Merry Merry!!!

Earnest...getting a lot more attention that he would care to - Christmas brings out lots of fun with the kids. They tried to get the poor guy into a pillow case - but this was the best they could do. He is suffering silently here - but no doubt waiting for the right moment to slink out of this mess. He is 16-years-old, and while I am a little biased - he is the. best. cat. ever.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday today! We enjoyed Santa's visit last night - he snuck in while we were in church. It worked out well, because for the first time in at least 8 years, my husband and I got some sleep:) Today is jammie day right up until time to go to my parents. I think the holidays should have as much rest, relaxation, hobby time and fun in them as possible. I hope you find time to do some of your favorite things, or see some of your favorite people! Merry Christmas!

p.s. For 2011, I have joined the Spicing Up The Kitchen [a modern swap]. This group of crafters is very modern and clever - so I am pleased to be included. Join up if you like to sew. I promise it will be fun!

Merry Christmas week...

And so the holiday week is underway - I always look so forward to this time but then, I know, it will be over too quickly. Ripped paper, packages, boxes and bags...the shrapnel will be all that remains a week from now. So much preparation - how do you build in time to reflect and relax? I'm hoping to do a few sun salutes this week to chill and remind myself to slow down and just breathe. I try hard not to get my expectations too high - but it's tough after all of the secret gift buying and wrapping, and wanting desperately to have everyone be lovely and gracious....I know you know what I mean. We're human.

I am looking forward to closing the week at work on Wednesday. I hate to admit being so sick and tired, but the most useless co-worker I have ever had is retiring - that brings me great (if not pathetic) joy. I will surely toast to this with a cocktail - it's been 4 years of waiting. But then I hope I will pull my truck into my garage, and it won't move, I won't move, except church and one family gathering, until next week. Tall order I know, but I think I can do it. Seems Santa Baby needs another line...slip a jammie marathon under the tree...for me...

One last bit of holiday knitting - I have the ravelry link here in case the giftee is peeking. Surely she is, that devil.



Finally, as my gift to the less worthless, more reader type co-workers, I have purchased a stack of books to share - all the same title - Eating Heaven by Jennie Shortridge. I am thinking we need a book club - so this is how I will give the gang a little nudge. We often swap books and I keep a library at work - just in case. And "come read with me..." who can say no to that? I think the line in my note that says "you have been chosen" will get them interested...I mean who doesn't want to be chosen? It's like my own version of the golden ticket. And seriously, after a year half filled with loser books - I am hopeful 2011 will bring more good reads and friends to share them with. Suggestions welcome.

In the meanwhile, have a wonderful holiday blog friends!

24, 23, 22, 21 days til Christmas!

Smitten {a holiday garland} - a free pattern from Knit Picks.

Finally, an advent calendar. In whimsical colors, rather than traditional, to kind of match my kitchen paint job. It only took three reasonable skeins of Patons Classic Wool (especially if you have a Joann Fabrics coupon). I didn't quite make it in time, but I think my little girls will delight in the little goodies once I figure out how and where I want to fasten it. It was super easy, cheap and relatively quick. I knit this in say - a season and a half of Mad Men.

Are you ready for Christmas? I am slowly starting to get things in the mail that need to be tucked in hidey spots. After over thinking what to get the girls, I think I have a cost effective-ish, happy list. The older they get the harder it is to please them on a budget - or maybe I mean the harder it is to have a nice amount of presents under the tree. Santa struck big at my house when I was a child because honestly, we didn't get much the rest of the year. My favorite memories are the rock star Christmases we had. I can remember so many special wishes being granted. But I guess if I think really hard about it - only a few special gifts stick out, it was really just the craziness of it all. My dad would often have to go to work, so getting up at 3am to open gifts was encouraged - and I needed no encouragement. What a happy time. Remember stuffed critters with radios in their bellies? They never did come in well, but oh, did I love my dog. And barbie-o-rama. Western Barbie was a favorite - I still have her somewhere in her garish 70's blue eyeshadow. No matter what, my childhood memories are so big, anything pales in comparison. I hope my girls get to feel that someday - which is probably why I over think so much...This could be an ah-ha moment.

What is the favorite gift you have bought or made this year? I am shamelessly pimping everyone I know for ideas. I found this clever teacher gift. And I got a necklace for myself too - you know, since I love to read. I love the one for you, one for me policy I have created for cool gifts. It seems fair that the primary holiday shopper should get a reward now and then...

(as I read my own post, omg - the holiday add overload has begun - forgive my rant from here to there. Have a happy weekend!)