, along with many other nativity scenes.

Hello from some old friends, love you Two, Jen

Another One-Block Wonder - Animal Fair, by name.

This is the completed quilt top, pinned to the design wall. Double click to see the enlarged size - it will open first in a slightly larger format, but if you click on that, you can really enlarge it.

My first quilt was done with kaleidascope octagons and kaleidoscope squares. This quilt is done entirely in hexagons - that allows the cubes to become a part of the quilt, since they essentially make up the same hexagon shape. Optical illusions are fun.

More cubes and kaleidascope blocks.

This is one of my favorite blocks. The original fabric was jam-packed with every animal from an anteater to a zebra. This one was cut to show the skunk on top of the polar bear. Note the pig just below the polar bear's face, and the little tiny animal in the round at the center.

This particular block has a zebra, part of the elephant, and a climbing monkey. The long neck belongs to a giraffe, and forms the center kaleidascope.

Back to zebras and other assorted animals.

This one is partly elephant.

This was a fun quilt to make, but for construction, I prefer the octagon format for the One-Block Wonder. There were too many bias edges to work with on this particular quilt, and the planning stage was more difficult, because the hexagons had to be pinned together through the center to place on the design wall. The heaviness of that piece required that it be pinned to the wall. Octogons are sewn together as one unit, with the loose components of the squares in the corners. Designing is far easier, as is sewing the final quilt. (At least, in my opinion, after having done both.) There are more mistakes in this quilt, but we won't quibble about that, right?