Cozy Blanket Christmas and a First Birthday

Today is Baby Q.'s first birthday. When I was out West we had a little birthday party for him. He had no clue what it was all about....the cake.....the presents.....and the crazy people singing that song to him. It was just another day for this cute baby. But today is "his" day. So Happy Birthday Sweet Baby. I miss you already. Since I have now been home a week it is time to get back on schedule. I have "some" decorating done. My free cards from Shutterfly are still in the box. I put out some outdoor decorations. Since I avoid stores after Thanksgiving I ordered a few goodies that I am waiting on to arrive. Mostly done with the shopping thing. But, believe it or not, I am not stressed. That seemed to float away after my return. I now am at the stage that "what gets done, gets done." I have some things that I have to make. One of these days that will happen.

These are a few of my Santas. Many were gifts and some are handmade by friends. I have more, lots more. I have given some away and need to do that again.

This tree is my Crayola tree. There are also some Charlie Brown ornaments on this tree. This tree is special to me. I met our youngest son at a daycare where I worked .......the name of that place was Crayons.

The other tree(s) are in my favorite antique child's wagon. I quit putting up a big tree a few years ago. I actually have given away some of those trees. I love putting up these little trees in this wagon. Every year they seem to look different. This year the trees and wagon are tucked away between two sofas and in front of one of my cabinets.........to Piper Proof them. Piper sniffs the trees once in awhile but so far so good. One of these trees are real, can you guess which one? Soon I will post pictures of the swaps I have been in lately. I hope you are enjoying this holiday season. Only two week-ends left til the big day. Time is lying. Guess what.........it has been snowing since I got home. It is also very cold........loving it.

Barn Sale and Christmas Sale at the Lodge

My little purchases from the French Barn Sale (right) and the Cherry Valley Lodge Christmas Sale this week-end. I also bought a doll crib for one of the grands. I now will be redoing three doll cribs. I better get busy, right. The one pink doll by the snowman in the first picture is also a snow person. The blue thing in front are actually gloves with a snowman on it. The big snowman has a porcelian star on top of his head. I have been buying things from this vendor forever.

And that cute little primitive owl.....is he not the cutest thing. I bought material to make some owls. Funny as I haven't sewn for probably 20 years. What was I thinking. The fabric is cute though. I have a thing lately for those cute owls I have been seeing everywhere.
Anyone have an easy pattern to share.

Next picture......a little pink house, two pinecone snowmen.....on on a star and the other on a block with the initial "H" for my Mom.
A little silver tree with a spool for it's holder.
A tin measuring cup that I am going to use for a swap with a little star inside. I think the dog is a chalk mold. They had several. Of course, I picked a spaniel.

This sale was so nice. I hope to borrow pictures to show you. Loved meeting other bloggers.....sorry, I said that before. Okay, it's off to bed.......tomorrow will be Monday.......oh, please can I have another Sunday. This week-end was so much fun that I want another day.

Another Box Swap

I ended up swapping with two people as one person in my swap was a bit overwhelmed and had to drop out. I was so lucky to also get to swap with Deb the Garage Sale Gal. Look at all my vintage treasures. There is a little Santa mug just like the one that I used to set out for Santa on Christmas eve. Some great peppermint bark candy that I have been saving. Some vintage buttons, a crocheted star and a metal one with a sweet pink button, an adorable snowman, some scrapbooking ribbons and stickers and a tiny Santa ornament.
A little ME book, a little Santa game, a Santa cookie cutter and some vintage cards. I couldn't get a great shot of the box but it has been decorated in a beautiful paper with lace and siver glitter letters. So pretty. I may use it to put my Christmas cards in later.

Thanks so much Deb. It was fun swapping with you. If you haven't been in a swap before please give it a try.
Not only do you get to know someone else a little better but it is so much fun to buy treasures that you think that person will like........plus.........it is also so exciting to open a package like this.

Christmas Box/Jar Swap from Genie

How sweet is this. The first photo has the inside lid and the top of the box that Genie decorated. We both love ME. She sent photo cards of pictures she had taken and some oldie goldie ones.
A special one was of Genie and her uncle.
A little knitted Santa bag that held a special shoe, some stencils, note pads, a little ME book, a tiny wreath and a wonderful banner of ME paperdolls. They are adorable. Of course, that was my favorite. Thanks Genie for being so thoughtful in your choices. I so love everything.

Catching up

I was gone for only a week but this Grammy got to celebrate several special events. First Thanksgiving, here and there.......the granchildrens' elves arriving, Christmas with my daughter and her family, celebrating a first birthday. (Birthday pictures soon)

The very first pictures brings back some fond memories. When this little girl's Daddy was little he carried the J C Penney Catalog everywhere with him. For two years he even took it with him to see Santa. I remember telling him that Santa was in a hurry as others were waiting. Santa looked at me and said, "No. I have time."

Now that was a great Santa. It was outdoors in
New Concord, Ohio just after the Christmas parade. Children were surrounding this poor guy waiting to tell them their wishes. When I saw my granddaughter looking at the Christmas ads so intensely, I grabbed my camera.
As you can see my photos aren't perfect, actually kind of blurry, but capturing that moment meant alot to me. Our children grow up so fast, don't they? Memories do last forever. Capturing them is even better.

I had a rough time getting over missing these four and getting back in the groove again. I have had so much fun reading all your holiday decorating blogs. I have gotten a good bit of mine done and I will share soon. On Saturday I got to meet a few Buckeye Bloggers (Ohio). We met at the French Hen Barn Sale. What a wonderful sale. I will show you my goodies in another post. We also did some other shopping and had lunch. It is fun meeting other bloggers and hear how blogging has changed their lives. It sure has changed mine.

Home for the holidays

Walked into my Cozy
Blanket home today at 12:30 a.m. Lots of delays at the airport, mine was only an hour. I have never seen so many people at the airport.
Now, I am home and won't be traveling this Christmas. So glad that I opted out of working the early shift but we have early dismissal today. Yikes, I need to gear up for that.

I have lots ot post about when I recover, hah. I had my two cigar box swaps waiting on me when I got home. Of course, I had to open them right away. Thanks Deb and Genie.......I am blown away at the goodies that were sent to me. I am so thankful for my blogging friends.
This isn't a picture of my home, but I love it. I borrowed it from someone. I love everything in the photo. I love little trees, teddy bears and old childrens chairs. I need to decorate my home. I started before I left but didn't get very far. I am loving the pictures that you are all posting of your homes.
Okay, off for now.......I am literally falling asleep as I type. So more later on........xo

PS..........Guess what.........we have snow, I am a happy camper.

My thankful list - the end

We made this turkey at school. Everyone used little foam letters to write the names of their family members on their feather.

To add to my thankful list.......I am thankful also for my friends (that includes my blogging friends), my doggies Izabella and Piper, and kitty Clarisse, a roof over my head (even though it has a leak), food on the table, jobs for my Hubby and myself, and on and on. But most of all I am thankful for GOD for making all of this possible.

I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving.

I off to pack and one more afternoon of work. I will be on that plane( from my banner) to visit my kids and grandkids out WEST. Hopefully I will see some snow.

(((((HUGS)))))