We're Ready and a Tusal

We've been busy prepping....the new ornaments are hung with the old,

The cookies are baked (and some eaten)...

But not before my old hand-mixer could mix no more.  So, my hubby offered to quickly run to get me a new one.....what happens when your husband picks out a new mixer....well, you get one that comes in a case like a drill....

The important part is...the cookies are finished!

The hot-cheese dip and the sausage balls are prepped for tomorrow, thanks to my little helper chef.  And the dishes are done...

Our Christmas Eve dinner is finished - a delightful time...

The new memory ornaments are made...these are walnuts, that with some care are split in half, cleaned out, and spray painted.  The nuts are saved for baking and eating.  We then take a small piece of paper and write down things from the past year that we want to remember.  The paper is then placed in the shell and the shell is glued back together with a ribbon in place for the hanger.  Santa will hang the new ones on the tree tonite! 

Years from now, most likely when the boys are grown and come home for Christmas, we will begin the trip down memory lane by opening a few each year and reliving our memories!  We've been doing this now for a number of years and they look so pretty on the tree.  I use different types of gold paint - this year was a shinier gold.  I've used various types of gold in the past - shiny, matte, etc.  Maybe next year we'll try white or red, or even silver!

I did finish "Sing We Merrily" and I love how this turned out!

I do believe that we'll be leaving this one up all year.

I have received some wonderful goodies as well.  First, Peggy Lee sent me some umbrellas.  Now, I bet you are wondering, "Why would she send you umbrellas?"  For fancying up my drinks of course!

Plain.....

Fancy.....

I have enough to last a while!

Thanks Peggy!  Wish you were here to share them with me!

Myra surprised me with one of her hand-made birds.  I love the fact that not only is it blue, but the fabric looks like a sampler!

Thanks again Myra!!

Yesterday brought a package from Lainey...a great calendar from Scotland.  The pictures are beautiful and the boys loved it!  Some of you may know that Ned, our gnome, traveled this past summer to stay with Lainey's family a while.  They've been taking Ned places and he's started a blog so the boys can learn all about where Lainey and her family live.  The link is on the sidebar.  Thank you so much Lainey.  Lainey has been so busy and knowing she took the time to send this to us makes it even more special!

Today, my friend Brett (she hasn't ventured into blogland yet...) gave me a very special gift.  Brett has only been stitching since about September of 2010.  I took her to the Strawberry Sampler and she was hooked!  She picked it up fast and was stitching on linen in no time!  Now she's doing these fancy finishes!

Thank you so much Brett!  I love it!!!

The boys are wanting to track Santa on the NORAD site, so I have to finish, but not before I show the final TUSAL picture of the year!  I dumped the threads out of my jar and they came out in clumps - I think they look like little nests!

Time to go track where Santa is! 

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!!