Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I have had so many good intentions for posting but life has been so busy. It’s the good kind of busy so no complaints. My front porch is decorated for the holidays. I completed this wall quilt.
It was easy and fun—the red bird was my favorite part. The Santa mugs are out for Santa’s coffee break.
Don and I went to Christmas parties last Thursday and Friday. Stayed out way too late, but had so much fun. Saturday night we had 5 couples over till the wee hours of the morning. I think the remainder of the Christmas season will be spent relaxing.

The trees are trimmed.
My tree sort of turned into a birdhouse Christmas tree this year.
I have collected abandoned birds nests for several years and now have 8 that are gently tucked into the tree each year.
Dried flowers and pinecones along with Chelsey’s collection of Barbie ornaments trim the tree.


I got an email from Thimbleberries.com and it had this gift bag pattern that I whipped up Sunday night.
It’s for my mom. I filled it with note cards, thank you notes and blank cards along with stamps, and pens as a Christmas gift. She’s a faithful letter writer. I hope she likes it.

Melissa had the cutest sign and I fell in love with it. She gave me directions for purchasing it so now I have my own.

The first year we were married Don was out of work--- a lot of the time. It’s why we ended up in Michigan. That first Christmas we lived in a duplex that had a complex of 4 apartments filled with little old ladies next to it. He made succor trees for each of the ladies.
I laughed at the layers of paint that are building up. Christmas holds a lot of traditions for me and no matter how old, that tree is one of them.

The fireplace is lit up.
I decided to hang the stockings from my quilt ladder this year. With the ‘Snow Drifted Inn”—sign at the top.



Chelsey got her tonsils taken out yesterday so I wasn’t at work. She was at the hospital at 8 am. They took her to surgery at 10:30 am. I was bringing her home for 2 pm. It’s a lot different than when I was a kid. I got up several times during the night checking on her. She, of course, was sound asleep. I got her up before I went to work let her shower. Talked to her about her medicine. Retrieved everything from the basement to keep her from going up and down stairs. I left for work with one of the worst guilt complexes I’ve had in a long time. I can promise you, Don never felt that. I went home and got her lunch sat down for a few minutes of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and made my way back to work. She’s fine. Resting, even folded a load of laundry. She’s 18 after all. But that doesn’t change it for Moms. Sometimes it’s just tough. But we press on….

29 comments:

Carol said...

Your tree is soooooooo pretty. The bag is as cute as it can be...love the sign. Glad Chelsey is doing well...they will always be our babies...no matter how old they get.

Anonymous said...

Everything looks beautiful Mel.. what a beautiful home you have :o) Hope Chelsey has a speedy recovery... tonsils are a big owie! I had mine out at 16... it wasn't fun... :o(

Joanne said...

Your decorations are lovely. Beautiful tree and I love your welcome quilt.
Here's hoping Chelsey's recovery is quick and uneventful.

Libby said...

I'll never forget the guilt when The Princess had her wisdom teeth taken out - she was on the east coast and I the west. Imagine the fortune paid the USPS to deliver cans of Campbells Chicken and Stars soup - the official soup of sick little girls *s*

Stina Blomgren said...

So happy to see you back in blogland... :o) And I just love your tree... is it the dried hydrangeas you have in the tree from another post...clever!!! :o) Love it!!
Hope Chelsea is better tomorrow...give her a hug...
Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

Julie said...

Very fun post. I love your wall hanging, and the cute bag of notes and cards for your Mom. Your house also looks so festive and cozy. Our 6 year old will probably need her tonsils out. I think it is harder on the Mom than the patient. Have a great day. Julie

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh your Christmas tree is beautiful! And my mom had those santa mugs! And I love your snowman welcome quilt! Where did you get your beautiful quilt ladder?

Unknown said...

Oh I love your little snowman wall hanging, so cute. Your home looks very welcoming and warm. I do hope you enjoy your Christmas with family.

Juliann in WA said...

So happy to see a post. I have been missing you. Glad the surgery went well. I know just how you feel. Your home looks lovely.

Passionate Quilter said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful Christmas decorations and your tree looks like it belongs in a store! It's gorgeous! And I loved that little gift bag--is it a regular pattern--or a gift for being a member of their club? Glad to hear Chelsey is recouping fine from her surgery. Merry Christmas!

Karen said...

Love your little gift bag--I'm sure your mom will love it. Your home looks so cozy and warm and ready for the Holiday to begin. I like your stocking idea. Three of my brothers and I got our tonsils out the day after Thanksgiving when I was in the 4th grade. The first thing I wanted when I woke up was a "blue popsicle" which melted all over the blanket because I wasn't quite awake yet. I shared a hospital room with a girl a year older than myself...we met up again when she was a senior and I a jr in high school. To this day I still can't believe she recognized me (7 years later). Hope you all have a happy holiday;)

Unknown said...

Wow! I love the little Thimbleberries bag! That is so cute an your decorations are gorgeous!

Journeying said...

Thank you for sharing your pictures and your home. I love how everything looks. Glad everyone's recovering nicely from the tonsil situation. (as in, surgery person AND mom)
I've been collecting old birds' nests, but they're far too fragile to go on a tree - altho it's a great idea for those that are strong enough. I love birdhouses and such...you have a great tree!

Cornbread and Beans Quilting said...

Your home looks beautiful! I would love to sit down with you and santa and drink some coffee out of the santa mugs !! he he he
Hope your daughter recovers quickly!

McIrish Annie said...

I love your tree! We usually do a tree in our kitchen (full size!) which is our bird tree. All of the ornaments are birds or bird related with the nests that we have found. This is the first year we decided not to do it so I'm glad someone did it for me! YOur tree is lovely and your house looks soooo cozy and christmasy!

Hope Chelsey is back to talking full speed really soon! at 18 it can't be fun having your tonsils out.. YOu are a great mom!

julieQ said...

I love your mantle the best, it just invites a person into the room. Your cute Christmas quilt, and you are right, the red bird adds so much. Hope your baby is wellest soon, ready for Christmas morning!

Idaho Quilter said...

Look like you ae ready for Santa. I love your simple but effective way of decorating.

Tracey said...

That bag from Thimbleberries is absolutely adorable. Where did you get the pattern? You made it adorable. I went to Thimbleberries.com and didn't see it. I would appreciate it. Hugs, Tracey

Judy said...

Everything looks so lovely, glad her surgery went smoothly.

Unknown said...

All wonderful . It sure looks like you are going to have a lovely Christmas .
Clare's Craftroom

Karen said...

Love the winter wall hanging.

Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Probably just timed it right for Chelsey to be back fit and well for Christmas - I guess it doesn't matter how old they get, when they're ill they're still your poorly baby - at least having them removed should prevent further attacks of tonsilitis

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Love your verandah wall hanging and how nice are all your Christmas decorations...also love the bag.

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

I lingered over every picture --- just dooling over each one!!!!! I just loved the snowman quilt wall hanging with the red bird!!!! And your tree was just fantastic! So warm and cozy, for sure! Hope Chelsey is better by now and doing well.

Have a wonderful Christmas !!!!

Cora

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Even though my 'kids' are almost 30 and 28 and live in their own homes I still worry about them when they are sick - it's what mom's do!!


Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Tara said...

Mel

Wow, doesn't everything look gorgeous in your home...enjoy the holidays with your loved ones!

Karen said...

Your tree is very pretty! Loved seeing all the decorations. Your stockings hung on the quilt ladder is a cute idea. I read in a later post about having 10 inches of snow. Should make for a beautiful Christmas! Here in Florida, it is in the 70's today. No snow here. Never seems like Christmas without snow but I can do without it the rest of the time.
Have a wonderful holiday season!

Donna said...

Your tree and decorations are beautiful. Hope Chelsea recovers quickly.

Anonymous said...

Love that bag...and enjoyed your blog!