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Saturday, December 23, 2023

A Smattering of Things -


It doesn't take much.

Little things are the best things of all, aren't they?

I received an anonymous package in the mail - the return address was MINE, and I darn well know I didn't send this to myself -

The card had a sweet note, and was signed simply "Sue in Oklahoma"

And I instantly wished that we could all do this for each other.  This one simple thing.

A bundle of fun neutrals (and a black!) and a sweet treat.  

It's all that Christmas really needs to bring us peace, am I right?

Whoever you are Sue - you sneaky little elf - Thank you so much!


Check out the Who's from Whoville!

(Yes, sometimes I feel extra Grinchy and I fight it back this time of year.)


Fashion ladies!  Love it!

My own Christmas gift arrived and we set it up - yes, a couple days early, but it wouldn't really fit under a tree and was too heavy to bother with wrapping anyway.


I wanted something small and compact, for walking - not full out running.

My tread pad fits in a corner of the studio, is easily moved - is perfect for what I need it to be.


I have found my perfect pace at 3.4 miles per hour.  You can set your own speed, and it shows calories, mileage, time and pace.


No handle bars or control panel in front of me - but this handy remote instead.

Just be sure to wear it on your wrist, and don't let it drop to the floor or you'll have no way to slow yourself down to get off the tread pad.  LOL!  THAT was a fun moment.

If you are interested, I've added them to the Personal Favorites category of the Quiltville Amazon Affiliate Store.  Direct link to the tread pad HERE #ad

Now I can get those walks in, even when the weather isn't as nice as I would like it to be for outside walking.  45 minutes gives me about 2 1/2 miles which is perfect for me.

Now if only I could walk and sew at the same time?  That's not happening!


Yesterday was sunny enough that Tula and I soaked up some rays on the back porch steps at the inn.

In the mornings it's breakfast.  Midafternoon it's treat time plus pets.


Son Jeff was over to help with installing the treads on the terraced steps at home. (Please no comments on handrails - I just get eye rolls from the menfolk if I mention them. Comments about handrails will not be posted. Thank you.)


And I know this is really random, but why have I never done this before?  I'm always having to dig in the drawer for my measuring cups, and I'm also having to re-nest them after washing...this just MAKES SENSE! (Even if I can't hang the hooks straight - they are super sticky and no way to readjust them.)


My travel documents from Craftours arrived!  This is getting real, folks!

I'll be digging in today to make up the Kiwi kits for my travelers.  It's time to start thinking about what to pack.  I leave 1/10/24 and return some time on 1/28/24.  SO EXCITED!

I'm curious about what we'll be doing with that canvas board.  You know that I am a one-track-crafter.  I sew.  I can't draw, paint, make in any other form.


This is your Lola "Caturday" photo of the week.

It's so hard not to be mad at her from her attack on Ivy the other morning - but just look at her - how can I hold a grudge?


I'm taking the next couple of days off - I'll be back to posting on the 26th.


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Two days until Christmas and hearts are full.
Happy holidays, everyone!


 

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours. I enjoy your blog so very much, and look forward to finding it in my inbox. It takes a lot of work I know, but you enrich so many people's mornings. Thank you! Love the treadmill. Louise

Lora Nystrom said...

Bonnie, those fabrics you got for Christmas from Sue are wonderful. Love them!
Lola looks just like our Tiger kitty we had many years ago. Please give her an extra squeeze from me.
Thank you for all your posts and the wonderful mysteries and quilting tips. You have really helped me enjoy sewing so much more.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and Merry Christmas to all my fellow quilters. May your new year bring love, happiness and good health.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and wishes for an exciting New Year - good travels, good food, good friends, good quilts, and if you're lucky, good kitties (ahem, I'm looking at you Miss Ivy). Cheers from Arizona. Louise Schimmel

cityquilter grace said...

merry christmas to you bonnie and your family as well...your gift of inspiration continues to bring joy to my quilty life!

Patty P said...

Tula has the most beautiful coloring, are you tempted to use that for a quilt design? Merry Christmas!

Lou Brewer said...

Merry Christmas from Tennessee! Your surprise gift has given me an idea that I will follow thru with during the coming year. Thank you for making quilting such a fantastic learning experience.

Anne said...

We live in the woods too and built similar steps, but we've found with experience that wood gets very slippery and dangerous when wet or icy, so we filled in the box frames with bricks instead. Still have to be careful but they provide much more traction.

Anonymous said...

Lola finds it hard to share you with others. you are hers. that was so sweet of Sue. nice surprise. have a blessed day and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Debra said...

Merry Christmas Bonnie to you and your family.
I'm very behind on the mystery due to having Covid for this month. Ugh.
But it'll get done when I am better.
Thank you for all you do for us
Have a Sparkling day 🔆

cats said...

sorry i did mention hr a few days ago, but that's MY issue, the tredmill looks fabulous, some of the pics show a 'handrail', but i didn't see where you could buy an extra add on, any help there??? it would be perfect for me, cause i live in an area where nothing is very flat and of course cannot manage hills... and Sue in Oklahoma is quite the girl! Not only did she send the perfect gift! her neutral selection was just so fabulous... not a bunch of 'left over blahs' but some very cute and thoughtful items... and who could go wrong with chocolate... have a very mery holiday, celebrate as only you can, those kitties will be glad you have some extra time... the queen may not say so, but underneath she's grateful!!! sory she's such a cranky old lady!!!! Hugs from Carlsbad CA

Anonymous said...

Happy Holidays to you and your family. Have a safe and healthy quilting trip and look forward to see you in the New Year! Linda from Canada

AnnetteJ said...

Thank you for all the thoughtful notes every morning. Now, I looked at Lola and thought, how could that little sweetheart cause such a commotion? Then I remembered how sweet our boys were...as they were sleeping, LOL. As a mother of two boys as well, you'll get it. Have a lovely break and Merry Christmas to you and your Dave.

Anita said...

I hung my measuring cups AND measuring spoons a couple years ago. So helpful. I hung mine on the inside of my spice cabinet door.

Anonymous said...

If you get as frustrated as I did at those hooks flipping up as you remove the measuring cups, I discovered a dab of E6000 holds the hook in place very nicely. I have used many of them in the house and travel trailer.
Andrea V

Debbie B said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Bonnie! Happy New Year, too! Those gifty fabrics will be so much fun in your pineapple blocks. Enjoy!!!

Marti said...

I'm throwing some paper piecing into the mix with clue 5. I am notoriously bad at flipped corners! Wishing you and the Hubster (along with the rest of the crew) a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for all you do from your heart!!

Quilter Kathy said...

I adore those neutrals... and sweet Cindy Lou Who is my favourite! What a lovely gift! Merry Christmas!

Pam Witt said...

Merry Christmas, Bonnie. Thank you for posting photos of your neck of the woods. Your terrace steps look great and well made too. Pups and kitties are Adorbs.

Mida said...

My measuring cups and spoons hang from magnetic hooks on the fridge. Merry Christmas, Bonnie!

Margaret said...

Best wishes to you for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Safe travels!

patti leal said...

merry Christmas to you and yours. thank you for all the joy and inspiration you give throughout the year. it is greatly appreciated. best wishes for a joyous and happy new year. patti in florida

Anonymous said...

Could it be that sewing on a treadle machine would come pretty close to walking and sewing at the same time! :)

Mary said...

2 days more. Great surprises in your mail. The steps are finished, hurray for your handy men folk! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday! You'll be in NZ for your Birthday

Kim said...

Merry Christmas! Thanks for your daily positive thought :0)

EricaB said...

All the best to you and your family, Bonnie. I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend with much fun, good food, furbaby cuddles all around and maybe a nap or two.
Those stairs look amazing and what a tremendous amount of work they accomplished. So much better than trudging through the mud on those soggy days. Job well done.
We'll miss you but we'll see you on the flipside of Christmas. Enjoy!

Flipflop said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Pets included. I want to thank you for the lessons I have learned readying your blog and your classes. I am trying to teach myself hand quilting and have gotten very good at tearing out stiches. Christmas Blessings to you and family.

Vicki said...

Thank you so much! I appreciate everything you do for the quilting community and beyound, no h--d r---ls, you go girl!!

Anonymous said...

There are lovely outdoor stick-on anti-slip treads you can apply that help too.

SpringMeadowMom said...

Merry Christmas, Bonnie to you and yours! Thank you for making my days a little brighter with all of your wit and wisdom…and travels. I love traveling with you through your photos and posts! May all your days be merry and bright and the Light of Jesus Birth shine on you today and always!

Joan E said...

I couldn't have said it better, how enriched my life is because of you, Bonnie. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas, New Year and Travels, a big hug to Hubby and animals all.

Debcal1946 said...

A wonderful, peaceful, family filled Christmas to you.

Dalina said...

Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your time off from the work grind. I hope that you find time to unwind and enjoy your family.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful new year.

Anonymous said...

Pack some warm clothes for NewZealand. It’s not always hot. I did a Quilt Cruise from Sydney in 2018. The Americans were buying warm clothes at the first port.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Bonnie!

Amy in NJ

Lesley Gilbert said...

Wishing you and all your family a Merry Christmas and all good things for the coming New Year 2024. Thank you for all your hard work keeping your blog running with so many interesting things to read about :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the suggestion of “The man who invented Christmas” - my husband & i enjoyed it.

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