December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas
from our family to yours!

I wish for the world....

Peace on Earth
and
Goodwill to Men!

Today, on my way to pickup my son from the train station, I heard this lovely version of I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day.

I thought for sure, it was the lead singer from Bare Naked Ladies, but it was Casting Crowns.

A very beautiful song and I thought I would share it with you for this Christmas season.

On a knitting note: I finished the last stitch on the last handmade gift this evening about 5 p.m. this evening.

Wow...I do not think I will forget the feeling of panic I felt this year in the gift giving department.

Thank you to all of my knitting friends that have left great advice on 'not over doing it.'

Now...on to cooking.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

To keep the holiday spirit...it's snooooowwwwing.

Not at our property, but you will notice it is snowing on my blog...very festive-like, don't you think?

Tonight I had to pull out the "needle threader." Gasp!

What day in this year did Mother Nature turn the "old" switch to the "on" position for me?

My hair is turning silver, I'm finding more wrinkles on my face and hands, and I cannot see detail anymore without glasses...I do not even read anything without glasses anymore.

With all of that being said, I'm still waiting for the craft elf or fairy to swoop down and take over the last of my holiday gifts so I can go knit on something that is not present related.

I don't think that will happen, so...still I plug along. I'm almost done with flour sack towel # 5...I could get away with just one more, but then there is one more person that I will see at Christmas dinner that I would like to make one for.

I have 1/8 of the one of two hats I need to have done as well.

Why do I bother? Why do I not just drive up to Fred Meyer and pick something out?

The pocket book is echoing due to nothing in it to hold sound.

Also, I do not use a credit card, having not touched one for nearly three years.

I think that is what keeps me going on my make-it Christmas list.

But I do have to tell you....I have decided what I will be making for the co-workers and a few others for next year. Having that plan makes knitting through the year on presents much more fun.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Old Christmas Commericals that I love...

Who doesn't remember the good ol' Folgers commercial when "Peter comes home?"



A favorite one of mine, as I was in elementary school when this came out. World peace, baby!



I love the horses and the snow, of course. I'm sure any of you back East are shaking your heads...stay warm.



I love this one...too cute.

I'm just in a odd mood this year, up and down, up and down.

See Joan, I am relaxing a bit...enjoying these vintage commercials.

A full weekend!

Since my ba-hum-bug posting, I have managed to get a few things done.

I wrapped all the presents late Friday night.

I went to knitting meet-up yesterday and had a lovely time. I also found great yarns in my stash that I thought matched each of my knitting buddies I gifted to them.

Cleaned up and reorganized my bookshelf and spinning fibers. Updating my list of books too.

Finished another floursack towel last night...only a few more to go. Also finished one of two hats I need to have done.

Watched Food Inc and was horrified at what I saw.

Woke up this morning to get my chores done and made a Shepards Pie for dinner, with my local raised/butchered organic beef from my freezer. No wonder my youngest didn't want to watch it
with me, she wanted to be able to eat again with out the memory of that film footage.

Rearranged & organized the craft storage room up in the barn. Moved out the loveseat that was in there, leaving shelving, totes, and the futon. I may get out one of the smaller folding tables and set up my knitting machine on and take a whirl on that Christmas weekend.

Published this weeks episode of Belle of the Ball Podcast.

Now...to go get ready for tonight's event, White Christmas.

Eewww...itchy and why I'm such a Scrooge at Christmas.

I am sad to say, but PPP-Plaid will not be gifted to anyone, other than Dolly, my Singer dress form. She can proudly display the colorful scarf and won't complain.

Why?

Because it flippin' itches.

I have sworn off 100% cotton for knitting, but I'll keep it for weaving. I am know swearing off standard alpaca for weaving, but can use it for hats, most likely with a lining.

On to my Scroogeness!


As I get older and set in my ways, I find that shopping is not a thrilling sport for me like it was when I was young.

I had yet to really go Christmas shopping for my husband and three children until today. First, it was payday and second, I kept putting it off.

I thought I was ready, had the list in my head, knew which stores at the mall to go to.

That was not the problem at all....

It was the Duckies socks on my feet and a lovely wool vest, over a button up shirt and under my field jacket.

I was so hot I tell you, HOT, and not in a good way.

After hitting the last store, Macy's, to browse the Wacola undergarments (that I did not buy), I wanted out of there. I would have loved to have a seat on a bench and watch people go by as I ate my Aunt Annie's pretzel, but all the lovely teenagers were hogging them up.

For me, Christmas has always been a modest gift giving time. As a child, I had gifts, not a ton, but adequate for the normal clothes, toys, and such.

Looking back as a young girl, I would make things to gift...I started that at a young age. I still have my handprint in red paint I made on a piece of wood with a red piece of acrylic yarn back in kindergarten for my mother. It's been forty years since I made that.

As for Christmas with my kids...I had always purchased an article or two of clothes, a few toys, and books. Poor Alex never knew what hit her when I was gifting her Lucy Maud Montgomery books along with her Raggedy Ann.

It wasn't until I was remarried that it became a much bigger deal, with that first Christmas with the Mister where thousands of dollars were spent on new bikes for all three of them, and all of the toys, etc. as the Mister wanted to make it grand. He did...so how do you go backwards from that?

Actually, I think I can...go backwards that is, in gift giving.

The kids are older, adult age. They understand, that even though I make more now, they cost me way more than when they were children, as I pay for their college tuition or in the case of the youngest that is still in high school, fill her tank with gas and pay her insurance.

I can hear some of you saying, "no way, make her get a job."

The rule here at my Cabin in the Woods is if you are in sports full-time, then we will cover those expenses. If you are not in sports, then you DO get a job. My son did not partake in sports, so he worked for Papa Johns for several years. The girls, big into sports, such as bowling, soccer, and LaCrosse.

Where was I? Oh yes, why I am telling the story of how I feel like Scrooge. Though I listen to Christmas music, attend holiday musicals, and sit here knitting, weaving, and doing embroidery, I just think to myself, why. Making one more gift for one more person may send me over the edge.

But that is the thing, it is just one small gift for one person, not a ton of gifts for one person. It is manageable, really, it is.

I can hear the song by Amy Grant now, "I Need a Silent Night."

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

Chorus
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice
Through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

Chorus
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

Chorus
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night

I believe that song pretty much sums it up for a lot of us.

I will continue my gift-making and be glad that I have a talent in which I can create.

For 2010, I will read the Scroogenomics to see what it has to say and continue my Twelve Months Until Christmas Ravelry group, cheering each member on and myself as well.

Maybe this time next year, I will not feel a bit like Scrooge and will just enjoy the season with my family and friends...I might just get through another holiday party.

May you find a Silent Night this season to enjoy!

PPP-Plaid!

Another one off the loom. This one is a balanced plaid...no random weft here...except maybe where I left kept out a row of red.

I can scratch this off my gift list and keep moving on to the next victim's giftee's present.