When I spoke to him, a workman was there installing shelving in the closets. My cousin had been up late Christmas night painting trim to prepare for the shelving installation.
It is very odd to be taking digital photos of photo prints in my album!
The Quipper's email is abuzz with Running in Circles band members comparing and revising set lists for the New Year's Eve gig, a fundraiser for an area Catholic High School's booster club.
I saturated the guinea pig/sleeve in cold water and gently squeezed enough water out so it would not leave a trail from the sink to my work space. I smoothed but did not stretch the fabric and pinned it in place. Now it is nearly dry. Maybe by tonight I can take this sleeve off and proceed with the front or back piece.
I'm happy to hear that! And I hope to find it is true. I have never worked with this type on neck band before. It was the final piece of the front section and it joins at the back of the neck, attached to the back. Finally, the last sleeve is about one third complete. 
Maybe by the time it is done I'll have the other pieces blocked.
I think he did a pretty good job, and I think his grandparents will be thrilled!
Today we had leftovers for lunch. This is not unusual at all in our house. Christmas dinner leftovers are making our luncheon quite eccentric. There are small amounts of some items and lots of others. On the menu:
Glory to God in highest heaven,
From The Lutheran Hymnal # 85 v. 2, 15
Look for them again Dec. 23rd at Club Images in Strongsville, OH.
Then everyone took turns shaking the jar. The Quipper did shake the jar before he left for work, but first he teased us all by holding the jar still and shaking his body while the kids laughed and I fumbled for the camera. He declined to reenact his little dance on film! 
Next, when the butter has formed, I drain the buttermilk into a glass (to sip later) and use a rubber spatula to press all the milk from the butter fat. Then I put the soft butter into a dish to chill. Others might add salt at this time, but I prefer to leave it sweet. 
As soon as it has chilled enough not to suffer any finger gouges when I clumsily try to wrap the dish in plastic, I go ahead and cover it. I don't want it to absorb any odors or flavors from whatever it might live next to in the refrigerator until Christmas! It tastes so good on warm home-baked bread.
We also put our tree up. We have very small table top tree this year as I'll be setting up tables for life-size dinner guests throughout the living room. And only unbreakable ornaments are on the tree this year. 
And here is a sentimental favorite of mine. The glass balls glisten in the ambient light, electric light, candle light, and with reflections of the tree lights on the opposite side of the room, but camera flashes do nothing for them. This arch belonged to my mom, and some of the glass balls were brought from Germany to the US by my great grandmother.
In the photo above, to the right of the clock, you can just see a glimpse of the smaller window. I forgot to get a photo of these-- drat! These are about 6-8 feet shorter and half as wide as the large windows. They contain all floral and filigree, no symbolic images, but they are quite pretty.
On the other side of the church the panels illustrate the virtues. The anchor of hope is on the left. An anchor, a cross and a heart are on the right, representing faith, hope and love. Again, a cross and crown are in the middle, but a different cross and crown. And again, the Easter lilies fill the other two spaces. 
An outside view of the building can be found here. And another glimpse of the smaller windows here.
Maybe one of my pastors will comment and tell me: Were the older windows (or their glass) imported from Germany, or were they made here in the USA by German immigrants? I have seen some other Lutheran churches in the Midwest USA with the similar green, floral, and filigree patterns.
This time, I am moving the lifeline every four to six rows, and as soon as I get tired I'm putting it away. Unless I lock my self in a room until the work is done (0% chance!!!) it will not be done for my birthday, but I am still hoping to get it done for Christmas. (50% chance, I think). We shall see.
So two parts are done, one sleeve, the front, and a neck band to go. Then I'll get my first experience with blocking. I'm looking forward to it.
I've never seen him do this before or since. I don't think he knows I saw him "eat like a piggie" and he certainly does not know the moment was captured on film. When he gets older he is the type would be very embarrassed by this photo!
...a real drag across the living room and dining room floors. I forgot to ask the Quipper if he had any sore muscles in his legs this morning! Dad, Do you remember when my brother and I would beg you for Foot-Rides around the house? Maybe it is genetic.
My baking needs all the help it can get! She was a gift from my aunt and uncle many years ago. I love her apron, her garters on her arms, and her little boots.
You are either native and stupid, or you are foreign and knowledgeable.
"And did those feet
In ancient times,
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
In England's pleasant pastures seen?"
Well, no, but it's a cracking good tune.
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I forgot to take the photo before one of the oranges was already cut up for my four year old to eat!
By the time I came downstairs some of the chocolates had mysteriously disappeared too.
I got up long after the children this morning. Last night was a late and unpleasant one as I learned my mother-in-law, while traveling to her mother-in-law's deathbed and funeral in Florida, had broken a bone in her foot. At this point, my in-laws still do not know when they will be coming home again. Your prayers for them are coveted. I fervently hope she will not need surgery to repair this break.
It was reminiscent of A Christmas Story's "I can't put my arms down!" when my son tried to get up off the kitchen floor after having mommy tighten his boot straps.
The mittens I made for him are getting their first field test today. 
