Lordy, Lordy - Stockings & Trees!

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
~Norman Vincent Peale

Our house finally has that Christmas look.  I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that we actually decorated over the weekend and got most of the gifts wrapped too!  That's two major things off of our to-do list - woohoo!!  The grandkids can come to the house now - lol! 

Here in California, we have had over three straight days of rain.  For parts of California, not is not an unusual occurrence.  But here in the central valley, it is extremely unusual that we have three days of rain, not to mention that it has rained all day and all night of each of those days!  We have received nearly 4 inches of rain over that time period.  Not much, you say?  Well, for an area that has an annual rainfall of just over 5" that is a tremendous amount of rain!!!!  Unfortunately there are areas with flooding and roads are closed.   The ground is very saturated, but the trees are all very, very  happy.  Hopefully this won't be all of our rain for the entire winter season.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

10 Lords A Leaping

The ten lords a-leaping most likely refers to leaping dancers (called morris dancers) who performed leaping dances between courses at feasts. This type of wild and strenuous dancing probably evolved from more ancient war and fertility dances and would have been a popular form of entertainment for this type of function. Unlike the nine ladies dancing in the previous stanza where the dancers appear to have been guests dancing for enjoyment, these were professional dancers brought in to entertain the guests while they dined. 

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I was actually able to work in my sewing room today (sewing not computering)!  That's a good thing.  I finished my SIL counted cross stitch Christmas Stocking.  It only needed the backing put on it.  The kit came with white felt which I thought was a poor choice as it would show every bit of dirt and dog hair that came in contact with it.  So, over the weekend we bought some dark green felt for me to use instead.

The picture makes it look like it has piping but that is really just a shadow.

Now it hangs with the rest of the family's stockings.  The three dog stockings will have to come down once DD#1 and family arrive because we only have 8 stocking holders.  As you can tell, we don't have a fireplace, so our stockings are hung by the sofa with care - lol!  The big Santa stocking belongs to my DH - and it always ends up full!

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I had held out some fabric to make another set of wonky trees for Block Lotto.  You had to use a jewel tone fabric with black or black on black.

They are too wonky but then I have trouble doing wonky.  This makes three sets that I made for the month of December.

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As you may recall, Lana over at It Seams To Be Sew, has been having a 12 Days of Christmas giveaway where she has drawn a name each night to win a little special something.  I was the winner of Day #4!  In Saturday's mail came a beautiful, shiny green padded envelope that I couldn't wait to open.....

Look what's peaking out!  I see Santa!!!

In this fantastic padded bag was Santa, a yard of beautiful green and white fabric from the Sweet line by Urban Chiks for moda,  a darling Claire Handbag pattern by Lazy Girl Designs and a wonderful Christmas postcard with pictures of Lana, her husband Bill, and Little Cotton, their darling little bunny.  Thank you so very much for the wonderful winnings Lana!!!!  You made me a very  happy camper!

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GIVEAWAYS

Crazy Quilting is giving away an autographed copy of Melinda Evaul's newly release book, Grow Old With Me.  This sounds like a wonderful book that I would like to read and maybe you would too.  The winner of this giveaway will be selected on January 3rd.

Retro Mummy is have a fantastic giveaway of two fat quarter packs of Flower Sugar from Lecien.  This is some beautiful fabric!!  The winner will be selected on New Years Eve.

Fabrics N Quilts is having a giveaway!  One winner will be drawn for a Hideaway charm pack.  Another winner will be selected for a chartreuse colorway fat quarter bundle from Sugar Pop.  She is also giving away 2 copies of the Sugar Pop pattern.  This winners will be drawn on Dec. 24th at noon CST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I'm through with shopping, including the massive grocery shopping we did last night.  We have everything wrapped.  Some cookies were made over the weekend with another batch to made, and some fudge too.  The stockings are hung, the tree is decorated, and the house is in its full holiday attire.  I think I might be ready for the kids to hit the house and for Santa's visit too.  Uh oh, forgot one thing.  The spare bedroom and the sewing room/office are a disaster!!!  Guess I know what will be on my schedule for the next couple of days.

There are three stages of a man's life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus.
 ~Author Unknown

Toodles and toy soldiers for Tuesday!  See you tomorrow!!