Mid-December Miscellany ~ Christmas, Quilts, Weather Woes

Hi! I wrote this beginning ahead of last week's not so very big storm: December---not so cold but gale warnings have been posted ahead of a cold front.

I must go out and bring in any loose items, my deck garden's end of year cleanup has been delayed due to forced rest to heal hip inflammation. Hard to see work needing to be done, events unattended, etc. And I am so very tired of gale warnings, 60 mph winds predicted from the south, exposed big windows side of the house. brrrrr, gonna be shivering. Devices charged/laundry done/ online banking and food and gift orders in ahead of power outages/ easy to eat food prepared/ lanterns and candles at the ready. And so it goes. Mostly I fear the dark and cold though. And the wind. [Update--enough wind to undo my bungee-ing and blow stuff around/ not much rain]

The very last marigolds, a bit of late appearing alyssum, and a red clover. Summer's last smile. We had a light frost when the cold front passed through. Old beachcombed ink bottle, c.1880s?

More rain maybe tomorrow. I got oranges and apples to dry in the oven and make the house smell warm and lovely. And to the left a tall glass vase sidewalk scavenged, good for tall winter bulbs.

I puttered around and added a few more Christmas tweaks. Luckily I have things tucked in drawers and the Shaker boxes so the house is not entirely sad.

Got the red toile cushion covers on.

A favorite Snowmans bandbox found, and inside a tiny putz village.

Another village, this one a 1930s American Main Street by my dad.

And the crock got berries. Later I added a green shutter behind everything to hold the small Giraffe quilt

More little treasures--sorry I cannot yet get to the bin with the wooden folkart angels, or climb a ladder to get down the Noah's Ark.

Mo was snuggled in his bed. He has come to like his baby quilt more as it ages and softens.

I still love it, it was fun finding all the vintage embroideries.

More quilts aired and admired. I love this redwork quilt, but the red squares are not very stable, and fade quickly if exposed to brilliant ocean sunlight.

And this one, dated 1911.
 

The ABC quilt and a very old Irish Chain--the white fabric seems to be linen homespun.

I enjoy studying all the embroidered motifs, some are favorites: smug Kitty, the boy smoking the long clay pipe as spo often seen on Mudlarkers' Thames posts.

This Kate Greenaway style shoe [was antique even when the redwork was popular/ c.1650-1800/ stylization], often seen as an applique or as the woman w too many children etc.

The hairpins I am always sure conceal initails, a name? a date? But no.

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Do you get Christmas cards? I sent 8 this year, to older friends and to family. So far two have arrived here, one from my tax accountant, lol, reminding us that there's an extra charge for rush filing so Plan Ahead, people! We are not charmed.

No knitting has been done, yikes! One week left to knit this cowl. My TV is broken and my glasses don't focus right for monitor viewing, Kindle page turning breaks one's stitch rhythm. I need entertainment when I knit.

Happy holidays, as our year wanes. 

love

lizzy 

gone to the beach...

Sunset was two minutes later yesterday, a hopeful omen. Mo and I timed it from the deck.

And the full moon rose in the ENE, most northerly full moonrise of the year.

Later last night--the air crystal clear and cold, the moon's light was enchanting. The beach and ocean glowed an unearthly blue and frosty white. As bright as dawn on a summer night. Mo cast navy shadows on an aqua tinted deck. And the stars and planets sparled like 4th of July fireworks above our heads. Reminder to myself--winter is beautiful too.