Two simple words

And here we are at the end of the year--the beginning of a new decade dawns in just a matter of hours. How can that be? I just wrote my end-of-the year post for 2018, didn't I? I truly believe time speeds up as we age and I'm not sure I like it... But, there is no alternative--we must put one foot in front of the other and face 2020 head on--let's hope it's a good year for all!

Christmas here was a bit different, as I mentioned it would be in my previous post. We took our meal up to my in-laws' assisted living home in Ohio (an hour away) in an effort to make the holiday special for them. (I wish I had taken photos--I was just too busy getting the meal on the table)! There was no oven or refrigerator in the room where we had our dinner (there were nine of us) so that meant everything had to be heated here at home and transported in two Crock-pots and an unused wedding gift from nearly 43 years ago. That's right! We finally used the electric skillet that we received for our wedding in 1977! (That's one in the "you just never know when you might need it" column for me; as opposed to my husband's "we've never used it, let's get rid of it" philosophy)! We took everything from plates to napkins, to serving utensils, to coolers to keep the dessert and salads cold... But, oops--I forgot to take anything decorative like tablecloths or placemats. So, I looked around the room in an attempt to brighten up our tables and removed two  larger paper cutout snowflakes that were hanging on the walls, grabbed a plant from a windowsill, and went out into the hallway to "steal" a Merry Christmas planter from a sidetable. Voilà--instant Christmas centerpieces for the two tables! (Of course, we returned each item to its proper place when all finished up).

I truly felt that our efforts were appreciated as my father-in-law declared, "This is the best meal I've had in ages!" He even called my husband the following day to say how nice it was and say "thank you" once again. It was so heartwarming to know that our Christmas meal meant so much to them. Unfortunately, the day after Christmas, both my middle son and I came down with the flu... I've been resting these past five days, but, boy--it really hit me hard. And yes, I had the flu shot! Second year in a row I've had the shot and still got the flu. But, perhaps it is a lighter version than if I hadn't gotten the shot. My body aches, I have an almost constant headache, cough, am exhausted--all the typical things. I think I got so run down from trying to do too much (like most of us!) in December that my immune system was weakened. It will be nice to have January to rest up, that's for sure!

Here are some photos from our day before we left for Ohio...

 

Christmas morning (well, early afternoon, actually--we got a late start!)... From left to right are me, my husband, middle son, his girlfriend, and youngest son. It was my oldest son's turn to be in Texas with my daughter-in-law's family. We sure missed them, but are already looking forward to a bigger group next year! And we began a new Christmas tradition. I purchased this 1000 piece "Holiday Cats" puzzle which we worked on after the present opening. I think I'll be buying a new one each year--it was a fun, family activity!

I love making these Cream Cheese Kolacky every year--they are so light and tasty! You can find the recipe right here.

After seeing this idea on Pinterest, I decided to add a couple small wreaths hanging from red and white checked ribbon from my cupboards. I may expand on this idea next year and hang them from the solid white cupboards as I think they will show up better. I think I'll also add a bow and some berries. We'll see!

The shelves on my corner cupboard  are waiting to be filled with a snowman theme for January!

As I mentioned in my last post, I displayed my stitching gifts on my mantle this year because my tree is simply getting too crowded. From left to right are the gifts I received from, Tricia, Gabi, Karen, Meg, Robin, Cindy, Manuela, and June. Love how they brighten up my mantle!

I'm sure you would like a closer look at the little gifts that came my way this Christmas, wouldn't you?  In the order that I received them:

My long-time blogging friend, Cindy, sent me some fabric, two charts, and this beautifully finished Prairie Schooler Santa. Ironically, I had also stitched him this year, but sent him away as a gift. Now I don't need to stitch him for myself! Thank you so much, Cindy ♥

My Instagram friend, Jen, sent this cute Snow Village chart and a red snowflake tin filled with chocolates (which are long gone!). Thank you so much, Jen ♥

My Instagram friend, Tricia, sent a cute needleminder and this beautifully stitched and finished stand-up cube for an early birthday / Christmas present. It is a Scarlett House design and she wanted me to be able to display it all winter so she sent it way before my mid-January birthday. Love the little bird cage accessory perched on top! Thank you so much, Tricia ♥

My blogging friend, Meg, sent this beautiful blue Christmas design. Not only did she stitch and finish it, she also designed it! Isn't it special? You can find the chart here and while you're there, please do read Meg's post and keep her in your prayers. Thank you so much, Meg ♥

My blogging and Instagram friend, Robin, sent this darling cardinal ornament and a pack of Moda fabric squares. She knows I love to use these in my finishing and she knows how special cardinals are to me... Thank you so much, Robin ♥

My long-time stitching friend, Gabi in Germany, made me this lovely Noel card. It was so pretty on my mantle! Thank you so much, Gabi ♥

My stitching friend, Karen Y., in Indiana, sent this darling stitched card. She said she knew if anyone would appreciate this sweet boy, I would. She is right! Thank you so much, Karen ♥

My blogging friend, June, sent me a sweet stitched card with a Nativity scene, a thread keep, mini-flashlight, bookmark, and a tiny ornament. I love the card and will display it proudly each December. Thank you so much, June ♥

My blogging and Instagram friend, Stasi, sent me the cutest Scrabble tile decoration. Over on Instagram, some folks have taken to calling me the "Christmas ornament queen" so I thought this was perfect. She also included a stitchable paper oval and some chocolates. Thank you so much, Stasi ♥

My blogging and Instagram friend, Manuela, sent me the sweetest little hexie wreath Christmas ornament. Look--there are my beloved cardinals! Thank you so much, Manuela ♥

My stitching friend, Nathalie in France, sent me a cute woolen mitten ornament and a pack of Christmas themed stickers. Thank you so much, Nathalie ♥

Oh-my-goodness! I was just a bit spoiled, wasn't I? Thank you all so very much for your little remembrances at this special time of year. I will treasure them and think of  you each time I display them at Christmas.  In my next post, I'll share the gifts that I sent out to my blogging and Instagram friends... hope you'll stop by!

On Instagram, my "Best Nine" 2019 (generated from the photos that were most liked on my account) resulted in the collage below. All were Christmas / winter themed except two. I was glad to see "Miss Bingley's Library" made an appearance smack-dab in the middle. And that sweet pink Valentine on the middle right column was a breath of fresh air, too.

My "Best Nine" 2019 according to Instagram

 
But, the above nine certainly didn't tell my whole 2019 stitching story so I went through my photos and picked my own personal "best nine!" Would you like to see? This is more representative of my stitching throughout the year (plus reminders of a couple of our travels that I treasure). My Christmas tree is the only photo that made both "Best Nine" lists! Do you have a favorite in either of these collages?

My personal picks for "Best Nine" 2019 photos!

TWO SIMPLE WORDS... Have you figured out the meaning of today's blog post title yet? Well, look carefully... those two words are scattered throughout this post. They are: "Thank you." Simple words, but ones often forgotten in today's society. One of my most vivid memories from my childhood is being told--repeatedly--by my mother to look someone in the eye and say "Thank you" when being paid a compliment or being given something--and to also remember to use their name. I was a shy little girl (I'm still on the shy side and quite introverted which is odd considering I write this blog, isn't it?) and I had a hard time looking anyone in the eye and speaking. But, my mother's lesson stayed with me and it is one I've taught my sons. Be thankful, be appreciative, show gratitude...

I truly believe that what goes around comes around--if you spread thankfulness and a spirit of caring it will come right back to you tenfold. I've been so blessed with the friendships that I've made through this blog and on Instagram, that I hesitate to bring this up, but it's something that's bothered me for many years. Every week, I get several questions emailed to me regarding information on a chart or a fabric or thread. I do my best to answer these questions--often sending the person a link to a particular blog post or website that will help them. I get no money or compensation of any kind for my blog--I've chosen to keep it ad-free--and I answer these questions on my own time. Can you imagine how it hurts then to not even get a "thank you" emailed back to me? Just two simple words...  I  had two questions last week--one on where to obtain a certain fabric and one on what design was featured in my sidebar. I nicely sent them the answers... no reply. I honestly don't get it--it takes less than a minute to email those words. Many people do take the time to reply to me and I appreciate them so much. But, sadly, there are far too many who don't...

I've often heard that you can tell a lot about a person by how he or she treats waitresses or cashiers or others who work with the public and I think this is so true. Are they condescending? Are they compassionate? Do they say thank you? Having worked with the public as a reference librarian for close to 30 years, I came in contact with all kinds of people wanting help. They would wander into the library with a lost look in their eyes and I was always happy to help them find an answer or point them in the right direction. 95% of them were so appreciative, but there were those 5% who simply listened to my answer, turned, and walked away. At times,  I would actually call out to them: "You're welcome!" at which point they would sheepishly turn and mumble "thank you" or simple act like they hadn't heard me and keep walking away. Those two simple words can make someone's day... So, in this coming new year and new decade, let's all say thank you more often, try to be more appreciative, and have an "attitude of gratitude" for even the simplest acts. I promise, you'll feel better and you'll make a difference in someone's day. It often takes only a simple kindness to turn things around when someone is having a bad day!

Favorite Memory of 2019... Each year at this time, it is a tradition for me to recall my favorite memory of the past 365 days. No doubt about it--it was the late-August week we spent in a beautiful mountain-top home in Estes Park, Colorado. All was right with the world then--I had my entire family with me, I sat and stitched while relaxing with beautiful mountain scenery surrounding me, and I felt such peace. I hiked in the most verdant green forests under azure blue skies. I gazed at clusters of stars in the sky brighter than any I had ever seen...  If only every week could be like that one. Do you have a favorite memory of 2019? I'd love to hear it!

So, another year of Stitching Dreams has ended. It was a busy year with my stitching and with my traveling. I hope you've been inspired by some of my finishes as I know I've been inspired by yours. I've made some new blogging friends and some new Instagram friends and I'm so happy to welcome you to my list of followers! Blogging may be dying, but I truly love having this record of my year to look back upon. So--until next year! Thank you for visiting and for your sweet comments. Thank you for your kind words and emails and, most of all, thank you for your friendship. See you in 2020! Bye for now...

Happy New Year and New Decade to all!