I Like Thursday #163

Another week of good things brought to you again by me! Christmas will be here in only a few weeks and we are busy making plans for the in-coming relatives. So looking forward to seeing everyone again. It's been quite a while since I've seen my daughter -- long overdue!

Our prompt this week from LeeAnna is do we get a real tree or an artificial one? We generally put up an artificial tree. I'm accustomed to them due to growing up with a father that was allergic to pine. Isn't that sad??? This year we will put up our artificial tree again. However, I also have a "live" one this year too!

For the last three years, my friend Sharon has come over on the Friday after Thanksgiving to enjoy some pumpkin pie, coffee, and catch-up time. As a thank you, she gave me this sweet little LIVE Christmas greenery. She told me it was a fairy tree. I'll be doing my best to keep it alive. Isn't it sweet???

Our "live" Christmas tree

One wonderful thing that came out of Covid was the transition to Zoom classes. The Applique Society (TAS) has provided some wonderful opportunities to take classes with instructors from all over to include anywhere USA and Australia. I recently took a class with Katrina Hadjimichael, an Australian designer. We were learning her prepared-edge technique with her pattern called Daphne. Here is my completed Part 1 of the class which was on November 3.

Daphne center with inspiration fabric

We had Part 2 of our class this past Sunday, December 1, and I've got a good start on it.

Glued down and needing to be sewn

I really liked this class done in two parts. If you ran into any problems during the interim, you had a second chance to ask the teacher questions!

Recently I finished the book "Sister" by Rosamund Lupton. It was very good! So good that I downloaded another book by her called "Afterwards". I can't say much about the new book as I only just started it last night.

GoodReads Synopsis Here

Do you watch Survivor? I still enjoy watching it after all these seasons! The season finale will be the next two weeks' shows. Then what will I watch? I'm so glad that so many of you have made recommendations for shows to stream. It'll get us through to the new year!

I recently sewed up the Cactus Flower table runner that I started years ago and worked on at a couple of Mascoutah sleep-in-your-own-bed retreats. I'll quilt it sometime over this winter but not until we get past Christmas.

This afternoon we'll be going to the Christmas Luncheon at the Troy Senior Center. We'll have singing and, rumor has it, Mr. & Mrs. Claus will stop by for a quick visit. The menu today is fried chicken, mac & cheese, Carol's famous Salad, and a gourmet cupcake! All that for a low price of $10 -- can't hardly beat that!

We are very cold here but, after all, it IS December. November went out with a bang here -- 70 degrees one day and then 3.5" of snow the next. We've been pretty cold since then except for yesterday we hit 50. Today's walk with Gracie was definitely back to winter again.

My weather app when we got home. Brrrr!

This home's residents will be thoroughly warmed up while singing Christmas songs at the Senior Center today. I hope you have a snuggly, fun day ahead of you too!

Linking up with LeeAnna and all the I Like Thursday folks HERE.

Also sharing my stuff with all the scrappers at SoScrappy HERE.

I Like Thursday #162

And here we are in the middle of November. Thanksgiving will be here before we know and we all know what follows really quickly next this year. Here's a picture of my "toilet-scape". I love decorating my bathroom. My Fall Guy is hanging out in there too! Lol!

We turned cold abruptly here in southern IL and the wind is gusty this morning. On Gracie's walk I saw that the neighbor's tree lost a big section. Maybe they're out of town because surely they would have seen the mess across their driveway.

The tree across the street did OK and was so pretty yesterday with the sunshine behind it. It is one of a few that still has its leaves attached.

I baked Cherry Pie Bars yesterday. The recipe is from one of my sleep-in-your-own-bed retreat buddies. Mom & I plan on enjoying a piece with our coffee this morning.

Recently I took a Zoom class through The Applique Society. It was with an Australian quilter named Katrina Hadjamichael. It was wonderful and I learned a couple of new "tricks" for my applique toolbox! Our project is called Daphne and I've prepared the middle for stitching down now. I went with a Christmas vibe. Katrina's sample is more spring-like but anything would work. I may do a Winter one next! We have part 2 of our class on December 1 to discusss how we will finish this up and for Katrina to answer any questions that we may have after this part 1.

I finished reading "The Measure". I really enjoyed it and think it would definitely make a great book club read. Lots to discuss.

In the meantime I read "Run on Red" by Noelle Ihli. This book was recommended to me by Mom's P/T receptionist. She knows I like thrillers. However, this was not the kind of thriller I enjoy! Lol! It was more of a "Scream" or "Friday the 13th" type of thriller. But I persevered and finished it up. If you're a Freddy Kreuger fan, then you might like to check this one out.

GoodReads synopsis HERE

So what am I reading right now? "Sister" by Rosamund Lupton. Somewhere I got the name of this book but I can't remember where. Anyway, it's pretty good so far and I think this will be more my idea of a thriller.

GoodReads synopsis HERE

Once again I am joining in with my I Like Thursday sisters on LeeAnna's blog. Please feel free to join us for some fun sharing. Have a great week!