Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Crafternoon and the Best Christmas Present Ever!

Christmas came early at my house this year! And it gave me a big smile!


I got my biopsy results back and no thyroid cancer! Benign is such a nice word!


And the lip is healing well, at long last. All is good. So many of you have been so supportive, with messages and good wishes -- I wanted to let you know. And thank you!


I wasn't sure what the results would be on the day of my appointment so I decided to pack the day full of good things -- like a crafternoon with two of my fellow Southern Exposure fans. Instead of doing a single project, we'd work on what we most needed to get done! But first a celebratory toast, with Kate's delicious prosecco!


It's always fun to drink to your health when you've had a good report!


Then lunch. I prepped up a nice batch of Julia's French Onion Soup with some Jeanie Crostini and did up the table.


Jan made a wonderful chopped salad and dessert was Christmas cookies from Whole Foods because baking comes soon!


Then it was creative time!


Kate was creating her own gift bags using stamps she'd carved. When these are done they will be a Christmas tree with several different blocks in diminishing sizes.


Jan was taking a container from an earlier Southern Exposure workshop (HERE) and revamping it for Christmas.


Looked great!


I had a couple of projects. The quick one was to cover a crack in the glass of this little glass house and when I was done it made a lovely home for a wee nativity I had bought at an art fair years ago.


The other was inspired in part by Barbara at Fairmeadow Place. I recommend checking out her easy how-to post HERE When I was at Gardenviews on that horrible, rainy greens market day, they had some branches I loved that were overpriced at $15 each with flocking and pine cones. Then they had plain flocked branches for $3. I bought five, the same as one fancy branch and a $2.50 box of mini pine cones.


Using white paint and crystal glitter to tip the cones with "snow," I adhered them to the branches with gel medium. A glue gun would have been faster but I wanted it to dry clear.


(Barbara used epsom salts for her snow and I forgot I had them or would have but the glitter is subtle and fine.) They're currently on my chandelier but that's for another post.

I sent them home with Jeanie Crostini, which is my go-to appetizer and wonderful with dips or as a crouton.


 Included was my feta dip recipe and two Susan Branch bookmarks that she shared in a recent post.


Such a wonderful day, capped off by the beautiful musical "Finding Neverland," based on the film that tells of how James Barrie came to write Peter Pan.


And guess what?


Baking is next!

Sharing with Happiness is Homemade / Happy Holidays 2019 Party    

39 comments:

I need orange said...

What great news, and what a great day. I love that you planned a good day, one way or the other.... You are a good role model.

ps -- GO ALABAMA!!!!! :-)

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

That's such great news, Jeanie! You must be so relieved and I'm so happy for you. It's wonderful that you had something to celebrate with your friends and were able to have a relaxed and fun afternoon. It's also good to hear that your lip is recovering well.
Hugs,
Julia

Deb said...

All good news. I am so happy for you. :) Your home looks so wonderful and festive. You spent so much time decorating for Christmas with so much on your mind. Now you can look at it all in a new light. Sending a big 'ol hug from the mouse house.

Stacey said...

Jeanie, I'm so glad all is well! The way you packed your day full of good things makes me smile. That's what girlfriends are for. :)

Joyful said...

Your post is packed with good things. Dear Jeanie, I didn't know you were being tested for thyroid cancer. Somehow I missed that. I'm sorry for the angst and turmoil you've recently had to go through and I'm so glad you had something to celebrate that day. I did know about the lip and I'm so glad to hear it is healing well at long last.

Your post is so bright and colourful and your house looks so amazingly decorated for the holiday. Enjoy it and the holiday dear Jeanie. I'm sure it will be a very meaningful one thing this year. Big hugs. xx

La Table De Nana said...

The best gift EVER!!!♥

BeachGypsy said...

YAY JEANIE!! I am so so so HAPPY FOR YOU with your good news! I was just talking with my Mom about you today and now I have good news I can tell her! I love the nativity in the glass box---that is just perfect in there isn't it? So glad you had the fun time with your friends and please include me in your toast when I SAY CONGRATULATIONS!! on your happy news, isn't it a great relief?

My name is Erika. said...

That is FANTASTIC news Jeanie. :) I agree-that is the best Christmas gift. I think you planned the right kind of day. Glad it became a celebration. :) Congrats. Hugs-Erika

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Dear dear Jeanie, who is always so full of happiness and fun... I am so happy for you! What a weight must be lifted off you. Christmas will be even more joyful this year. -Jenn

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Yay!!! I'm so happy about your good report and glad you got it NOW! What fun you'll have getting ready for Christmas now. I want to start a craft project tomorrow! I'm getting ideas! Holiday hugs!

Pam said...

How cute and adorable everything is.....but the greatest news is your results! YAY...that is the best news of all. I am so happy for that and glad the lip is healing.

Lynne said...

What a happy day . . .
and to have wonderful friends nearby to celebrate with you . . .
Best news ever Jeanie . . .. . .

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What fantastic news. I was really relieved and pleased to read all was well, and even your lip is healing.

Your table was beautiful and your trees are out of this world. The food sounded yummy, too. Of course, it could be because I haven't eaten today.

The projects the three of you chose were brilliant. I really liked the tree stamps. I may have to try something similar in the future. And I think your nativity sits well in that repaired glass house.

Now3 it's time to relax and enjoy all those things you have created while waiting for results of your biopsy.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Oh I am doing a little jig right now in honor of your good health! So thankful my friend!
Also, isn't Prosecco just wonderful.
Love these projects and your perfectly decorated home is truly gorgeous!
Jemma

Katie Mansfield said...

It's so great to hear this news. I love, love French Onion Soup. You crostinis look amazing. What a gun crafting day.

Sarah said...

Cheers to good health! I'm thrilled you had good news. Waiting for the results is stressful.
Your craft projects all look fun. I rarely do crafty projects these days, so admire this!
Happy Holidays!

Valerie-Jael said...

I'm so glad you got good news on both counts, I know how awful it is waiting for those results. Glad you had a fab day with some girl friends, always a great way to lift the spirits. Your place is looking really Christmassy, enjoy! Look after yourself, have fun! Hugs, Valerie

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie, that truly is a wonderful gift and awesome news. I am so happy for you! It is fun you were able to celebrate your good health with your friends. A fun get together making craft and enjoying your good food.

Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

Lesley UK said...

What great news. I'm so happy for you. I wish you and your family all the Blessings of this wonderful season

Joanne Huffman said...

What a delightful way to celebrate good news! And, thanks for the dip recipe.

Arti said...

Early Christmas present and what a wonderful gift this is! So glad for you, Jeanie! It’s going to be one very merry Christmas indeed. :)

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Hooray for the great test results! Good plan to make plans with friends that day so you'd have support or people to celebrate with! I'm glad you were celebrating after the test results. What a HUGE relief. Are you done with radiation treatments or do you have some left?

Your craft day sounds like so much fun! How great to spend time together with friends doing what you love. And the meal sounds delicious too!

Decor To Adore said...

I absolutely love that you get together and craft. If only I didn't live so far away I would beg to join you. I hope you are enjoying an enchanting Christmas season.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jeanie, that's wonderful news on the health front, Jeanie. And I love the way you packed the day full of good things, not yet knowing the results. You are amazing!

Doodle T said...

Truly the best Christmas gift of all...what wonderful news. Blessings.

Victoria Zigler said...

That's fantastic news! Also, the crafting and celebration dinner sound wonderful! Christmas came early at your house for sure!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie what a delightful post! I rejoice on your good report and that will make Christmas and the New Year much brighter! Your table looks so welcoming and inviting for French onion soup and you crostini. I see a beautiful tree in the background. What a fun afternoon with friends and crafting...just a beautiful sight!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

I was so glad to hear about your results! Indeed, benign is one of the best words ever!! What a super fun day with friends. I love the carved stamps. The bag will be ever so cute. Both of the glass houses are perfect! You should share this with our Creating Christmas party My theme is A dish addicts Christmas and Carol's (art and sand) is a Homemade Christmas. It would work for either one. (or both) :)
hugs,
Jann

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Good news about your health is the best kind of present for sure! I had my endoscopy today and results look good. I think I'm nearing the end of this health mystery. I love how you do crafting with friends, talk, laugh, eat, toast to good health and have such a good time. I have a luncheon on Monday with some special friends and I'm looking forward to it. Maybe next year I can host a little get together. Hugs!

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

So happy to read of your wonderful news! I love that you planned a day of good things before you knew your news. How fun to spend time crafting and eating with friends.

Red Rose Alley said...

This is such good news!! Thank you for sharing with us, as I have been thinking of you this Christmas season. Look at all the wonderful projects you and friends worked on. I really like that lantern with the candle, that's cool. The feta dip sounds Yummy. And your white Santa is beautiful, Jeanie, I love that.

~Sheri

Ricki Treleaven said...

Crafternoons are the best, aren't they! What fun! And I'm so happy to hear that your lip is on the mend. THat's great news!

Barbara said...

I’m so glad I didn’t miss this post! Wonderful, wonderful news, sending you a great big hug!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Hi Jeanie! WOW! Hey, your window is JUST LIKE my kitchen window! I've got one more week of school then it's TWO WEEKS off for me. I enjoy decorating with the woodland look myself, and right now I have a lot of fur throws and a rug in my studio. I so love this look and it's so right for the Northland...so Scandi! I went into an old establishment in the city....a true Scandinavian business with a deli and the most GORGEOUS Christmas goodies from Scandinavia. I went wild in there!

HAVE FUN!

Tracy said...

HOORAY!! Oh, this is the VERY, very best news, Jeanie! Prayers answered! :))) So very glad, and relieved to hear the good news, and that your lip is healing too... (Thank you, Lord!) Great idea to load the big day with BIG FUN! I admire how you always have a recipe for joy, no matter what! (And thanks for the re-share of your crostini--YUM) VERY fun to see what you all were playing with. Your little terrarium-style nativity is lovely--sweet idea! Sending up prayers of thanksgiving now...sooo, sooo glad, and thankful! :)) ((BIG HUGS))

Preppy Empty Nester said...

OMG Jeanie... your house looks so festive! I love all your decorations. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Jeanie! I'm catching up - out of order insofar as your posts were written - but HOORAY! That's the BEST Christmas present one could ask for! I'm elated for you, and happy you were able to celebrate the good news with friends. Also glad to hear the lip is healing well, because it's time for the regular ol' chapped lip season!
XO

Bonnie said...

Good news! I enjoyed your friends pictures and your craft projects. Cheers to you and a good report.

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news Jeanie ! Also your home looks lovely, my you have a flair for decorating everything to look so cozy and Christmasy! Enjoy your Christmas and this wonderful news !

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