Christmas Break

Thankfully, we've started Christmas break! I finished my shopping this morning. I only had one item on my list and although I'm glad I purchased it, it wasn't critical.

I started a hat Saturday evening. Only had an inch or so done. I worked on it for an hour yesterday and about three hours today. I'm a slow knitter but this was super bulky yarn. I completed it with a Pom Pom, my first. It's been okayed by the recipient.



I have another hat to finish. It's going much slower. The yarn is finer and it has a cuffed front edge. Don't know if it will be finished in time for Christmas. But that's ok. I'm good with giving it as a surprise.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope those who come across this little blog are having a great Thanksgiving. I am such a blessed person and today I'm thanking my Heavenly Father for His wonderful blessings.

I made the decision a few weeks ago to have a solitary Thanksgiving dinner. Since the passing of my parents and marriage of my sister, I've been blessed to have dinner with sweet friends more than family. That is really not out of the ordinary, my parents traveled a lot and sister and I often did Cracker Barrel lunches and movies for Thanksgiving. :)

But this Thanksgiving I decided I wanted leftovers and to try my hand at Mom's dressing. So I began cooking yesterday and have several family traditional dishes made. I added a fudge pie for dessert and this is the first time I've ever made this recipe. I guess I'm starting my own tradition. :)

My hen should be ready to come out of the oven soon and I hear the potatoes boiling now.  I'll leave you with a picture of the dressing I sent to sister!


Blessings to all!

November Thanksfulness

Two year ago, I tried to post a daily thankful post. I decided this year to post on a weekly basis.

For my first thankful post, I'm really thankful for family. I'm awed and humbled to have a heavenly Father who loves me no matter what I do, say or don't do. I'm beyond thankful for the many blessings He's given me. The most special blessing being my earthly family.

I had two loving parents, who I miss terribly. But they instilled in me a love of family, friends, and travel. I love being with a group of friends, doing nothing more than enjoying each others company. I'm planning on doing just that tonight.

I also love my family. I have a sweet sister and brother-in-law. I don't get to spend enough time with them and we have to set dates to get together. But rearranging the calendar is nothing in order to be with them and again, it's the simplest of times. Just hanging out is a pleasure, being in one another's presence is enough for me and I truly enjoy time with them. I LOVE my baby sister!

Travel seems to be so much of my life, dad traveled all over the world for his job and even today, I think nothing of jumping in the car and taking a 4 hour drive to visit or see something and then come back home that same day! I also love longer trips and I'll leave you with a couple of photos of my summer trip to Maine.

Hairy Week

I have had one of those weeks that has lasted six weeks. :)

I've been growing my hair longer for over two years and a few weeks ago decided it desperately needed a trim. I kept making appointments only to have something come up and need to cancel.

Last week our school pictures came back and when I saw mine I became determined to get a haircut. I looked awful with my long hair.



I had wanted it long enough to wear in a messy bun. On Monday, I finally wore it that way! On Tuesday it was supposed to be cut and the appointment was changed again. :(


Today, this is what it looked like before Kelli cut it.



After the cut, I'm back to my normal length and I think I look much younger!

Tracy

Crafty Saturday

I really wanted a new iPhone yesterday. I was patient and stood in line only to get to the counter and be told they had just ran out of the one I wanted.

So instead of a new phone I got my tech fix with a new basic Kindle. :) I love my iPad but it is heavy and as it ages the battery requires charging sometimes twice a day. I don't have time for that.








I knew it needed a sleeve because I plan on chunking it in my purse. I woke up early and an hour later I had one made. I had lots of scraps and I followed a great tutorial on Pink Chalk Studio's blog. It was easy and the directions were great!

(Sorry for poor lighting so early in the morning!)

Saturday Baking Day

I have really fallen for the bread making process. But as a carb addict, I really shouldn't be making this yummy stuff.

Today's batch hasn't been rising long and the first time I checked it I had to move it to a bowl. In the class I took, Sherrell suggested using an oiled ziplock bag for the first rising. I have been doing that and today, the weather must be perfect. The bread was oozing out of the bag (you leave a little opening for air to circulate) and I was very surprised.

I grabbed the mixing bowl put bag and all straight in. When I last checked you can see how much had escaped. I'm sure it will be delicious.

Luckily, I'm out of bread flour and won't be making any more for a couple of weeks. Shopping isn't on my agenda - too many events planned.

Mindless Watching/Listening

Do you have some movie or tv show you turn on for white noise?

I used to get so put out with Dad for watching westerns 52 times! Now I can't count the number of times I've watched NCIS, West Wing, or any Harry Potter movie!









I watch NCIS almost nightly. I can be surfing the Internet, knitting, stitching, you name it and it's almost always on. I can quote parts of all of them. I need to start an NCIS DVD collection. Some day it will be replaced just like West Wing.

I can't do this with just plain tv. Very few shows don't get on my nerves and can play in the background.