Monday, December 21, 2020

December 21st

Winter Solstice.  The days will begin getting longer again! That is always so exciting for me. It means spring is coming soon. And this year there is so much to be excited about. A vaccine and along with it, the chance to see your family again. 

I went out this evening to see if I could get some pictures of the Bethlehem star. I had a very, very small window between rain showers and I was hopeful.  This is what I managed to get. I took the photos with my iPhone 10 camera with full magnification on. It started pouring down rain about 10 minutes after I took the photos. I stood outside for 45 minutes, but when I started getting wet I thought I better give up. I’m sorry the photos are blurry but those planets are a long way away from my little phone!

This was a bit better. I may try again tomorrow.

Today’s advent stocking. The hand cream is very nice and smells like coconut and wild berries.

And here is the sweet little bird that I made a mistake in photographing a few days ago. Jenny had folded his tail up and over his back in order to fit him in the stocking. I didn’t realize it until after it was too dark to retake the photo. So here he is in all of his glory. I think he’s beautiful. He looks like he’s eating the reflection of the twinkle lights on the counter.😂

I finished a baby blanket late last night. I had it about half finished when I set it aside to work on Christmas gifts and mittens. It only took me a few hours to finish it up.
A closer look at the stitch pattern.

I also made a couple of baby hats this afternoon. I took one batch of hats and blankets to the hospital about a month ago, so I know they are accepting donations again. I will probably wait another month and take another batch. They were so grateful for the donations because not too many people have been making things since they think they can’t deliver them due to Covid.

And I chose this photo and verse in honor of the Bethlehem star. It is quite amazing when you think about it. And what a wonderful promise Jesus brought with him when he was born as a baby.

Tomorrow I have a small grocery pick up order between 7:00 & 8:00 in the morning. Then I will stop by Larry and Nita’s to get our mail and hopefully will be back home again by 7:30. I’m such a gadabout these days!  But would you believe I forgot to order bread? I may have to stop at the little store across the road from the RV park on my way home. Although at that time of the morning, there are very few if any people inside shopping so it’s not too bad of a risk.

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday and have your final preparations for Christmas all done so you can enjoy the day.

Blessings,
Betsy

15 comments:

  1. I saw the moon last night but couldn't see the planetary alignment. A friend out to the desert for an astronomical gazing party with a mega telescope and was able to see the event. That little bird does look like it is pecking at some shiny birdseed. So wonderful that you are able to make and donate to the hospital. I keep making and have nowhere for everything to go. :/ Need to do some grocery shopping but can't motivate myself to go. In the make do with what I have frame of mind at the moment. Or maybe it's just laziness. :) Take care.

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  2. Great post! I did manage to see the star finally--it was cloudy instead of clear but later than expected it cleared enough to be able to see it!

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  3. It was too cloudy here too see the star. We've been watching the planets all summer!

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  4. The blanket and hats are precious! I’m eager to seeing a tiny bit more light each day now that the solstice has occurred.

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  5. Betsy, I am stunned by the bird. I think it is a mourning dove. Piper and her DOlly are socute. . I love your posts Betsy! THe blanket is gorgeous

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  6. You got it! The Mister was so sad that it rained here last night and we couldn't see the star. I wish I had asked you about making a baby blanket before I gave up on the new Grand's. The pattern I tried was awful so I quilted one instead but a knitted one is more useful for a Michigan baby.

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  7. Oh, I am so thankful you shared that picture! I went outside, but I missed seeing it. I think it is so neat that it hadn't been seen in 800 years, and also to find out it was the anniversary of the date the pilgrims first landed here. I hated that I missed it so thank you for sharing the photo. The baby blanket is so pretty, too!

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  8. It was SO cloudy here. There wasn't a chance we would see the convergence. I'm not sure we'd see it on a clear night. Trees in the way I suspect.

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  9. Thanks for sharing what you saw, Betsy! It was pouring rain here. I was disappointed but will try to see it in the next few days if the weather allows. I noted your pretty little bird has lovely purple plumage! Your stitching continues to inspire me. I so admire how beautifully you use your giftedness. 💜🤗🙏

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  10. That's neat that you saw the planet and stars.. it's very hard to get a good photo of them even with a $10,000 camera! Your advent stockings sure have been fun for you. The blanket turned out spectacular and the little hats are so sweet. Very nice of you to donate them. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. More lovely gifts from your advent sock! I do like the bird.. so original!! I have been reading your other posts. Piper looked adorable in her tutu such a shame she couldn't do her performance but I expect she will be able to do it in the near future. Your baby blanket looks very soft and cosy. I am at present making another baby blanket for another great nephew who will arrive in February. This will be the 9th blanket I have crocheted for family babes. I have to admit I am getting a bit tired of blankets! The little hats are so cute...gorgeous!! keep well Amanda x

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  12. The baby blanket and sweet little hats are so cute and I'm sure the recipients are so happy to receive them.
    It was pouring rain here so no way we could see the conjunction of planets but I saw them on TV so that was fine with me. Our rain turned into snow and for a while it was like being in a snow globe!!

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  13. No luck seeing the conjunction here - way too cloudy/foggy, etc. I was so excited to see it. Oh well.....glad you could see it Betsy. I did see an amazing photo of it taken in South Africa.

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  14. Nice blanket and cute hats! Stay safe out there Betsy! :)

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  15. Betsy, Christmas Blessings to you and your family.
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