All is Calm, All is Bright

Hello my friends... I hope all is well with you and yours.  My dear husband is out trying to find me a surprise present.. poor sweetheart.  I told him he didn't need to go.. but off he went.  Me.. I tidied everything up and took a few photos and returned to my crocheting.  Dog on my lap.  HGTV on the telly.  Our son's family who live with us decided to spend 4 days at the beach over Christmas - so I am here, alone, on Christmas Eve.. in the quiet.  ::insert cricket sounds here::  We're having pizza for dinner!  LOL!  

The living room is all set for our Christmas day with our son Shawn and his family.  We got a special ham that comes with a red currant glaze, asparagus and squash and I'm going to make roasted potatoes like I did for our blog girls luncheon.  We also got a chocolate cream cake for dessert.  Say.. I just noticed that the lights that were out on my wreath magically came on.. it's a miracle! :-)  I took a whole set of photos and when I downloaded them to my computer I noticed that the stockings were missing that were there.. they must have gone to the beach!  So, I found more of my stocking collection and hung them up and did a whole new set of photos.. awww.. now that looks right.

I always worry that I didn't get enough or not the right thing.. but you know what?  It's all good.  It's really about spending happy times together, isn't it?

This is my view from my easy chair and it fills me with happiness.  Our warm little farmhouse.  It's not big, it's not spotless, but it keeps us safe and protected.  The dog is on my lap (my left thigh is his "place"), I pet him and brush the hair out of his eyes.  I've got Christmas music playing on my laptop while I write to you.  A new song that I recommend is "Mary Did You Know" by Pentatonix - an acapella group who sang this in a cave to get really nice acoustics.  My DIL Kristi recommended it to me.  Click HERE to watch the video.

The dog and I keep an eye out for Dayle to come home.  This is the bay window behind our chairs, we have a circular drive there.. and the barn beyond.  Oops, there is a jar of marbles there.. but that's okay.  :-)

I am trying to make a hat to wear with my shawl.. it's the same yarn.. 50/50 alpaca and silk.  I'm making my own design as I go and there have been some challenges.. the yarn is rather fine and when I got to the brim part it Did. Not. Work.  ::sigh::  Rip, rip, roll and rip.  Now I'm trying out a ribbed brim with a smaller hook and my dear friends.. it looks like it's going to be too small when I get done.. I should have added a looser rib.. we'll see.. I might be rip, rip, rolling again.  But I'm not giving up!  :-) (ETA - I had to rip out all the ribbing and start over with a G hook which I used for the main beret body.)

My last image is of my Nativity scene with my new camels.  I kind of think I need a few more animals.. what do you think?  This scene abides on the top of the china cabinet that Dayle's father bought for his mother and it was her most cherished possession.  It is now one of ours.. and will pass down to their namesake grandsons.  What is your most cherished possession?  I know it's your family and friends.. but do you have a family heirloom you treasure?

And so my friends.. I am wishing for you peace, joy and happiness.. love and health and wonderment.  Thank you for being my friend and coming to visit.  I will likely have some new photos to share the day after Christmas.

((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

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*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*

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