Denmark or Not?

North of LA a few miles, is a Danish Village called Solvang. I don’t know how many Danish villages there are in the US, but we are camping near this one. It’s also a fun tourist destination. When the cruise ships are docked in LA, there are busloads of folks in town enjoying Danish food and hospitality. 

It’s a cute village that feels like a little bit of Denmark. It even has a Little Mermaid.

Can you figure out where this Little Mermaid is located?

 

A Blanket for Debbie

One more teddy bear blanket has been created. This one is for Debbie. She bought a blue chair and asked for a cream blanket...so here’s the cream blanket. I have no idea how many teddy bear blankets I’ve made since 2003, when I was given the pattern by my department secretary, but it might be as many as 150. This is my “go to” pattern. I enjoy making it and 

I enjoy giving it away even more. 

To that end, finishing a blanket is a great way to wrap up the year.  Happy New Year, 2019. 

Santa is Coming

I have the news — Santa will have a team of helpers tonight. So many local homes have been destroyed that Santa has sent a special team here. If you see Santa’s helper in a red hot rod give him the right of way. He needs to deliver gifts of joy and hope to everyone, even to people without a chimney.

 Merry Christmas everyone.

 

A Blanket for my Auntie

I finished this blanket for my 98 year old auntie this evening...just in time to give it to her at our Christmas gathering tomorrow. I hope she will like it.

I’m also gifting my Bride Doll to Debbie. This doll was made for me about 25 years ago, and I’ve always loved her. But then, I loved my Aunt Ethel who made her for me. Aunt Ethel was a master crocheter.—I’ve never figured out how she crocheted the pearls into the dress. My friend Debbie loves hand-made items, and dolls and I think now is the time to share my Bride Doll with another person who will love her as much as I do. 

Celtic Woman

On Thursday night we went to a concert. We actually had a “date” which is weird. We saw Celtic Woman of PBS fame at our local university. While I am not a huge fan of Celtic Woman, the other DrC is — so I bought tickets as a Christmas present for him.  The program was delightful. I might have to change my mind about the troupe. Our local venue was small, and while it lacked the polish of a television/PBS production, it had heart and good music. I walked out of the concert with a smile, the program was great! The group were staying at a local hotel. They discovered that all of the residents at the hotel were survivors of the Camp Fire, so they gave their concert at the hotel first. That act of kindness goes a long way in our burned and “bruised” community right now. Survivors of that horrendous fire need hope and 2 hours of Christmas music calms the soul.  Celtic Woman is touring the US this spring. If they get to your community, you might want to see them. 

One More Blanket

When we were on the Coral Princess last month, I made a teddy bear blanket for a fellow passenger. She was on the 79 day cruise (we were on the 30 day adventure) and she came home today and sent me a picture of the blanket with her teddy bears on it. 

Chocolate, Paulie and Cookie are enjoying their new blanket. 

(It helps to have a sense of whimsey when dealing with folks who are owned by teddy bears!)

 

Sunset

It’s been “colonoscopy” week. In fact, it was my second colonoscopy this year. Need I say more. The test is done and the results were what I wanted to hear. I received a “pass!” 

Starting today I can thoroughly enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Hope

The fire came and burned 153,000 acres. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed in fourteen days of hell. Hundreds of First Responders fought the blaze, saved thousands of lives, yet they could not quell the fire as quickly as the rain. At first, the rains were a blessed relief, but then the rain became flash flooding. A few homes that survived the inferno, were sliding down the hillsides from the massive torrents of water. Could our small area get any good luck? It seemed the answer was NO.  Then came the sun. The lovely, warm, welcoming sun and a little miracle happened. Soft green shoots of grass started to pop up from the blackened soil.

Overnight, the ebony landscape is becoming verdant. It’s a sign of hope! It just possible that the houses will be rebuilt. Lives will get better. It’s going to take time...a lot of time...but maybe, the healing can start now.