We took our tree down on New Year’s Day (just so you don’t think we are those people who still have lights up in May), but since I haven’t been able to get my pics off the camera, this post is a little late. This is a good way to store Christmas ornaments. We have a small tree, which translates to small ornaments. I’m sure I didn’t invent this idea, but I thought I’d share since it was a new idea to me. The ornaments also look really pretty in the egg cartons.
Corey: Remember when you told me I had to get rid of this picture in the bathroom? You said it reminded you of the old wallpaper that we got rid of and that wallpaper was ugly and this picture reminded you of it?
Below is the replacement picture. I used a page from my 2008 wall calendar and I think it’s really cute (girl term). Hope you approve.
Keith left for China on Christmas morning. He is with Justin enjoying everything they can in 2 1/2 weeks. They have visited Justin’s family and friends and seen many beautiful sites, as many as they could cram into that time period. The above picture is Keith at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, which was built for the Olympics (as any fan of the 2008 Olympics would already know). If you weren’t a fan, check it out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_National_Stadium.
Keith: Dad and I are glad you enjoyed yourself and even happier that you’re ready to come home. We have all missed you. Molly has probably missed you and Justin most of all, though. I’ve made her a new reversible flannel blanket for her basket. As soon as I can get the pics off my camera, I’ll post a picture of her so you can see how she made herself at home again at our house.
The little black and white beauty is Corey and Danielle’s new kitten. Look at those gorgeous green eyes! When you hold this kitten, she looks into your eyes like she’s looking into your soul. She has the most beautiful eyes. She is laying with her proud new big brother, Stripes. Stripes is about 1 1/2 years old now. The kitten is eight weeks old. I’ll post a little update when the little beauty gets a name.
Ok, so here’s the deal………..if you know me, you know some of the qualities I value in people. I value trust and friendship and honesty and kindness and gentle souls. I value people who care about people and people with a giving spirit and people who call or e-mail just to say “hey, how’s it going” and not to say “I think about you all the time and just never get around to calling, but now that you’re on the phone, can you (fill in the blank) for me”.
I value peace. I remember when I was a teenager and we were having the usual Christmas Eve party at my parents’ house and somebody asked “What do you want for Christmas” and I said “world peace.” Somebody roared with laughter (I won’t name names but I do remember who it was and they were also a teenager so maybe they didn’t get it then – I think/hope they do now). I do wish for world peace but I don’t think it’s attainable – people are people and we are all just too different.
I value pet-lovers and people who care about the elderly. I always say that if you don’t love and care for pets and the elderly, you’re not my kind of person.
So…………if you think you know me, you know all or most of that about me. You also know how very much a gift I received today means to me. It’s a necklace and my Mom gave it to me today, New Year’s Day. I love the word on the necklace and hope anybody who reads this has it and gives it and encounters it every day. (A better picture will be posted soon – my camera is unwilling to free the pictures today for some reason – Joan, I’m blaming you for that!!!).
**Regia Stretch Color 117 with Regia black for heel and toe contrast**
These socks just called out for contrast so I did the heels and toes in black. I LOVE how they turned out. I made them to wear for “Christmas Eve” at my parents’ house, which is actually being held tonight, on New Year’s Eve, since Mom was in the hospital on Christmas Eve (in total, she was in the hospital December 23, 24 and 25). So, I hurried and finished them to wear them for “Christmas Eve”, washed them and blocked them last night so they would be ready for the party tonight.
Mark is doing well after his surgery. He is walking very slowly. He is supposed to walk no more than two blocks per day. If he were to walk our block, since we live in the country, he would be walking 4.5 miles per block, so nine miles per day, just for reference. He is also not to lift anything over 5-8 lbs., which is making him crazy because he wants to be useful and he feels helpless. That’s frustrating but I tell him there’s a reward in the end (good health!). He gets his stitches out on January 9 and that will provide some relief as the stitches are pulling and creating more discomfort in his back (back incision is stitched and is five inches long). His front incision is glued and healing beautifully (seven inches long).
Our weather has been beautiful (relatively speaking, for winter – it’s been in the thirties to fifties) so we’ve been able to walk outside. Today it is snow again and heavy wind and will be in the twenties or lower for at least the next week, so he’ll be walking in the house again for now.
Who better to wish you Merry Christmas than our sweet little girls, Carrie and Chloe. We wish you all as much love and joy in 2009 as these two share with each other and with us every day.
So from all of us (Mark, Teri, Carrie and Chloe)………..to all of you (our wonderful kids – all four of you – our family and friends who have e-mailed, called and shared your concern, good wishes and friendship through Mark’s hospitalization and recuperation, and throughout the year)………..from all of us to all of you…………….
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2009!!
P.S. I had to add the bonus picture of our little Buddha Belly Chloe in the picture below – it’s from last year but it’s priceless.
These socks were made mostly while Mark was in surgery, during his stay in the hospital and in the days up until today when I finished them. One pair is for Mark and the other pair is for me. Mark is doing well – he has pain only when he moves (same old same old but it is getting better). He was tempted today to have me take him for a ride but the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful (oops – we don’t have a fireplace) – but we will wait for the weather to break a little, which is supposed to happen on Christmas Day.
Here are the ingredients:
**Mark’s socks – Regia Crazy Color 112
Teri’s socks – Four Seasons Hot Socks Spirit Sockenwolle 610**
Hmmmmmmmmm – wonder what could be in those little boxes? I guess the title of the post gives it away. I made the little mittens gracing each box using the same wool as the socks – so now each recipient will have matching socks and mittens (yes, I know that’s corny since they can’t actually wear the mittens – so sorry). When I went to get the camera to take a picture, Carrie decided to try to steal the mittens off of the boxes, and somehow this beautiful picture was the first picture I took – I think it’s a keeper with her looking so innocent – so I took no more (although I was tempted because one of the boxes on the top level is crooked but who can resist a beautiful Carrie pic).
These are socks I worked on all year – between other projects – for Christmas gifts for my family. I took the picture outside in the snow – today it is 4 degrees with a wind chill of -27. Thankfully, I didn’t have to stray far – I just stepped out the door and took them on the back deck.
In the order they appear, here’s who they’re for and what they’re made with:
**Mark – Regia Strato Color 5748
Keith – Regia Crazy Color 114
Justin – Regia Strato Color 5747
Corey – Regia Schatten Color 5163
Danielle – Regia Jacquard Color 5243**
Do you sense a pattern with the socks I make? I love Regia!! Not all socks I make are Regia, but a majority are.