Short Story Long

In case you don't know my sister, or haven't seen her in awhile, here is a rendering by my littlest  artist. My family is coming over for lunch and presents. We won't be having cake, as she doesn't like cake (can you believe that?) but there's sure to be dessert of some sort! Happy Birthday, Sisterpants. We love you!

Hurray!! They are finally done, and I can have my life back. And two hours to spare. I need a knitting break. And a nap!

Two things I am thankful for on this frosty evening: flowers and friends. Would you please stop by and tell my friend Candace "Happy Birthday!"?

I've been working at the National Western Stock Show the last couple of days. My feet hurt, but it's a lot of fun, and only two weeks a year. I've worked the last few years for friends that make their own hats. I've learned a lot about hats - beaver, straw, palm leaf... Here are some pictures from the show: The bossman, branding a hat; check out the smoke: My little guys were not that impressed with the longhorns' long horns, but BFJ and I were. These ladies posed when they saw my camera. I wonder where they are going? These ladies are all gussied up for their show. If you've never been to a stock show, you might be entertained to watch as these creatures get all-over buzzes, washed and blow-dried. Somehow, the size of the tire was more impressive than the longhorns. Oh, here's me. Come on down and I'll help you find your hat!

As it turns out, I am going to be busy next week so I have several projects I need to wrap up. They've been loitering around the house, waiting for the holidays to be over. I am knitting ten little pink berets for a Brownie troop who are learning about France. Those are due at the end of the month, and I have two done. I have made six or seven, but most of those are rejects; it took me awhile to get the gauge right for these little - but not tiny - heads. Eight more, then. And I am making a bunch of skein keepers at the request of the LYS owner, to go with the knitting baskets and needle cases that I've made previously. Here's the one I'd keep, if I were keeping one: But, I'll have to make myself one later.

This morning, we finally got our Christmas snow, although it may not last long. It is supposed to be 60 tomorrow.

I drive past these windows once a week and remember to bring my camera, finally.

I need to get things shaped up around here. I have several little projects in every room, that I just never quite get around to. Maybe you have those? One of my sister-in-laws requested paint for Christmas, because she is repainting some rooms. I like my paint colors. I think my main problem has been identifying my style. I like modern country (like Pottery Barn?), some antiques, some country, some 50s, some 2000s, industrial, sentimental... I realized this holiday season that the main thing my Christmas mantel conveys is I have no defined style. I need to fix that! I need some simple yet effective accessories and wall decor, like you see in EVERY room you love. Those ones that always make me think, "Oh, I could make that." But I never do, because I don't start with a plan. Well, it is time to change that. Luckily, I have some ideas, and got some JoAnn's gifts cards. I'll have to see what I can come up with. In the meantime, I've been surfing my bookmarked blo...

I am working on getting my Christmas cards out today. Finally. I love the New Year. It's a clean slate. I love blank slates. I'm not making resolutions this year, just goals. One of my crafting goals for this year is to finish my mom's quilt , or my dad's . Both would be great. After all the busy-ness of the holiday season, I am reminded that I need to get things better organized. One of my favorite cleaning/organizing books is Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield. Also, somewhere along the way, I was pointed to the FLY Lady . Her number one tip: clean with your shoes on! Well, I'm off to get those cards out, before the holiday season is long gone. Happy New Year!