Friends

http://thimbleanna.com/?p=911

10.  Hot Chocolate.  Thanks to my sweet and fabulous friend Brigette, I can now make a great cup!

9.  It’s a Wonderful Life.  THE perfect Christmas movie.  I cry every time.  I hope they don’t make the Miracle on 34th Street mistake of trying a re-make - nothing can top Jimmy Stewart.

8.  BIG, old-fashioned Christmas lights.  Small and twinkly are pretty, but these are the real deal.

7.  Cute, kitchsy stocking stuffers.  Jingle bell bracelets were my favorite last year.

6.  The Christmas Eve family sleep over with Christmassy pillow cases.  All the characters in ThimbleannaLand over there on the sidebar (well, not the Quilty Peeps or Hester) celebrate our Christmas Eve by sleeping at whoever’s house is hosting Christmas (MeMum’s this year!) That way we all share the fun of Santa’s arrival (and rumor has it it’s going to be a good one this year.)

5.  The Annual Gingerbread competition.  I thought we wouldn’t be able to have it this year because it’s the in-law rotation for TheFirstChild and SweetiePie, but they’re going to pop in on the 23rd.  SweetiePie was here two days ago (poor thing had to have a root canal!) and she helped cut and bake all the house pieces, so bring on this year’s competition!  And just so you know, MyDadLovesMeBestSister told me last weekend (while I was slaving away on the ladder doing Christmas lights and she was lying around on her bum making fun of me) that SHE has a plan this year and SHE is going to win! (It’s not too late to make your own gingerbread houses — recipe and pattern can be found here.)

4.  Holiday music playing while I’m decorating/baking/wrapping.

3.  Grandma’s Christmas Bells.  A wonderful piece of childhood, now living at our house.

2.  Santa Claus.  Santa. Claus.  When I was a little girl, trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, I peeked out the window and saw his sleigh and reindeer on the neighbor’s roof.  Then I heard the bells on our roof.  And THEN, I had to squeeze my eyes shut and pretend to be sleeping because HE came to check on me — I saw that pretty white head of hair from my top bunk bed.  I DID!  Oh the magic!

and, my absolute, Numero Uno…

Christmas Cookies!  Bake ‘em!  Eat ‘em!  Love ‘em!  They deserve a post all their own!

Ok, let ‘er rip — give me YOUR top 10!

XOXO,
Anna

*Not counting family, joy filled hearts, the reason for the season and all that other mushy stuff.  ;-)

Pass the Bill

By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: December 17, 2009

A message to progressives: By all means, hang Senator Joe Lieberman in effigy. Declare that you’re disappointed in and/or disgusted with President Obama. Demand a change in Senate rules that, combined with the Republican strategy of total obstructionism, are in the process of making America ungovernable.

But meanwhile, pass the health care bill.

Yes, the filibuster-imposed need to get votes from “centrist” senators has led to a bill that falls a long way short of ideal. Worse, some of those senators seem motivated largely by a desire to protect the interests of insurance companies — with the possible exception of Mr. Lieberman, who seems motivated by sheer spite.

But let’s all take a deep breath, and consider just how much good this bill would do, if passed — and how much better it would be than anything that seemed possible just a few years ago. With all its flaws, the Senate health bill would be the biggest expansion of the social safety net since Medicare, greatly improving the lives of millions. Getting this bill would be much, much better than watching health care reform fail....

Current Mood:

annoyed

http://turkeyfeathers.typepad.com/turkey_feathers/2009/12/christmas-island.html

http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/2009/12/happy-holidays-to-you.html

Well, the children are back home from their last day of school so our christmas break has just begun (and we even have a few inches of snow- very exciting!)

Here's wishing you a great Christmas / holiday season

see you in the new year x

http://brocante2margote.canalblog.com/archives/2009/12/18/16197110.html

.. et Noël qui approche à grands pas.

J'imagine le nombre de posts sur la neige tombée entre hier et aujourd'hui; en bonne blogueuse que je suis, vous n'échapperez pas à la règle surtout qu'ici, on pêche la crevette ou la crabe à l'aise, on voit des sangliers et des écureuils régulièrement mais la neige, jamais... La Vraie qui brûle les mains, qui fait que tout est blanc, c'est vraiment une quasi re-découverte pour nous tous à chaque fois.

La fête de Noël de l'école est annulée, idem pour le marché de Noël que je devais faire demain. Les enfants sont déçus; moi aussi, on positive en se disant que c'est une bonne excuse pour passer quelques heures de plus au chaud avec eux (et faire un max de rangement!)

Un café chaud,
voilà ce qu'il nous faut!
Qui m'accompagne sur ce coup-là?

Bon we blanc de blanc...

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wwwdeardaisycottagetypepadcom/~3/i2hPjLKBSuQ/well.html

http://sophiel.canalblog.com/archives/2009/12/18/16185738.html

Place au rouge pour ce défi:

R COMME ROUGE

Rouge comme les boules de houx, rouge comme ces jolis noeuds cousus par Mamie Gâteaux , rouge comme la lecture du vintage friday....

http://sophiel.canalblog.com/archives/2009/12/18/16185519.html

Pour rester sur le thème de l'Avent, je vous présente cette semaine une histoire de NOEL, c'est un petit livre trés ancien et trés abimé...Un livre d'un autre temps....sans date..charmant...

Je vous laisse le découvrir:

AUX ENFANTS SAGES

Le Noël d 'Eliane

Etablissement CASTERMAN

BONNE LECTURE ET BON WE

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WhipUp/~3/QRJelHCXIWU/

http://whipup.net/?p=13278

I am heading off my summer vacation and this is my last newsletter for the year. By the time you read this I will be at the beach – away from phones and internet – a well earned interlude. I am hoping to get through a few novels, play some cards, go for lots of walks, swim lengths of the ocean, take the kids fishing, explore the rocks, eat, laugh and get some sun on my pale city body. So here’s cheers to you all – have a wonderful holiday break – celebrate with your family and friends – eat, drink and be merry wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Thank you all for reading whipup this past year, for making your wonderful things, for writing your wonderful blogs and for participating in this extraordinary creative blog world. Especially big hugs to nicole - love ya babe!

Here is the latest from whipup:

WHIPUP GIFT GUIDES: for the kiddos … for the menfolk … for the womenfolk

Pat Sloan did an interview with me - read it here … thanks Pat.

Need to make something – here is a lovely small project: 65 Roses quilt for charity find out how you can participate and make a square for this quilt here.

Quick order your Calendars before Christmas: 2010 whipup crafty collectible calendar here perfect for gifts for your crafty friends (or yourself).

1. BOOK guides … for the younger crafter … knitters and crocheters … stitchers and sewers
2. MY FAVE THIS WEEK … find out how you can quilt for peace … dolly dresses quilt pattern – you still have time to whip this one up before christmas … this paper mache boat is a great gift for nearly everyone … I love the cereal box houses …
3. LOTS OF HOLIDAY CRAFTING … love these retro gift cards … felt ornament … paper wreath … diorama holiday ornaments … retro cupcake ornaments … argyle ornament … felt ball wreath …
4. LAST MINUTE GIFTS … decorated moleskin … flex frame purse …

Have a happy and safe holiday season – see you all next year!
Kathreen
xxx

Did you miss last weeks roundup? get them all here or subscribe to this weekly newsletter via email here – if you already subscribe why not forward this email to a crafty friend you think may enjoy it.
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Find out more about our fantastic Whipup 2010 calendar

Similar Posts:

• whipup roundup [mid november] |
• whipup roundup [mid november] |
• whipup roundup {agh! October is nearly over} |
• whipup roundup [december already |
• whipup roundup {oct wk3} |

http://nicolsayre.typepad.com/nicol_sayre/2009/12/what-a-party.html

    Wasn't it a lovely time at the party ?!   Oh my , those imps are just full of fun!  It was a wonderful time dancing with those handsome bearded gentlemen,   but I do  fear we've had just a bit too much of a nip at the raspberry cordial  that  I  believe we will be abed late tomorrow morn.

http://scarletknitter.typepad.com/the_scarlet_knitter/2009/12/not-another-scarf.html

Any guesses?

http://www.mypapercrane.com/blog/?p=1559

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WhipUp/~3/eELAd4ckiMU/

http://whipup.net/?p=13333

I would like to welcome Kayte Terry from the blog This is Love Forever – she has a new book out ‘Applique your way’ from Chronicle books and is on a blog tour, today she is going to discuss how to applique for the Holidays!

Appliqué Your Way By Kayte Terry. Chronicle Books; Spi edition (September 30, 2009).

Hi everyone! I am so excited to be on Whip-up today to talk about my new book Appliqué Your Wayfrom Chronicle, and give you some ideas for how to use applique to decorate your home for the holidays.

Applique is the perfect way to spruce up your holiday decor because you are often just embellishing simple items that you already have around the house. And, many projects from my book can be adapted for holiday time just by changing the colors or motifs.

These woodland creature ornaments made by contributor Patty Sechi (aka my mom) are perfect for the tree and are sure to become a holiday heirloom for years to come. My mom adapted these ornaments from ones that she made when I was a kid and we still cherish them each year! They take only a few hours to make and can be customized in any color combinations you like. If you don’t have a tree, what about hanging ornaments from a window or a branch suspended from the ceiling? Or, what about making these ornaments as gift tie-ons?

How cute is this banner by contributor Caitlin of Nice-etc? You can change the letters to spell out “Joy” or “Merry and Bright” or “HoHoHo”. Perfect for hanging on the wall or a mantel place. You could also simply sew cut-out felt letters onto stockings and tree skirts!

The holidays bring lots and lots of houseguests. This appliqué tea towel from contributor Kristen of Cakehouse Designs is made by cutting out motifs from vintage linens and sewing them onto solid cottons. This could function as a perfectly festive hand towel as is or consider using vintage Christmas linens for a more traditional look. This pattern can also be adapted to make lots and lots of pretty holiday table linens like napkins, runners and tablecloths.

Speaking of the holiday table, these doily trivets are a fancy but functional way to protect that table from hot dishes. The colors can be customized to match your holiday style or you could even change the pattern slightly so that the shapes look more like snowflakes!

What are you your decorating plans for the holidays?

Thanks so much for letting me share some holiday decorating ideas on Whipup! For more about me, you can visit my blog at thisisloveforever.com. The full blog tour itinerary is posted at the Chronicle site.Similar Posts:

• Betz White blog tour: applique tips |
• blog tour: vintage baby knits |
• book blog tour: Kanzashi in bloom |
• blog tour: crochet adorned {+ a giveaway} |
• Maria Peagler: color mastery: blog tour |

http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2009/12/little-gray-grannies.html

Uh oh. I sense another crochet freak-out coming on. I hooked up one little blossom in a few minutes the other night just for fun and now . . . now look. A creeper. 

I don't have time for the Siren call of cashmerino and baby alpaca right now. Must. Walk. Away. Run. Though it's really tempting to succumb, especially as it is cold, dreary, dark, and rainy outside.

Details to come, I promise.

http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/2009/12/i-am-here-i-am-here-i-am-here.html

I am still here, just not able to get to the computer very often. 

Crafting has been happening, although I can't show you much of it since my gift-recipients read my blog.  At this point I am so full of crafty ideas that I can't wait until after the first of the year to make something that isn't a Christmas gift. Funny how that happens: I am always most inspired when I am busy and don't have time to sew. 

Also, I am really looking forward to the quilt-along and I want to start working on that soon.

In the middle of the wedding planning and preparing, my boys were in the play "It's a Wonderful Life" and that was a blast.  Really, they were both so cute and handsome that I couldn't stand it.  My oldest played the role of George Bailey and it was so nice to see him relax and enjoy the role.  I found myself wondering "where did this come from" watching him and it made me so proud.  Unfortunately all the pictures that I took are TERRIBLE, but I am showing you one anyway:

My guys are the two on the left, George Bailey and Nick the Tavern Owner, and the kid on the right is Clarence the Angel.  George is discovering how different people's lives would be if he had never been born.  What a great story!

Today I had the desire to can something, so I made California Mix.  Not sure where that desire came from, but I went with it.  Bills should have been paid, but that cauliflower spoke louder and I heeded the call.  Tonight I will write the checks so our utilities don't suffer.  :)

I hope your Christmas planning is going great and that you are having fun making memories.  It's easy to think it's all about the presents, when it isn't.  It is about the people God has placed in our lives and the fact that they are a blessing worth celebrating.  Don't forget to have fun!

Blessings to you all!

http://www.weewonderfuls.com/2009/12/crazy-tree-lady.html

I'm just starting out but I'll get there.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WhipUp/~3/Pd0BqyJhpM4/

http://whipup.net/2009/12/17/diy-fabric-poms/

These are so pretty. Link to tutorial.

Similar Posts:

• how-to: make a ruffly felt rosette wreath |
• how-to: sew a ruffled messenger bag |
• how-to: wagon wheel quilting block |
• how to: button bib necklace |
• how-to: candy buttons |

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wwwdeardaisycottagetypepadcom/~3/VcXYKNftKNo/cookie-love.html