Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday was the first of December and blam! now Christmas is over and we are moving fast toward the first of the year. Lots of things happen in December around this household (as I know it does in every other household around the world), but here's a few of the things I've done in the past 29 days:
- Celebrated My Twins 10th Birthday (Dec. 4)
- Solo Parenting: my Husband was gone for travel for 1 week (Dec. 7-11)
- Hostess of the Christmas Staff Luncheon at my children's school (Dec. 9)
- Celebrated Katie's 12th Birthday (Dec. 11)
- I have been sick since Dec. 12 (still ill...doctor thinks it is the H1N1)
- Traveled to Haubstadt, Indiana and celebrated holidays with family (Dec. 18 - Dec 23)
- Purchased NEW VAN a 2010 "Salsa Red" Toyota Sienna (Dec. 21) !!!!!
- Got 6 inches cut off my hair and have an entire *new look* (Dec. 22)
- Returned to Bloomington Dec. 23
- Celebrated Christmas Dec. 24 at our house
- I worked the holidays Dec. 25, 26 and 27
Whew....
what a whirlwind month. I know it is the same for all of us and I enjoy the hustle and bustle, I just wish I was feeling a little bit better during all the running around. But I think *fingers crossed* I may be feeling a little bit better. Let's hope anyway....
There....
has been a flurry of activity in my mailbox. In fact a real party has been going on in there and I have felt blessed to be the recipient of such lovely gifts from dear friends. First up is a lovely ornament from Nancy H (no blog) from Washington State. I was stunned to receive this gorgeous beauty - I did a very small favor for Nancy and it was of such a small consequence that it deserved nothing as grand and wonderful as this. I have been wanting to stitch this for myself for some time, thank you from the bottom of my heart Nancy, I shall cherish it!
Blackbird Designs Ornament from Just Cross Stitch yearly ornament Magazine
that sneaky elf Marie P landed these pretties in my mailbox too! Imagine my complete shock and utter amazement when I opened to find this tremendously CUTE penny rug themed for my winter decorations:
Winter Penny Rug handmade by Marie P.
and as if that wasn't enough Marie also packed in a handmade ornament of little red underwear and a totally cool tuck away tote (a large bag that folds up for easy storage). Marie, once again you astonish and amaze me. A big shout out for Marie too, because her birthday is TODAY (Dec. 29)! Happy Birthday sweet Marie!
Marie's goodies sent to me
Next....
the sweet and kind Harmien, flew this lovely over the oceans far and wide to wish me a Happy New Year 2010, isn't it pretty?! I love it and it is gracing my tree front and center now :) I shall toast the New Year on Friday Morning with a big glass of Diet Mountain Dew and think good thoughts of you dear Harmien. Thank you so much!
Harmien's New Year 2010 Ornament to me
Now....
I have been stitching so please humor me and let me dazzle and amaze you with the efforts of my own personal stitching:
Little House Needleworks ~ Pear Treestitched on 40 ct. Silkweaver's French Vanilla Linen using DMC (for my tree)
Little House Needleworks ~ Fa La La
stitched on 40 ct. Silkweaver's French Vanilla Linen using DMC (for my tree)
Little House Needleworks - "Fa La La" part two (for a friend)
Homespun Elegance 2007 Santa Ornament "Merry Stitches"stitched on 32 count random linen using GAST and DMC (for my tree)
Finally...
my friend Cathy B had a birthday in November. She was one of the first bloggers that embraced me and welcomed my friendship when I first started blogging and I have never forgotten it. She has been generous and kind with me and I wanted to acknowledge her selfless spirit with a special gift in celebration of her birthday. And although it was late, I hope she liked it, for I thought it was perfect for her:
Blackbird Designs "Friendship Sampler" Wool Applique made into a pillow*notice I put our initials on either side of the birds*
So...
I guess that does it for me, for right now. I am currently stitching on *the* Prairie Schooler ABC project of which much hype has gone round. I started it just last night and so far, so good. I probably will not be back prior to the new year...so please know that I wish with all my heart that you all have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year! May blessings abound around you and may your heart be free. Hugs and love from me to you with warm welcome to the New Year - 2010!
:) Vonna
Hope that you are feeling better...there's never a good time for "the mom" to be sick! You've received some really wonderful treats in the mail, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI love all your ornaments...and congrats that there are some for yourself in there :) Wishing you a Happy New Year!!!
everything looks wonderful Vonna. so sorry you have been sick. Not a good thing...my son is sick, so we can somewhat relate.
ReplyDeleteas to a busy month...let me just tell you one little thing...we had the triplets here for 2 weeks, without mommy & daddy!!!
Wow, after reading your list of events I have to take a nap :) I hope you feel better soon - not fun being sick, especially when you are the mommy (hear that mommies are really not suppose to get sick). Looks like you received a lot of beautiful treasures in the mail...and definitely made a lot of beautiful ones yourself. Take care of your self so that you get better. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you have been sick, Vonna. {{{hugs}}} - I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have been *really* busy!! What a lot you've accomplished this month! Happy belated birthday to 3/4 of your children!
All your stitched goodies are lovely!
Oh dear Vonna, it isn't a nice time of year to be sick. I hope you feel better soon. Happy New Year to you and your precious family.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon, and try and get some rest!
ReplyDeleteI'm all out of breath just reading your post, Vonna. Do take care of yourself as that flu can take a long time to get over, we don't want any relapses!!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and all your family, and happiness in the New Year!
Wow!! You have been busy!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE all the things you made!!!! Especially that BBD pillow!!!!
Do take care of yourself and hope you will feel much better soon!!!!
Love all your ornaments Vonna. Feel Better and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Vonna. To you and your family. From my family.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new year is all that you hope for!
Everything is so beautiful! You received such lovely gifts, and your own needlework is as pretty as always. I love how you finished the LHN ornaments!
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon, and a very Happy New Year to you and your family!
I love the way you finished the LHN ornaments. How did you scallop the edges of the felt so nicely? I use pinking shears and still have trouble!
ReplyDeleteBLAM! What a great word! Emeril's got BAM! So, stitchers like you should have a signature words too. How about SLAM! (Stitching Like A Madwoman)? Sorry you're not feeling well; rotten to happen over the holidays. The LHN ornaments are lovely. Feel much better soon.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you're feeling ill, Vonna with a month like that! I'm sure you're ready for some peace and quiet in 2010 (of course, with four kids that isn't realistic, is it!!)...
ReplyDeleteLove all of your pretties--both received and stitched :)
My best wishes for a happy and HEALTHY new year!
All your gifts and stitching are great. Here's wishing you and your's a very Happy New Year! My, my, Ellie is growing up too fast.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better - have a wonderful and safe New Year!
Hope you are feeling much better real soon. You sure had a busy month! Lots of lovely gifts and you even got some beautiful ornaments stitched and finished!
ReplyDeleteDon't know how you managed to do so much while you are sick. You are amazing! Love looking at all the pretty things you got and all of your pretty stitching as well.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the new wheels and the new do! Hope you are starting to feel good enough to enjoy them.
All the ornies look awesome Vonna!! Sorry you have been sick..I cannot wait to see the new do!~~~~ Happy New Year to you all~ Faye
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better - not fun to be under the weather with all the hustle and bustle going on. You got some great things in the mail and you created some fabulous things, too! You were very productive. I hope your New Year is a blessed one with lots of joy and love!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness you have been busy! Lovely gifts and finishes. I especially like the way you've finished the LHN ornaments with the double cuts of wool. Hope you feel better soon. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteWow, sounds like you've been busy, busy!! Happy belated bday to the twins and Katie. Hope you are feeling better! Looks like you received some wonderful things from stitchy friends and you made some beautiful ornaments yourself. I really like the wool felt "frame" look on your LHN ornies.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I am totally out of breath just listening to your month. Mine, thank goodness, was much quieter but then again I am a heck of a lot older than you.
ReplyDeleteI really loved all your presents and the things that you have stitched. I especially love the Fa La La ornaments and the appliqued one you made for Cathy B and the Penny Rug you go and the HE 2007 ornament and well just everything really.
I keep on forgetting to add the prosperous bit but have been saying to everyone I leave a comment to or email that I hope you have a Happy & Healthy New Year and for you I will add prosperous too.
Lots of Love
Patti xxx
Wonderful stitching! Seems like December was a mad rush for everyone, myself included.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy New Year!
Hi Vonna, I have missed your posts, but you have certainly been extremely busy! I don't see how you do all that you do. Love all the goodies that you have received and all the goodies that you have stitched. All are beautiful!! I am going to have to check out that BBD ornament again. It is so much prettier stitched and pictured on your blog than it was in the magazine. Seeing your LHN ornaments is very motivation. I may have to start Pear Tree tonight. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!! Hope your new year brings peace and joy to you and your family!
Wow,,,you can breath now,,you have been a busy bee,,and on top of that you dont feel good,,I hope you feeling back to yourself real soon,,and I love all the gifts you have received everything is beautiful..wishing you and your family a happy new year,,till next year..
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly had a very busy December! I hope you're starting to feel a little better, it's awful being ill over Christmas. What lovely gifts you've received, and your stitching is just beautiful. Your pear tree ornament is gorgeous, I can't wait for my chart to arrive! A very Happy New Year to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteVonna - sounds like you have had a very busy December. I hope you feel better soon! I love your finishes of the LHN ... I was thinking of doing something similar with mine. Now I just actually have to finish Fa La La. Have a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHello Vonna,
ReplyDeleteAll of your finishings and your mailbox art are fantastic. I enjoyed looking at them. You were one busy elf (smile). Please take good care of yourself and hope you will be feeling better very soon.
Wish you a blessed New Year and of course a Happy one too.
What a busy month! I sure hope you're feeling all better! Love all the presents you received and your ornament finishes as well. And that pillow you made for CathyB is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHi Vonna,
ReplyDeleteHad my first weigh in at Weight Watchers tonight since eating Christmas. To my utter astonishment I lost weight. This is not good because I'm suppose to be on maintenance and staying put near my goal weight, but since going on maintenance I've lost 5 more pounds. Which puts me in the rather unique position of being told to "eat more!".
Congratulations to you for loosing 25 pounds yourself. Doesn't it feel great to achieve those goals?
We'll be wanting to see a picture of yourself with the new hair cut and all.
Very sorry to hear that you've had to contend with the dreaded H1N1 and all the joys therein. Hope you are soon feeling completely back to normal. I know several people who've had it and they all agree that it is one nasty bug.
I loved seeing the pictures of all the wonderful things that you received in the mail for Christmas.
It's hard to choose a favorite but I have to say that those red long johns really put a smile on my face.
Your LHN Pear Tree is beautiful and makes me want to stitch this design as well. Your two versions of Fa La La are lovely too, and it's fun to see the same design done in two different ways. The wool applique pillow that you made for Cathy B. is very pretty and I love the three dimensional look of it. Not to mention the beautiful, bright colors of the fabrics. Looks like you've mastered yet another craft.
I have all the ABC charts from Prairie Schooler (Ebay win) and am dithering about joining your Sal. The New Year is almost upon us and my vow for 2010 is to stitch more. We'll see how that pans out. Anyways, if I do join the Sal I think I'll just stitch the squares that appeal to me. Meanwhile, I'm keeping an eye on the website to see how everyone else is doing.
Wishing you and your family all the best for the New Year.
Cheers!
Awesome gifts you rec'd :) Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well and you've been sooo busy too on top of it! I hope you are feeling better soon and it's so nice to see you back!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays Vonna to you and yours! Wow, you have had a very busy month! I am sorry that you did not feel very well tho....your stitching is beautiful as always, and what beautiful gifts you received. We need to see a pic of your new "do". Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you start to feel better soon. Busy times but lots of fun things in there (not the illness part).
ReplyDeleteAll of your projects look awesom! You received some beautiful things too.
Happy New Year!
Phew you have been busy. Lots of goodies and beautiful stitching.
ReplyDeleteDear Vonna
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better!
Going through Christmas with that dreadful virus isnt't easy for sure!
Love all the pieces you made and you really got some lovely presents (you deserve all)!!!
All the best for the New 2010. I'm really hopeful about it!!!!!
Hugs for all the lovely Pfeiffer's
Wow Vonna I am tired just reading about your December. I hope you feel better very soon and Happy New Year to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are feeling better now - how awful to feel ill over Christmas :o( Your ornies - both stitched and received are awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos ... I'll have to get that Homespun Elegance 2007 chart myself!!All the stitching photos are great ... both those of what you reeived and of what you made. I love the penny rug [have all the wool to make one myself but have never quite gotten around to it] and that lovely pillow you made.
ReplyDeleteBlimey - you did all that AND were sick - you truly are Wonder Woman!
ReplyDeleteYour finishes and gifts are gorgeous - as always - and I hope you have as much fun with the PS SAL as I'm having - thanks so much for setting it up!
Vonna, I hope you feel better and get well soon! I love all your ornaments but the last has to be my favorite! She did a lovely job on it. Here's wishing you the best New Year yet!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon Vonna.
ReplyDeleteYou got some lovely gifts and all your ornaments are lovely. Cathy's cushion is just gorgeous.
Happy new year to you all
Vonna,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful round of celebrations and activities you've had recently. I'm not surprised you are exhausted. Treat yourself to some time with your feet up in the new year and look after your health :>)
I love the little ornaments you have stitched for your tree. They are so pretty. i especially love the scalloped edges and have been trying to find scallop scissors for several years!! It makes such a lovely border. Can I ask if you bought yours recently?
The gifts you have received are absolutely gorgeous and show how much your friends hold you in their warmest affection.
Blessings to you and your family for the new year.
Angela xx
john.sweby@btinternet.com
Oh my, you have been busy! Tis the season I guess!
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely things in this post, but the one I was most tickled by was the Friendship Sampler pillow that you made for me. I absolutely LOVE it. (Hope you received my email a couple weeks ago!)
Hard to believe that we've been doing this blogging thing for as long as we have....
Happy New Year my friend!
Oh my, you have been busy! Tis the season I guess!
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely things in this post, but the one I was most tickled by was the Friendship Sampler pillow that you made for me. I absolutely LOVE it. (Hope you received my email a couple weeks ago!)
Hard to believe that we've been doing this blogging thing for as long as we have....
Happy New Year my friend!
Wow what a busy month! I cant' wait to see your new haircut. Sounds darling!
ReplyDeleteYou have wonderful friends. I love looking at all your wonderful things.
Take Care!
Vonna, what an enjoyable post to read, and such beautiful lovelies to feast my eyes on! Yes, you have been busy, but so very productive!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you have been ill though, here is hoping and praying things improve greatly at least by the New Year! {{{hugs}}}
Vonna,
ReplyDeleteI love all the ornaments you've made and the wonderful gifts you have received! You truly had a busy December!
Glad to hear your feeling a little better.
Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New year!!
Hope you are truly well! It's good to read your post - missed 'seeing' you recently, but understandable.
ReplyDeleteVonna you have sure been busy but with your big family you always are!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful and special gifts you have received!
All of your stitching is beautiful as always!
My goodness you have been busy! December birthdays and Christmas-must be an expensive month!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon!
Love all the stitchy pics. Still waiting on fa la la arriving in the mail...im so behind LOL
I hope you're feeling better already! You have lovely finishes and you've also received lovely gifts. Thank you for this year, it has been a pleasure and joy to read your blog :) I wish you all the best for the new year!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are feeling better by now. There is nothing worse than feeling sick over the holiday period.
ReplyDeleteI love all the stitching pictures, you received some great gifts. I love the way that you finished the LHN ornaments, I found that this is just a great way of finishing ornaments.
I hope you have a great new year!
You have a great blog. ^_^
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading it.
Keep up the good work!
Oh, Merry 'late' Christmas and Happy New Year!
It's always a treat for me when I see you pop up on the blog roll, Vonna! :) Your stitching is amazing, and the gifties that you got--you absolutely deserve to be spoiled. :) Everything looks great!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling better soon. I know how much I ran around pre-Christmas and after Christmas with my teenagers--I well remember the 'I don't have time to sleep!' feelings when the kids were younger, as yours are. Hang in there and take some time to pamper yourself so you can recover!
Wishing you a healthy, happy, and blessed 2010.
Wow!!! You have been busy!! I'm sure you are loving your new van! I don't know what I would do without mine. It's been a lifesaver! Enjoy it! I love all your stitching - I love how you finished the ornaments. That is such a cute idea!! All your gifts given and received are beautiful too! I hope you and your family have a very Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh you sound like my house...run, run, run...busy busy busy...:) I have the LHN ornament patterns I've just got to think about what fabric I want, etc...to hard to choose! You're turned out lovely! Hope your new year is great! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better, you have NO time to be sick!
ReplyDeleteLove your LHN finishes. I just finished #1 and am stitching it again for a friend. I look forward to a post on your PS Alphabet, I may stitch on that one tonight.
Most importantly, your hair *ROCKS* :D
Thanks for the gorgeous pillow and birthday wishes (I am chowing on a piece of B-Day cake, wish you were here to enjoy some)...you are a dear friend!
Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteTammy
What gorgeous pieces all of them, it was a real treat seeing all your goodies made and received. Sorry you've been feeling ill, hope that you are totally recovered soon. Have a wonderful New Year.
ReplyDeleteSue
Love it all! You have definitely been a busy lady. Hope you have a wonderful and blessed 2010!
ReplyDeleteVonna,
ReplyDeleteA very nice new hairdo. A bit of sophistication!
Mary in Tennessee
You have been spoilt with some wonderful gifts from your friends. Enjoy each of your goodies. And your own ornament stitching looks gorgeous. I always admire the great finishing you are doing.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you could get some rest at the end of the last year so that you could regain your strengths and feel better again.
Have a happy and healthy 2010, you and your family.
Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWhew, I don't know how you do it all Vonna! And I thought I was busy! I hope all of you at the Pfeiffer household had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your Chrismtas ornaments are lovely. I love that BD one and the little penny rug is sooo cute! It must be so much fun going to the mailbox at your house.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling much better now.
Happy New Year my Dear Girl!!
ReplyDeleteI love the new photos on your blog.
I hope that nasty bug has left you...Not a great way to have to go through the holidays.
Look at all of those wonderful pretty things ...WOW.
I've been Dazzled!!
WOW some really nice stitching gifts. Love the ornamnets for your tree. Hope you feel better soon and all the best to you and your family for 2010.
ReplyDeleteHi there Vonna,
ReplyDeleteI'm just loving your LHN ornaments, such pretty finishing; and I like how you changed the thread color on "Fa La La" for the words. Your gifts sent and received are gorgeous and it amazes me that in the midst of such a busy month you have found time to do all this! Truly astonishing!
Congrats on your new van and I do hope you are feeling better.
Blessings for a healthy and happy new year,
Rachel
WHEW! I'm tired just reading all of that Vonna. :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better from that nasty flu. I love all of your goodies. What kind of wool did you use for finishing your LHN ornaments? I saw them here and on the LHN blog. I have tried that and mine looks a little "limp", LOL!!
thanks and hope 2010 is a GREAT YEAR!!!
Beautiful work by everyone.
ReplyDeleteHi Vonna! Hope you are feeling fine again. What lovely gifts to receive and your stitching and finishing is beautiful, as usual!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family!
Oh Vonna I do hope you are feeling much better soon {{{{hugs}}}}.
ReplyDeleteYou received some lovely gifts and your stitching is equally as lovely:)
Happy New Year Vonna! I hope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteHey, love the new hair do! You look so, so pretty!
Your LHN ornaments are beautiful, as always.
Happy New Year to you and yours! I hope you are feeling better now. And I just love, love, love your new hair do.
ReplyDeleteAs always your ornament finishes are fabulous. I like both versions of Fa La La. Mine is done but I haven't started the second one. Soon I hope. :)
Here's to some fabulous stitching in 2010.
Happy New Year Vonna! Hope you are feeling better! LOVE LOVE LOVE the new hairdo, very cute!!! and all the finishes, whew!
ReplyDeleteGreat projects, your own and the gifts!! I LOVE the woolwork too. Those sweet little red onesies are adorable!
ReplyDeleteEverything is beautiful Vonna! I hope you feel better soon. Is that your new look in the picture? I like it!
ReplyDeleteI have an interior design site and I am interested in purchasing a link on your website. Your site looks great and I would love to be part of your blogroll. Or, if you prefer we could exchange links.
ReplyDeleteIf this is possible, could you let me know how much you would charge for a basic text link. My site is located at http://www.genuinestyle.net.
Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing back from you.
What lovely gifts! I hope you have a beautiful and blessed 2010! It's always a pleasure reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous stitching. Love all of them. Great gifts as well. And your wool applique is just lovely
ReplyDeleteYour LHN ornaments are fantastic! Now I want to stitch all of them! How did you get your corners so nice and neat! Did you use batting in between the fabric and mat board? I only ask because it looks like you didn't. I just love, love, love how you finished these. I may be sending mine to you as I get them stitched so you can finish them that way! I hope you feel better soon. You've had quite the busy month. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteJust checking in to make sure your holding up,,,havent heard from you in awhile...cant wait to see what is up next..take care..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful ornaments! That really was a party in your mailbox. Your wool pillow is incredibly cute. Hope you're feeling much, much better.
ReplyDeletelove the wool applique
ReplyDeletegreat design and colors
what a special gift