Happy New Year's Eve!

The new year is drawing close.  Are you  ready to celebrate?

2015 is a fresh new start.

 

Enjoy but be careful!

I did a quick update for my 2014 Turtle Trot.  Now thinking about my 2015 Turtle Trot.  It definitely is a "slow" list.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Ours is busy and noisy - 4 kids under the age of 4! Then add in 7 adults trying to have conversations, along with one dog and cat, both scared of all the noise and running (by the 4 little ones).

Enjoy the photos for now and be back in a couple of days.



Santa was definitely here!

 These trees are gorgeous and not ours.  However we did hang our stockings off the mantle.

Not us this year!  We had rain instead.

This was us in a way.  The two youngest liked to pull the bottom ornaments off the tree.  I put the unbreakable ones at the lower branches.  The 18-month old kept calling them "balls".

Merry Christmas!

Here's a couple of favorite Christmas stitching pieces.  Enjoy.

Prep time

This past week has been super busy with two Christmas parties and a whirlwind of shopping.  And the tree went up and the house was decorated.  Some of the last minute grocery shopping (lettuce, fresh veggies, etc) is getting done tomorrow.  Unexpectedly we are going to a funeral on Monday.  Then on Tuesday the out-of-town kids, and grandkids arrive.  And the in-town grandkids will be over later in the day.  The quiet will disappear quickly!

I'll try to get some photos tomorrow as I do last-minute cleaning as well.  Cat hair needs to cleaned/swept/vacuumed up daily, even though my little guy is a short-hair.

Bill of Rights Day

Bill of Rights Day

When : Always December 15

Today is Bill of Rights Day. To Americans, the Bill of Rights are key amendments to the U.S. Constitution, that protect our individual rights.

On March 4, 1789, the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified by the (former)13 colonies, and went into effect. States and individuals were concerned that the Constitution did not properly cover and protect a number of rights of individuals. The Constitution was signed by the original 13 states with the requirement, or understanding, that a Bill of Rights would be created, amending the new U.S. Constitution. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution. 10 of these amendments were added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights includes these Amendments: Amendment 1- Freedom of speech, press and religion Amendment 2 - The right to bear arms Amendment 3- Protection of homeowners from quartering troops, except during war. Amendment 4 - Rights and protections against unreasonable search and seizure Amendment 5 - Rights of due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self incrimination Amendment 6 - Rights of a speedy trial by jury of peers and rights of accused Amendment 7 - Rights to trial by jury in civil cases Amendment 8 - Protection from cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail Amendment 9 - Protection of rights not specified in the Bill of Rights Amendment 10 - States rights, power of the states Of the 12 original amendments, which ones were not approved? The original Amendments # 1 and #2 did not pass These dealt with the number of representative to congress, and compensation to representatives. Had they passed, there would be over 6,000 congressmen today!!! On Bill of Rights Day, we hope you celebrate you American Citizenship, and spend a few minutes reflecting upon the freedoms that you enjoy. These freedoms do not exist in many countries of the world.

Spend a day not thinking about Christmas but about having the ability to enjoy CHristmas or whatever holiday you want.

Stitching

Since last time, I mentioned St. Basil, I figured it was time to show some progress.

As I said, I started it during EGA seminar but didn't get very far.  I thought I had a photo of that early progress but it's not on my camera.  This photo was was earlier this week.  There are some gaps - one area needs a new thread.  The original thread isn't made anymore and I do not care for the substitute.  So I need to find my own substitute.