Labels

I have some hand sewing ahead of me! Some people gave me these labels for my birthday and for Christmas.And this is a pile of sweaters I have made, many of which now have a safety pin indicating the back of the neck. This is much more fun than sewing buttons or fixing hems! I'm also wearing an every-day sweater I finished last night. It is a navy yoke sweater with a brick and yellow yoke. I love the colors, and it is comfortable. Happy New Year!

Whoa

When you drive south, east, or southeast from Greater Cleveland you are sooner or later bound to share the roads with Amish buggies and horses. The sight always makes the children comment aloud. When driving through a small town the horses can be seen tethered in parking lots, patiently waiting for their drivers. But here is something I have not seen before: I usually drive south when visiting Amish country, and this is in a community southeast of me.

Christmas Mishaps

Do you have any Christmas stories that were, perhaps, not funny at the time, but now they are?

A few years ago I made various appetizers for my family to enjoy before our Christmas meal. One of the favorite items we all enjoy is broiled bacon-wrapped chestnuts. That year I had run out of toothpicks. I ran up to the local drug store, grabbed some toothpicks, paid and ran home to complete the preparations. When everyone was over, anticipating the snacks, an unusual aroma filled the house. It was not the pure broiled bacon aroma we were expecting, but it was not completely unfamiliar either. Was something wrong with the brand of chestnuts I had bought this time?

They looked wonderful, so I served them. I think my brother was the first to discover the error.
Mint toothpicks.

Everyone still ate them, but not with the ususal enjoyment.

The next year, my brother brought me a box of 1500 hors d'ourves toothpicks!

Christmas Eve

Last year my friend sent me a video of herself playing piano. This year I asked permission to share it here.

I tried several times to load it here, and I could not. But if you enjoy piano music, and if you like "What Child is This," you can follow the link to a lovely arrangement played by my friend, Lea Dobda.

Merry Christmas

Fröhliches Weihnachten

Joyeux Noel

Hauska Joulu

Vrolijke Kerstmis

Buon Natale

Was Sein Dies?

A few months ago Dad asked for help re-organizing his linen closet. While going through the items we found some lovely treasures, antique lace tablecloths with matching napkins and such. There were also a number of unmatched sets of dinner or luncheon napkins, doilies and table runners, and some mystery objects.
I found these two hand embroidered, counted cross stitch envelopes. I do not ever remember seeing these little envelopes before, nor does my Dad. The envelopes bear my great- grandparents' initials. My great-grandparents came to America from Germany just over 100 years ago. I think these must have has some special significance, or Mom would not have kept them. A few weeks ago, I saw something similar on Mumintroll's blog, but I was unable to comprehend the details in German about her photo.

I admire the picot edged ribbon stitched to the outside edges of the fabric. I would love to know what these are called! Are they Christmas items? And what was their purpose? I'd like to tell my children about them.

Baking

The Engineer invents a new piano-playing posture.I broke into baking today, my most-dread Christmas chore. First I made the marzipan.

I asked the Artist to make the press cookie dough. She did a great job, then for the third year in a row the cookies came out of the press looking pitiful. And the press kept falling apart as I tried to use it. Frustration reigned. I yelled at the kids, swore under my breath and got short with Rick when he called from the office, "How is your day?"

Time to clean up the kitchen. I need a nap!

Tomorrow the Artist can mix up some gingerbread cookies. When she goes off to her evening appointments I hope to attempt springerle again this year. They are one of my favorites, but I have not had much practice. The dough can rest Thursday night and hopefully I'll be happy with them on Friday.

Ahhh, Relax

Shopp-ing lists, groce-ry stores,
Driv-ing through the snow,
Oh what fun
To menu plan...

Yesterday got away from me and I never got a chance to post. When Rick is home from work, I rarely get a chance to look at the computer.

But yesterday evening all the hustle and bustle of the day was gone. We lit the fire and enjoyed a quiet evening together. I didn't even pick up the knitting needles until about 11 p.m. But I did get to enjoy a thoughtful gift from my brother-and-soon-to-be-sister-in-law.
A subscription to Knitters! I found lots to whet the appetite. It has been a while since I have done any intarsia work and there are a number of projects here that can entice me back into it.