I'm Still Here

I got an email from a high school friend asking if I am alright since I haven't blogged since early October. I'm still here and I am fine. Just lazy, I guess. I haven't been doing any sewing. I seem to have lost my mojo. Maybe I'll get it back. Thanks for asking, Judy.

I did start my decorating this past weekend and as of today, I am finished! Two trees, my mantle, baker's rack, dining room table and sideboard and entry hall table. Whew! It is a lot of work, but I love the results.

I hire a young man to haul the heavy tubs from the basement and assemble my big  very heavy artificial tree. I bought it at Costco a few years ago and have loved it for it's size, its realistic look and the pre-lit lights. HOWEVER when we plugged it in this year, I could only get blinking lights. I HATE blinking lights. No matter what we did, we couldn't get it to change to solid lights. So I had to put six strings of new white lights on it. A real bummer.

I was starting to think that this was all a little too much for me. At my age. Maybe this would be the last year that I go to this much trouble. Then I started taking the ornaments out of the box and I remembered why I do all this. I LOVE my Santas and can remember where I got most of them. This year I counted the glass Santas. I have 75! And I add to that a few fabric and homemade ornaments. I do like the results and enjoy seeing all my old Santa friends. 

Tomorrow I will show you some of the hand made Santas.

I always show you what my niece, Lauren, does for Thanksgiving. Always a culinary and visual feast. NO exception this year.

A beautiful centerpiece using roses, Protea and alstromeria. 

She aways has a special drink, this time it was gingerbread martinis compete with gingerbread Peeps. Way too delicious!

And the usual cast of characters. Lauren's daughter, husband and two boys and my sister and me. 

If you come back, I promise I will show you some of those handmade Santas tomorrow or the next day. You've seen my glass Santas.