CLOSING OUT DECEMBER

During the month of December I did my first Blogmas.  It was fun and I think I will do this each year.  Did you enjoy it?  I hope so.  It was a challenge to post every day and I did miss a few days, but I almost made it to 25 days.  A challenge for next year.

I showed you a lot of my decorating, but not all.  It just got to be too challenging.  But I will show you my birthday gifts here which I hadn't photographed until this morning.

From Joe:

A beautiful sweatshirt.  I saw it in Cracker Barrel in Lancaster and fell in love with it so he bought it for me.

Two lockets.  The top one says "I love you" and the bottom one says "Faith, Hope, Love, Peace".  So beautiful.  I asked him why he got me two and he said he couldn't decide between them.  What a guy!

And then these beautiful blown glass butterflies on mirrored stands.  Oh how gorgeous!  Right now they are in tissue paper in their boxes.  I will put them on my shelf come spring and leave them out until fall.  Unless I find a really good place to put them where they won't be broken.

My sister, Elaine gave me:

A beautiful black lacquered box with a silver butterfly on the front.  I love it.

This funny mug that I know was meant for me since I must be the Sister of the Century.  I tried to take a picture of the back, but it didn't turn out.  The back says, "A local woman received the coveted Sister of the Century Award and was presented with a rare and expensive mug to commemorate the occasion.  'My sister has the best sister' she is quoted as stating upon receipt of the prestigious award.  She later added: 'And no, you can't borrow it.'  A parade in her honor is scheduled for..."  So cute.  I like it that my sister knows she has the best sister.  Ha, ha!

And finally this beautiful swan.  We had one similar to it on our dining room table when we were small and that's where this is going to go.

And finally my neighbor Chrissy.  She knows I love the Peanuts cartoons so got me this awesome calendar.  I think I will use it each month right here in the blog.

Again I have made no progress with my temperature afghan.  I have been too busy knitting Christmas gifts.  That had a deadline.  But I am planning on finishing it this week and then you will see it.

I will end with the Breathtaking Views calendar page.  I have a new one for this year so your views will go on.

Historic Marblehead Lighthouse -- Northwest Ohio

And that's it for this time.  I have lots more ideas for posts this month.  Hope you'll come back and join me.  Have a wonderful day!

Kathy

Weather in Philly:
Mostly clear
High:  20*F (-7*C)
Low: 2*F  (-17*C)
Sunrise:  7:22 a.m.     Sunset:  4:46 p.m.
9 hours and 24 minutes of daylight.