Friday 11 December 2020

Links, Christmasy Fingernails, Nature Scene and A Favourite Bird

We've had a good week here at the wooden house or as SIL says "in the pines". Got in enough exercise to feel vindicated in treating ourselves to dessert and got our Christmas gift list in order to name a couple of things. The cut off for delivery to Canada was midweek so that stopped the dithering and we got our decisions made and everything ordered. Not that there is that much because our family circle is tiny. 

So here is a little round up of the minute joys and tiny things that I am happy/thankful/grateful for. 

About once a month I get to wishing I had better nails and make a goal to look after my cuticles. This time I decided to paint them a Christmas colour.  Essie A List, yes just like me. LOL But it does look very Christmasy.  I think I'm more aware of them just now because of the wood and all the hand washing. 
  I'm so happy that this little table topper is finished.  A very enjoyable and short stitching experience and that left side is much straighter than it shows. I wonder does the camera lie as I took a second photo and it looked pretty much the same. 
I quilted a soft diamond shape in the borders which was all it needed after all the heavy quilting in the middle. 
I also have the central basket for Basket Case finished. I fiddled with this a lot longer than I needed to. My first time trying broderie perse which was fun.  I tried to hit all the colours of the little baskets.
This week I enjoyed putting out what we named a nature woodland collection. During several walks around the property last year, younger grandson, Robbie, and I collected these specimens (as we called them) and put them together in this large dish. I need some fresh evergreens for it.  Turkey, Crow and Barred Owl feathers here.

Finding the tiny nest down the cedar trail was the most fun. He'd also included more leaves that have since disintegrated. At the time he couldn't decide if the tree ornaments should be on a window ledge or in this so I've left them here. 

 I liked these links.  Google reveals the 20 most searched food recipes for 2020.  I chased down several of the recipes.  I was interested in the Ikea meatballs and this one, Dole Whip, which I've talked about before. I found a recipe where you use coconut milk and mango or banana instead of ice cream. 
And this link found at Good To Know Latest...How to make Christmas patchwork ornaments, free tutorial included. It's all about the fabric for these. They are easy to stitch and can be embellished in any number of ways.

I'll leave you today with a photo of the wonderful Northern Flicker taken last summer. One seemed a little braver and actually checked out the bird feeders.  I'm fond of these birds for their pretty doe pink feathers with striking black dots and the way their red patch forms a heart. 
I'm still counting my WIP's...no not really. 😊 I'll share that list next time as this post was long enough. 
Have a wonderful weekend.  

28 comments :

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

always enjoy seeing what you are working on and everything is nice as always. Your nails are lovely - I never do mine and it shows! I just finished ordering a few things for the grandchildren who are not little kids anymore and it was cookies/candy and gift card - I don't spend enough time with them to even know their likes and dislikes I hate to say but they have never lived near me and yearly visits aren't enough

Brian's Home Blog said...

That table topper is beautiful and amazing too. Hey, howdy little Flicker!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love your nails. I wish I could have nice colored nails, but my nails react badly to any polish, so i go natural.

Out To Pasture said...

Wowzer!!! I would sure enjoy one of those Dole Whips!

Libby in TN said...

Flickers are one of my favorites, too. Our eagle visited us twice this week. I have found Nature's Bounty Hair Skin and Nail Gummies have really helped my nails.

PaintedThread said...

I like that table topper. And your woodland collection. Very cool.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

Red nail polish is just perfect this time of year! I love your broderie perse project and table topper. Your projects always look so good. Thank for the links. That Dole Whip looks interesting!

piecefulwendy said...

Dole Whip sounds good - I've seen that recipe but never tried it. I would love to have nails as pretty as that. Another fun post to read, thank you!

Nana said...

All is so lovely... your christmasy nails, the tabletopper, the icecream, the bird...

Nana

Michele McLaughlin said...

Well I love that table topper and I love the bowl of "specimens" so cute! I gave up on my nails years ago but yours look FAB~! I am so impressed with your broderie perse! It looks fantastic! Stay well and safe!

Linda said...

Oh your nails are so pretty! Mine are awful, as I've been a biter most of my life, and my cuticles are sad and dry. You are inspiring me! Love the natural wonders you and your grandson collected. What a pretty table topper - looks like it was fun putting it together - and nice quilting. Your broderie perse efforts are glorious.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

What a great post! I love the woodland dish! So neat and the bird. Your nails look great! Hugs have a great week-end.

Jutta.K. said...

I am very happy to see your blog for the first time on "Nature Thursday".
Thank you very much for the link!
The decoration made of natural materials is very successful!
And the photo of the wonderfully colorful bird is magical.
Greetings from Germany

LA Paylor said...

mango whip? I want some. Your nails are so pretty, are they chipped yet? I love Essie and put on a fuchia sparkle for the holidays but it chipped the next day... now a downward spiral! pretty handwork

Jenny said...

Such a gorgeous bird, I really enjoy your wildlife photos. Of course, the birds and animals in our countries are quite different.
Love the collection of feathers with the tiny birds nest, isn't nature wonderful!
And your table topper was finished just in time, good work!

QuiltGranma said...

Love your log cabin block quilt1 And your collection of treasures from the forest is wonderful, especially with that tiny nest.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Very festive nails and I do love your quilting. Your nature dish is great too. I love seeing all the different birds in your neighbourhood....so different to ours xx

Purple Pixie Dust said...

I don't have a problem with my nails they just keep growing long. Thanks for coming to my blog. I love you bowl of feathers and things. I so love your quilts, amazing work. Have a great Sunday. Big hugs Lynda

I am getting better by the day. Rest is good medicine.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
First, I just love your header image and cute critter scene. Is it a quilt? Your nails to look pretty. Your table topper and quilt projects are all lovely. I like the cute woodland collection, you and your grandson did a great job. Great capture of the Flicker, they are beautiful. Thank you for commenting, linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a happy new week!

Ivani said...

Beautifully hand quilted your log cabin table topper.
I love observing birds and loved to know the Northen Flicker.
Have a great week.

Michelle said...

Your nails look great! I am not good with keeping mine in polish. They are short and polish free. I used to have them manicured every two weeks, many years ago. Thanks for linking up!

K Reeves said...

Those are some gorgeous nails, Jocelyn, very festive, as is that delightful log cabin table topper!

Jean said...

I love the nature woodland collection you shared there. Imagine it must make you smile every time you look at it. And of course the photo of the flicker woodpecker makes me smile. Hope you have a great week!

Hootin Anni said...

I haven't done my nails in ages...yours are so pretty! Love the feather collection!! Your handiwork is so special. And I LOVE the flicker portrait! Thanks for linking in at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is safe to say that painting my nails is not high on my list of things to do! I doubt that it is on Miriam's list either since I can't remember the last time she adorned herself in this way. When I first knew her she painted both her finger nails and toe nails, but perhaps that was part of the quest way back then!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Another fun to read post! I often wish I had nice nails so I could use polish but then I remember that polish won't stay on my nails and I'd be redoing them every day. Hmmm.....would rather spend my time stitching!
As for the camera showing wonky edges - mine does that all the time and I know the problem isn't that my project is crooked.
I think I've only seen a flicker a couple of times and always in flight. Lucky you to get a great photo!

Gayla said...


i loved all your photos. Beautiful quilting and projects! Those feathers, too... I love it that we find these gifts of nature. I ordered some nail polish last week... I think it will give me a lift.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

A lot of goodies in there! I love your little table topper too.