You need a date

 Sorry.  The drawing for the berries chart will be Tuesday 12/21 at 8 pm.

Sherry that passed away was a blogger (http://bloginsherry.blogspot.com/) titled Inhale Life.  I have not been on Fakebook much in the last months but recently checked stitching posts and saw that she had heart surgery early summer and had passed away a few months after.

Kim showed the wonderful glass strawberry ornaments her husband gifted her, and I wanted to pass on a tip.  My arthritis is so bad in my right hand that I am dropping items often.  The last was a new large jar of mayo that broke when it hit the floor.  Not an easy clean up.  I've mentioned that Playtex Living gloves (I hoarded them years ago) swiped across any fabric/upholstery removes pet hair that you can't even see.  I still had it on and picked up the glass ornament I found on the only shop visit in over a year.  I am leery of  holding delicate or slippery items and the gloves offered a tacky hold that helped.  I may look odd (nothing new here) trimming a tree with yellow latex gloves but I won't be as afraid.  Hmmmm... wait ....

I just put a latex glove on, the boxed ones used in medical offices, worked like a charm!  Even better because of the tight fit.  Of course it doesn't improve my grip, but it does help the hold.

We vistited Volant PA, browsed shops I used to visit and found a few old ornaments, $3!!  There was a good selection of vintage.  It was nice to be inside a shop after so long.

Husband is golfing this afternoon, I plan to dust and sweep, browse bargains online.  I ordered a few extra of my favorite throw in case I need an extra gift.  From JCP (North Pole Trading ) they are so warm, so comfy, big enough to need the massive gift bag.   Carole asked for knee length loose shorts for therapy, hope they fit.

Have a great Sunday, be safe.

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Fa la la la la .... or Tralala

 Progress on Sprig of Holly using DMC 22 for the red, changed a few other neutrals also.  The thread on the spool is 167 for a hint of gold without being too bold.

When checking my Christmas folder for charts to take to Pittsburgh, I realized that I have two Tralala patterns for Fraises de Noel.  This isn't close to the generosity shown to me but I would like to offer the chart to you.  Please leave your initials or email in the comments or email me directly ...

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

The charts are not glossy or card stock, so please don't think it is a copy!

I did  not know that Sherry Human had passed away August 28.  Another kind and generous soul gone too soon.  

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New old find

 Just posted on Instagram the sampler tags I made a few years ago and forgot completely about.  So rather than search for that other tree they were originally on, I just added them to the tree that's already up.  Sweet!  I think I need to make more.  

Making some progress on Sprig, decided on DMC 22 for the red.  

Have a good day!

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Past and present

 Me during covid.

Me a month later.

Fat ankles included.

Rachel is taking a nap

 She deserves it after how often I pulled at her.  I have to stitch Pineberry's A Sprig of Holly.  Downloaded and printed, the chart is a delight to see with it's large format and very clear graph/symbols.  Then NFF's Santa Folk will be attempted.  One of my favorite free Christmas charts is from Pineberry, Ho Ho Ho (here).

I scrubbed my new box with Lestoil and then citrus cleaner, layers of dirt and oil removed.

Then Danish oiled and it's wonderful.

Why doesn't Blogger allow photos to be posted laterally?

Petey is still enjoying his heated house.

And this is Nit's favorite napping and viewing spot.

Not sure if I will add lights to the pine four foot tree, I haven't located my short grapevine to add to the group.  I used baskets to hide the bottoms.  

Made a trip to the Italian store for my favorite five pound tub of ricotta for shells and manicotti, they were closed.  I don't know if Carole will be able to be transported in two weeks for a Christmas day visit, day by day is the only hint.  Even if she is able, no ramps and narrow steps with iron railing may prevent it but we're working on it.  And here's another silly idea of mine, I even searched online for it.  With one leg cut so high, I thought there may be a garment (pants) that would have a heavier lining to allow the person to feel more balanced, and even a padded lining to give the pant leg some body.  Silly isn't it?

Errands the next few days, groceries, shopping, many phone calls which no one returns, and enjoying a snowless week.

Have a pleasant day folks, as much as we can with heavy hearts for victims.

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A change

It's coming.  It started today.  I actually felt like focusing
on and completing tasks.  Most weren't fulfilled, but there was a noticeable clarity at times, a cloud lifting, no panic seeping in.  As if a gate was opened and now we could move forward.  So different from the last ten months and I believe I heard it in Carole's voice this morning.  Stronger, determined.   

Tomorrow I will get my Christmas stitchery out of its plastic cave to enjoy.  All the other items, back to the attic.  Inside a few small trees lit, outside is as simple as other years and the way we prefer.  I want to spend the time going out, browsing, touching, imagining.  Between the seclusion and anxiety of 2020 and the distressful circumstance of 2021, I feel like a six year old wanting to go to Disneyland, not for the rides, but for the visual excitement.  Does that make sense?

Monday Monday.  Enjoy it.

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