Skipping Christmas???

Each year as Christmas approaches I hear grumbles from family and friends about the upcoming season. This year I have even noticed some of those grumbles appearing in blogland and it isn't even December yet.

I just don't understand!!

Christmas is a magical time for me. As December approaches, my excitement grows. What baking will I do? How will I decorate?? What gifts can I make this year???

Being in a new house makes it even more fun because it will all be new...old traditions and ornaments but shown in another way.

This anti-Christmas feeling makes me think about a Christmas movie I enjoy.

Christmas with the Kranks is a lighthearted movie staring Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen. Throughout the movie the two main characters deal with the fall-out of their decision to just forget Christmas. The hussle, the insane buying, the activities...everything (except charity which Jamie's character insisits on). The reason for ignoring this holiday is their only child is gone for the holiday but that changes on Christmas eve when she calls to say she is coming home. Then insanity really does arise as they try to create the holiday season in less than 8 hours.

These two actors add humor and high-jynx throughout the show and in the end you have your mushey ending with Tim Allen's character understanding one of the main purposes of Christmas...thinking about others.

I could watch this movie over and over and often do...LOL
It also gets me in the mood for the season.

This year I decided to read the book this movie was made after. Now I will admit I often read books after seeing movies. I always expect more from the book.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham didn't really offer me more. I must admit I didn't expect a heart-tugging book from this author and it was a nice read and great for the holiday season. However, I found the movie went into details more and with the added humor of these two actors the story flowed better. Maybe this is the rare case where the book should be read first.

Christmas is a busy time and often we get caught up in the unimportant points.
But could I ever skip Christmas....never!! Christmas is a time of warmth, humor, tradition and sappiness that I look forward to being involved with each year. It is a time when people remember the importance of being human....helping others and spending time with those you love.

Hopefully one day we will be able to expand that warming feeling to stay with us year round.

Which reindeer are you????

Which reindeer are you?

You're Rudolph - the leader of the pack! You are full of Christmas spirit...after all, you lead the way every Christmas eve!
Take this quiz!








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Christmas is coming!!!

The clock is ticking and the season is almost upon us...so to get in the mood...a Christmas meme for you.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?Love both but neither likes me....give me gingerbread tea anyday though or tea with bailey's

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa fills the stockings and put one unwrapped gift under the tree Christmas eve.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights all the way

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I love to hang a kissing ball. Last house didn't have a good entrance.
This one does :-)

5. When do you put up your decorations?
They start sneaking into places as soon as December 1st is here.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Stuffing all the way...LOL
I am a bread fanatic.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
Going carolling in my small town on hay covered wagon and then meeting up at the school gymn for a potluck

8. Favorite movie?
Any Christmas carole movie...especially The Muppet Christmas Carole

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
One gift Christmas eve...usually pjs and a video

10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas tree?
I have a very eclectic tree. Combination of decorations that I have collected over the years and things my grandmother had on her tree. Nothing matches.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Love the snow but hate the cold.
However just doesn't feel like christmas if there isn't a bit on the ground.

12. Can you ice skate?
I spend more time on my butt on the ice but I can limp around the rink if I need to.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
My favorite gift growing up was a table and chair set my uncles got me when I was 5 or 6.
My favorite gift from my hubby is a green suede coat and silver locket.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Family time

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
White chocolate raspberry cookies

16 What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Lots....mainly the activites with my daughter

17. What tops your tree?
an angel

18. What is your favorite holiday book?
The gift of the Magi

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Too many to list

20. Candy canes?
Yum! I like the regular, white and red ones. The Spearmint ones are great too!

Tag!! You're it!

Its Turkey day in the States

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY AMERICAN FRIENDS

Gratitude Monday

This weeks affirmation:


Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

-Dr. Seuss

I am grateful for......
1. a loving husband
2. the smile of my daughter
3. the ability to be a stay at home mom if I want
4. going out with a friend for coffee
5. crafts
6. memories of my grandmother
7. christmas traditions
8. the ability to see the positive even when things are overwhelmingly negative
9. crisp mornings
10. the quiet of the morning with a good cup of tea

Peeping Friday

It's Friday!!
Then end of the work week.
All I want to do is knit lately...not complete projects....just knit, knit, knit!!!

Over-zealous behavior can be a disaster.
Has this ever happened to you???


Knitting along happily. Making lots of progress and then it happens. A mistake is found. Be it a dropped stitch. Too many stitches. Pattern doesn't work. Sigh.
Here it is too many stitches and after 20 minutes of looking the project over and over and over....


I had to frog the project. All that beautiful work reduced to a pile of yarn.
But then I saw a positive in the experience. Why knit the sweater in pieces.
So I wound the yarn back into a neat ball and cast on stitches to make it in the round.

I think it looks much better this time around.

I also found some gorgeous novelty yarn. I showed it some time last month.
It was a light greeny-blue with pieces of yarn and fabric woven into it.
Well I finally made it into a scarf.

I love it!!!
And this one is not going to be gifted to anyone but me. LOL
Now I am thinking maybe I should go back to the LYS and see if they have some more. Make gloves with it on the cuff and maybe a hat in a similar color.
Would make a stylish set for the oncoming winter.

And finally I want to introduce you to a new friend of mine.
Sheridan turned 11 last month and as part of her gift, we visited Build a Bear
This is one of her favorite things to do. I believe this is her third or fourth time. While there I saw they had Harley clothes. So what did I do....I made myself a stuffy as well.

May I introduce to you....Harley the Bunny

And the winner is........

Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke. YIPEE!!!

I, like many of your viewers out there, was sucked into the hysteria of "Dancing with the Stars". I religiously watched the show both Tuesday and Wednesday...cheering successes and mourning losses.

When Vivica Fox was voted out....I was saddened.
When Jerry Springer finally limped off the show....I had mixed feelings. It was his time to go but his humorous approach would be missed.
When Sarah Evans opted out I was heart-broken. She had come so far.

Then came the semi-finals....Joey, Emmitt and Mario.
I didn't know which way to cheer. I loved Emmitt's charism, Mario's passion and Joey's innocence. It was difficult seeing Joey leave...but he left with his head held high. He had done well and had no regrets.

Down to the last two. Who would win???
I must admit I leaned towards Emmitt. Mario was passionate and commited...but a bad boy...breaking rules. Emmitt was noble...gracious....consistant.

The announcement was made...Emmitt won...and his first statement was to thank Cheryl and Mario. How gracious and humble can a man be. Sigh
And let us not forget that Cheryl was part of the winning team last season as well


It will be interesting to see season 4.
Will Cheryl be back and if so...will they pair her with someone with two left feet.

I guess we will all have to wait until March to find out.

No time to waste

Let us not forget!!

So far behind......

I think I'm catching up.

Have you ever had one of those months where you are doing lots but it appears as if nothing is ever accomplished. Sigh!! That has been my life lately. I have every intention of blogging. Putting up pictures. Having witty things to say. And what happens. NOTHING!!!


Who enjoys presents??? I do! I do!
I admit it shamelessly. I love to be spoiled. The wonder and the surprize of packages that are unopened. It makes me feel like a kid again...all the awe and amazement of it all.

This is one reason I love swaps. Oh don't get me wrong. I love to spoil others too. But who doesn't like to go to the mailbox and have something inside waiting to be opened.

Boo-ty Swap was my latest to arrive. I am late posting here...but as a good spoilee I notified my spoiler of its arrival and my great pleasure (late of course...LOL)



Lissa was very generous and took time to get to know me and my many likes.

In my box of surprizes I had two balls of wool, a book of puns, earrings, cake topper decorations, a tablecloth/napkin with a Halloween theme and my absolute all time without a doubt favorite



This angel windchime is just breathtaking. I am a HUGE angel collector and this one just fits into my collection so nicely.

Thank you so much Lissa for all the presents you sent my way.

Gratitude Monday

Weekly affirmation
The best portion of a good man's life: his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love.

-William Wordsworth

I am grateful for
1. quiet mornings to reflect
2. the clean white look of fresh snow
3. giggles drifting thru the house
4. the feel of soft yarn pulling thru my fingers
5. a good book
6. security
7. the love of a good man
8. figuring out what works for me and my life
9. knowing I have support whatever my decisions
10. friendships