Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

January 5, 2017

Hello 2017....Please Be Kind To Us!

It's nice to see 2016 in the rearview mirror.  I'm always afraid to have positive hopes for the coming year cause each once seems to deliver a kick in the teeth at some point or another.  

New Years was quiet.  We were in bed and asleep by 11!  Such old fogies.  When my parents were my age they could party me under the table.  They were way more social than we are.  We like to stay home, order pizza and watch TV.  

Doesn't the shadow of our TV and photo frames on top look like a Dalek?  EXTERMINATE!

Since I gave away almost everything from the pre-Christmas baking extravaganza, I was out of sweets for myself.  Val & Ryan gave me this cookie kit in a jar and all I had to do was add eggs and butter.  It's white chocolate cranberry oatmeal.

I'm not sure why they flattened out so much and ran together, but they are wicked tasty and so soft and chewy.  Delish!

Our daughter in law's grandmother sent me some cross stitch kits last month to cheer me up after Pepper died so I did one of them over the course of a few days.  They are my first and second finishes of the new year.

I'll save them in case someone I know has a baby.

January 2 was Sagan's 11th 'Gotcha Day'.  I can't believe it's been that long.  He was only 9 months old.  I wonder if he has any memory of our house in Washington or if he thinks he's always been here.

He was so small and skinny, poor thing.  Now he's a big fatty love bug.

I started my very first latch hooking kit too.  Marsha gave it to me for my birthday.  It seems that everyone I know did this as a kid.  Despite being very craft-kit oriented, I never got one as a kid nor was I shown how to do it.  It seemed to me to be really hard to do and I was always scared to try it.  I have always had trouble with crafts that involve knotting of any kind.  But the design she bought me was pretty strong motivation to learn, so I looked up a You Tube tutorial and it was surprisingly easy.  I don't go fast and I'm all thumbs at times, but it's fun.

I kinda got a bit obsessed about getting it done fast, so it took me 2 days from start to finish.  Now that you see the finished design, you understand why it was motivation to do it.

So far we've escaped any real snow but there's some in the forecast, and freezing temps too.  I remain hopeful that 2017 will be much better for everyone.  

26 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:52 AM

    Seeing your latch hook brought back some memories for me. I used to do it when I lived with my parents. I don't remember if I did it for very long, I just remember doing a few with my mom. I totally forgot about it until I saw your pictures. Thank you for sparking that memory. :)

    I've eaten so many cookies the last few weeks, I'm afraid to get on the scale! I should've done what you did. Made them for others and given them all away.

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Scales are verboten in my house. lol But I need to lay off the junk food. I wish it wasn't so cold though. I don't like being out in it but I should try and start walking again!

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  2. I like your Peace sign. Perfect for 2017. You are off to a great start. Enjoy

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  3. Your Sagan is a beautiful boy.
    The cross stitch are really cute, would be an adorable gift.
    I like the latch hook - I have a bathroom rug that I started years ago. I managed to get off track and put it away to fix during less hectic times - 12 years ago. I think it's still under the bed. Ha Ha.

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    1. Thank you so much SJ! You should drag out your latch hook and work on it! Says the girl who hasn't touched an unfinished Mt. Rainier cross stitch in the same amount of time! lol

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  4. We don't have HBO and a couple years ago son and dil got us 3 seasons of Game of Thrones. So we are starting the new year watching them. Really into it now so will have to get the rest of them. Anyway that is how we spent New Years Eve. You started the new year right off with your crafts. I love the little crosss titch so very cute. I had a latch hook when young, it was a puppy. Don't know where it got to, I did finish it I remember but it wasn't one of my favorite hobbies. Sagan is such a beautiful dog. I think Max would be the perfect playmate. Wonderful year blessings to you and yours. Hugs, LJ

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    1. Thanks Lady Jane! And Haopy New Year to you and your family! I'm eager to do more latch hooking and cross stitch. I just love it!

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  5. Always liked watching Dr. Who. Know I've been gone from the blogging world for ages and ages. Faced burn-out for awhile and then, for several months, was locked out as I had an old phone# in my retrieval information so could not access my account until we went and purchased a new phone that could accept text messages. I really drag my feet when it comes to keeping up with technology !!! Need to update my blog but have other things on my to-do list that take precedence at the moment. Love your cross stitch pieces they are very sweet and beautifully crafted.
    Hope you had a pleasant 2016, a most merry Christmas and a happy New Year . . . guess it's better late than never - :)

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    1. What a great surprise to see you!! YAY! Glad you are back and I understand how real life is butting in on the fun stuff like blogging. Happy New Year!

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  6. Never done latch work either, but then never did much in crafts anyway. Happy "gotcha day" to Sagan.

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    1. He's such a spoiled doggy. But he's so cute and sweet so I can't help it. lol

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  7. the mouse is so cute!!

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  8. Latch hooking!!!! I remember my first-it was a daisy

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    1. I've been looking at more kits but they are all rug size and I don't think I'm quite 'there' yet. lol

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  9. Hi JoJo! Your NYE sounds very similar to mine, except I think I was asleep even earlier than that! ;) Love your cross stitch!!

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    1. Thanks Amy! New years was fun when I was a kid but now I just want to go to bed.

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  10. looks busy at your house! and what a sweet dog!

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    1. Always try to keep busy! What I should be doing is giving the place a deep clean and purge. lol But I'd rather make stuff!

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  11. It looks like a lighthouse to me! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks! You too!!!! I can't unsee the Dalek.

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  12. I've done a few latch hook and enjoyed them but it took me quite a few goes watching you tube videos on how to do it.

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    1. It's a little awkward for me still but at least I can finally do it now. lol I'm eager to start my next one!

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  13. Anonymous11:37 AM

    Sagan is a handsome boy and I LOVE your rug. :) - Playing catch up.

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