A Different Kind of Christmas...

Our Christmas was very different this year... Just My Beloved and me... quiet time together... reading... knitting (good thing I got that yarn wound!!)... all in front of a big old fire! 

We enjoyed Candlelight Services on Christmas Eve... then a nice meal at home...

Early Christmas morning found us sipping our coffee by firelight... and Christmas lights...  and recalling Christmas Pasts...

We managed a VERY cold early morning walk before preparing and taking Christmas lunch to a homebound friend (six days post total knee replacement).   Lots of laughter and love in our visit with Troy and Kathy!  I won't say we didn't miss our Loves.  But, we focused the many, many blessings we enjoy... most of all The Gift of our Savior... and it was a good Christmas.

We'll be catching up with our Loves as the demands of Christmas pass... and we will treasure that time, until then, CHEERS to savoring the last week of 2017!!

blessings ~ tanna

Tidings of Peace and Joy

(Miss B front and center at her Christmas Program)

 

Christmas is fast approaching... And, with that, I'd like to wish you all a Merry, Merry Christmas... or Happy Holidays to those that do not celebrate as we do.

(Christmas 2016)

 

And, a Joyous and Blessed New Year...  All the very best in all things.

Winter came yesterday, though it would be hard to tell from the beautiful colors surrounding us... The winter's solstice is one of my favorite days... because I know, at its passing, each day will grow a little longer... until the spring comes again...  then summer... then fall... and repeat.  I love the changes... the gifts of each season.

I managed to wind yarn yesterday!!  Woo hoo!  A pattern and supplies are on deck for some soothing knitting ahead.  ;)

I hope your holidays hold the miracle of Peace that surpasses all understanding... and the knowledge that you are Loved beyond measure.

blessings ~ tanna

Gingerbread House and FUN Christmas Bunting...

I had so much fun watching my youngest granddaughter, Blayklee, along with her kindergarten classmates, make Gingerbread Houses last week .  I think most of the kids ate as much candy as went on their houses!  Ha!  Though, our Miss B did eat some of her candy, she left no spot unadorned on her little house!

I enjoyed another FUN little Christmas project this past weekend...

This is a free pattern from Jen Tyler of Hooks 'n Tales called Ouma's Vintage Bunting.

It was fast, fun and so very festive!!  I made it as a gift for a friend...

But, both Evan and I were sad to see it go.  I may have to whip up another one if I can find the time!

Now that I think about it... Blayklee's VERY decorated Gingerbread House bears some resemblance to her Noni's VERY decorated side board.  If a little is good, a lot is better... right?  Only sometimes!   LOL!  We embrace our Griswold around here.  ;)

Wishing you all a week filled with WONDER and JOY...

blessings ~ tanna

DPNs and Reindeer Fun!

I remember the very first time I held a set (this set) of Double Point Needles and wondered who in the world figured out how to take a fist full of sticks and a string and create something.  Coco O'Hare was my first project.  It was so exciting to watch that bunny grow! There were other bunnies and some chicks and a pair of chameleons that grew from sticks and string. 

Two Christmases ago, it was Rudy the Reindeer...

This year it has been a couple of these...

Strangely enough, this acrylic one is my favorite of the two.  It was my first.   

He was gifted to a friend.  My second is hanging on the tree. All these years later, I am still amazed at what can come from a fist full of sticks and a string.  ;)

The pattern is from the book, "55 Christmas Balls to Knit" by Arne and Carlos.  I have several years of amusement between these pages. After I bought the book, I noticed several free patterns on Ravelry.  Oh, well... I love all the little antidotes and photos... plus, there's nothing like a "real" book to hold and enjoy.

And, I really like my "sweatshirt sweater"!  I count that as a SUCCESS!  LOL!

I hope something in your week holds your imagination and amuses your soul...

blessings ~ tanna

Remembering...

December 7, 1941.  So many thousands of lives changed that day... A ripple from one egregious act of aggression... Remembering and honoring those lives... 

Thought about them so much this morning on my walk.

I also savored the beautiful leaves and blossoms along the way.  It was a brisk 42 degrees, but heading to the 20s tonight.  I'm afraid many of the beautiful fall colors will be nipped away.  I have delighted in them.  There will be another season... God willing.

Last Saturday night we enjoyed the treat of Blue Moon Gardens' Luminaries... It was still and perfect... and the moon was majestic! 

One of my FAVORITE places... a place born of two friends' creative hearts... it feeds the souls of many, many creative ladies...

This baby is blocked!!  And, ready to wear... I'm a little nervous about trying it out.  I love the yarn and the color so much.  I really enjoyed knitting it.  I just HOPE I will enjoy wearing it!!  Planning to wear it to dinner on Saturday night.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  ;)

Prayers for peace around the world...

blessings ~ tanna

On Creativity...

I love learning new techniques... The neckline finish on this sweater by Carol Feller, Pistachio Saffron ended up being pretty cool!  I failed at my first attempt then checked the link on her pattern page to get a better idea how to go about it.  Worked great!

This is how it looked before doing the edging.  I finished the sweater last night and need to get it blocked before the cold front arrives Wednesday!  Yea!  I just hope I will WEAR and ENJOY it!  Ha!  My history with sweaters is weak.

The Christmas Spirit is slowly spreading through the house...

In that Spirit, I want to share this link with you:

Jeanne Oliver.com

LOVE this video... Resonates...

Tapping into our creativity... it's a good thing.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

blessings ~ tanna

Gratitudes...

Grateful for Tom, who made me smile every time I looked out and saw him or pulled in the drive coming home...

For a chocolate cake that came out just right for The Boys... large and small.

For the FUN we had at One Way Out!  An Escape Room in Tyler, TX... who knew?!  So. much. FUN!  Highly recommend this!! 

For the JOY of a scavenger hunt at Trail Creek Farm ... after finding our Christmas tree... (Also highly recommend this fun place!)...

Grateful for the beautiful weather we enjoyed... 

AND, for finding this little mouse from our OLD Advent calendar!  He had been missing the past couple of years and I found him while going through decorations for a fresh tree (we've tried artificial for awhile) and are back to the real deal this year.

It was a good Thanksgiving.

It was a sad Thanksgiving...

In less than two weeks, we lost two dear-to-us souls... I am grateful that Miss Evelyn and Johnny are no longer bound by earthly pain or suffering... They are well loved and will be deeply missed.  Any prayers for the comfort of their families are much appreciated.

The Christmas tree is up... a good many of decorations are out... still, there is a lot to do...

But, oh, how quickly this season will pass.

May Peace fill all of our hearts...

blessings ~ tanna

Scatter Joy -- Day 21

They say it takes 21 days to create a new habit... I needed a new habit... a re-boot... a way of focusing on all the good and filtering some of the bad.  These 21 days of Scattered Joy have helped me refocus and REMEMBER all the good that still surrounds me...

Our young golf pro of the gentler gender says that, if you take the "power pose" or "super hero pose" for a short while every day, it will actually change the chemistry in your brain!  Hey, doesn't hurt to try it. Strike the pose, ladies.  ;)

And, I'm back to my 21 Day Fix exercises again... along with my walking.  I've had to prove to myself, ONCE AGAIN, that walking isn't enough.  I need some core and resistance training.  Twenty-two days down: a life time to go.  Back on track.

Over the past several years I've had my feelings hurt by folks I'd love to be closer to... but, seems they really only want to come around if they want something from you.  At 61, looks like I'd have learned better by now.  I'm really working on letting go... of the hurt... you just can't make someone love you back.  Nope.  I know this.  Feeling it is another thing... but, I'm working on it.  And, really who wants to chase after someone if they don't care enough to be around you just for the joy of it????  Right??? Right!  (Remind me of this if I forget.)   Moving on...

Yep, 100%.  So far.  LOL!  Thank you for sharing this 21 Day Scattered Joy exercise.  It's been good for me.  We still have some tough times happening with friends; but through it all, we are gifted with many, many blessings.  The Little Men & Co. will be arriving tomorrow and OH, HOW MUCH WE LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR BEING HERE!!  (I will admit that I am savoring the quiet in the house right now though... hee hee).  We have so much to be THANKFUL for today.   If I don't make it back until The Little Men & Co. have left, I hope each of you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving.

May God bless and keep you and yours ~ tanna

Scatter Joy -- Day 20

This goes a long way on demonstrating how easily I am amused... 

I was dragging the trash cans to the road this morning for garbage pick-up... in my robe, no less... when I spot these giant mushrooms across the yard!  Of course, I had to run in the house and find my camera!  Wish I had put something beside them to show their scale.  That biggest one was at LEAST six inches across!  They were so beautiful with the early light shining on them.

Photos do not do their beauty justice... but, take my word for it, they would have made you smile, too.  ;)  We are surrounded by beauty every day and I absolutely agree with Monique, from La Table de Nana, who made this comment on an earlier Scatter Joy post:  I think being able to appreciate nature and having hobbies are 2 things that matter so much in being able to continue to find and seek joy in life.  Me, too, Monique.  Me, too.

May your JOYS mushroom today!  ;)  LOL!
blessings ~ tanna

Scatter Joy -- Day 19

I never tire of the beautiful autumn colors... or light dappling through limbs...

Evan and I enjoyed a round of golf with Jeff today.  It was crisp and cool, but sunny... a perfect fall afternoon.

And, I've managed to move myself off high center with the sleeves... Number one is well under way.  Crossings my fingers I will stay on task.  LOL! 

Find your JOY...
blessings ~ tanna

Scatter Joy -- Day 18

 

Because sometimes a little cocktail makes a dose of JOY... ;)

blessings ~ tanna

Scatter Joy -- Day 17

Brother Jeff... he was leaving me behind on the morning walk... because I could not pass by a little group of crepe myrtles that were a stunning shade of orange...  They demanded a pause... and a photo.

My little brother is a JOY to me... I love when he and my SIL, Brenda, visit.  We always have such a good time.

This is the sight that had me sidetracked... Oh, such beautiful colors!!

Seek and scatter some joy today!

blessings ~ tanna