It's been a while...........

Like many of you, I've been really busy for the past few weeks, with little extra time for blogging.  When I do have time, I'm just too pooped to pick up my laptop and write a few words.  I do apologize, and I'll make an attempt to do better!

I've been knitting up a storm...and I do love it!  On the left is a very soft hat for a special lady in my life.  On the right is a fingerless mitt for a special man.  I'm only showing one mitt, because its partner is still on my needles!  EEEEEK!!  The mitt is an Ann Budd pattern, and I was intrigued by the intertwining cables...they about drove me mad, but I've now mastered them.  I love cables, so wouldn't quit until I got them right!

The mitt looks a bit overwhelming on me, but I think they will be perfect on a man with large hands, don't you?

What would Christmas be without cookies?  This year I've made both German and Swedish, combining our family's heritages.  Below are Spritz cookies that I made the other day, using my Mom's old cookie press.  I'm so glad I've saved so many of her things, as they are a real comfort to use.

I've had great fun making our Christmas cards this year.  I began by carving several stamps.  I used one on silk and mounted it on the front of our cards.  I printed a message with another stamp on the inside of the card.  Below you can see envelopes, stamped with my carved Christmas tree.  I loved playing Laurence Juber Holiday music on Pandora while I stamped away.

In the mailbag:

Several wonderful packages have been arriving....and if they don't say "Do Not Open Until Christmas", why I rip them open with gay abandon!  Why not?  It's kind of like eating dessert first, right?

This came from my dear friend Gerrie, out in Portland.

It is the first of a year's subscription to "3191 Quarterly", a lovely journal written and produced by Gerrie's daughter Stephanie Congdon Barnes and her friend Maria Alexandra Vettes.  There is also a terrific notebook that accompanied it.  Its simplicity and back-to-nature, kind-of-ordinary living, writing, and photography are so uplifting to me.  Thanks, Gerrie!  I love that Stephanie includes many glimpses of her kids, the beautiful Mia and handsome Miles.  I feel like I've known them all their lives, and it is good to keep an eye on them!  HA!

Another fun thing about Gerrie's gift is the packaging:

so simple, but so elegant in its own way.

Also in the mailbag (actually the UPS truck), was this fabulous wreath from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law in southern California.

It looks perfect on our front door, don't you think?  You may recall that Molly, my sister-in-law, is the one who so graciously shares Eucalyptus leaves with me on a regular basis.  Thanks Moll!

Also arriving in the mailbag this week, was this beautiful pieced "play pad" - for our grandchildren, Charlie and Baby Maggie, from my dear friend Diane Sandlin.  Diane's Mom loves to piece them, and then 'tasks' Diane with sending them off to her friends.  I feel very blessed to be included in this circle!

Thanks Diane and Mom - I know the kids will adore this brightly colored quilt, and wear it out!  Also thanks from me, as now I can check this off of my to-do list!

And speaking of the kids (and I promise this won't go on much longer!), here is Baby Maggie in one of her first 'pank' outfits.

We get to see her tomorrow, and I can hardly wait to hold her in my arms once more!

....and here's Charlie, styling in the hat and mittens that I knit for him last month!  (It's gotten very cold here!  BRRRR!)

I hope I will get to nap with him tomorrow afternoon!!

In case I don't get back to blogging for the next few days, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  May you be wrapped in the comfort and happiness of family and friends!

peace