HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve night. We decided to stay in this evening and watch movies. I am happily hooking a new rug. It's not very often I get an evening of just quiet so I am doing what I love to do. Tomorrow, we'll have a house full of men glued to the TV set in the living room watching every bowl game possible.

I've got my sewing room all cleaned and organized. So...while they are watching the games, I can sit and hook & stitch all day and evening, with the door closed...of course! There is something to be said for football!

BACK TO REALITY...BACK TO WORK

After a wonderful Christmas week, it's time to go back to reality and head on in to work this morning. Not that it's a bad thing..it's just that it is nice to play Donna Reed for a week. To be able to actually enjoy cleaning, cooking, without any time restraints has been quite a treat. Oh well....I think I do much better under pressure. Seems I do get more done when I work...my "to-do" lists are never ending and the little check marks by each task when completed, gives me a certain sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas.

The above hooked rug was a gift from my dear AAPG friend, Kelley Belfast. She not only hooked the rug, she is also the designer. "Merrie Wynter" says it all....here's hoping everyone has a Merrie Wynter!

COOKIE DAY AT GRANDMA'S...THE COOKS ARE ASSEMBLED

This year, I really wanted to have a special day with the grandkids. I have been off of work this week, so I decided to have the three oldest come over on Monday mid-day to bake some sugar cookies. Karsyn, Jacob,and Sebastian were all up for the task! I bought them each their own little apron and Santa hat. While the cookies were baking and cooling...we had a picnic lunch on the living room floor while watching Mickey Mouse's Christmas on DVD. I made them grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets with chocolate milk. It was so much fun...next year..I'll have six of them together for the baking...it should be interesting!

They are ready to start baking..I gave them each their own cookie tray..so they could decorate their own cookies...no sharing with licking little fingers and spoons...I was on strict orders from their parents!

Sebastian, who is also 3, is having a blast! Anytime these three little ones get together, there's always some type of excitement...

My second oldest grandchild, Jacob, who is three...is really getting into the decorating.

Karsyn looks like she has had "enough"! I don't know if she was tired of decorating cookies...or just tired of having to put up with the "teasing" of her two younger cousins!

Another busy week..but I did find time to sit and crochet a few of my favorite dish cloths to be given as gifts to two of my dear friends. I found these cute snowman hat baskets at Michael's this week and filled them with some lovely, linen Christmas kitchen drying cloths, some chocolates, a "to-do" magnet paper pad, and of course the red and white dish cloths. I think they make a nice hostess gift....even if they don't use them..they are kind of cute to look at just sitting on a kitchen counter. Have a great evening!

THE SIMPLE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

Yesterday, my husband and I went to cut down our Christmas tree at a tree farm we discovered last year. It's about 40 miles south of our home, almost to the Michigan/Ohio border. The road traveled is a narrow two lane, country road that is lined with farmhouses, barns, & acres and acres of corn fields. I love the drive to this tree farm. I often think of how different it must be living out in this quiet atmosphere as compared with living in suburbia. My husband always says "No way would I live out here"..but I would move in a heartbeat!

Anyway...my husband has got to the sweetest,most patient man in the world! Going with me to pick out a tree is like taking a 6 year old girl to the American Girl Shop in Chicago! I have to admit...I am ridiculous...you would think I am picking out a tree for the White House! And the tree I usually pick out is one that is a little scrawny, a little too tall. and of course the trunk is ALWAYS crooked! This year, I opted for a shorter tree, but I love it!! It is a Canaan Fir and is sparse just in the right places. Decorating is done for this year. I'm planning on taking it easy and enjoying the prelude to Christmas. Sooooo..take care, my friends....and have a blessed week...enjoy this glorious Christmas Season!