Oh, sure–I have a busload of other projects that need doing but fact is, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this scrumptious little baby ripple project…for that “certain” baby.

I’m trying out the stripe generator for the first time, so that I can get a feel for working with random colors. It’s kinda fun–in a wild sort of way–to let the computer tell me yarn to use next. This way, if it turns out a hideous waste, then of course it would be the computer’s fault. If, on the other hand, it turns out to be the most beautiful thing on earth, well then, it will be entirely MY doing. I sure you see my logic.

:}

Now then, my friends…I’d like your opinion. My wise and all knowing daughter picked out a handful of lovely, trendy colors for this particular project and I’m having trouble deciding whether to use all 6 or not.

What do you think? With the yellow?

or without?

You know, if it were up to me, I’m just old school enough to think all colors need to be baby pastels, but I’m surrounded by brilliant, modern folk who are educating me on the finer art of color blending. It’s scary, unbroken ground, but I’ll tough it out and hopefully be wiser in the end.

So help me…please.

Yellow? No yellow? White? No white?

I’m terrifically stumped…

but I’ll wait patiently for your reply.

Well, until the cookies run out at least.

right this minute…

~our hourly visit from Flash Gordon…at least, I think that’s who it is.

~a fabric stash that’s calling to me from the depths of the closet.

~Cinnamon Sugar donut holes–a most wicked, dreadful treat, that should be eaten alone to be done properly.  Heh.

~a soft, cuddly sleeper for the sweet new baby doll up the road a ways.

~tossing a few lovely things into a skillet and having it turn out tasting beyond incredible.

~finding a “Random Stripe Generator” at a site called Biscuits and Jam–to help with a fluffy little crochet project for the new soul coming soon.  :}

~a quart of soup from one of my favorite places on the planet…and a loaf of asiago bread–that would like to remain anonymous–to go along with it.

~finding that the sugary crumbs are nearly as good as the real thing…

until mommy catches you.

What are you reveling in right this minute?

:}

Every year, in preparation for the holidays there are dozens of sewing bags or craft boxes or piles of yarn strewn throughout the house–so that no matter what else is going on, in the event that there is a spare moment–somewhere, the handmaking can continue, uninterrupted. I love it this way, because these particular hands are just too fidgety and restless to sit still for very long, without some purpose–any purpose.

But something interesting happened this year. There were the same stacks and piles and bags and yarn, all with a certain important project to be finished, but quite often, a little whispery voice would nudge me to just put it down…and so…quite often…I did.

True, the Babushka ornaments will have to wait another year to get their flowers…

the button trees are only partly put together…

the girls’ headbands are nearly finished…nearly…

and the cards never got sent at all.

I couldn’t find the laminating sheets for the nativity set…

and the snowflakes were never hung.

But in the end–there were the same smiles and giggles and hugs that come with the season– even without a few “vital” projects–that no one seemed to miss. And for me, the conscious decision to slow down, and be present and enjoy the moment with those faces I love–

turned out to be the greatest gift of all.

Oh, we can’t seem to help ourselves. For the last few years, this season pulls us to the Hale Center Theater for another evening of  “A Christmas Carol.”

You could say, it’s becoming a holiday family tradition. Hmmm…like the sound of that.

Please forgive the fuzzy photos–it was mostly dark, and you know, we get so excited that we  have trouble sitting still.

I can prove it. And this is before we’ve seen any Christmas ghosts.

Lucky for us the incredible main guy–old Scrooge himself–is the same fellow as last year. Funny, scary, sad, adorable–as always and yet…

there are enough new twists and turns to keep us coming back over and over again…

or for the first time.

Keeping family traditions—starting family traditions.

Either way.

It’s a lovely Christmas thing.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

to love–right this minute.

The big and small helpers that make up our Christmas light brigade. Such stalwart souls in the 17 degree outdoors. Brrrrr…

The sweet, ancient ornaments that come out this time of year and are handled so tenderly so that somehow they will last forever.

The Christmas bowls that magically appear and are quickly dubbed the “only way to eat cereal in December” by the male population of the household.

The indoor lights that are left to me and my packaging tape. I know there’s a better way to hang the crazy things in the window…but…you know…old dog…new tricks…and all that.

The crochet hooks and Peaches and Cream yarn that seem to be fused to my hands these days. Not a spare minute can be wasted–so much to sew and only 11 more days to do it in! Yikes!!

The lovely Christmas countdown chain–from Somebody’s Stuff–that was made to be torn away each day but is far too pretty to meet such a fate. So it just hangs around and makes us very happy.

The trees that seem to be trying–with all their might to get into the spirit of the season.

The snow that obediently fell when April stomped her foot and declared that she “must have snow for her birthday!” Now that’s power.

The brand-new stocking for the brand-new sweetheart in our world–made with the very last scrap of red sock velor, that I’ve held on to for some strange reason…all these years.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Please tell me~

what Christmasy things do you love right this minute?

:}

I know to be true:

~”Bob the Tomato” from Veggie Tales is actually cuter drawn on a MagnaDoodle than he is in real life–depending on the artist.

~It’s much easier to type in a cold basement if you have these glorious fingerless gloves–now, I just need a pair of my own…so I don’t have to swipe April’s.

Thanks, Amy!

~ I must have been born in the wrong era because this old, turn-of-the-century farm house just makes my heart pound right out of my chest–rock foundation, root cellar, “gingerbread” and all. Oh, where’s that single Scottish Farmer when you need him?

*sigh*

~ A willow tree is very generous with the leaves–which should make incredible garden compost…

…very generous indeed.

~ I have a very, very happy son…

…with a very, very happy fiance’–woooohooo!!

~ Miss Chompy–if she so chooses– has a bright future…

with the circus.

All is well.

One week ago, this very day

we gathered all the little turkeys together,

and cooked and talked and laughed…

and played and ate…

oh, my–

how…

we

ate.

It was a glorious day–but then, my camera died so I had to gather all these pictures from random strangers and small woodland creatures.  And now…a week later, when all the leftovers are finally gone,

I can actually prove that the day happened—in the first place.

Seemed important somehow.

Thanks for humoring me.

:}

At this warm and wonderful time of year–there is always something going on in this busy kitchen of ours. The mixer is going non-stop on some days…

making sure we have enough wheat bread on hand to make us all happy.

Something even little fingers can help with.

Speaking of bread–this batch has been drying since last week. There’s just such a fine line between half-hearted-bread-drying and the serious, no-nonsense-professional-six-day deal we do around here.

When it comes to stuffing—perhaps you already know—

we aren’t kidding around.

Heh, heh, heh.

In fact, I happen to know that there were even some tears shed over this part of the cooking…

alas…it could not be helped–and someone had to do it.  :}

We even found time to toss together some incredible Cinnamon Honey Butter…you know…to go with the bread. Busy joint, this kitchen of ours.

Then, at the end of the day there is that slowing down, big deep breath moment in this kitchen, when perhaps the most glorious tasting thing in the world is…

a simple cup of herb tea, with just a smidge of honey.

Because, after all–the baking is finally, finally finished…

at least for today.

:}

for the bald kid.

My cute, faraway boy has a new companion. His name is Elder Johnson and he is—get this–bigger than the bald kid! This is highly unusual news.

This boy of mine is used to being the absolute giant–since he was a kid. In fact, years ago, he was handed the keys to a mini van at a youth activity and told to “take that group of boys home.”

His reply?

“Dude, I’m twelve. I brought my skateboard.”

It will be nice for him to look someone straight in the eye–at last.

Another change–he has left his beloved town of Tomck and moved to a different–much bigger city that he calls, “Krasno.” No idea how to spell what it’s really called. He says they get lost quite a lot and have to ask for directions.

Now, he lives in one of these random little “doms” in this very big complex…thirteen hours away–from his last town.

But the biggest change of all is that the temperature is dropping and it’s been snowing for about a week now. He looks kind of cold–poor guy. And wait, are those dark circles under his eyes?

He promises me that he’ll be going out this week to buy some nice, warm boots and a big, cozy fur hat. Hurry boy–hurry!

Your silly mama needs to know that you are safe, and healthy, and happy and warm.

Then all will be well in my heart.

Oooh, I miss you my boy.