Thursday 3 December 2020

Christmas Sheep and Santas, A Bird and a Book, Italian Panettone

 The days of rain ended with a light dusting of snow. Everything looking so white and clean.  The feeders were very busy even during the rain. I took this shot of  a nuthatch coming in for a landing. They, like the chickadees, seem to work so hard for their seeds.

And a better portrait.
Inside now some Christmas things appearing little by little. I remembered my scrappy wonky tree table runner and got it out. 
It's going to hold the Santas this year as it fits perfectly on the sofa table.
And here is our merry Santa gang.
Florence at Buzz and Flutter mentioned she is enjoying this audiobook, Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner, so I downloaded it from the library too. Very interesting.  The Crown has triggered quite an interest in all things royal it seems.
My Merry Christmas copy of Quiltmania arrived in the mail box.  I've always loved real mail.
Why must they have such cute projects! Christmas sheep. So hard to resist.
I couldn't resist this at the grocery store. There is something about the combination of bread with fruits and nuts that I love. This is an Italian panettone. Is this something you would enjoy? There's the butter to spread on it too.
Hope your Thursday is wonderful and your weekend even better!

35 comments :

Brian's Home Blog said...

Those little birds are so cute. Love that table runner and your Santa Gang is so wonderful. We have panettone here during Christmas, it makes a really good french toast too.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

We have panettone every year. My mom usually has it with her coffee. We're expecting a storm this weekend. I'm not looking forward to that! I love that the wonky tree runner has all the santas on it! I like Quilt Mania and do buy it when I find it. Have a nice week!

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

seeing the last photo with the Panettone at the end of your post made me realize I want some too! Added it to my grocery list - your santa collection is so pretty and the red stitchery on the left side is so pretty

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

Oh, Jocelyn - you had me at Italian panettone - LOL - ;))

Nancy J said...

Love your birds having a snack, and the magazine, too hard to resist and real mail, a treat to relish.

Michelle Ridgway said...

What a sweet little bird is the Nuthatch. It must be a lifeline to pop to the feeder during the wintery months. I love all your Christmas decorating. I think that we need an extra bit of Christmas cheer this year. Glad you are enjoying your book. Quiltmania so often has hard to resist projects. Enjoy all your lovely decorating xx

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love that photo you took of the nuthatch landing on the feeder! It's wonderful! Your Christmas tablerunner is awesome and I love ALL YOUR SANTAS! WOW! Have a wonderful weekend reading your magazine and listening to your book!

Susie H said...

I've seen that exact brand of panettone at my store but didn't really know what it was. You've piqued my interest and I may have to try one now. Love, love, love your wonky tree table runner!!! Did you use a pattern?

Linda said...

Love your Santa collection on that pretty runner. I would just stand next to it and pick everything up to have a look at all the Santas. I've never tried panettone, probably because I'd have to take the time to pick out all the candied fruits/raisins - lol!

Libby in TN said...

Love seeing your Santa collection every year! Those sheep ... can you resist?

Out To Pasture said...

Thanks for the mention, Jocelyn. I think my take-a-way from 'Lady In Waiting' was her remarkable tolerance of her husband's bizzare behaviour. And thanks for the tip on 'The Queen's Gambit'. Can't think of a movie I enjoyed more! So now I'm binge watching 'The Crown'. Loved your Christmas decorations! Nuthatches are one of my favourite little sweeties.

Nana said...

This is such a great and awesome pic of the flying bird, how much I love it. Your tablerunner ist wonderful, I need to check for the pattern.

Nana

Juliana said...

I so enjoy your posts. Thanks for sharing birds and quilts and community.

piecefulwendy said...

The photo of the nuthatch coming in for the landing is amazing; so fun to see its little feet coming out to grab the perch. I love bread in any form, so that looks very yummy! Cute tablerunner too!

MissPat said...

I second Wendy's comment on the nuthatch coming in for a landing. I like your grouping of Santas although it seems a shame to hide the wonky trees under the Santa feet. I don't have that many Santas, but I might try the same thing with snowmen, of which I have many more. They get to stay out longer and since we aren't traveling south this winter, I'll get to enjoy them instead of just having them collect dust.
Pat

PaintedThread said...

That is an awesome action shot of the nuthatch. Those wonky trees are cute! Wow, that's a lot of Santas!

andy's colours said...

I really adore the wonky trees and the sheep in the magazine. That would be a favourite of mine. Fantastic how you manage to take those pictures of birds in motion. Good little camera you've got there.

Andrea

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Real mail is something that seems to rarely happen these days. Postage costs have risen to the point where doing RAOK's (or subscribing to magazines) is something we think long and hard about.
Wonderful bird photos this time - thank you. And a book suggestion for you... I just recently finished reading 'The Gown' by Jennifer Robson about the creation of Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress. It was fascinating so perhaps you might like it as well.

gladiquilts said...

I really enjoy your bird photos and am also looking forward to the next issue of Quiltmania. We just put our tree up this morning and I will gradually decorate it and the house (minimal) over the next few days. I am really going to miss the holiday parties and concerts we normally attend every December :( but will be grateful for (hopefully) ongoing good health. I like your snowflake table runner!

photowannabe said...

What a wonderful Santa collection. Love your quilts too.
I am so far behind on decorating..the motivation isn't there as in the past. Our Governor has mandated total lockdown for the next 3 weeks..Seems my plans are all out the window. Sigh...
Sue

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

We love the nuthatches at our house, too, Jocelyn! Even if we can't see them, we often hear their funny little "beep beep" sounds so we know they're nearby. Your wonky tree runner is wonderful and so is your Santa collection!

Norma Schlager said...

I love your Santa collection. I have one, too, but didn't put it all out this year. And they are perfect on your wonky tree runner. I do have a large Santa tree coverd with Santa ornaments.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

The photo of the nuthatch landing is fabulous! Great shot! Love your wonky trees, and all your Santas are amazing.

Jenn Jilks said...

I love the nuthatch moving in. But, fun when someone recommends something and it works.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Birds are so fun to watch! Great post! Hugs

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Great nuthatch photos! And fun wonky tree runner. I have to remind myself to get out some Christmas things that slip my mind, too. I enjoyed seeing your Christmas display.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I just love that inc-coming Nuthatch! Cute photos. Your table runner looks great to me. The Santa collection is beautiful. I like the cute sheep quilt, that would be a fun project. The bread sounds delicious.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Your table runner is beautiful and I love your pretty decorations! It really cheers us up to have some pretty things out to enjoy this year. I love Santas....and snowmen...oh and elves! heehee! Enjoy your weekend!

QuiltGranma said...

Love your quilts. I too love Panettone bread, but where i used to get it we moved away from! Guess I'll have to try to make my own version.

gayle said...

I love that crowd of Santas!
And those sheep really ARE tempting...

The Joyful Quilter said...

Super cute table runner, but there are so many Santas that you can no longer see the quilt!

Jenny said...

Oh Jocelyn, I do love your Santa collection, all those cheeky faces and chubby tummies!

Rain said...

I love your table runner and all of your Santas!!! How festive! :) That first photo of the bird is awesome!

Nancy said...

What great photographs of the little bird. I'm always impressed with action shots of fast-moving animals. Were you a photographer before you were a quilter?
You have such a fun collection of Santas. They certainly look jolly!

Yvonne said...

Love your crazy tree runner, and the collection of Santa's sitting on it truly puts Christmas in the air. The Nuthatch photos are beautiful to look at. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.