It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

At least it will be tomorrow because we're due to get 3-5 inches of snow! Now ordinarily, that might send me fleeing to the grocery store to stock up on things like the rest of the folks in western Pennsylvania always seem to do before a forecast storm. But, since I just finished my shopping yesterday, I'm content to settle in and wait for the storm and enjoy a beautiful white Christmas!! And you know what? Somehow, everything came together and I'm ready for the big day. Today, I'll settle in and bake some cookies, do a bit of cleaning, and just wait for all of my sons to come home tomorrow... I can hardly wait until we're all here together!

The tree is up and since so many of you have asked for a photo of it, here you go...

 Christmas Tree 2012

To me, it doesn't look much different than last year's tree except there are a dozen more ornaments! Here is a close-up shot from a different angle...

And another...

And one more...

When I took the ornaments from their under-the-bed hiding place this week I began noticing how many of them fit into one of five categories! You have the snowman theme:

Snowman Themed Ornaments

Then there is the Santa themed grouping (lots of Prairie Schoolers, aren't there?):

Santa Themed Ornaments

I also found many that fit in with my love of nature--lots of animals, trees, and, forest scenes...

Nature Themed Ornaments

Then there are the house-themed little beauties. There is something so comforting about stitching a home, isn't there? And these range from birdhouses, to gingerbread houses, to warm, beckoning homes:

House Themed Ornaments

Finally, the "just-plain-cute" category--the elves, the angels, the gingerbread boys:

"Just-Plain-Cute" Ornaments

And there you have it! I hope you've enjoyed my tour of ornaments... Some of you asked if I left the ornaments that I stitched this year on my staircase garland all month. The answer is no--I move them to the tree right before Christmas so everything is grouped together. Yes, I know the tree looks a bit crowded, but I love it this way. I'm thinking about getting a smaller tree next year for my smallest stitched ornaments (and you know me--I do love small!)...we'll see!

I've received some lovely gifts from around the world which I'd love to share with you today, too. 

From my sweet friend June came this LHN "Joy" ornament all the way from England. Isn't it beautiful? I do love it, June, and the other assorted goodies you included. The cat bookmark calendar is perfect for a cat-loving reader like me, and she also sent a little house-shaped needleminder, and a wee blank book so I could write down my hopes and dreams. So adorable... Thank you so much, my friend. You really made me smile!

  Gift from June

From a new friend, Robin (no blog), I received the most beautiful Prairie Schooler Santa riding on a reindeer. She chose to stitch it for me because I had commented in a post that I hoped to stitch every design from that chart some day so she wanted to help me out. I just love it, Robin, and the blue fabrics you included are so lovely! Thank you so much--I will proudly add your creation to my tree each year and I look forward to getting to know you better in the coming year. We already share a strong bond in our love for PS designs, don't we?

Gift From Robin

From my young friend, Valerie, in France, came this wonderful ornament and lots of buttons and trims. I just love the green heart, Valerie--I believe it is the first heart-shaped cross stitch on my Christmas tree as I've not dared to attempt stitching one for myself! Your pretty ribbons and trims and buttons will all be put to good use on future projects. I've really enjoyed getting to know you better this year--your positive attitude always makes your blog a pleasure to visit. Thank you so much, my friend...

Gift from Valerie

From my sweet friend, Shirlee, who always makes me laugh with the stories on her blog, came another wonderful LHN design called "Joy and Peace." Shirlee stitched and finished it perfectly and I love the fabric and chenille trim she used. I'm guessing that she may have dyed the fabric herself--is that correct, Shirlee? Really a lovely mocha shade... I am so happy to own a "Shirlee-stitched" piece and I'll proudly add it to me tree this year, my friend. Thank you so very much!

Gift from Shirlee

All the way from Spain came a special package from dear Edit. Edit was one of my first blogging friends and we've exchanged Christmas gifts for several years now. In keeping with my pillow theme this year, she stitched for me this adorable "Joy" pillow trimmed with a cute blue polka-dot fabric. Isn't it sweet? And that fabric with those chubby red-nosed Santas really made me chuckle! Edit included some pretty bells, trims, and a cute JBW chart that I didn't own--I think those stockings may be on my must-stitch list next year. Thank you so much, my friend--your gift really made my day!

Gift from Edit

From another long-time blogging friend, Cindy, came yet another wonderful Prairie Schooler Santa. I love the little Swarovski crystals she added to the piece for the snow! And her feather-like trim is so perfect. I need to find some of that for myself. He is just beautiful, Cindy, and this little pillow will be a wonderful accent to my Christmas decorating. The fabrics she included are so pretty and just look at that little bird--adorable! Thank you, my friend--for your friendship and for your beautiful gifts.

Gift from Cindy

And last, but certainly not least, came this adorable ornament from my earliest blogging friend, Myra. If you've never seen this design before, it's because Myra designed it herself! Isn't it charming? Everyone who follows Myra's blog knows that she loves cardinals so, of course, her design included a cheery red bird! The fabric she chose to accent the ornament with is perfect and I love the green chenille trim and little gold star charm. Maybe we have a new budding designer in our midst, what do you think? Thank you so very much, Myra--you always know how to make me smile :)

Gift from Myra

I was so touched to receive these beautiful gifts from my friends... That is one of the best things about blogging isn't it? The connections we make with fellow stitchers from around the world are so strong and everyone is so supportive. And without a blog, we never would have connected with these friends who share our passion for stitching. Thank you, thank you, my friends!!

I also want to thank everyone who has emailed to ask about my son's recovery from his jaw surgery. He is still unable to eat solid food due to a lack of feeling in his mouth/jaw area, but we're hoping he can have some mashed potatoes on Christmas day--a real treat for him after all of the liquids he's been downing. I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers--as does he. He has a long way to go with his recovery, but, hopefully, the surgery will have been worth it and he'll end up with a nice, normal bite in a few months.

And that's about it from here. I want to wish each of you who celebrates a most delightful Christmas with friends and family nearby. I hope your day includes at least one stitching request granted from your wish list! Thank you for your comments, emails, and most of all, your friendship. I do appreciate each of you!! Bye for now...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!