Merry Christmas

I wanted to put up the rest of my Christmas decorating photos before it's too late.

This was another new ornament I got this year. I thought he was so cute.

I spread my village pieces around this year, this is in the kitchen window.

 

Some of my Santa collection.

I didn't use everything I have this year. I wanted to simplify a bit. So as I said we're celebrating Christmas on the 22 but we didn't want the 25th to be just another day so we decided to get together on that day too in the afternoon and play some board games, watch holiday movies and we drew names for a small gift each so we had something to open and lots of good snacky type food. We limited gifts to one each except for the girls and so I want to talk about what we want to do next year. I was thinking it would be nice to each do some kind of a help the needy thing and share what we did.

Linda

Red and White Tree and Snowman Collection

So this is my red and white tree. I did a candy cane tree a few years ago and bought all these red and white ornaments then. I've been using this smaller tree the last few years, a lot easier for me.            

I piled up some Christmas boxes and set this little snowlady on top.

This little guy was tucked under the tree. I got these hand made dolls at craft fairs several years ago. I have a snowman collection. The rest on them I tucked into the bookcase. Along with another Santa and some of the village pieces.

We're celebrating early so not much time left now. All the gifts are ready I'm just thinking about food.
I'm dairy free now so it's a new challenge with my diet, but I think this has been part of my problem.

Linda

Tablescape and Why We Get Fat

I created this little tablescape because I was in the mood for something a little cozier. It felt a little bare before. The plate at the back I got at an antique store at the beach, my one treat.  I finally put my A/C on this afternoon. I've been trying to do without it and we've had very few warm days, but I just don't feel well when it gets above 70. That's why I live in the pacific northwest. I also don't sleep well when it's warm in the house. We usually have a breeze that keeps things comfortable but not today.                                                                                                                       

I've been reading a book called "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes. It is confirming that low carb is the way to go. It's interesting because it talks about how this has been known for years. The food police have been against low carb and for low fat. Well it is because of diabetes that I learned the truth. My problem is that even though I know it, it's not easy to do. It has been a gradually process for me. I really learned a lot from this book about how our bodies work and I understand better now why I don't want to eat the things I should and why I can't seem to get below a certain point. I hope with this knowledge I'll be motivated to succeed in losing the rest of the weight I want to lose.


I've also been watching the Lord of the Rings DVDs and all the extra info about making the movies has been really interesting. I'm just amazed by what they put into these movies, the detail work in every area. Peter Jackson really went for it and all the actors put their all into it also. They all came to love the story if they weren't already a fan. It really helped me to appreciate the books even more. The movies are kind of gross, but the story still has a good message.

Linda

Spring Decorating-Birds and Birdhouses

I finally changed my decorations to a spring look. My theme is birds and birdhouses. I have all these little ceramic and glass birds that my dd and gd's have given me.

I also rearranged my furniture and love the new arrangement.

I also brought out all those pillows I made last year and the granny squares. Everything looks so bright.

I will probably keep this through the summer as I started so late. We could have a short one.

I have beach stuff that I sometimes use in the summer months.

We are finally getting some sun but still cool. My container veg. garden hasn't done much yet.

I'm enjoying The Narnia Chronicles. I'm realizing what a talented writer he was and how creative he was. I'm thinking of reading his Space Trilogy after this. I know I've read at least one of the books but didn't understand it very well. I'm still reading Little Women and I've been watching the movies. I have 3 different versions of it. I like the newest one the best. I'm finding that I usually like the book better than the movie.

I started working on some counted cross stitch for Christmas. I've been working on cutting squares for the quilt too, but slowly.

I'm still doing the Somersizing Diet but I also have read "The New Atkins For a New You" and am incorporating some of their ideas. I think it will be targeting me diabetes a little better. The big difference in this diet is that you count carbs and then after the initial induction period you start adding a little at a time until you reach the optimum carb level at which you can still lose weight. It's hard to start on a very low carb diet forever, so I'm hoping this will help me to figure that part out.

Have a great week. My gd and I watched "Inception" with Leo DiCaprio it was very intense but interesting.

Linda                                                                                                                       

Mother's Day, Quilting and Reading

I found this tutorial on quilting for those that don't know how to do it and those that need a reminder. I'm still washing, trimming and ironing fabric. I looked at a quilt shop and told her I was looking for really cheap fabric and I was able to get a piece on sale for $1.50. She suggested I go to Goodwill and look for dresses or skirts that I could cut up. She said on Mondays that have cheaper prices, so I may give that a try. I keep finding that people are so helpful in this economy, we are all in the same boat.

I had a lovely Mother's Day. I hope you did too. My dd gave me the little bird in the photo. I have a collection of birds in different forms, some of pictures, some candle holders and some figurines. I love to have nature displayed in my home. I also have some nests, birdhouses and other garden related decor. I also got a lovely cup and saucer with Martha and George Washington pictured on them for my Early American collection. My dd's birthday, my single dd, was this week so we celebrated both events. We had a great time, we always laugh a lot when we get together.

I'm almost finished with the Little House books. I'm reading the last series about Martha, Laura's great grandmother who lived in Scotland and it is really fascinating to see how they lived and how superstitious they could be. The cook believed that they had a Brownie in the house and she had to keep it happy by leaving it treats at night. Laura's world seemed so primitive compared to ours, but as you go back in time reading about her mother, grandmother and great grandmother it makes her life seem positively modern in comparison. One of the things I'm enjoying about the Scotland family is how they spin wool and flax and do their needlework. They use linen for sheets and I'm thinking I would love to have real linen sheets. It's all very interesting and my dd sent me the link to the author of the Martha years, blog.http://melissawiley.com/ 

Linda

Hand Carved Abe

I bought myself a birthday present. I got it on Etsy from The Yellow Farmhouse . As you know I love Abe, but this is also special because it was hand carved by a special friend. They just opened an Etsy shop and she makes wonderful dolls and he makes wonderful things out of wood.

Linda

27 Days Til Christmas-The Christmas House

One of our Christmas traditions is to go to the Christmas House. This is in an old house. It's full of stuff they have collected in their travels and things they have made. Over the years I've bought several Early American collectibles. These are this years finds.

The coaster is by Enoch Wedgwood (Tunstall) Ltd. Made in England. I tried to find out about this china, but couldn't find this exact coaster so I'm not sure what it's history is.

The little cups have a picture of the Mayflower on them and are made by Scammell's Trenton China USA. I looked it up and they made railroad and hotel china, they are collectible.

I don't usually look into the history of the piece I buy but thought it might be fun for this post. Now I'm interested I may do some more research on things I've bought.

I always get some gifts and some goodies for myself at very good prices. They have made noises about stopping a few times, but thankfully they haven't, it wouldn't be the same without our trip to Christmas House every Christmas.

Linda