Sunday, December 23, 2012

All ready for Christmas? Lonely Kitty!

Merry Christmas to all of you – I imagine by now you are elbow deep in gift wrapping…I’M NOT BUT SHOULD BE…I always put it off until Christmas Eve day for some reason.  Not sure why because I am usually right up to par with most everything I do except this.  Maybe it becomes overwhelming seeing the piles build and so I don’t want to tackle it.  But whatever reason it’s there waiting for me.

We had company yesterday – the couple I told you was coming over and we were going out to dinner.
Charlie and Doug grew up together so have been close friends since early grade school. We both married around the same time so became couples friends from then on.
We chose a nice dinner club housed in an old converted barn called The Cotton Exchange – lovely place and wonderful food.  After dinner we came back here for dessert. Strawberry Shortcake Cake.

I promised ‘Judy’ I would post it and also my English Butter Toffee recipe so they will both be on my ‘Favorite Recipes’ tab in the left sidebar. Hope you enjoy…they’re both very easy recipes and go together in a flash.
Us with Helen and Charlie

The restaurant part in in the barn…they hold parties/weddings in the new part

cotton ex 2

cotton ex 1

On Tuesday the vet’s office called and said we could come pick up Lola’s remains – I must say when we decided to have her cremated we never expected to receive the beautiful things we did…being we never did this before it was unexpected.
She came back home in a gorgeous Mahogany box with her name engraved and a little clay casting of her paws.  Did the tears ever come then – I thought I was doing good but guess this was just the final straw.
 
Lola 1
Lola would forever lay under our tree so it was fitting that I hooked the plaque on the lowest branch of our tree – I’m sure all of you who have had to put their animals to sleep feel the same way so I’m not talking to a new batch of people…I know you understand.

Lola 2

Lola from past Christmas’s – I just noticed the price on the toe of the stocking – this picture was from my last home show.
 
lola by tree

Lola under tree 3

Lola under tree

I caught this picture of Baby today…does she look lost and lonely or what
baby in bed

Well – after these pictures that’s it for blogging until after Christmas.

 Family room

Looking into den 2 

Looking into den 1 

Looking into den 

Den and Family room 1 2012 

Den and Family room 2012 

Desk in den 2012 

Bedroom  1 Christmas 2012

Well, remember the hooked pattern I ordered so I could work on it during my recuperating from surgery…which by the way is scheduled for Jan. 7th.
I just couldn’t wait…got so anxious and had some free time so I started it.  It feels so good to have this time to work on things like this and not be behind on things.
Hooked sleigh

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE…May all your whishes and dreams come true.
Stay safe if traveling and remember the reason we celebrate this wonderful holiday.
Karen

 

 

43 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas, Karen and family!

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  2. Karen,
    I would've been in tears also! I love the photo of Lola inside the fence under the tree...... so nice to have those precious memories!
    Wishing you and your beautiful family a most blessed Christmas and Happiness always!!
    Warm Hugs!!
    Cathy G

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  3. Great barn wow!

    Hugs about Lola, yes, we do know how that feels.

    beautiful photos!
    Merry Christmas Karen!

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  4. Photo's are wonderful!
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
    Louise

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  5. Hi Karen, That was such a nice thing for the vet to do with Lola, especially the paw casting. She looks just like my mom's cat (both gone) Maggie....and I understand, they are a member of the family. Your home looks beautiful.....Merry Christmas!!

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  6. Pictures are really wonderful! I love the ones of Lola. She was a beauty!

    My wishes for you, Doug and your whole family are to have a warm, wonderful, peaceful Merry Christms and New Year.

    Take care, my good friend,
    Susannah

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  7. Karen your home looks wonderul and so cozy.
    ~~Blessings~~
    Earlene

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  8. Karen~ Thanks so much for the recipes...I can't wait to try them! The pictures of Lola are just precious! Her box is as beautiful as she was. What a lucky kitty to have had a wonderful life with you...you can take comfort knowing she is at peace and free of pain. I still have to remind myself, it was a year at the end of October for us. I do feel your pain. Your Christmas pictures of your home are lovely. What a wonderful place to eat for you and your friends. Have a wonderful holiday!

    ~Judy~

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  9. Karen ~
    Your house looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing, especially the pictures of Lola. She is purring down on you, waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.
    Merry Christmas!
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  10. Karen, what a sweet, sweet post. Lola will be with you forever now. The casting is one of the nicest things I've seen done. Your vet sounds like a caring person. It is so hard to let go of our pets but we will always have their memory with us. May your Christmas be blessed. Enjoy every minute together.

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  11. Wonderful warm home.....sweet pictures of Lola.....so special......Merry Christmas to you and yours, Francine.

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  12. I teared up just reading this, I know it broke your heart. Those pictures are so sweet. As Dr Seuss said, " Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened." The Barn looks like a wonderful place to eat. BTW Your house looks wonderful. Do you have new rugs, or I just "looking" for the first time?lol Merry Christmas

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  13. Karen your home looks lovely, as it always does. Merry Christmas to you. Take care and get some rest before your surgery.

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  14. Oh bless your sweet heart!! That just makes me so sad, I would be a wreck... especially right here at Christmas... BIG hugs to you!
    Breahn

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  15. Karen, wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!

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  16. Beautiful pictures and sweet remembrance of Lola ~ merry Christmas !

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  17. Karen, what a sweet post. That is a wonderful & special way to remember Lola. Your hooked rug is going to be beautiful. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.
    Sue

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  18. Dear Karen ~~
    Had Tears in my Eyes, Loving
    Memories of Lola.
    Beautiful photos of your
    Home, so Warm & Cozy.
    Wishing you and your Beautiful
    Family a Merry Christmas and
    a Blessed Happy New Year.
    Blessings & Hugs ~~ Connie xox

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  19. We got our dog's paw and a locket with a snip of her hair. The pet place that does cremation has a yearly service at Christmas and every lost pet that year gets a personalized ornament and a candle on the altar. OMG the crying!! Have a wonderful Christmas - your home is beautiful.

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  20. merry christmas karen....love your home and how warm it feels....and thanks for sharing it with us all...wow...you are really getting lots done on your rug......i had to put mine up for awhile....it was drying out my cuticles too much....i plan on taking it with me to florida....does that ever happen with your hands...hope you and yyyour family have the best christmas ever.....linda

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  21. Merry Christmas! I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet furbaby Lola. I am a proud furbaby Mama of four dachshunds. We did have 5. Our oldest furbaby, Baby, passed away on December 4, 2010 at the age of 16. We got her when she was 6 weeks old. I still miss her and tear up when I think of her. She loved Christmas and loved to open her present. Somehow she knew which package was her and she would open it. We couldn't put her presents out until Christmas morning because she would unwrap it. Our other furbabies love getting new toys and treats but do not do the unwrapping like sweet Baby did. I was amazed to see how they returned Lola to you. That is a wonderful way to remember her. We have a cross statue on Baby's grave in our yard. My sweet hubby always puts a ponisetta on her grave at Christmas.
    I know how hard it is to put one of our furbabies to sleep. Big hugs to you and your family.
    Hugs,
    Lynn

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  22. Your home is so stunning all year round but I love the christmas decor!!! Your pics always turn out so nice!
    What a great gift from the vet to be able to cherish those memories of her!
    Wishing you & your family a wonderful Christmas & a happy & healthy 2013!

    Lynnly

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  23. Merry Christmas Karen...How beautiful the house looks..I loved all the pictures of Lola under the tree..The Paw ornament was just heart warming! She is still under the tree reminding you of all the love she shared with you. I totally understand I know in my heart that my Puddles is coming to his end on earth and will soon be leaving me and going to Doggy Heaven...

    I'll be praying for you on Jan 7th marked my calendar.

    Merry Christmas my dear friend!

    Hugs and Christmas Blessings!!
    Tonya

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  24. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Karen. Lola's box is pretty. So sorry that you lost her, but it is good that her memory remains. I know your family has seen some difficult times this year, so continuing to pray for you all. Blessings ♥

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  25. Karen,

    Have fun Christmas gift wrapping! :)

    And I'm so sorry you don't have your Lola with you this Christmas....I know how you feel!

    Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

    Hugs,
    Tammy

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  26. Your home is decorated so beautifully! How precious that a casting was done of Lola's paws, I know she will be forever in your heart.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    ~willa~

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  27. How fun to have such couple friends! Loved your pics and ye I do understand about Lola. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Janice

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  28. Wishing you Peace, Joy, Merry Christmas and smooth sailing on Jan 7th!

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  29. Beautiful post Karen. I SO understand and cried when I read about Lola. I still miss Prissie so bad. Looks like you had a nice evening out with friends. Merry Christmas and remember the good times with sweet Lola.

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  30. Hi Karen...Love all the pics of your home...so warm and inviting! I know exactly how you feel about Lola, we are missing our sweet Stryker this Christmas....he is here in a lovely oak box with his pic on the front and ,yes, a pawprint casting. His Steeler collar is always on top of the box. Poor Baby looks so lonely. It looks like you had a wonderful time out with friends and I can't wait to see your finished rug! Have a blessed Christmas.---Jan

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  31. Good Morning, Karen,
    I am so sorry to read about your sweet Lola. That would be so hard to do...Our furry friends are such faithful friends, aren't they?!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope you have a chance to relax and enjoy some time for yourself during the busy holiday season!

    Take care, ~Natalie

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  32. What a lovely post Karen.
    Hoping your Christmas was wonderful.
    All the best for 2013.
    Janet

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  33. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Karen.

    Hugs~Becky

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  34. Karen,

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas a day late... I am sure you had a wonderful Christmas! Your home as always looks wonderful!
    Sending hugs! OLM

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  35. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, Karen. Love seeing all the pics of your beautiful home...so warm and cheery!
    Robyn

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  36. awwwe ! Lovely photos....hope you had a merry christmas!!

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  37. Hi, Karen!

    I understand and would have been in tears also. Your home is decorated beautifully. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.

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  38. Your pic's are gorgeous, I want to learn to hook rugs, and the LOLA PORTION WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL. *hugs*

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  39. hi karen,well looks like you had a wonderful christmas with family and friends.. such a whirl wind huh? i too am taking decorations down its just time. i get claustrophobic. and just want my house back to normal. love your pictures of your house decorated! i need to head to the basement and organize the christmas things and them will be ready to start something else. i am going to try clean a bit everyday. i have radiator heat and boy things get dusty. love your rug you are working on and i hope all goes well with your surgery and you can relax and recoop! enjoy your evening karen!

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  40. Happy New Year Karen! I know you have back surgery in a couple of hours. Thinking about you!

    Take care
    Goedele

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  41. Your home is just gorgeous newbie here from Ohio that found your blog from Gettysburg Homestead where can I sign up so I do not miss a post?

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So glad you came to visit - feel free to leave a comment.
I will try and answer as many as I can - maybe not immediately but I will get to you!

Karen