Tuesday 8 December 2020

Advent Calendars, Snowmen Runner, Christmas Lights and Yarn Temptations

 It is the dark days before Christmas, as it used to be called and I do wish the sun would shine more. Hubby has mild SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and now has his special light turned on whenever he is at the computer. But we are barrelling towards the shortest day of the year and then the lengthening of each day will begin again. I keep reminding him.

We are being warned to stay home, not go out except for necessities and then use grocery pick ups- just like back in March.  But we have been good about staying in to ourselves all along anyway...the odd trip to Walmart being the exception. The Brits are getting vaccinated so it will be interesting to see how that goes. I am very hopeful and in amazement at what these researchers have accomplished.

Daughter gave us before Christmas gifts with the message that we had to open them right away. They are advent calendars. Mine is the Clinique one which was all I used for many decades of my life. Such a fun way to try out new products. 

Hubby's is Godiva chocolates and my, he's loving it especially the truffles. 
And Murphy's from Abby is special bone shaped biscuits and she loves them. So much so she got ahold of the box and completely 
mauled it trying to get them out. Deck the Howls With Cookies
I've been pretty good at doing my floor exercises. Every second day and first thing in the morning. Lots of leg work and planking. My core is sadly weak. I remember well all the sit ups and push ups I used to be able to do. Sigh  But my resolve is still strong to face 70 in the best shape that I can muster.

A number of you liked my Santas Here but mentioned they are now covering up my quilting. Well, truthfully I never thought of that till I'd placed them all there "just so"- what was that, some kind of brain glitch!  Then I figured I would change it up the next day.  That hasn't happened. But a few other touches of Christmas are here.  I do love the lights.

We had another sprinkle of snow overnight.
We did get back at the wood stacking with three loads each of the last two days being moved. Here we are about half way through this load. More stacking to do. We've moved about half of this pile now. 
I have another table runner to finish this week. I made the cute Turkey block for the center which I thought appropriate for this time of year and put the embroidered blocks on each end so they would not get covered. 
Look what's tempting me. A bag of "yarny goodness" as Lucy at Attic 24 calls it. 
But I must stay strong and keep working on  Basket Case, Fans and gifty table runners this week.  Next time I'll share my WIP's list, yikes!
Hope you all have a marvelous, productive week and do your best to stay safe.
Also  marvelous to link this post with Home Sewn By Us and Our World Tuesday.









21 comments :

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Your daughter is a very thoughtful gift-giver, Jocelyn - even one for Murphy. Wonder if I could do a plank? I haven't tried in a long time - you are a good example to all of us approaching 70. I love the photo of your husband out with the wood - his red hat stands out like you planned it that way! The tablerunner with your embroidered snowmen in blue is sweet! I do like that center block.

Vicki in MN said...

What fun gifts your daughter sent you! Love the embroidered snowmen runner. I too hope hubby and I can stay active, we certainly try.

Nancy J said...

Is this the usual time to get your firewood? Down here, our man starts deliveries about February or March and sometimes in April which is our Autumn has very little left. Love the tree with some snow in the background, we have hot days usually at Christmas, although this week torrential rain yesterday, again this morning and forecast for tomorrow.I agree, a red hat is so cheery.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

how nice to have early gifts! here to we have been told to mainly stay home although I don't think some are abiding by that - what light does your husband use and do you see a big improvement - my daughter got a light and it took a week before she started to see some improvement. That is a lot of wood to move bet you will be glad to get it done. I don't know when I tried to do a "plank" last good for you - I need to add more floor exercises

Jenny said...

Dealing with a big load of firewood will certainly keep you fit! Our season here has now clicked over to Summer, not that you would know. We've had several days of cold wet weather, cold enough to turn the heating on.

PaintedThread said...

That Godiva calendar is far out! (and I bet delicious) Quite a pile of wood! I like the color of your table runner - it looks sage green on my monitor.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Those advent calendars are really very nice. We also like your Christmas decorations, they are very pretty. WOW, your hubby sure has been chopping busy!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Isn't it amazing that the vaccine has been readied so quickly and is being dispensed already?! It will be a bit before the general masses will get an opportunity for it, but that's okay with me. We've continued to mask, social distance, and wash our hands oh so frequently, coupled with picking up groceries and online shopping for just about everything. I haven't seen the inside of a store or restaurant since March. I LOVE the Clinique advent calendar! Who knew these even existed?!! What a thoughtful gift for each of you. Thanks so much for linking up this week, my dear friend. ~smile~ Roseanne

Ruth Hiebert said...

THose sound like wonderful Advent calendars.

moosecraft said...

The advent calendars are awesome! So much fun! It would be a tough choice (between skin care and chocolates) for me.... you are very lucky your daughter made that choice for you! ;-)
Cutting/stacking wood would be enough exercise for me... maaaaaybe add some stretching.... but, the wood is certainly a calorie burner and heart pumper!
Love the runner... quilt blocks and embroidery are always a great combo!
Be safe and stay well!

Linda said...

How sweet of your daughter to send gifts early. It's never too early to open a Christmas gift in my book. Your talk of "planks" reminds me I need to start doing something, anything. I am 72 and miss the flexibility of a mere 5 years ago. Love your pretty trees with the colored lights!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your daughter is amazing! Lucky you (but then again....that luck is because you raised her right). I'm getting one of those special lights for Christmas (shhh.....I'm not supposed to know). Hopefully it helps with January and February when I really feel down. The dull weather certainly doesn't help.
Enjoy your fun gifts!!

Bonnie said...

Nifty Advent calendars. What fun to open one each day. If going after the box isn't a great testament to Murphy liking his gift, what is! Yikes, that is a LOT of wood to move. Hope it all gets moved soon.

grammajudyb said...

Advent calendars are so much fun! How cool to find one for Murphy too,! Stacking wood is a huge job! But it is fun and lots of time necessary to keep the fires burning! Stay safe and healthy!

Michelle Ridgway said...

What beautiful and useful advent calendars from your daughter! Your decorations and tree look very festive. Wow! That's a lot of wood....no wonder its taken a while to shift! I wish I could send your hubby some of my sunshine xx

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the Clinique gift! What a great present! I need to sit in the sun some this afternoon. That's one of the good things about being so far South...even though the daylight hours are much shorter here too. Holiday hugs!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

What fun gifts. Bobbin was excited to go for a ride today to church to leave our Angel Tree donations and swing by Starbucks. Even though she is on a pretty strict diet, she got half a puppercino (whipped cream in a small dixie cup), she was a happy puppy. Your trees are gorgeous.

Angie said...

Jocelyn - love the unique Advent calendars for you and Murphy! The ones I am used to are all chocolate! Whatever will they think of next?

Michele McLaughlin said...

What a great daughter you have!! I love that she gifted Murphy too! The table runner is adorable and you picked the perfect block to enhance your embroidery! That is a LOT of wood Jocelyn! Wowsa! Stay in and stay safe. We have enough supplies now to last probably through until Christmas so we are hunkered in too. You cheer me up so much! Have a wonderful weekend!

LA Paylor said...

planking.... you go girl

Karrin Hurd said...

What great advent gifts. My three grandchildren get ones with a new sock everyday. Those yars are beautiful!