It's December!

 How can it be? It was just Friday two days ago! The days are flying by. Only 4 more days before we fly away and I haven't even begun to pack, but I did finish wrapping gifts for our family here, so I can call that a finish.

I thought I would show you some of my snowmen decorations that I've put out since we'll be gone for Christmas. I'll leave them out for most of January too.

Below is a blanket I made a few years ago. and on the island is a snowflake garland that I crocheted about 25 years ago.

Below is a wooden replica of Jesus's tomb with the stone rolled away. It was made by the son of my blog friend Pamela from "Closed Doors, Open Windows" on my sidebar. Benton does beautiful work.  He also made the tray that sits on the island that Pamela sent to me for my birthday. I just received the tomb a couple of weeks ago and was going to pack it away until Easter, but then I thought about it. Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth, Easter of His death. Without one there isn't the other. And we wouldn't have salvation without that empty tomb. So I decided to leave it up as a reminder, every time I look at it. Thank you Benton! It's beautiful!

The quilted snowman picture was given to me a few years ago by a good friend in Spokane right after we moved back to Omaha. She used to make lots of quilted items for craft fairs for years.

I cross-stitched these snow bunnies about 40 years ago! I actually made two of them and gave one as a gift. 

I have lots and lots more snowmen still packed up with the Christmas decorations. I'm not getting everything out this year since we'll be gone until almost New Years.

The view from my chair. The orchids just began blooming again a couple of days ago. There are seven more buds ready to open up.

Zoeys favorite spot on these cold winter days. I'm sure going to miss her when we're gone next week. Of course she's staying with her favorite people, next to us. Piper, Lizzie, Mandy and Brad.  It's been so cold here. Yesterday was 0 F when we woke up!

I'm working on this prayer shawl for the University Med. Center right now. I have about eight more rounds to go and it will be done. It will be 70 inches long and 22 inches wide. I made 8 granny squares, joined them together lengthwise and have just been crocheting round and round.

These socks will be my airplane knitting and I hope to finish them by Christmas. I started them but won't work on them until we leave. I've switched to my Knit Picks dpn's because TSA has never confiscated them. I'm not sure if my metal signature needles would pass through security.

Below is a finished prayer shawl that still has to be washed and blocked. 

Last week we ended up with 8-10 inches of snow depending on where you measured. More is forecast to arrive tomorrow. These two characters had their winter coats of snow on them and were peering into the condo like they wanted in. :-) On the left is the cast iron squirrel and on the right is a little cast iron bunny.

I'm taking Dennis's favorite sugar cookie recipe and cookie cutters and I'm planning to make cookies with Baby "J". I've never had the opportunity to bake with her before, so I'm really looking forward to it. Lots of good memories to be made in the next few weeks.

Hopefully I'll be around, but if I disappear for a bit, don't worry. I'l return soon. I want to enjoy every moment I can.

Blessings and love,

Betsy