Halloween Ornaments Project: December 2023

This is the second installment of this year's Halloween Ornaments Project. I enjoyed my 13x13 project so much that I couldn't bear to stop making ornaments!

In November I made one of the "vintage" ornaments from a Bucilla felt-and-sequins kit. I had made two other ornaments previously, and I suspect I'll make the other three over the course of this year. This time I made the very cute pumpkin -- and because I didn't take my Halloween tree down until after Thanksgiving, was able to hang it up this year: 

This month I'm going to work on a cute, simple little ornament. I don't know if I still have the magazine it came from, but I do have a photocopy of the pattern: 

I'm excited about this one because he has a little secret... but I'll be back on January 13 to share the finished ornament. (And the secret surprise!)

Christmas Holly Stitch-a-Long, part 8

Hi everyone! Welcome to the last stitch-a-long check in of 2023. Can you believe it? (Okay, three weeks from now would be Christmas Eve, and Avis who organizes this stitch-a-long rightly recommended that we skip that very busy time.)

Here's where I was last time: 

And here's where I am now: 

Another big bunch of leaves, some more berries, and some good filling in. I feel like I'm on the downhill slope here! (Still lots, lots to do, of course...)

I have continued to stitch most days at lunchtime, as well as some evenings. It gets dark so early that it's nice to settle in and stitch. 

For our next check in, I'd like to fill in those leaves in the center right and then make my way to the bottom right corner. I always like having a sense of where the edges are. Of course, as we get closer and closer to Christmas, maybe I'll shift to making some presents....

Our next check in will be on January 14, 2024. Until then, check out the amazing projects my fellow stitchers are working on: Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Mary Margaret, and welcome back to Cindy.

P.S. Last weekend I got my sewing machine out to make up cushions from pieces I completed with the help and support and inspiration of this stitch-a-long... and I can't resist sharing them here. 

First, the Delphian Cornflower, a gift for a friend:

Second, Mr. Frog (I'm keeping this one):

Jamestown S'Klallam Glow Run 5K race report

Note: I'm finally writing this post in mid January, but I'm publishing this race report on the day of the actual race to keep the blog organized. 

This is the second time we have run this super sweet nighttime 5K, part of the amazing Run The Peninsula race series. 

We parked at the 7 Cedars Lodge / Casino and got onto a shuttle to the starting area, admiring all the incredible Christmas lights. We picked up our bibs and some glow bracelets, and then wandered around the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Center.

note the reindeer dad and his elf daughter!

This race is run with headlamps and glowsticks and all manner of lights; this year we wore our "squids" (lit red and green, of course!), our headlamps, and some cheap Christmas light necklaces. I hasten to add that we were barely sparkling with so many other lights! 

When the race started we slipped in at the back of the pack, trotting for the first quarter mile but then just relaxing into a brisk walk once things spaced out a little. It was a nice, if chilly night, so we walked and chatted and admired the lights. I love this race, the friendly volunteers, and the mellow vibe. 

After the race we wandered around the casino a little, but then happily went back to our lodging -- at the Olympic Railway Inn. Why? Because I love a caboose!

(Seriously, this place is adorable -- a variety of caboose, arranged around a little pond, each decorated in a different theme.)

I somehow struggled to feel festive this year, but running this little 5K and seeing all the lights helped me feel a little holidazzled nonetheless.