Northern Lights In Progress…

Northern Lights by Nancy Wernersbach – Ravensburger – 500 pieces

Unfortunately there hasn’t been a lot of puzzling going on here the past few days, but I did manage to get this one going yesterday at least.

It already looks pretty good, don’t you think? Those Northern Lights are beautiful in the sky. 😍

Holiday Books In Progress…

Holiday Books – Re-marks – 1000 pieces

Another holiday puzzle already on my board, and we’re not even halfway through November! Surprised that I have so many Christmas puzzles here? So am I! Although, thinking about it just now I realized that almost all of them were given to me – they aren’t ones I purchased, because….well, you know.

In fact, of the twenty-one holiday puzzles here at the house left to be assembled, I purchased ONE of them. The set of 12 advent calendar puzzles was a gift from hubby, three are thrift store puzzles mom bought, five (including the one I’m currently working on) were sent to me by my bestest puzzle buddy Penny, and only one of them was actually purchased by me.

When I tell you the title of the Christmas puzzle I bought, you’ll get it. It’s called Ruby the Red Beaked Emu. I just gotta be me! 😁

I’ve already put together three holiday puzzles, and I gotta tell you – I’m sick of them already. Yep. Once I finish this one I’ll be taking a break from them. In fact, there are two 1000 piece Christmas puzzles that perhaps will be put away for next year because I just don’t want to make myself put together puzzles because it’s the right season. I’m supposed to be having fun!

Eighteen of the puzzles are 100 pieces or less, so I’m planning to save those until December; I can assemble them in the morning with a hot cup of coffee and start my days with a completed puzzle. Doesn’t that sound lovely? It does to me.

This collage puzzle I’m working on right now is going pretty quickly, and other than a very loose fit I’m enjoying it. Collages make me happy.

Even if they are holiday themed. 😉

Christmas Spirit In Progress…

Christmas Spirit by Susan Winget – Ceaco – 577 pieces

Yesterday I got a text from my puzzle pal Penny, that said “Stop the presses! Stacey has a very Christmasy/Santie Claus puzzle on her board??? Am I in the Twilight Zone?” No ma’am, it isn’t the Twilight Zone and you’re not having a stroke, I am working on my Christmas puzzles right now!

I’ve got one going in the bathroom, and this one on my board; and there are a couple of them finished already too! (You can see them on the November page if you don’t believe me – but I really did do them 😎)

This puzzle is a special edition Ceaco puzzle with a red velvet backing and whimsy pieces. Mom got it at the thrift store (she was the thrift store ninja), and it still has the sticker on it – she paid 99 cents for it! Unfortunately even though I just got started it is obvious it won’t be complete…

This lovely piece was in the box. It has obviously been chewed up by a pet; the velvet backing is gone, and the front of the piece looks like this. Sigh. Maybe it’s just me, but I think I’d rather a person just tossed this piece in the trash and didn’t put it in the box to be donated. It would be better to get to the end and realize there’s a missing piece than to find this while you’re laying out pieces and know for sure this puzzle won’t be complete. That’s just my opinion of course, but that’s how I feel.

Anyway, I won’t get much work done on this today as I’m off to deliver a birthday cake to a friend and probably spend a little time visiting. When I get back I’ll most likely be wiped out and spend the rest of the day in bed. So, I’ve got an hour or so this morning to puzzle, and then I’m off.

Happy puzzling today my friends!

Burma Road In Progress…

Burma Road by Charles Wysocki – Buffalo (Silver Edition) – 1000 pieces

Although I am very much enjoying this Wysocki image, my first impression of this Buffalo Silver Edition puzzle is one of disappointment. The only difference I can see so far is the box; it’s much fancier than a regular Buffalo puzzle and the pieces come in a resealable plastic bag – that’s it.

The fit is VERY loose, the cut is a bit odd, and I’m just not that impressed with it at all. I was hoping it would have thicker pieces, or a more snug fit, or a different cut – something to make it different from their regular puzzles. This Silver Edition puzzle is underwhelming. 😥

Still, it’s a very nice image and I’m enjoying myself even if the puzzle quality isn’t up to my snobby standards.

Battleship In Progress…

Battleship – Spin Master – 1000 pieces

Finally got myself out of bed and back at the puzzle board – Battleship got sorted and started yesterday, it’s looking good already!

So far this one has been more entertaining than both Clue and Scrabble (I haven’t posted about Scrabble yet, but it’s coming up in a few weeks). I’m not sure my muddled brain can express exactly why this one is more fun, but whatever the reason I’m just trying to enjoy it.

Any other oldsters out there remember the commercials for Battleship? I do. There are two old men at the opera – their wives are watching the performers and the men are behind them playing the game. Of course once one sinks the other’s battleship the loser stands up and yells “You sank my battleship!” causing everyone to stare and shush them. Those commercials from the 70s have that phrase imprinted in my brain.

Commercials were always more important to me than the actual programs when I was young. Mom always told me that I would be playing in the house, ignoring the television, but when the commercials came on I would run into the living room and stand there transfixed until the commercials were over. Once the show was back on I would leave the room and go back to whatever it was I was doing.

My parents used to love to tell the story of little 4-year-old Stacey at the grocery store walking along beside my mother, stopping at the products I recognized and reciting the commercials. Everyone in the store thought it was adorable, but for my mother it became exasperating. She had her three young girls with her, she was just trying to finish her shopping, and I was holding things up with my relentless in-person advertising. My poor momma.

I probably should have saved that story for my post about the finished puzzle, but it was right at the front of my brain this morning so why not share it, right?

Anyway, I hope whatever puzzle you’re working on right now is interesting, good quality, and most of all entertaining. Happy puzzling!