Update on my work in progress, and a Christmas suprise!

This is the bench for my paisley rug design.  The pattern is the perfect size to fit the bench top and I am almost done hooking as you can see from the second photo.  Kind of gray and drizzly rain here today so, perfect to stay in and complete this rug. 

The unexpected Christmas suprise came when we very carefully took the bench apart.  The bench was used in my in-laws home for many years and finally made it to our home a couple years ago.  My husbands' name was printed on the bottom of the seat board, so we thought they wanted us to have the bench.  However, when we dismantled the cushion - took off the worn and ragged cover,  peeled away layers of old dusty padding -  there it was!  A painting created by my father-in-law and my husband when he was a very young boy!  The result of a project they made together so many years ago.