The Birthday Girl

I can't believe little Moops is 4!....

But it's not today, it was the day BEFORE!!!

Why did this happen... I did think of her....

It must have been the holiday blur.

The smiles she has and her voice is so sweet..

I knew I had to make a wooly to meet,

her at the door for her fantastic hugs!

A blue sweater, this year, made with love.

We've Been Busy

Holy cow is it Christmas Eve ALREADY!!!! I swear, it's not like the date is different every year, I mean - we all know the date, but I really feel that there is some sort of cosmic joke on mothers to get everything done in a time period of 2 weeks. Who knows, but what I do know is when I have a gazillion things to do, the first thing that gets kicked to the curb is laundry, no it is my dear blog. 

Here is what we have been doing since our last visit.

Dumplin' was an angel in her school play! It was wonderful, even our Aunt showed up!

We went to a fun party!

We decorated our Christmas tree

We went to a favorite Uncle's house in Pennsylvania for Sunday dinner

We had Snow!!

I have been crocheting/knitting holiday gifts (as of this minute -I am still not done!!) This is my favorite new hat. Details when I don't have people coming over for dinner and gifts still left to make!!

Yes Colin, There Is A Santa Claus

Last night I went to pick up Son #1 from piano lessons. It is a quick drive and last night I was by myself when I picked him up. As he hopped in the front seat (asking permission to do so first) I could tell that he needed to speak to me about something. I got that pit in my stomach as he carefully chose his words:

"Mom, if I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?"

  -Holy crap was the only thing that came to my mind. I put the car in park. I said to him, "Honey, I will tell you the truth if I can...."

  -As his lips began to quiver he took a deep breath, "You can tell me, Mom, I can handle it you know...."

  -Oh my, what is coming next? "I told you that I would tell you the truth, honey."

"Is there really a Santa Claus, or is it just you and Daddy?"

  -When I tell you the look on his face was pure Angelic, one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen,  I will remember that look for the rest of my life. And I did what I had to, I gave him the facts.

"Honey, it is true, your father and I do buy a lot of the gifts at Christmas time, but you have to remember the Spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus is a powerful, wonderful gift itself.... it is an honor to be a part of such a spectacular thing.... yes honey, there is a Santa Claus"

"I knew you would tell me the truth Mom, thank you...." 

  -The relief and brilliant smile that came over that boy's face was again, the most beautiful thing I have witnessed.....

Thank you Santa, I have already received my present. Merry Christmas!

(I am SO Glad I didn't have to lie)

It's Beginning.....

To Look....
A lot like Christmas!......
From the top: Handmade stocking made for me by my mother (she is also crafty, she just does not knit or crochet). Handmade pillows by me for Christmas one year. Tree I made for the wonderful woman who runs Dumplin's school. It took about 4 hours to make, I loosely followed this pattern. Today is the Christmas play at her school, so from now on I will have her home. Kind of makes it tricky to Ho Ho Ho!!!

Lucky Teachers!

Wow, do I love this pattern! It's Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau. What a nice, straightforward pattern that is easy to memorize and made in luscious Malabrigo. I finished the first one in a couple of days, and the second is almost finished. One more to go.... by Friday, it shouldn't be too hard to finish. 

We are busy, busy, decorating the house and getting ready for the Big Man. It is fun to do with the crew - pictures on Friday!

I've finished my Holiday Sweater! It took 2 days to make and I weaved in the ends yesterday afternoon waiting for school pick up.  I love the way the yarn looks in this pattern, and it is so soft! I could easily wear it with a tank and not feel scratchy! Love artyarns, love, love, love it!!

The pattern is from Tahki Stacey Charles 2nd Edition Crochet book called Java Sweater (java is the name of the yarn it is made in.) I remember designing this at the beach - and I love the way it looks in both yarns. I held the artyarns double for this top.

Remember when I said I was scaling back on the handmade gifts? Yep, I've done it again - I went to my LYS and just went off! Here is the booty I came away with yesterday. 

As all professional shoppers do, I couldn't resist buying myself a gift, and so here you have the LAST Addi click set available at Knit knack for ME! I am already using them working on this great scarf from Laura called Just Enough Ruffles - what a great pattern! I need 3 teachers gifts by next Friday - so quick projects are in order for the next week!

Shopping

 I am REALLY good at shopping, really, just ask Mr. Fantastic - he'll tell you.... I should win an award or something. I am hummin' along on my Christmas shopping - yesterday, I scheduled a trip to the Mall. Yes, I was showered and ready to rock, nice and relaxed... happy to be a little ahead of the game in the shopping department! My trip was very successful..... I am almost completely finished, even the gifts that need to be shipped are purchased and ready to be wrapped - which reminds me, I even have my gift wrap purchased! I feel good, I feel like I am not going to be worried and waiting in endless lines, no! Not me, I am going to enjoy this Holiday if it kills me!

My sweet niece has a birthday, just a few short days before the Big Day and I always try to get her something great.... this year, I've done it. Our gift is going into the Gift Hall of Fame! I just know it. Here is the box......

Yes, I know..... it is a little over the top, but you know what? She deserves it! Anyway, remember a few paragraphs ago, when I was so happy about my scheduled trip and not waiting in lines, etc.? My elation turned to complete annoyance when I opened the mail today and got this......

Yep, 25% off my entire purchase! I guess I will be going back to the store and waiting in line, to get my Credit!!!!! 

Christmas Crafting

Well, Thanksgiving is over and it's time to get into the groove of my holiday gifting!!! I am scaling things down quite a bit this year in terms of handcrafted gifts. I won't be able to show any of my progress because my entire family reads this blog!!! I will show my teacher gifts. 

This beautiful yarn is from Artyarns and is called Silk Mohair Glitter. A quick run to my LYS on Sunday (holiday hours are sweet!) and I found this beautiful stuff tucked in a corner. It really looks like ice and snow and will make a beautiful Christmas top for ME!!!! I think I am going to do a variation on something I have already designed - we'll see.

Dumplin' couldn't resist being in the photo!