Fun, Fun, Fun

Good Morning to you! These days are just flying by so quickly and the computer seems to be the last thing I sit down at. I'm pleased to say that almost all of our gifts are wrapped and I'm just finishing up a couple of table runners-should hopefully have them done by the weekend. Last Saturday morning we all gathered to once again celebrate two of our granddaughters birthday's. Here is Miss O., now 11, opening her birthday present from us.  Little does she know that there are five more presents inside.

Miss A. turned 9 and also had five presents inside her box.

Instead of a lunch or dinner, they choose a breakfast and it was so good.  Belgium Waffles, fresh fruit and Maple syrup as well as home made whipped cream, scrambled eggs and bacon all filled us up.

Around noon, I headed south to see my friend whose out dog sitting.  WE went out for lunch and then toured an historic home decorated for the season.  It was so much fun.  I no sooner got home and relaxed and we had to go to another Christmas Open House, hosted by a quilter friend of mine.  She was dressed up as one of Santa's Helpers.  It was so much fun.
This week is just as busy and Saturday is a repeat of last Saturday-a brunch at church, one party at 4:00 and game night with my best gal pal Kam at 6:30.  How am I supposed to sew?!
Hope you are all having a great week and enjoying the season with all it's busyness.
Hugs,
Noreen

Earthborn Holistic Earth Bites for Dogs

Happy Friday! As a #ChewyInfluencer we are able to try some wonderful products and see how our pet likes them. Firstly, let me just tell you that the entire staff at Chewy.com are incredible; the customer service is the best I've ever expiernced with an online company. If you add in the fact that their products, for all types of pets, are reasonably priced and arrive within a very short time-generally two days- I'd say you've got a win/win business. This month I choose the Earthborn Holistic EarthBites Hip & Joint treats.

The size is perfect for Hunter and they are moist and easy for him to chew.

He loves them!  I'm hoping it improves his gate when going up and down the stairs.  Now that Hunter is 7 yrs old, I think it's time to get him on this supplement, to prevent any future issues.
The things we love about this supplement/treat is:
Grain Free and Gluten Free
Made with Turkey Meal, Molasses, Honey and Maple Syrup
Fortified with Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Antioxidant Rich-Vit. E and C, plus veggies and fruits in every bite.
Most of all, I am confident in the product because it is made right here in the U.S.
 You can find these treats and other great items here: www.chewy.com


Once again, thank you to all of the staff as well as Natalie.  Truly we love this company.
These treats were provided to us free, in exchange for our honest opinion and review.
Noreen and Hunter

Happy Thursday to  you.  Today is cold, wintery and snowy~the perfect day to stay inside and sew.  I'll be running some errands with hubby this morning and then hanging out until tonight.  Our ladies group at church has an annual Ornament Exchange and tonight's the night-can't wait.
I hope you are having a great week.
Blessings,
Noreen

Fun Family Times

Happy Tuesday to you! Last Friday night we gathered to celebrate Kim's birthday and Carrie took this photo to show just how tall our oldest granddaughters are getting. Yes, Miss S is taller than I am and Miss F will be there soon. Thankfully, Peanut will probably be my size.

Saturday all 17 of us went down to Denver to see the Nutcracker.  The only thing better would be if my brother and sister of my heart were with us.  Two  years ago they came out and the girls all went to the ballet while the guys all went to Cabela's.    This year we took up almost two entire rows; it was such fun, especially with all the guys there.

Hubby and I enjoying the family outing!

When it was over we headed home and went out to dinner together; so many traditions!  Our girls remember the years we always went to the Nutcracker in San Francisco at the Opera House.  My sister and sister of my heart would join us; we would walk through Union Square and then have lunch.  Such precious memories.
I'm busy as a bee and must get a move on.  I have my crown put in at lunch time today and hope to sew this morning.
Enjoy the season.
Blessings~
Noreen

Happy Birthday Hunter

Happy Monday to you all! It's hard to believe December is already here, but alas it is. It is also hard to believe our Hunter is 7 years old today. I had to go back and pull some photos so I'd remember what a little ragamuffin he was when we first met him. I wish we had gotten him at 8 weeks old, but he was almost 5 months old when he came to live with us.
Here is the first photo we have of him; I believe he is on the far left-I can tell just from his looks.  His apricot ears are showing there, but they aren't quite are predominant as they once were.

Here is he above when we picked him up.  He was sooo shaggy and needed to be groomed.

Here he was last March, notice no tear staining at all.  Of course, he had just gotten groomed.  I'm sad that after this photo he started having the red tear staining; he is just as adorable with or without it.  I've tried switching foods, which hasn't  helped at all.  I know there is a powder I can add to his food, but I'm hesitant to try it.  Some dogs have changes to their system-maybe too much iron or other mineral which causes it, I may never know.  He is pure love and is such a wonderful companion; I hope we have may more years together.  He got a special bone for his birthday and will have a special dinner tonight.

We had a wonderful time on Saturday at the Nutcracker and I'll post photos tomorrow.
Have a great evening.
Noreen and Hunter

Christmas At My House

Happy Thursday to you all. It's once again Thankful Thursday, so count your blessings! Here is the first of four Christmas table runners I made; this one has hand quilting on it, so it will stay right here with us. I love the colors and fabrics. I should have ironed it last night, but just wanted to get it on the table.

Our antique table with special angels on it, my kneeling Santa, the Shepherd Boy in front of Baby Jesus and a little book and candle that says Wise Men Still Seek Him.

My Lizzie High collection, gifts from the sister of my heart~ Susan.  I've had all of these for at least 20 years if not more. I still  love their whimsical look.

Here is my new Cardinal collection-I got started a couple of years ago; love these birds, wish we had them here.

My Nativity scene~it is at least 30, maybe 32 years old.  I've thought of getting another, but this I purchased when my girls were young.

My Dickens village, which is probably about 37 years old now; my sweet MIL gave me all but one of these buildings.  The Needlepoint and Quilt store came from my best friend Barbara(aka quilting and traveling buddy and next door neighbor for 17 years).

One of our Tomas Kinkaid paintings; actually it is our daughter's, but they felt it fit in so much better with our others.  Love the scene.

Love this Kinkaid plate that my hubby bought me back in Ca.  It must be about 20 years old.

For the joy of the season, the gift of Love coming down to us, for family and friends and even decorations that are more sentimental than costly, I am thankful. I am thankful for a warm home, a beautiful state to live in, our beloved companion Hunter and even the ability to get out to walk and exercise.  I am so thankful that on Friday night we will be celebrating Kim's birthday; we celebrate it early because she was our Christmas miracle and we've always celebrated her at the beginning of the month.  It made it so much easier when we had birthday parties for her as a child.I am thankful that Saturday all 17 of us go to see the Nutcracker in Denver and then Sunday parties start~it seems that each weekend is almost full with Christmas Parties.
Whatever you have going on in your life, I wish you Joy.  May you find reasons to celebrate.
Noreen

Another Thing Checked Off the List

Happy Wednesday to you! As you know I'm working very hard to get things done for Christmas. I got the pattern for this cute little zippered bag and decided to make my friend Cyndi one for Christmas. Cyndi doesn't come here, so I'm safe sharing it. Although I modified the pattern so the wide end was on the bottom, I think it turned out so cute. I machine quilted it prior to assembling it, much easier this way. I'm had another full day-errands this morning, walking after lunch and then to the gym. Our internet has been throwing fits, so this took awhile to get posted.

Now I'm heading downstairs to quilt. I could barricade myself inside for days and not be done, but I'll do my best. Hope your week has been smooth and that you are enjoying life.
Hugs,
Noreen