I have no idea what happened last night – instead of publishing I got a message that my post was trashed! Haha! Maybe it was a message? So here we go again.
The tree service came and got everything cleaned up – Merry Christmas to me!
Christmas pictures
And here’s more progress on the calendar quilt
Some of you may have gotten this – I don’t know but for those who choose not to read the comments, you’ve been in the dark because last night I said I was having issues – in the comment section. (I know who you are.🤨)
The wind is going to drive us crazy today – I’m glad I have to go to Garner only.
One last thought – don’t forget to choose your new project for January 1. Does anyone wish to restart the Dirty Dozen game? Let me know in the comments or by email.
Keeping my fingers crossed that you get this post!
Merry Christmas and the best of everything in the New Year.
Hello, Mary
Enjoying all the christmas decoration posts very much. I’ll try to remember to take a few photos tomorrow and send them along. Please do the UFO challenge again – it’s a great motivator – even if it only gets a project to the next step.
Wendy P in wet/windy Victoria, BC
Hello, Mary
Enjoying all the christmas decoration posts very much. I’ll try to remember to take a few photos tomorrow and send them along. Please do the UFO challenge again – it’s a great motivator – even if it only gets a project to the next step.
Wendy P in wet/windy Victoria, BC
I love your calendar quilt, Mary. The colors are very comforting. Someone said they had strong winds in Missouri. We are just East from there and had tornado warnings close to us, no damage thankfully. It is very windy here right now too. Yesterday it was 60 degrees outside, no jackets needed.
Love seeing your photos of the cats and dogs! Hazel is so cute and such a great buddy.
Mary so happy the tree service came & took care of the tree! Sometimes it helps to just send a little reminder! Could be they no longer had that list you were on. One less thing you have to worry about now. I can’t help wondering if there was an update of some sort. Things seem to go haywire for a bit after an update. Then things are okay. Today I had lunch with some of my former work friends. We all worked together at Walmart. Most of us were dept mgrs or worked in the office. We had a wonderful server & it was just a delight to catch up. We do try to get together once or twice a month for lunch. Not all can make it each time. We’ve had heavy wind & lots of rain today, now the temps are dropping quickly! I’m in for the dirty dozen & already have a project for January! Love all holiday pictures & the dogs & kitties!
It’s great hearing the tree trimmers showed up.
As I saw Millie under the plants, I wondered how she was feeling. Someone else commented she looked better; I hope she is doing well.
It’s always fun to see cute Morti’s latest napping choice.
Thanks Mary 🥰
Jeanie – Millie is much better and has gained weight! Her fur however is a mess and it must hurt her skin when I try to comb out the mats – does anybody groom cats? I have no idea.
Mary, my cat Frankie has the longest, silkiest fur I’ve ever seen and it mats like crazy. I use a Furminator on him (if you don’t have one, you need one) . He loves it…to a point. And he doesn’t want me to brush him anywhere near his hindquarters—he draws blood! I have a pair of small scissors that I use to cut mats as close to the skin as possible. I try to work on combing what’s left of the mat as it grows out, if he’ll let me. It’s an ongoing battle! It also looks pretty bad at times but I can’t imagine the mats are comfortable. Hope this helps.
Love all the Christmas pix!
Sue – I even HAVE a Furminator and sorta forgot about it! Okay, Millie, we’re gonna give this a try. Thank you
I received the blog but unable to leave a comment. I absolutely loved the skate simplicity but lovely. I look at all the decorations and admire the talent of putting things together.
In February are the winter Olympics and I watch A LOT of Olympics and I am not an athlete. There are those that do and people like me who cheer them on. So I start a hand project at the start and hopefully will finish it at the end. So I can tell myself you are wasting time watching. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all
Angie – since I watch from the sewing machine, I may give that a try.
I read the post twice – last night on email and today on the blog. Enjoyed seeing everything again – I always miss something! So glad you called the tree service and “jogged” their memory. I know that it’s a relief to have that job done! All my decorating and wrapping is done and have mailed out 130 photo cards with newsletter – our 36th year doing this. I have all the photos in big frames – fun to look back and see how our family has grown. I’ve been preparing t shirts for a quilt for my granddaughter’s graduation in May. My daughter and I will be making it together. We are now trying to choose the sashing fabric as there are many colors in the t shirts – mostly from her marching band days. We had a high of 57 today and rain so almost all of the snow is gone now – hooray! Back down to 27 tomorrow.
I think Dirty Dozen is a good idea. I’ve already sworn not to start another quilt before January, but I have lots to finish next year!
Loving all the Christmas pictures!
I am hopeful the dirty dozen will help me get my sewing mo-Jo back! Without deadlines, etc, I get very little done. Great motivating factor, my ufo list hasn’t gotten any smaller. Today I delivered two hot dishes to an acquaintance who had been very ill with West Nile, thought they might give her a little reprieve in the making of a few meals. Spreading the holiday cheer on a small scale. Despite the weather out here in the hinterlands of western Minnesota, I got my away from home tasks completed, got my hair cut, and made it back home with a few white outs, but we do not have a lot of snow to blow about so my travels went fine. Tomorrow I have a pedicure appointment, self-indulging, but a day brighter just the same. The holidays are coming quickly! Then, over with just as quickly.
Mary, so glad your tree guy was able to cut down those damaged trees!
I double dipped today. I got it this morning as usual and again after 4 p.m. but I have not been on the computer all day until now. I have been in the sewing room all afternoon. Finishing up the cutest (my opinion) pincushions I am giving some of my friends. And I did some long-arming.
I’d love to see your pin cushions. Can you post a picture of them?
I received the same embarrassing statement last night about the blog. It seemed a little weird. But it came through perfectly today. Love technology!!! I’m loving all the beautiful Christmas pictures. So glad your tree guys showed up too. We are supposed to have rain starting tomorrow through Christmas. We do need it but not this week. Oh well.
The school quilts I made I found a pattern on pinterest. Look under school quilts ideas. Someone had shared her cutting measurements.
The letters and basketball blocks from books I had on hand. Easy to adjust to your own design.
I like the dirty dozen. It keeps me working on things and I love seeing everyone’s finished projects. They give me more ideas!
Vicki – thanks for your input!
I saw some Cats Meow Christmas pieces in one of the reader photos. I have a lot of Cats Meow.
I received it and enjoyed it this morning. So glad the trees are gone and the fence is safe. I love Sue’s,ribbon stars and the Moda Love square in Christmas fabrics. Seeing how others decorate has been fun. We now have lots of puddles and mounds of snow, but we can see the grass. It was in the mid 40s today but will be 9 in the morning. Skating rink sidewalks and icy roads!
Donna – we are experiencing real blizzard conditions this afternoon off and on.
It looks so much better for walking around now with the trees gone. I know you were bummed to see them go down but it is like a little park now for you to enjoy with the dogs. My doggies in the door are Kaycee and Pepe.
Thanks for resending the blog post – we appreciate your diligence in making sure we are all connected each day. It brightens our days hearing from others.
I have saved several pictures in my photos on my iPad as there’s been some wonderful ideas for decorating. I went shopping this morning and most Christmas stuff in stores here are all marked 60% off to get rid of it. I only bought a pink camouflage stocking for $4 cause I couldn’t buy the fabric for that and now I’ll have an extra one for someone.
Kathy – yes! Now I remember their names! They’re cute in the door – how old are they? Yes, am very sad to see my wonderful grove disappear. Typical of old farm sites.
Evening Mary. Kaycee is now 12 and Pepe is 10. Both rescues. They like when I open the front door so they can look out at the Highway department across the street with all the hustle and bustle activity.
As usual, I loved all the pictures of quilts, annimals and Christmas decorations. I’m glad you were able to get your trees trimmed – one more chore checked off!
I’ll join in the dirty dozen … I have to get some of these WiPs off the “waiting” pile. As for a new project on Jan 1, I’ll do that too! I just have to decide on what.
Ps. Since Scotland Christmas decorations look like ours, I didn’t take many pictures. I was hoping for plaid ribbons and such, but nope 😁
Merry Christmas everyone!
Boy I’m glad the blog post got fixed, I thought it was my ipad( which is getting old) . I love all the Christmas photos. I think Dirty dozen starting in January.
I really love your colors on the calendar quilt! I would like a return of the 12/monthly challenges.
I love all the Christmas quilts today, and especially your calendar quilt. Mary, you have such an eye for choosing fabrics and colors that work together perfectly! Great news about the tree service finally showing up! It’s almost like they read your blog, lol! It looks like Millie is feeling better than she was awhile back. Little Mortie is always looking for warmth, isn’t she? Have a great day everyone!
Candy – as I’m studying the calendar quilt it looks “cold” to me – I’m going to try to work in some tan and more red – warm colors. When I look at the piece on the wall there’s so many borders I’d like to change – but it would be a never ending project. I’ll just have to make it again – would you be interested in the book the pattern appeared in?
Yes, please! Point me to the book, the Dirty Dozen, and everything else 😀
The calendar quilt was published in the “French Farmhouse” by Marie-Claude Picon. It is called Marie’s Quilt.
I have several of your books. Which one is it in, please.
Ann – this is not a Country Threads pattern – it was published by Martingale and deigned by a French quilter.
Mary, I read last night’s post #14, just fine. All the pictures were beautiful!
I just checked the email link this morning and here is what it opened to:
This is somewhat embarrassing, isn’t it?
It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.
First time I have ever seen this! Haha! I am so happy the tree service came and took care of everything! The cats are comfy cozy. All of the Christmas quilts and decorations are beautiful. I have never been one for wall hangings but I may have to rethink that. These Christmas wall hangings are beautiful. The Calendar Quilt is amazing! Yes to the Dirty Dozen! Hopefully it will keep me motivated! I have a new project picked out for January 1. Merry Christmas everyone!
I had that same message this AM, then, voila, the Blog appeared😍
Sally – thanks for your input about the Dirty Dozen!
Yes to Dirty Dozen 👍
Hurry for your tree service!!!
I got the first 18th post. Glad the trees are gone.
Merry Christmas,
deb
I have been enjoying all the Christmas photos, especially the nativities. I missed whatever the kerfuffle was last evening because I got immersed in a book and read until almost midnight!!! I think I’d like to do the challenge but don’t know if I have any UFOs that I could finish in a month. I do need to finish some of them. I get distracted by new projects like a baby quilt for the latest great great nephew and a quilt by one of our sons for Christmas. I am totally disorganized lately with so many things to go through of my mother’s and trying to sort out toys of my g’daughters to get to the thrift shop before Christmas! She’s 8 now and doesn’t play with many of her toys. Lego, Minecraft videos on her tablet and I do have to keep insisting she do something other than the tablet. We baked cookies last weekend, she colored with the huge set of markers one of her uncles got her for her birthday and we had lunch with Santa. Poppop hauled her around in the snow on a sled behind his tractor, and she helped him grind venison into burger from the latest buck he harvested from our woods. Merry Christmas, all!
Marsha – I wish more adults would insist kids put their tablets away! Go outside and play! Find something to do other than that ………. tablet!
Your news blog came on my email lady night and this morning. I enjoyed reading it twice! How can anyone resist Mortie. What a cutie pie.
Erry Christmas and may the new year be filled wth hope and peace.
Bobby in Md.
I did get last night’s post. I could read it in my email but can’t see comments from there. When I went to the blog The ads were over blocking each other so you couldn’t see anything. I have also been asked if I want to subscribe.
I will not be using dirty dozen if you choose to go forward. I already have to many projects planned or going. However, I truly enjoy seeing the completed quilts and how they fit.
Like DebMac, I could only read it in my e-mail; when I clicked on the bold type to go to your blog, I got a statement that said something like “Well, this is embarrassing, isn’t it? We can’t find that page” (not those exact words). I still enjoyed reading it!
Thanks for the update this morning and for checking out the issue.
Glad you were finally able to get the trees cleaned up – I’m sure that lifts your spirits. And the photos were great!
I’m in clean-up mode here – and boy, is it needed! Other things have taken precedence lately. I had a nice surprise last night when I returned home from errands – someone left a package of bath items on my porch, but without a card so I don’t know who it left it. So sweet (as long as it was left in love and not because I need a bath… LOL!).
Hi Mary, l too got the message several times yesterday! Let’s hope no more glitches in the future, glad your trees are sorted! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Gail – such a sweet gesture, the gift!
I got your post from last night, but had to read it in a different way than I normally do, so today is a bonus 🙂 🙂
Yes to the dirty dozen—-and a new project for 1-1-26 ???? haven’t decided yet
Dorothy in W WA
I received the email last night but the blog was not available. It came this morning in this new email. I have loved seeing all the decorations and quilting projects.
Glad your tree service cleared things finally! The adventures of Mortie are fun too!!! Merry Christmas🎄
I received your blog last night also and this morning. Enjoy your newsletters every day. Thanks and have a Merry Christmas and holiday season. Peggy
Since I read your blog EVERY DAY on my email, I rarely get to post on the blog. I love your blog and feel right at home when visiting with the cats and dogs. My age and health now have me down to one spoiled cat and no more basset hounds so I live through your trips with dogs to fields and woods. Mine would track and bark at what they found which I find safer for the critters’ health but what yours get into are quite fun. Thank you for the Christmas pictures. I look forward to them.
Sandy – these two find all sorts of things to investigate – last night was another possum in the barn lean-to where I have a live trap set up. I don’t want the possum killed – I am fine with moving it to a state reserve a few miles from here. Both Keeper and Hazel dropped the possum and came with me last night – I can’t watch them torturing and killing an animal even tho I know it’s their true nature. Both dogs were 100% obedient and came with me! They got a treat when we got to the house which they deserved.
Sandy – I forgot to say I’ve never been around bassets but they look docile even tho you say they track and bark at critters. When I can’t have dogs anymore I’m hoping to foster with a senior dog group. I can’t imagine my life with a dog.
Email came last night and I usually click on the boldface title and get directed to the actual blog which wasn’t working last night. I googled Country Threads blog and still couldn’t find the post. But, duh, if I just scrolled down the email; I could read the post just fine. Today’s email, I just clicked on the boldface title as usual and it took me to the blog just fine. Isn’t technology just wonderful?
DebMac – I can’t stand technology because I don’t have enough knowledge to fix it when something unknown goes wrong! Luckily this was a short lived issue this time!
Received your post last night, no problems and again this morning. But I did get a notice this morning to “subscribe” to Country Threads ! I am a long time subscriber and so enjoy all the conversations. Love/hate technology!
Dirty Dozen did help with completing projects but do you want/need another “job”?
Have a Merry Christmas and may blessings abound in 2026!
Nancy – haha! No, I don’t want/need another job but so many people hated it when I quit that I thought it only fair to offer it again after I’ve had a break. I don’t need much pushing to finish things but I know it’s helpful for some.
Oh computers, what a pain….sometimes!! I got the original version this morning, but not “Comments”, glad it’s all working. Kirby (my spoiled kitty) and I enjoyed all your kitty pictures! And the peek into so many beautiful Christmasy homes! We’re still trying to get ALL the ornaments on the tree!
So happy your trees are taken care of!! We’ve had lots of wind here of late, but we’re forecasted to get LOTS ( well lots for southern California) of rain next week! YIPPEE!
Christmas blessings to all!!
Received email last night and it was fine. Enjoy all the pictures and especially the ones where the kitties are hiding. I’ve always been a dog person but am starting to move towards cats too. When our tenant goes on vacation I feed and play with her cat and just love him. Yes to the dirty dozen! I find it really helps me to focus.
When I clicked on your post last night, I got some kind of strange notice about the site could not be reached. I am reading it this morning just fine. Loving it, of course. It is a parade of Christmas Magic. I am in awe of peoples’ collections and their displays. I love all the cats! Hope your weather isn’t too bad. It has been very cold here in Georgia for a few days. It is supposed to warm up for a few days now. Glad your tree people finally showed up. I have a tree that needs to come down with estimates from 8 to 10 thousand dollars. Trying to figure out how to come up with that kind of money. Thanks for all you do. We really do appreciate all your efforts and sharing with us.
I hope that this is helpful, Brenda, but it will depend on what is in your area —
if you have a Vo-Tech school or something similar, they will sometimes take down a tree for free to use for training the new arborists. You may also have a fire fighting training group who will work on it for you as well for their training. It doesn’t hurt to ask! I’m sure that you are used to doing things yourself, but if you keep asking people, someone will know where to get help for a whole lot less cost!
So very nice of you to reply and offer suggestions! I will check to see if such things are available in the Atlanta area. Thanks for reaching out to me. I am 85, and you are right about having been used to handling most things myself. Now I have to ask for help a lot more, and I find it difficult.
Yes to the Dirty dozen. It helps keep me organized. I have three graduation quilts to finish!! I am in a group in our Guild called Get It Done so the Dirty Dozen will help, too. Get It Done is just 5 quilts.
Before, I could read this Blog, but could not comment. Today, there are no little three dots to click for the ads. We had a 3 second power outage yesterday so maybe that was it. It was just long enough to stop some, but not all of the clocks. VERY weird.
I love all of the quilts in all of the Christmas decorations blogs. They are so beautiful. l am hoping for lots of sewing time in January. It has been a rough year with deaths of dear friends, illnesses of other dear friends, and surgeries of others. They call me Mother Hen so of course, I try to look after everybody.
Mary, Buddy is doing SOOOO much better since we put him on the medication with just 1/2 mil every morning. I love seeing ALL of the cats, but especially little Mortie and Millie. As always, THANK YOU for this great Blog.
Diane – oh, I’m so happy for Buddy – refresh my memory. What’s he taking? FluffyBun could use some personality altering drugs! Ha!
Buddy is taking a stool softener called Lactalose and if we give him just a little every day, it works. No more hurting for him and no more “poops” on the living room floor:) It has to be the cleanest floor in history–LOL. No mood altering drugs or he’d be so laid back, he’d tip over.
I am glad the tree trimmers came, too. It is hard to lose trees, but harder to repair a roof or house.
We had a LOT of very gusty wind today, but it was 52*. It is going down to 29* tomorrow. I prefer the 52*:)
I received your email last night no problems! But getting it again is a bonus.
I’m glad the trees are taken care of. It’s a relief for you and I understand it.
Love all of the pictures and your quilt looks great! I have about 5 big projects to start/finish for next year. My work is already cut out for me! Pun intended 😄
Pictures are great as always!
Yes to the Dirty Dozen! I need to get things completed
Merry Christmas Mary!
I received your email blog last night just fine. The pictures were amazing and I’m so glad the tree service came for you.
Merry Christmas, Mary!