Monday, December 23, 2019

Winding Down to the Holiday!

Hello All,

The sun is out and it is warming up!  The sliver of a crescent moon was so pretty this morning on my (dark) ride into the office.  It is so quiet here that I've decided to not bother coming in tomorrow.  I do have some things to get done today (after not being in on Friday), but after that I will relax and will not be back in the office till after New Year's!

My Uncle's funeral on Friday (well, burial/graveside service - the Memorial Service was on Thursday) was very nice.  It was just over a 2 hour drive for us down to Aberdeen, MD and it was a beautiful day for a drive.  We took all back roads and avoided 95.  We saw cousins I have not seen since I was a little girl!  We were able to get home before rush hour which was nice too.

Saturday Dee and I met up for some coffee/knitting/chatting/lunch.  Such a good time.  The two of us laugh a lot which is good therapy.

I did manage to finish the socks I've been working on:


The angle of this photograph makes the feet of the socks look HUGE.  Trust me - they are normal size.  I love the way these turned out and I would definitely use that yarn again.

Sunday I managed to knit a few rows on the Canary Blanket, but not enough to merit a picture.  I hope to get much more done on that beast over the holidays.

Tyg has been so funny lately.


He has started playing with old toys.  The funniest part is that he will play frantically for "X" number of minutes (usually 5-10) and then suddenly will run to the door to go out.  As soon as he is outside on the patio he pauses and shakes his head back and forth - like he is trying to clear his mind.  LOL  Too much catnip I guess.  At least he is not a junkie!

Yesterday I also made two loaves of Eggnog Bread (thank you Bonny for the recipe).  I thought I was finished baking, but then Bonny mentioned Eggnog Bread and the rest is history.  It turned out very well.  I also roasted some mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews & Brazil) and then coated them in EVOO, minced garlic, minced fresh rosemary and a sprinkling of sea salt and red pepper flakes.  YUM!!!!

Yesterday also saw Fletch and I wrapping the last gifts for Colin & Mailing, Mailing's sister and her parents and my brother & SIL (who will be over on the 30th).  All the wrapping paper and ribbons and gift tags have been put away for another year.  That's a nice feeling.

This holiday season has been (and continues to be!) so relaxing for me.  I'm not sure how that happened, but it sure is lovely.  Tomorrow I can be lazy and read and knit.  Colin & Mailing are coming for dinner and to open stocking gifts.  Then we will be at their house on Christmas day.

Oh!  I almost forgot.  I finished "The Dutch House" last night and I did enjoy it.  The reading slump seems to be over.  Maybe I can pick up "Fever" on my way home from work today.  It's not available on Overdrive, but I think there are a number of copies in our library "system."

I probably won't post much over the holidays.  I'll check in before New Year's Day - or on that day - to reveal (ha!!) my word for 2020.  Wishing you all a wonderful couple of weeks.  Whatever/however you celebrate this season, may you find peace and joy.

12 comments:

  1. I'm glad you've had a relaxed holiday season so far, and I hope it continues that way! I've struggled with things I felt I "should" do, but am finally learning that I'm the boss of Christmas here, and I don't have to do things just because I've always done them. It's quite freeing! Your socks are beautiful, and I'm glad you like the eggnog bread. Maybe I'll make some today or tomorrow. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2020. Wishing you peace, joy, health, and happiness.

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  2. I love how everyone is sharing where they are in their "Christmas week"! May your work day go quickly and your time off move at a most leisurely pace! And, Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  3. Bravo for a relaxing Christmastime! You are doing it right, for sure. Your mixed nuts sound terrific--perfect for drinks. They'd go fast around here.

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  4. Nice finish on the socks! Enjoy the break from work, etc, as you gather with friends and family! Merry Christmas!

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  5. Woo hoo for the sock finish! I've still got a few inches to go on the socks I wanted to gift The Mister.
    My cats are driving me nuts. This cold weather has really played with their minds. They are too full of energy to be stuck in the house. One got me up at 6 am. I was not happy.

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  6. Merry Christmas! Congrats ont he sock finish!

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  7. Beautiful sock finish and I laughed out loud at Tyg's antics. Animals give us so much entertainment. I'm glad you're having a nice relaxing week. Dennis says work is really slow for him too today. He's off tomorrow and Wednesday but back on Thursday. There is never much happening during Christmas week though.
    Merry Christmas Vera!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  8. I'd say you've planned things perfectly to feel calm at this point! Sounds like you have a lovely rest-of-2019 lined up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (and yay! Sara suggested I try a different browser and it's a little cumbersome, but hey! comments!!)

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  9. so glad your reading slump is past. Merry Christmas and my you have a wonderful time with your family :)

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  10. Enjoy your Christmas break! Love the finished socks and the sweet photo of Tyg

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  11. Enjoy your Christmas with family and dear ones. The socks look great - such a nice shade of green. I've finished baking and have two little books to wrap in the morning for great nephews we will see on Christmas Eve. Hooray for a relaxed month leading up to Christmas.

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  12. I'm glad you've had a calm and collected holiday time. Me too.. just a bit hectic with social engagements the last week and a half. But that's okay. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
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