Holiday Glow...and Secret Santa
Hello, my friends! Many thanks for all your lovely holiday greetings here, by email and by cards in the mail for us. These has been so wonderful to see and come back to! After many days of Christmas cheer and visiting in the USA, we arrived back home here in Norway on Sunday afternoon, a safe but very long journey. The jet lag lingers and we are still getting settled in. I am very slow getting here to write, as the air travel seems to have aggravated the cold I had while we were away, and so I feel like I'm getting the cold all over again and not feeling too fantastic. This and the jet lag makes for a very strange combination... Dear Husband is on the mend though, and almost over the cold. Charlie is very happy we are home again. And now it's one big cuddle-fest here! Since Dear Husband has off for the Christmas holidays until 2nd January, and I have the shop closed, we can stretch the holiday glow a few more days and recover, which is very nice to come home to.
We had a beautiful Christmastime back home in America with my family. Christmas Eve with my parents and a lovely feast. Then another happy feast and merriment at my sister Kimmie's & her boyfriend's place for Christmas Day (the glittery Christmas tree pictured here is theirs). Sweet niece Anya snoozed off and on, so Kimmie and I opened her gifts for her--LOL! (I'm sorry I have no baby photos here. Kimmie really doesn't want that, so I respect her wishes.) Dear Husband and I felt very slow and not too well much of the time due to having colds, and so there was not much chance of any extra outings or day trips, etc. So not many photos to share here at all this time...*SIGH*... Not even much fun shopping either--GASP! But all in all we had the best time. Already I am missing everyone back home and in a way wishing we could do the trip over--feeling better would have been great. Saying goodbyes were hard... They usually are, but especially this time, what with baby Anya now in the family picture.
Today is my birthday... 36... No big plans, as I prefer a quiet day. Tonight we'll light some candles, eat some chocolate and have a cozy evening watching a film and cuddle with Charlie. Today I've also been finishing the last of the unpacking and doing laundry tidying up... Looks like vacation's over--LOL!
But there's been some extra Christmas fun here by way of some gifts... This year was the first time I participated in Donna's, of Chookyblue, Secret Santa Christmas Swap (SSCS). It was fun creating some special handmade goodies for someone, and then to receive something in turn from a "mystery Santa". Many thanks, Donna, for hosting, organizing and showcasing such a terrific, creative event!
These are the gifts I made for Tammy of Ginger Patches--a patchwork pouch of my own design and hand quilted (this was fun making!), a cross stitch Christmas ornament, a pincushion made of vintage-inspired fabrics and vintage embellishments, a fat quarter set in shades of red, and a swap wouldn't be a swap without some chocolate. I heard from Tammy during Christmas, and was so glad to learn she was very happy with her gifts. Tammy is a quilter extraordinaire. Do stop by and see her beautiful quilts and play with fabric.
My own "mystery Santa" was Karen of Merry Little Quilter, who surprised me with a wonderful package of treats, and who also is a splendid quilter. She sent me chocolate and sweets, a spicy-scented candle, lovely set of Moda charm squares, and the tremendous highlight of this gorgeous handmade, quilted table runner!! Such beautiful work... Many thanks, Karen!
I hope very much this finds all of you good friends well and happy and enjoying the merry holiday season, if you are celebrating. With the busyness of Christmas, visiting, and some days not feeling well, I just did not get to post here much while we were away, or do visits around blogland... So I look forward very much to catching up with you in the days ahead and in the New Year! See you soon... Happy Days! :o)
Welcome home Tracy, and a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Sorry to hear you weren't well - we weren't either, and I have heard of a lot of illness around this festive season. Such a shame for everyone. Good to hear you had lots of time with Anya though - a new baby is so special.
Here's wishing you and DH everything you wish for yourselves in 2009. Take care :-) x
Posted by: Kitty | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
I hope you have a very Happy Birthday, with lots of relaxing and indulging in your favorite things!
Posted by: Wool Winder | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetpea! hope youre having a relaxing & lovely day,thankyou so much for the christmas parcel btw, glad to hear you had a brilliant time away too,
love and best wishes Kathryn x0x
oh and happy new year!
Posted by: Kat | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Welcome home and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :-) Your kind of birthday sounds nice to me, loafing a bit, doing some tasks, and loafing some more. :-) I do hope the end of the day finds you feeling better and that you can begin the New Year healthy and happy. :-)
(love your sister's Christmas tree)
Posted by: Judi | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
There's no place like home, Tracy! I'm glad you're back there safely, if not soundly. Please get well quickly-- drink lots of echinacea tea and vitamin C!
The quilted table runner is beautiful, you lucky girl!
Posted by: willow | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Happy, happy birthday to you Tracy!! I hope you have a wonderful relaxed day...
Posted by: ellen b | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Well, hello, Tracy...glad to see you back. Happy Birthday to you! Enjoy your cozy evening at home cuddling with little Charlie Sweetface.
Posted by: cathleen | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Tracy
Happy Birthday to you
I have just sent you an email and came to catch up with your news, should have done that first of course and didn't realise it was your birthday - so congratulations and hope you're having a wonderful day.
Lots of love
Anne x
Posted by: Anne | December 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Happy Birthday!
Bet Charlie was happy to see you home safe.
Hugs and love for the coming year!
Posted by: elizabeth | December 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Happy Birthday Tracy!
Posted by: lazy lol | December 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
*Welcome Home*
Glad to hear you have had a lovely trip!
And *Happy Brithday* too!
Many happy returns to you, sending you lots of love on your special day, hope you have been spoiled!
Happy New Year too if I don't 'see' you before!
lots of love
Alison
x
Posted by: Alison | December 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Tracy, it is so lovely to hear from you, I missed you whilst you were away. Just going to send you an email :) lots of love Catherine x
Posted by: Bumpkin Bears | December 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Poor Charlie ~ is he trapped beneath all your mail that accumulated in your absence?!
Happy birthday! Sounds like you are celebrating it properly with chocolate! Savour the moment! Hope you are feeling back to your peppy self soon!
Posted by: Maureen | December 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Happy Birthday friend! May your 36th year be full of all things wonderful! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed your holiday visit with your loved ones in spite of having that nasty cold! It is good to hear you are safely tucked in back home. Enjoy your special day.
xoxo
Tracy
Posted by: Tracy Feldmann | December 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Happy Birthday! I am so glad you have gotten home safely...the weather was making travel frustrating there for a while...
Feel all better soon!
Posted by: becky k. | December 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Happy Birthday Tracy!!! Glad you're back...but will pray you feel better soon!
~New Year Blessings,
Jan
Posted by: Jan | December 30, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Happy Birthday Tracy!!! I'm so sorry you're not feeling well :( I am happy that your trip was so fun, how wonderful to meet your new niece!! Thank you again for the wonderful gifts!! Looks like you were on the receiving side of some nice gifties too :)
Posted by: Tammy | December 30, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Hi Tracy!
Welcome home and HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear friend!
I hope you and your husband are feeling better -- so sorry you were both sick while away :-( but I'm sure you had a wonderful time with your family and celebrating Anya's first Christmas!
We had a wonderful first Christmas with our grandson in Colorado and basically stayed inside and held him as much as we could. I miss him so much already. It is hard to be far away from loved ones so I know how you feel right now. I guess we'll both be adding to our frequent flyer miles more frequently, won't we? :-)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! May all good things be yours in 2009!
Hugs, Pat
Posted by: Pat | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM
A very happy birthday to you my friend. I wish you much happiness, good health and wonderful new memories in the making for this upcoming year of your life!
I'm glad you made it home safe and sound, despite the cold. Those can be just miserable. I'll bet the time with your family made it all worth it. I'm sure that little baby girl was just a love to be around!!!!!
Nice secret Santa gifts! Tim always gets that same reindeer in his stocking. :) The table runner is really pretty!!! I love the patchwork purse you made. It's wonderful!
Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
take care,
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Happy birthday to my sweetest friend ever, Tracy :D The sunshine giver (I remembered *wink*) and my hugs introducer. What's a blog without beautiful friends like you, and you are beautiful inside out, much love by all. I am sorry to hear about both you and DH not feeling well and hope that lots of rest will make you all fell better soon. No shopping? oh no :( maybe next time, I am sure. Your Christmas sounds so much fun Tracy and I am sure Anya is blessed with all her loving family..and jet lag, yikes..I always take days to settle down and that's not even jet lag..just a trip here for a few days. Just came back from the east coast and there are so much washing to do. Neverending housework right?
Wishing you a Happy New Year and a blessed 2009. Much love and big hugs always, M
Posted by: M.Kate | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Wishing you a wonderful birthday Tracy!!! I hope you start to feel brighter soon - colds and jet lag are no fun!! So very glad that your Christmas with your family was such a special one. Your SSCS goodies look so lovely! Best wishes for a wonderful 2009
Posted by: Lisa | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Happy Birthday! And many more.
I hope you and your husband will feel better soon - I'm sure Charlie will take good care of you ...
Posted by: Bridget | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Hi Tracy ~
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! I hope that you have had a wonderful day and I'm so glad that you received my little package ~ there are more goodies on their way!
Welcome home! Enjoy the remainder of the Christmas break and all best wishes for a joyous and peaceful New Year.
Marie x
Posted by: marie | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Happy birthday wishes to you dear Tracy (sent you an online bday card too)! I am sorry to hear you are not feeling so well. I think jetlag is not helping. But keep on cuddling with Charlie as that WILL help. :) That I know as a fact. Your swap gifts are fabulous both given and received. Enjoy!
Hugs ~
Heidi (who loves the photo of Charlie peeking over the magazine...)
Posted by: Heidi | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Just hearing about your holiday is wonderful! You know how to live well! The Christmas trees is magical! Each gift you made for secret Santa are fun..and the ones you received are lovely!! There is much going on all around!!
A great big Happy Birthday to you, Tracy!!
You are still very young...lots of life and fun to have!! Take care and get well!!
Posted by: Flower | December 31, 2008 at 04:48 AM