Farewell to 2015

Wow....is it really the end of the year?  It's time for all of those New Years resolutions.....NOT!  I learned long ago to not do those.

The last few weeks have quickly slipped away, but not before leaving us with a lot of fabulous memories.  It was a great Christmas here.  Everyone was well and able to be here for Christmas eve.  There was lots of laughter, food and chaos with such a large crowd, but it was grand.

The days leading up to Christmas are always so busy, but we were able to take an evening and drive to San Simeon to visit the Hearst Castle all decorated for Christmas.  It was a great evening with period participants strolling about.  The photos are a wee bit dark due to the museum lighting, but I hope you can imagine some of the beauty.

This is the size of dining room table that I need!

Indoor pool

Gold tiles around the pool

With company and entertaining happening here I haven't had much time to slip away for sewing.  In between cleaning up this week I was able to work a bit on the Allietare Mystery quilt.  I really love the colors of this project so I am looking forward to seeing it come together.

While everyplace else seems to be having exceptionally warm winter weather, we have had some really chilly temperatures.  I would hate to count the number of times I have had to go out and cover my tropical plants this month.  Brr.  I'm just glad that I don't have to be marching in the Rose Parade Friday morning!!  ;-)

One last photo.....of the newest member to our daughter's family.....Lady.

As I sign off I want to wish everyone a beautiful 2016.  Thank you so much for following me throughout the year, leaving comments and keeping in touch.

It's Getting Closer

As with everyone around this time of the year, we have been busy with Christmas approaching.  With three big dinners behind me, most of the shopping finished, Christmas projects completed and most gifts wrapped up, I feel as though I can breathe a bit easier now.  Christmas cards will be the task this week.

It has been awhile since I last blogged - or even followed blogs.  The stomach bug hit many of the little ones this past week, but it is nice to have that finished before Christmas.  I always feel so sorry for sick little ones on such a special day.

I finished the Christmas stocking for the newest grandbaby.

I'm sure she will appreciate it more as she gets older.  Right now the tree is more interesting.

There have been some wonderful bag tutorials being shown over at Elm Street Quilts the last few weeks.  I have always wanted to do one of the box bags.  I just love how this turned out and it was remarkably easy to do......all scraps from the bin.

We were lucky enough to have everyone home and healthy for our Thanksgiving celebration this year.

I'm sure that many of you are sewing along with Bonnie Hunter in her Allietare mystery.  Although I have not had much of a chance to keep up - yet, I have completed my 4-patch blocks for this week.  I will get the last two weeks done soon, I hope.

My lovely postcard from our Christmas Postcard Swap arrived from Fiona in Australia.  I always love seeing little pieces of art arrive from across the miles.  Fiona did such a beautiful job and I have added it to my small postcard display.

I hope to be around a bit more now that things are settled down a bit here.

Linking up with Sue and Bonnie.