A busy December Saturday

 

Saturdays in December always seem to be busy, wouldn't you agree?  Today was no exception.

As usual on Saturday mornings, Mr. T spent the hours from 8 to 10 a.m. at the local flag wave near our town's McDonalds.  It was below zero but a total of about 20 hardy patriots were out there standing in the snow and waving lots of American flags.

While he was gone, I wrapped some gifts, wrote some Christmas cards, and prepared a plate full of lemon shortbread thumbprints to take to our friend Terry.

Upon Mr. T's return, we headed 45 minutes south, picked up Terry, and headed out for a late breakfast at a favorite restaurant.  Despite the need for masks and contact info, the restaurant was busy and had the almost-normal holiday weekend bustle about it.  What a sumptuous breakfast we enjoyed!

We visited with Terry for awhile back at her house, then in late afternoon headed home, stopping at Lowe's on the way to hopefully find a container for a gift basket.  We found a nice pine crate that will serve the purpose nicely. 

I had finished a small crochet project en route to Terry's, and started another one this evening.  During the time left before supper (we didn't need much!), I wrote a bunch more Christmas cards and Mr. T made a double batch of Cinnamon Pretzels for a couple of gifts.

So it was a productive Saturday as well as a very enjoyable one.  I'll leave you with a photo of our Christmas tree:

I had turned off the tree lights, so they really aren't visible in the photo.  It is very pretty, though, we think.

Today's progress

 

Today we shipped out the second priority mail box to Nevada.

Then I finished a sewing project I'd been working on.  Here's an older picture with a clue:

 After much hunting around town, Mr. T found a mailing envelope of suitable size to send this awkwardly shaped gift to Nevada.  (It had been a special request.)  I won't even tell you how much it cost to mail.  Ridiculous, but it cost nothing to make, so it all evens out.

He also baked muffins as a gift that will go to his mom along with a bag of clementines.

Oh, and I wrote a post for my regular blog about this annual event:

 and how we tweaked it this year.

Tonight, I finished a crochet project and wrote a few Christmas cards.

Next year, I think I may go back to a December 1 deadline for getting Christmas crafting accomplished.  It just wasn't practical to do so this year, but it has made things a little crazy getting things finished.😃

A few more Christmasy things done today

 

The most important thing I did toward Christmas today was to set up the Nativity scene.  It actually looks a bit different from the one above, which is from a previous year.  I still have the same stable and New Testament (open to Luke 2), but the figures are different.  I have never liked these, but they were all that was to be found the year my dad made the stable for us.  So all these years I have had them.  Now I've inherited the figures my parents had, which are much nicer looking.  Maybe in the next few days I can get a picture.

Then I finished a very large sewing project I was working on (simple enough, but large) and started another sewing project.  Good progress was made on that.

I also wrapped many more gifts and, with Mr. T's help, packed another box for Nevada.  Lots of his cookies and fudge are winging their way there in yesterday's box, and the recipients are already eagerly anticipating its arrival!

Finally, in Christmasy news, we got about fifteen (15) inches of snow today.  It seems strange to have gone from no snow on the ground at all, to having lots and lots of the fluffy white stuff!

Just a little more Christmasy progress

 

Yes, just a bit more progress has been made in the last couple of days.

Yesterday, we were able to decorate the tree.  We got out all of the ornament boxes and I chose which ones we would actually put on the tree.  (Last year, we didn't do this.  I decorated the tree by myself and used only vintage ornaments I'd found at my childhood home.)  In the process of decorating the tree yesterday, I found quite a few Christmas decorations I wanted to get rid of, and those went to the thrift store today.

Today I began wrapping, and packed a box for Nevada, including lots of cookies and some fudge.  Tomorrow, the next and hopefully final box will be packed.  (We ordered many of their gifts online.)

I also ordered the last of the Christmas gifts, some for grandsons, some for friends.  Just two more gift cards to buy, and a gift for one of the names we drew at church, and we will be done shopping.

Oh, and one rather large gift that I was sewing is nearly complete.  I have one more sewed gift to make, and all of the pieces for that are cut out.

Pretty encouraging progress, really!  We also went over and finished doing last minute things to winterize (so to speak) our little camp, including placing a Christmas wreath on the outside.  I hope passers-by find it a cheery touch all winter long!

A timely quote for today

Back in 2014, when my granddaughter and I made our simple Christmas card banners,  some of the pennants were from the insides of Christmas cards.  We chose them according to how well they would fit our template, of course, but we also chose them according to the message they shared.  We tried to pick ones that were meaningful to us.

  I've shared about some of these before, but it's been awhile.  Yesterday I put these banners up, in preparation for a special breakfast with some of our grandchildren. The message on one particular card jumped out at me and begged to be shared:

"Let us have a little warmth

in the midst of winter ...

Let us have a little peace

amid the rush of daily life ...

Let us have a little comfort,

a  little beauty, a little wonder ...

Let us celebrate Christmas."

~ Ellen Brenneman

Isn't that beautiful?  I loved it when I first read it,  and I especially love it right now.  We need a little peace, a little comfort, a little beauty, a little wonder.  Regardless of the powers that be and the restrictions of the "pandemic", let us indeed celebrate Christmas.

Christmasy progress as of today

 Just a little bit more progress to report.  Let's see.  

Yesterday Mr. T baked another batch of Christmas cookies -- Peanut Blossoms.  Those are the ones that are basically just peanut butter cookies with a Hershey's kiss in the center.

He also managed to get the Christmas tree up and assembled (it's a new one, but he's pleased with how well everything was marked and it went together fairly easily).  Later in the evening, we managed to get the lights on the tree.  I admit it, I'm sort of a stickler for lights and how they are arranged on the tree.    It annoys me when they are just draped from branch to branch with all of the cords showing, so when we put lights on our tree I like to tuck them well into the branches.  We've had pre-lit trees before and I always love how they look at first, but then it seems very quickly, after only a year or two, sections of the lights begin to go dark and we end up wrapping lights around the tree anyway.

Yesterday I eked out time to create several Shutterfly gifts -- one of them I already had well started and was just waiting for a decent sale -- so they are now in the works.

Today we took four of our local grandkids on a traditional outing we do with them every year.  We had to tweak it a bit due to the times we are currently living in, but we made it work and had fun.  I'll post more about this on my regular blog, hopefully tomorrow.

This afternoon Mr. T baked another batch of cookies -- chocolate with a Rolo pressed into the center of each.  While he did that, I cut out several gifts that will be easy sewing projects.  This evening I finished a crocheted gift I've been working on.

Really, when I write it all out, it seems as if quite a lot of Christmasy progress is happening!

A fun reminder from Christmas 2019

 

 Last year our Nevada daughter sent us some wonderful photos of their Christmas preparations.  It was such a blessing, since we rarely get to be with them at Christmas.  It was such fun to see how the kids were getting into the Christmas spirit!  Above, you see Elliott and Micah decorating the tree.

Emily and Jerusha work on making cookie dough.

The girls make gingerbread cookies.  The two boys are working on another project in the background.

One of the boys strings colored lights on the fence.

The little lighted roof near the top left is the kids' fort.  It comes in for its share of Christmas decorating, too!

It made me so happy to pull out these photos and again watch the kids in their preparations for Christmas.  I hope that my readers enjoyed them, too.

A fun Christmas event (and more)

 

 I don't have photos, but this afternoon we were able to attend our granddaughter Julia's orchestra concert, A Celtic Christmas.  It was amazing and delightful and included a little ballet put together by the students as well as a time of singing along with the orchestra in a number of Christmas carols.  Such a lovely time!  We are so thankful that Julia has the opportunity to learn violin and to participate in this wonderful little orchestra.

We took a tray of Mr. T's wonderful Christmas cookies to share after the concert.  The plate was emptied very quickly indeed!

This morning I went to a ladies' Bible study and it was such a blessing to be reminded of fulfilled prophecy.  It reminds us that we can completely, fully trust God's promises for the future no matter how crazy things get in our world.  

Other than these activities, the only really Christmasy things I did today involved plugging away at a couple of handcrafted Christmas gifts.  Hoping to put the tree up tomorrow!

The colors of Christmas: red and green

 

Here goes with another post spun off of a question from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  This came from week before last's Hodgepodge questions: 

Besides Christmas, what do you associate the color red with? How about the color green? 

Well, for starters, how about leaves?  They come in shades of both red and green.  And there's always traffic lights.  They come in both colors too.

 I always associate red with Valentine's Day.  And strawberries, tomatoes, cherries.  Sunrises, sometimes.  I like all shades of red and I wear red quite a bit.

Green is probably my favorite color.  It comes in so many shades, from pistachio to olive.  I always associate green with late spring and early summer, when the leaves first begin to come out, and with glorious evergreens and holly in winter.  Green is also the color of growth, and spiritual growth is a passion of mine.

But I like both red and green even more at Christmas.  I've put together a few Christmas ephemera packs for my Etsy shop, and I did one each of red and green, as well as a mixed pack and a "blue Christmas" one.  All but the red one have sold.

What do you think?  Should I make more of these ephemera packs this season?  There are still so many items to list!

I love a blue Christmas

 

 Yes, although I'm pretty traditional in my love for red and green, gold, silver, and white, I also love the vintage cards with a blue Christmas theme.  The one above isn't as "blue" as some, but that blue-sky background is pretty, isn't it?

As many readers know, I'm spending a lot of time scanning and listing vintage Christmas cards in my Etsy shop.  I think there are literally thousands still to list.  Yesterday, I came upon the beauties below and just had to share.  They will probably be going into the shop tomorrow.

The pastel blue candle above has actual star confetti sprinkled around it.  So pretty!  It also has holly and pine, but the holly berries appear to be mistletoe berries.  Artistic license, I guess!

The card above is more of a dull teal in color, but it still has a blue Christmas look to me.  I love the classy look of this design, with the textured candle, and the pretty ornaments, holly and pine arranged at its base.  Be still my heart!

Aren't they lovely?

Christmasy questions

 

And a few nosy questions from last week's Hodgepodge:  

Is your tree up? 

No.

Real or artificial? 

I prefer real, but we're using artificial this year.

Is your house decorated? 

Partially.

Is your shopping done? 

Started. 

Wrapped?

No.

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Scrooge-like and 10 being Buddy the Elf, how's your Christmas spirit? 

Based on the true reason for celebration, the birth of Christ, I'll say a 10. Because that's the reality.  Based on how I'm personally feeling right now, I'll say a 7.  I'd feel a lot more Christmasy if I had started sooner with everything.  It's been a crazy year in more ways than one!

Christmasy progress for December 8

Let's see, what have we accomplished today towards Christmas?  Well, I have been working on a few crafts, but haven't completed anything.

Mr. T has done lots of baking today (and before that, he replaced a water heater!).  He baked Secret Spice Cookies, 

 

Raspberry Almond Thumbprints, 

 

and tried a new recipe: Gingerbread Brownies, that turned out very well.

A sweetly productive day, at least on his part!

Down Candy Cane Lane

 

For fun, I borrowed a few questions from Joyce's Hodgepodge at .From This Side of the Pond this past week. Some of the questions lent themselves to being turned into blog posts, so here goes with the first one.

 Do you like peppermint? Peppermint mocha, a candy cane, peppermint bark, peppermint tea, York Peppermint Pattie, peppermint ice cream...of the peppermint treats listed, which one is your favorite? Will you bake anything featuring peppermint this holiday season? 

I do like peppermint, very much. Peppermint mocha ... a lovely flavor combination.  The peppermint mocha coffee creamer is so delicious, but so very unhealthy that I don't buy it anymore.  If I encounter it at someone's home, however, I will use it.

 Candy canes are not my favorite candy, but I do love their festive look and flavor.

 Peppermint bark ... yes, it's scrumptious.  I have made this for kitchen gifts a few times in the past.

Peppermint tea ... my hubby and I love Candy Cane Lane by Celestial Seasonings.  A few years back I tried White Christmas (from Stash, I think) which is a white tea with peppermint that I found very tasty.  I don't like plain peppermint tea, though.

 York Peppermint Patties ... yes, those are wonderful.  Ever made the brownies that have a layer of the peppermint patties in the middle?

I'm not really into peppermint ice cream, but I surely wouldn't turn down a dish of it drizzled with hot fudge sauce.

Yes, it's quite likely I'll bake something featuring peppermint this holiday season.  It's a flavor that simply says "Merry Christmas"!

The tentative 2020 Kitchen Gifts list

 

Just one more list for food gifts:

 Cinnamon Pretzels are super easy and go nicely in pretty dollar store tins.

Christmas Granola is next in line, and it's so simple.  I use my regular formula for Homemade Granola.  After it's baked, while still warm, I stir in dried cranberries and shelled pistachios (red and green, get it?) to taste.  Voila!  Christmas Granola!

Hot Chocolate Mix is next, and this is my own recipe.  It always seems to go over well, and sometimes people bring the jars back for a refill.

Bran Muffins sounds like a rather mundane Christmas gift, but I'll explain.  Years ago I started giving my mother-in-law containers of Bran Muffin Batter at Christmas.  (The first year, I gave her silicone muffin pans as well.)  In more recent years, it's become more difficult for my mother-in-law to bake, so I just bake the muffins myself, using the same batter recipe, and give her a half dozen or so.  I've also experimented a bit with cutting the sugar in the recipe by about 1/3.  I think it calls for 3 cups and I cut it back to 2 cups.  It is still plenty sweet.

And lastly on the list is Christmas Jam from Kitty's Kozy Kitchen.  I made this in 2018 and so loved giving it as part of a gift basket or using as a hostess gift.  We will see if I can find time to make some again this year.

In addition, I'm also planning to bake these little Apricot Fruitcakes.  These are a great favorite with a loved one on my list, and I think she deserves to enjoy some this Christmas.  They are fun to bake and give.

And that's my tentative kitchen gifts list!  We'll see how the actual list compares when all is said and done.

The tentative candy-making list for 2020

 

Today's post is pretty simple: my 2020 candy-making list.  It's essentially the same as the list I made in 2019, but I may add one item to it.  I've included recipe links and some photos for those who wish to try them.

 🎄 Arlene’s Easy Fudge (Last time I made this, I used peanut butter chips instead of the butterscotch along with the chocolate -- and wow!)

🎄  Heavenly Delight

🎄  Special Holiday Fudge

🎄  Chocolate-Dipped Orange Slices

  🎄 Date-Nut Casserole Cookies

These are much more of a candy than a cookie -- a confection, you might say.  The batter is baked in a casserole, cooled slightly and rolled into balls, dipped in sugar. 

And I will likely try at least one more recipe:

🎄 Easy Salted Caramel Fudge

This is a recipe I found and posted for Christmas in July for 2019.  It looks easy and different.  

I think I have everything I need on hand to make all of these candies.  Since my hubby has pretty much taken over the cookie baking, there should be time for me to make candy and other kitchen gifts!

Vegetable lasagna to freeze now and bake later

 It's always great to stash a few frozen main dishes in the freezer to serve on busy December days.  Vegetable lasagna has always been one of my favorites to make ahead and freeze.  It got even easier once the oven-ready lasagna noodles became available.  I recently tweaked my recipe to use up some fresh baby spinach and a lovely red pepper before they went bad.  I think I like this version even better.

 VEGETABLE LASAGNA

1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 large red pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 Tblsp. olive oil
Baby spinach
1/2 tsp. salt-free garlic-herb seasoning blend
1 lb. part-skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided use)
1 egg
3 Tblsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. oregano OR Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 quart spaghetti sauce or Alfredo sauce
9 lasagna noodles, UNCOOKED
1 cup water (maybe less)
Extra Parmesan, if desired

In large skillet, sauté onion and red pepper in olive oil until soft; add the garlic and cook another minute or two. Add the herb mix. Stir to combine, cover skillet, reduce heat, and simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, Parmesan, and seasonings. Set aside.

Spread 1 cup spaghetti sauce on bottom of a 13 x 9” baking dish. Layer on: 3 noodles, half of cheese mixture, half of vegetable mixture, and 1 cup sauce. Repeat layers. Top with remaining 3 noodles, 1 cup sauce, 1/2 cup mozzarella. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan if desired.

If using regular lasagna noodles, pour water around the edges of the baking dish.  If using the no-boil, ready to bake lasagna noodles, you will not need the water. Cover baking dish tightly with foil.

Bake at 350º for 1 hour 15 minutes. Let stand 15 more minutes before serving. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

May be made ahead and frozen for future use. Simply thaw overnight in refrigerator and bake as directed.

The certainty of Christmas in uncertain times -- guest post by Amanda Reed

 

  Today I would like to share a guest post from my friend Amanda Reed.  I have copied and pasted most of her post here, but I encourage you to head over to her blog to read it there and also access links to music she has shared for meditating on these truths: The Certainty of Christmas in Uncertain Times. 

I'm sure you will find it a blessing!  Here is Amanda's post:

December is here! This is my favorite time of year. I love Christmas. I love the decorating, the excitement, the lights, the cards, the songs... everything. I think a lot of people will say the same thing. I heard an ad on the radio the other day, proclaiming that "the holidays are finally here!" I think, after, such a crazy (dare I use the word, "unprecedented" again?!) year, many people have been looking forward to the consistency of Christmas and its once-a-year happiness and excitement.

Christmas. Such a wonderful time. Some even use the word, "magical". But, why is it such a wonderful, magical, happy time?

One word: Jesus.

"Jesus is the reason for the season". While this may seem to be an overused expression, the fact remains: without Jesus, there would be no Christmas.

I have been reading through Luke 1 now, as well as a devotional called, "Repeat the Sounding Joy" by Christopher Ash. As you begin reading Luke 1, Luke writes to Theophilus that Luke's reason for recording the events of Jesus are so "you may have certainty concerning the things that you have been taught". (Luke 1: 4)

What are the things you know for certain?

I think it is safe to say that this year, not much has been very "certain"!

But, in this anticipation and excitement of celebrating Christmas, I want to remind you of what is certain.

Jesus.

Jesus prophesied.

Jesus promised.

Jesus conceived.

Jesus born.

Jesus living as man.

Jesus dying as sin for you and me.

Jesus dead.

Jesus buried.

Jesus ALIVE!

Jesus as Savior.

Jesus as Mediator.

Jesus as KING!

And, all these are certain. Certain because God said them. God foretold them through his prophets. Jesus fulfilled them. And, God's word is there for you and I to read, to know, to believe.

And, this is where these "for certain" things can either be a ray of hope or a cause of disdain. For some, Jesus is a mere religious figure. Yet, for those of us who believe- not in magic-, but in the certainty of God, Jesus is our hope.

He is not just some baby. He is JESUS.

And, what we know for certain is that, from the beginning of time, God foretold of a Redeemer who would break the curse of this sin-soaked world, providing healing to a world, who longs for hope.

What do you know for certain this Christmas season?

Perhaps the plans you normally "do" for Christmas are hindered due to Covid restrictions/fears.

Maybe someone you love died this year, and Christmas will be especially painful without them here.

Perhaps there were some relationship divisions that happened this year. And, the healing process is only beginning.

Maybe the passing strains of time have brought change in your physical body- maybe illness, pain, uncertainties.

Perhaps your job has been greatly affected and funds are tight this year.

Yet, Christmas has come.

And, what are you dwelling on for certain as you consider this blessed holiday?

Are you dwelling on the certainty that Jesus came to save you and give you hope?

Or are you dwelling on all the "things you have to get done"?

Are you dwelling on the certainty that Jesus reigns as King?

Or are you dwelling on the chaos that seems to reign in our world right now?

Take some time to dwell on the certainty of Jesus.

Read Matthew 1 and revel in the fact that the genealogy shared in that passage is a short version of the Old Testament, a remarkable truth of the hand of our sovereign God to bring the birth of Jesus, to save us from our sins.

Read Luke 1 and rejoice in the certainty of God's promises wrapped up in two very special babies: John, as the forerunner of Jesus, and Jesus as the Lamb of God.

Marvel at the work of the Holy Spirit. Promised to dwell in John the Baptist from conception; promised to come upon Mary and cause her to conceive the very Son of God.

This is Christmas. And this is certain: Christmas is all about Jesus.

"Oh, Father, our hearts are easily distracted from belief to unbelief. Give us eyes to see afresh the miracle of Jesus, coming as a baby to redeem us unto yourself. What a miracle of inexpressible joy! What an expression of love from you, our great God. What hope we have- this anchor for our souls in uncertain days- that you have given us Jesus. Thank you for this hope of life and light. Thank you for the certainty of your Word. Teach us more of you. Teach us to rejoice in hope."

Amanda is a local friend of mine; our husbands worked together for several years until mine retired.  She leads a Bible study which I enjoy attending.  She's a busy young mom of two and yet she finds time to write and blog.  For more of her writing, visit Amanda Reed.

It's not too late to start a Christmas-themed Bible study!

 

 Yes, we are only two days into December.  You can easily do a special December or Christmas Bible study if you start today.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to participate in Abby's 25 Days of God-Given Gifts at Little Birdie Blessings.  Abby has beautiful free graphics -- like the one above -- for each day, as well as verses and illustrations for each God-given gift.  These readings are not lengthy but they are most meaningful, so you might wish to go over and look at this series each day, maybe writing out the verses and even journaling them using the SOAP method of meditating on Scripture.  Abby also provides links to follow the series on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram.

Another relatively easy way to do an Advent study  is by doing a Scripture writing challenge.  You can find  a number of Scripture writing and journaling plans at Rachel Wojo, among other places.  One from Rachel Wojo that I have done in the past is the plan titled The Light.  I found it a blessing!

 
The Road to Christmas, from Love God Greatly is an Advent study I've done in the past and highly recommend.  God With Us is another Advent study I've done from Love God Greatly.  It seems as if the journal and reading plan may be downloaded for free on their site, but if you want to purchase the book it may be found on Amazon.

Another Advent study I have done which I greatly enjoyed was this free download from Good Morning Girls: Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus.

Even though you might be a day or two late in starting these Bible studies, I definitely suggest starting one if you can make the time.  You will gain so much from an Advent study.  It is never too late to begin a good Bible study that may impact your life for eternity!

For one final bit of inspiration, you might visit my Christmas devotionals Pinterest board.  Lots of good reads there, and also a Christmas-themed Scripture writing plan that, again, it wouldn't be too late to start.

This year I am doing Peace, Be Still from Women Living Well/Good Morning Girls.  It's more of a prayer journal format than a Bible study, and it would be easy for you to catch up with that one.  I'm turning it into a mini Bible study by meditating on the Scriptures used, however.

I hope you'll decide to try out a Christmas themed Bible study on your own this season.  It really helps us keep our focus where it belongs -- on Jesus.

Tentative baking list for 2020

 

What better way to start off December than with the tentative baking list?  (Although, as I looked over last year's posts, I see that I actually posted my tentative baking list in November!)

I've got ten varieties listed here, and probably will make several batches of most of these.  Probably I should actually say that Mr. T will bake several batches of each.  Retired now, he's itching to get started on the Christmas cookies!  (If anyone is interested in the recipes for these cookies, just do a search here on the blog and should be able to find them easily.  But I think most of my regular readers have these recipes by now.)

The Gingerbread Brownies are a new recipe I want to try.  It's from the Gooseberry Patch cookbook Christmas Comfort Classics, and the lady who shared the recipe noted that these brownies are a hit on her cookie trays every year.  They don't contain chocolate, but are a molasses gingerbread flavor and include white chocolate chips.

This cookbook is a new favorite of mine, and I hope to write a book review of it sometime this month.

I call this the "tentative baking list" for a reason.  Often I don't have time to bake all the varieties of cookies I plan to,  or spur of the moment I decide to try something different.  Or Mr. T finds a new recipe he wants to try!  One never knows ...

December starts tomorrow!

And if you are a regular visitor to my kitchen, you know what that means: the door to the Christmas kitchen swings open tomorrow and, Lord willing, there'll be a new post every day through the month of December.  This is pretty much a leap of faith on my part, since I haven't found time to do as I usually do and write and schedule some posts ahead.  But let's plan to meet here tomorrow and see what's in store!

Vintage Christmas on sale over at my Etsy shop!

 

 Yes, I'm having a sale over at my Etsy shop, A New Hampshire Attic!  From now through December 2, over 140 listings in a number of different categories are on sale for 25% off.  The listings on sale include the very popular Vintage Christmas category.  Shipping is always free.  Head on over and browse, if you have a few minutes on this busy day before Thanksgiving!

Week 1 of the holiday planning challenge

 

 Has anyone else jumped into the 2020 Holiday Planning Challenge with  A Virtuous Woman?  As I shared last time, it began Monday, November 2.  This was sort of bad timing for me, since we were out of town until November 3.  We were up north visiting our friend Charlotte at her cabin, and got back on Tuesday the 3rd (Election Day) just in time to get to the polls and vote.

The time away was great, although not exactly what we planned.  It was a quick visit; we arrived on Sunday around 5:30 and would leave Tuesday after breakfast.  Since Monday was to be our only full day up there, we thought we would maybe do some hiking on a nearby trail or at least go for a nice long walk.  It was not to be.  On Monday, it snowed pretty much all day.  Much of the time we simply sat and visited on the lovely glassed-in porch.  I did, however, get to work on a Christmas project as we chatted, as well as a birthday gift.

I am making a crocheted stocking like those above for a new member of the same family, expected to arrive December 20 or thereabouts.  While at Charlotte's, I completed the stocking (making it solid red this time) but the name tag will have to wait until we know the baby's name.

So the time was pleasantly productive even with the snow.  All of this to say, though, that I didn't get started even a bit with the planning challenge.  Later that week I did print out weeks 1 and 2 of the plan, but that's about as far as it got.  I just resigned myself to being a week behind with it.

So this week I've done just a few things toward week 1.  I bought some extra butter on sale to use for Christmas cookies, and I bought some shelled pistachios and some dried cranberries on sale to put in my Christmas granola.

I got out my Christmas card list which I began updating months ago and then set aside.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that I only have 15 addresses to update.

And happiest of all, I managed to clean three kitchen drawers this week, including the silverware drawer mentioned in week 1.  That is a huge accomplishment and I attribute my increased energy levels to the 40-day sugar fast.  (Today is Day 28, and I'm feeling so great that I hope to continue fasting from sugar after Thanksgiving has come and gone.)

So, even though I'm a week behind with the planning challenge, I'm very thankful to have made some real progress this week!