Thursday, December 24, 2015

And they say that it's Christmas...

...but it's in the 60s here in western Pennsylvania! Good morning, my stitching friends! Is it warm where you are, too? In all my 60 years, I never remember a December like this--it is supposed to be in the 60's here (more like May weather for us) throughout the Christmas weekend. I hate to say I miss the snow, but (I miss the snow!). The mild weather has been great in terms of getting around to shop, decorating the outside of houses (in fact, I swear more houses than ever have put up outside decorations this year), and getting back and forth to work easily. But, without the cold, ice, and those pretty white things that fall from the sky, it just doesn't feel Christmasy. As my son said, "This is what Christmas in northern Florida must feel like every year!" 

Anyway, the cards are sent, the groceries are purchased, the few presents we bought (our main gift was the Argentina trip from last month) are wrapped and under the tree, and the tree is up. Yes, the tree--the one I stitch for all year. Would you like to see?

2015 "Stitching Dreams" Christmas Tree

I can't tell you how much I smile when I see each little ornament perched on the tree.


I am truly running out of space! I wonder how many hours of work have gone into creating these little ornaments?


This year, I set aside a special portion for the Prairie Schooler ornaments that I have stitched. Unfortunately, the six PS Santas that I did this year, never got finished so they aren't hanging with their friends.


Can you see the top of my Santa doll that has been in my family since I was a little girl sitting under the tree? My brother and I always argued over whose it was, but I ended up with him somehow.


Ah, here is the jolly fellow himself, just resting up until his big night... Very 1950s, wouldn't you say (and if truth be told, just a bit creepy looking in the face). I'm sure he once had a black belt and other accessories, but this is all that is left of an almost 60 year old, well-loved Christmas tradition.


The tree at night is so pretty, but hard to get good photos of. Here is one with the lights in my sunroom on:


And here is a final shot with the lights off...

2015 Cross-stitch filled Christmas tree

I've loved seeing photos of your trees and your new ornaments this month--thank you all for sharing! Some of you who don't have blogs have even emailed me photos, too, which I always enjoy seeing. Thank you, thank you to each of you for your kind comments on my "Parade of Ornaments" post last week. It was such fun seeing which ornament you liked the most. At this point in the voting, it appears that the July ornament (the Prairie Schooler one with the little boy carrying his Christmas tree home) is favored by most.  Anyway, it was interesting to see how varied the responses were. I think poor Miss May (the LHN angel) was the only one who failed to receive a single vote. Poor thing--I can hear her weeping in the other room as I write this!

Well, this is short and sweet today as I have a ton of things to attend to--mainly in the kitchen. What are you preparing for your holiday dinners? We have manicotti for our Christmas Eve dinner so I want to prepare that ahead of time along with some homemade bread. And we'll be having our traditional Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow with turkey and all the trimmings since we missed out on it when we were traveling in Argentina in November. My youngest son, I'm so happy and relieved to report, flew in late last night from Argentina (after a one day stop to check on his apartment in Washington, DC) and is now tucked into his small childhood bed upstairs. That sounds funny, but it is so nice as a mother to know he is home safely! My other two sons will arrive today and I'll be putting all of them to work in the kitchen--they are becoming quite the chefs!

I'll be back soon to share with you the wonderful Christmas gifts from my stitching friends--I was very spoiled! Bye for now...

Merry Christmas to each of you--
may your day be filled with the love 
and laughter of friends and family! 


87 comments:

Angie said...

Merry Christmas, Carol! The most beautiful tree I have ever seen. It is truly a treasure! Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday and happy, healthy new year. May all your dreams come true:)

A.Girlstoys said...

Gorgeous tree! I would say magic, with all those warm handmade ornaments. Merry Christmas :)

Vickie said...

What a lovely post Carol. The last picture is wonderful!
Merry Christmas my friend!

Barb said...

Good morning & Merry Christmas Eve - that Christmas tree is spectacular! It truly is so special and I can only imagine how beautiful it must be in person! What an amazing labor of love! You have every reason to be so proud of that beauty!

Best wishes to you and peace and blessings to you and your family as we celebrate this precious time of year.

Merry Christmas!

xo - Barb R.

Heather said...

I always look forward to your tree! Thank you for sharing!

Kate said...

Carol, your tree is so beautiful!!!! Your Santa doll really is so 50s but such a keepsake. How nice that all your sons are home for Christmas. We usually have tourtière for Christmas Eve and turkey with all the trimmings for Christmas. Mind you, this year we're having chicken instead of turkey since it's just the two of us. When the children were with us we always had a birthday cake for the baby Jesus and that birthday cake was often sweet rolls for Christmas day breakfast. Have a wonderful celebration. ♥

celkalee said...

Hello Carol, just found your blog and your ornaments are stunning. So much work! Interestingly, I stepped out to water the dog this morning and remarked that we are going to need to cut the grass again, did it last week. You see, I am also in Western Pa and enjoying the balmy weather. The Farmers Almanac had predicted a major snow storm starting this morning and lasting until Saturday. Aren't we fortunate this didn't happen? Have a wonderful Christmas. I know what you mean by having your children back home. Funny how we all have these emotions. Happy New Year too.

Christina said...

I hope you are feeling better. Glad that your son made it home safely. We are actually getting some much needed rain today. Our temps have been normal for winter. Low 30's at night/ early a.m. and 50's during the day. LOVE your tree! It is beautiful. Wow, how fun you still have a childhood toy to decorate with. I have to work on Christmas day, hopefully I won't be held over for overtime. We are having seafood dinner. I bought some shrimp- for shrimp cocktail, king crab legs and a lobster tail for DH. Tiramisu for dessert. Happy Holidays to you and your family! Off to read your last post, got behind again.

Cindy said...

What a lovely tree! I can't believe how many ornaments you have made!
I know what you mean about having all of your boys at home - it is very comforting to have them home and safe. We won't have our Christmas celebration until after the new year when our oldest can be here.
Have a very Merry Christmas with your family, Carol!

Dawn said...

It is beautiful- a stitcher's delight!

twinpeakprimitives said...

Merry Christmas to you too Carol ♫ ♫ ♥

Your tree with stitched ornaments is so very impressive! I do adore your stitching taste and ability ♥♥♥

Greetings from far away :)

butterfly said...

Oh Carol your tree is beautiful , I was hoping to see it before Christmas and here it is WOW and double WOW , just wonderful .

You inspire so many and I like many will be watching your posts all year long .

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family .

It is very mild here lots of rain and some sunshine .

Barbi said...

So beautiful Carol! I wait for your tree every year! :) Have a wonderful Christmas my friend! Best wishes to you and your family.

♥ Nia said...

Your tree takes my breath away =) Stunning!!!!! :D

Robin in Virginia said...

What a gorgeous tree, Carol! I enjoyed the close ups as well. I remember that Santa doll. We typically don't have a white Christmas here in VA, but it would be nice if it were 20 degrees cooler. Wishing you and yours a very peaceful Christmas Day!

Andrea said...

A gorgeous tree again this year. There is only one thing to do Carol ... you need a BIGGER tree! Thank you for all of your inspiration, wit and love throughout this year.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Merry Christmas Carol to you all. Your tree is gorgeous with your ornaments adorning it.
How lovely to have your boys together for Christmas:)

Annie said...

Your tree is gorgeous! Hope it doesn't topple over under the weight of that fabulous collection! Your Santa doll is so sweet... Worth fighting over with your brother. Enjoy the family time and the mild weather. We will probably pay for that later on next year.

Melissa said...

Thank you for the annual Christmas Tree post! Beautiful! I can well imagine you are running out of space the way you stitch! That last piece - is it Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow? I didn't know you made that - it's gorgeous!

I'm glad your youngest got home safely. I was worried when our son was coming back from Germany too. You will be the Mother Hen now and spoiling everyone with your good food! Yum.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family, my friend!

ALICE MARGAUX said...

A very Merry Christmas and a happy and creative 2016! Sunny greetings from New Orleans, Alice

Mary Ann said...

I love seeing your Christmas tree with all of your lovely stitched ornaments each year!! I hope you and your family have a Very Merry Christmas!

Karen said...

A truly beautiful tree, Carol! If you are running out of space to hang ornaments, maybe you need two trees? Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Unknown said...

A very happy Christmas to you and your family. Your tree takes my breath away, absolutely beautiful. I am determined to get back to some stitching next year (need to put my crochet down and pick up my needle and thread again). You must have so many memories as you put your ornaments on the tree each year, I think you will have to invest in another tree soon otherwise you are going to run out of space. Thank you for your friendship in Blogland this year and look forward to enjoying your blog again next year. xx

Mii Stitch said...

Merry Christmas Carol. This is one awesome Christmas tree!!

cucki said...

It's so beautiful..
Merry Christmas xx

Cindy's Stitching said...

Merry Christmas Carol. The tree is a Stitchers delight. the Santa doll story made me laugh, of course you ended up with the doll. Tonight is prime rib and tomorrow is ham. 76 here today in Tennessee, I am wearing shorts. It does not feel like Christma with the warm weather. Have a blessed Christmas.

Daffycat said...

Happy Christmas, Carol!

sandi s said...

Your tree is gorgeous! I love cross stitch ornaments and love making them too. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Hugs,

Pam in Virginia said...

What a delight to see your tree all laden with your beautiful handwork. I've enjoyed opening all the Christmas presents you gave me this year - meaning every time you wrote an entry in your blog, it was a thoughtful gift of good writing, beautiful stitching and finishing, kind memos noting fabric name and count, or if you changed a color, and encouragement for each of us. It was funny to read of the brother and sister wrangling for the Santa. Imagine your sons and future daughters-in-law having that same conversation about your ornaments many, many years from now. I've been hand washing my grandmother's fine china (purchased in 1912) this afternoon to serve Christmas brunch and dinner on. Tomorrow is all about family and memories, isn't it? Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Daniela Bencúrová said...

Wow, Carol, our tree is gorgeous !!!
I wish you a beautiful and Merry Christmas!

Carin said...

Your tree is amazing !!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Linda said...

Your tree is absolutely stunning Carol. Merry Christmas.

Linda

Vicki said...

Merry Christmas, Carol. Your ornament tree is stunning! Enjoy your time with your boys and your mild weather!

Julie said...

Christmas Blessings from our home to yours Carol.
How lovely to have all your boys home for the festive season.
Your tree looks magnificent, what a haul of treasures hanging on it.
xxxx

Joy said...

What a beautiful tree and so many lovely ornaments! Merry Christmas

Senorita Stitches said...

Your tree is very beautiful with all your stitching treasures. It is a transition year for us and for the first time ever we did not put up our tree. Spending Christmas with my 90 year old parents means the tree is more like a bush and just about 3-feet high. Something to be said for simplicity and I will have to tuck away the sentimental feelings.

Lynda Harrison said...

Hello Carol - your tree is wonderful, amazing and oh, so beautiful. It just gets better with each passing year, if that's possible! Your poor little angel, who had no votes at all - how sad - but I like her!!
Thinking of you over Christmas and New Year with much love and affection, my friend - I hope you and up you family have a peaceful and joyous time together.
By the way - how many hours do you think all those ornaments took to stitch?!!!!!............
Happy Christmas,
With love,
Lynda.

Maggie said...

Now that is a proper Christmas tree! I love it!!!
Merry Christmas x

Maggie said...

Now that is a proper Christmas tree! I love it!!!
Merry Christmas x

Lisa V said...

Merry Christmas dear friend. Your tree is stunning!

Barb said...

The tree is an absolute work of art!! Amazing! Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!

Margaret said...

Your little Santa from your childhood looks so familiar! I think we have one from DH's family too! lol! Love your tree. It's so beautiful! So amazing to see all your beautiful ornaments! Merry Christmas! I hope you and yours have a special one!

Ellen said...

You have the most gorgeous Christmas Tree! I love it and can imagine how much time you spent to create it!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Hugs,

Preeti said...

Your tree is huge and rich with your creative ornaments !! Merry Christmas to you and your family:) I hope you have a great time with your team of chefs:)

Jackie's Stitches said...

Such a beautiful tree! My stitched tree is small and has loads of bare spots I plan on filling!

Tell your son that North Florida is supposed to be 84/85 tomorrow! Many years we have the AC on at Christmas. :(

Glenna said...

No, you're not running out of room--keep stitching for our sakes! I love your tree and look forward to seeing your ornaments every year. Best wishes to your family and merry Christmas!

marly said...

The photo of the lit tree with the lights out is spectacular! Such an amazing sight with all your handwork. Has to be difficult to put away for another year. Enjoy the time with your sons. Merry Christmas!

Penny said...

Your tree is truly amazing! And I know it must be the best feeling to have all of your boys home. Enjoy your Christmas dinner - it sounds wonderful! Merry Christmas, Carol!

Manuela said...

Dear Carol,
I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Your tree is amazing. Emjoy your christmas dinner.
Greetings, Manuela from Germany.

The Queen Bee said...

Merry Christmas!

Your tree is lovely. I finally gave up trying to take pictures.

Glad your son is home safe and sound. Did you confiscate his passport so he'd be forced to stay?

Pam

Sherri said...

Love your tree; it is a true work of art! Your Santa is adorable! I am such a throw back person, I would've have fought for him. Yay for you! My son and daughter are home and I share your sentiments on that. We've had such a fun week together. As much as I love warm weather, this is a little too warm for me as it is 66 degrees here this morning. Definitely doesn't feel like Christmas. However, your tree says otherwise! Merry Christmas!

kcenya1950 said...

Just amazing, Carol. It must be such fun to hang them. It would take me a while to get them just so. Love the special Prairie Schooler section.

What a labour of love.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

pam

Gabi said...

What a beautiful tree!
Happy holidays my friend.
Christmas greetings from Germany

ES said...

Love your stitching:) we had a sunny day and BBQ for Christmas lunch, we're in Sydney Australia:)

Mary - Lecoeurceltique said...

I hope you had a lovely Christmas day. Your Christmas tree is so impressive. I would enjoy dressing the tree but I wouldn't be so keen on taking it all down.

Jennifer said...

Merry Christmas Carol - hope you had a wonderful day with all your boys home! Your tree is just breathtaking- so much beautiful work, and the Santa so charming.

Mavi. said...

Carol How nice, I like to see many embroidery've been seeing over the years in your blog. The tree looks beautiful with lights without lights and have next year to buy another tree, the decorations do not fit as many as have embroidery. If your Santa doll gives a little scary, ha ha ha ...
Many kisses.

Brigitte said...

What a delight to see your tree with all the wonderful ornaments that you have stitched over the years. I always love to see these trees with lots of ornaments on the different blogs. And then I feel the desire to stitch more ornaments for my own tree. But then there are always so many other things that I want to stitch that ornament-stitching takes a back seat ...

It's a pity that the little angel didn't get a single vote. Had I known this I would have given her my vote. Poor thing.

I hope you and your family were having a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day.

Annette-California said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE your gorgeous tree! How you were able to find such a perfect shaped tree and get all your ornaments looking perfect is amazing. Merry Christmas! love Annette

Mini said...

One of the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever seen..decorated with labor of love. Merry Christmas

Justine said...

I almost voted for your angel but then decided I couldn't really choose a favourite - but if I had it would have been her!
Your tree is amazing Carol and I agree you need a bigger or second tree - please don't stop stitching!
Hope you had a wonderful family Christmas.

Faye said...

Your tree is as beautiful as ever Carol~ And, the parade of ornaments was breath taking as I enjoy the detail and care you out into each if them.... Wishing you and yours many blessings in 2016~ Always, Faye

Pam in IL said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Your tree is beautiful. I always love having my kids home, but, since they have their own homes nearby, they don't stay at home any longer. It's been warm and rainy here, but that's about to change with a winter storm expected Monday morning through Wednesday. When I was at school in Florida, I thought it was so funny and strange to see the residents mowing their grass with Christmas decorations in their yard.

priscilla said...

The prettiest tree in all of blogland! Oh my gosh ..just beautiful! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Carol!

Maggee said...

That is quite a tree! Lit or not, I love it! We had several warm days... I even posted on FB Thursday that it was 80 degrees!! It was 75 today! But next week, it is changing... I saw several nights predicted to be freezing or below! Today I noticed that the bird seed in my feeder has sprouted, spring bulbs have come up, and a forsythia bush is budding! Uh-oh!! Hope you had a very Merry Christmas, with all the guys home!! Hugs!

Marie said...

Your tree is absolutely gorgeous, Carol. Glad that your son is safe and sound in the US and that all of your boys were home with you for the holiday. Hope your Christmas was Merry!
That Santa doll reminds me of what my grandmother had around her house during the holiday. Cute!

Wishing you all the best in the new year.

Ele said...


My dear Carol,

I am deeply impressed by this wonderful Christmas tree , which is so beautifully decorated with all of your embroidered ornaments, stitched and so lovely finished over the years.

I hope, your Christmas holidays were merry and bright and I wish you and your whole family a contented and healthy Happy New Year!

Hugs and kisses
Gabriele

valerie said...

Gorgeous tree, Carol! Simply stunning with all those hand-made ornies hanging on it. One day, I hope to have enough ornies to hang on all sides. I had better get to work! =) Hope that you and the boys had a wonderful Christmas!

KrissKross said...

Carol,

I am sorry I do not comment more often, but I *always* love to read your blog and oh-and-ah over the lovely photographs of your work! I feel like I know you even though we have never met, and I greatly admire your work! May you have a blessed and happy New Year 2016!

Kristina in FL

Meari said...

Hi Carol! I'm a bit late, as usual. Your tree is so gorgeous! I need to remember to use pearls for garland. It looks so pretty. Hope you had a good Christmas!

Carol said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
laceystitcher said...

Sorry, but I am late reading all of my blog posts due to the holidays. I wanted to just throw out a suggestion to you for something fun. I saw your Santa that sits under your tree each year. Since he no longer has a belt, I thought it would be fun for you to make one for him; say using parts of PS patterns, etc. It might have to be over one depending on his size, but I can picture him under the tree with his new "one-of-a-kind" belt made by you. What do you think? Hoping your holidays are filled with much joy and time with your sons. Blessings to you.................

AnaCristina said...

Happy New Year!!

Sherry said...

I love your tree! And the CHS piece is beautiful.

Carin said...

I came to wish you and your family a Happy New Year.

Mylene said...

A beautiful Christmas tree!!

Happy New Year and all the best for 2016!!

Le crocette di Mariuccia said...

Marvellous tree! Happy New Year, Mariuccia

Wanda said...

I so look forward to your tree each year Carol! It is just spectacular. A work of art and a labour of love! It was fun to zoom in on the PS ornaments. They are just so beautiful and timeless.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2016 keeps you and your family safe and healthy. All the best.
hugs, Wanda

Dani - tkdchick said...

As usual Carol your tree is amazing! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

Lillie said...

WOW! that's a fabulous tree Carol.
Wishing you a great New Year and all things wonderful in 2016.

Karoline said...

Your tree is stunning Carol!

I hope you have a wonderful 2016

diamondc said...

Happy New Year Carol: What a beautiful Tree, love all your ornaments, and I do love the May LHN Angel she is adorable.

Blessings
Catherine

Elizabeth Ann said...

Goodness your tree is absolutely beautiful again this year! Inspires me to work harder on those ornaments this year! I hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start and you are enjoying some of this snow I am surrounded by! Happy New Year dear friend!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Just getting caught up on my blog reading. I enjoyed seeing your tree. Is it a real one? So pretty. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, my friend.

Unknown said...

Wow what an amazing tree - so many beautifully stitched decorations.

Beth said...

Your tree - one word - AMAZING!

passionfruitprincess said...

Your tree looks amazing, as always! It's really a labor of love. And yes, looks like you are running out of room for ornaments :) But I am sure you can find other places to display them. I love your garland with ornaments, just beautiful.

Ana Paula.