Christmas Recovery

Christmas Day was a lovely family day at home. I'd say it was quiet except for the constant "clickety-clack, clickety-clack" of numerous trains running in the house. Mum sent a pair of coaches for the Big, Big Train set and Nathan was quite excited to play with them. Since early Christmas Day there has been a track running from the front door, across the living room, through the dining room and kitchen, and back through the living room. Guess I won't be vacuuming for a few days!

These are the aprons I made for Christmas gifts. The yellow and red apron was made for my step-mom and matches her "Kitchen Keepsake" cookbook. The flame apron was made for my Dad and matches his "Redneck Grill" cookbook. The pictures didn't come out very well, but I like the way the aprons came out and they were so easy!

Today is a gray, rainy, windy day here. Nathan is napping, so the house is quiet. I have a million things on my To Do List, but don't have much motivation to get any of it done. Think I'll drag out the sewing machine and work on a little project for my Mom. I'd tell you what it is, but I know she reads my blog. Sorry Mom, you'll just have to wait for your birthday!

A Good Day at Goodwill

Amazingly, I'm almost ready for Christmas. Just need to wrap Nathan's gifts, which seem to have multiplied in the closet when I wasn't looking. I'm actually feeling pretty relaxed now. It does help that I sent e-Christmas cards and refused to do any Christmas baking. The Christmas Puddings were done a few weeks ago, so they don't count.

In the midst of my calm afternoon, I bribed Nathan into shopping at Goodwill. The bribe was he got to go into Toys R Us. It was crazy in there and I can only imagine what it'll be like this weekend. Anyway, onto Goodwill......


All of their Christmas decorations were marked down to 50% off, so I got this cute Christmas Tree candle holder for .88!!

I loved the green glass jar on site and immediately knew I had to have it for my growing assortment of buttons. A steal at .75.

Finally, a cute leather handbag by Relic. It's got that tooled Paisley sort of design and.....there was a matching wallet inside! Quite a score at $2.75. I just haven't decided if I need to keep it or if I'll sell it on eBay. Maybe I'll just let it live in my closet for a bit.

Hubby returned home tonight after a long two week trip, so I'll cut this short and go enjoy a little quality couple time!

Where'd my motivation go?

So, I thought I was doing really well at keepingn on top of all the Christmas to dos...shopping, wrapping, sewing, baking, yada, yada, yada. But I think I've come to a bit of a stand still. I have several people still to shop for. I haven't wrapped a single present to put under the tree. (The UK and NZ prezzies were bought, wrapped and shipped before Halloween) And the sewing projects.....well, I've got all the pieces cut out. I'm hoping that the pixies have learned how to use my sewing machine and will just whip up a couple aprons while I sleep. The baking has been nonexistent, except for a batch of sugar cookies that Nathan insisted we make so he could try out our new cookie press. It works fine and the cookies were pretty tasty, even with the easter decors on them!

I did have a very nice breakfast with my mom's club friends this morning. We had quiche at a great little tea room and exchanged little prezzies. Some nice gifts, especially the dark chocolate covered graham crackers. I'm sure my hubby would love them, but I don't think they'll be around long enough to find out.

And now, instead of going to bed or working on aprons, I'm going to balance my checkbook and pay some bills. I know, I know......there are so many more fun things to do than checkbooks and bills! Maybe I'll get to the fun tomorrow.

It's 1 a.m., why am I not in bed?

Feeling the pressure to get the Christmas gift sewing done. Unfortunately, can't cut straight...can't pin evenly...and obviously have no business sitting in front of a sewing machine! Heck, I can barely rip out the wonky seam I just finished. Guess it'll wait 'til tomorrow and thank goodness for Priority Mail.

We did have a lovely family evening out. Nathan and I met hubby for dinner, then went to see the Holiday Lights at CALM. Went on the Ferris Wheel and a train ride. Nathan was so excited that we got to sit in the tender, right behind the engine! Topped off the evening with Kettle Corn and an incredible Apple Dumpling with Cream Cheese Frosting. Evidently I've come down from the sugar high......

Sending myself to bed now.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

The Tree is up! And it's decorated!!

I must say that I only put a few ornaments on the tree. Every time I unwrapped an ornament, it was taken over by my 4 year old. We couldn't get him to understand that the tree needed ornaments all around, so it's a little heavy on one side. Several branches have numerous ornaments on them. He eventually laid down on the tree skirt to hang the shiny ones under the tree. I have to remember that he's 4 and letting him do things his way builds his self confidence. Besides, it's only the Christmas tree....it doesn't have to be perfect. Repeat after me...it doesn't have to be perfect...it doesn't have to be perfect....

Still so much to do -

My mom's group Christmas Dinner is Saturday night and I'll be making Chicken Broccoli Alfredo for at least 20 people. I haven't cooked for that many in a while. It should be a very fun evening. And I also have at least 4 projects to finish and ship so that certain family members have gifts on Christmas Day. Oh and the gift for Nathan's teacher. We made a cute Snow Family for her, but Nathan now wants to keep them. So tomorrow we're off to Walmart for more buttons to make another Snow Family!

Snow Family #1