Winter is Here; Christmas is Coming

This was the front page of Saturday's newspaper. The article goes on to elaborate about residents who "don't miss days of shoveling snow." Ahh. It's so good to live here. In case you can't read the small print in the top left corner, today's high is 83 F (28 C).

Last evening, at a church holiday gathering, we sang Christmas carols. Loved that! When it came to the song, Let it Snow, the refrain ended a little differently...

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...  up north!"

By all accounts, our weather people are telling us that's exactly what's happening "up north!"

I'm not accustomed to making holiday preparations in warm weather, though. Earlier in the week I spent several warm hours baking, and on Friday we started and finished Christmas shopping! How easy it is to walk in and out of stores in gorgeous weather.

Admittedly, it's been difficult to get into the spirit when much of this month has been full of medical concerns. My arterial problems, all above the knees, is now officially diagnosed as "severe peripheral vascular disease," and is definitely a genetic condition. Just this week I was told, "You're a bit of a fluke." Samples of my blood are now going through special lab testing checking for the presence of the APO-A1 gene. Apparently that will determine the kind of drug treatment I'll receive to lessen the problem of plaque build-up.

Anyway, I didn't get any decorating done this year except to have Dan put out this yard sign. It does say it all.

I am grateful for the gift of Jesus. And for many other blessings... out-of-the-blue, best friend Carla sent me this cute burlap mini pennant, along with a lovely card that nearly brought me to tears. Carla, you're such a thoughtful friend! I love looking at the pennant above the door of my sewing room.

Outdoors, we're enjoying a colorful burst of growth as the two Hawaiian Ty plants on either side of the front door have put on this show.

And in the sewing room, if my legs aren't aching too much (from having the stent put in my thigh, or the soreness of calf muscles unaccustomed to blood flow), I've been quilting at my Pfaff. Here's slow progress on my Riley Blake challenge.

I'm being smart about marking this time (as compared to when I quilted Bloom), using a wash-out marking pen instead of a Frixion pen. I'm definitely Frixion pen-shy, after that experience!

Each increasingly large round of hand appliquéd circles is getting a different quilting design. It will be after Christmas until I'll get to quilting the negative space. 

But post-Christmas, I'd better get crackin'! This yet-to-be-named quilt has to be finished by January 6 because that's the date of having my right leg catheterization (75 percent blocked) that will put me out of commission for about a week. Since our Central Florida MQG Riley Blake reveal is January 13, I don't have a moment of quilting time to waste.

January 6 also happens to be the date I become a Nana for the fifth time, to our fourth baby boy.

While we're still in the month of December, here's a wish from me to you... that you have a blessed Christmas spent with those you love,

and that the love of Jesus, Father-God, and the Holy Spirit be alive and strong in your heart.

Linda