Our Christmas this year

I was able to complete 75% of my homemade gifts. 75% of our decorations stayed in their storage boxes and for the first time in many many years I did not host a party or send out cards. Balancing work and all things I hoped to do proved to be a challenge as time seemed to slip away so quickly. Instead I chose to spend the extra time with my family and friends enjoying their company and the wonderful feeling of being blessed with the fullness of peace and gratitude.

Thank you to my blogging buddies for your friendships. They are such a gift and I appreciate that you stop by this little space of mine often. If you celebrated I hope your Christmas was wonderful and full of warmth, joy and love.

I am looking forward to the new year with much anticipation and sharing new adventures and hearing about yours.

God Bless,
Jen

Hearts

We drew hearts on our windows tonight because it's finally cold and rainy here, whoohoo! We are leaving to visit family and perhaps some snow too! My knitting bag is packed first as usual and my camera bag second. I am looking forward to some quality knitting time and finishing up the last couple gifts I have left. I wanted to drop in, say hi and wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Jen

my supervisor or helper

I think he thinks he is I tell you! He is always next to me, always. It is so funny but whenever I put something out to measure or cut he runs over and lays on it.

Here is one of the place mat tops in a set I am hoping to finish up tomorrow. I would love to hear how your homemade gift are coming along?

Here's wishing you all a lovely Wednesday.

making progress, doing what I can and I am okay with that

So the challenge this year for me is to make as many gifts as I can while working full time (and then some) and not stress out and forget the reason for this wonderful season. Normaly my house is decked out, I am hosting parties, crafting and baking like a maniac, often to the point where I am totally freaked out trying to get everything done. Running around to make everyone happy by cramming in too much stuff. I know some of you guys know what I'm talking about.

Well, this year my job has become a time vampire since summer and has not let up. My days are long and have cut into my free time for crafting, exercise, blogging and life in general. I've had no choice but to step back on my holiday busyness this year and am surprised that I actually am enjoying the slower pace, shocking for those who know me but true. In only having baked a little and have only my tree up (versus 100 santas all over, yes I love Santa) I have chosen to spend every minute I can crafting my gifts and spending time with my family. Life is so good and I am feeling very blessed and thankful.
I am happy with the progess I have made thus far and am making a definite dent in my "to do" list. I hope to be able to get everything done but now know the world wont end if I don't and I am okay with that, sigh.

Here are a few things from my list

::Comfy pants for monkey and my neice~check
::blankets for my niece and nephew~check
::fabric washed, coordinated and ready to be completed into
something special for my mom and sister~check
::Hybrid mittens for my FIL~on the needles
::Thorpe for monkey's BF~soon to be on the needles
::Enjoying these moments, this season and taking my time and putting
love and warm thoughts into each stitch~check
::making progress, doing what I can~check
::smiling a lot~check


What are some of the things you are working on these days?

Christmas Cookie fun

Life is extra busy and a bit hectic this week but I hope to back soon to share pictures, lots of good stuff going on around here.

Happy Weekending to you!
Jen

Good Bye November, Hello December

Pieces of my everyday in November

Thanksgiving weekend we hit the road and had such a good time. We spent Turkey day hiking in the Palm Springs mountains and filled our bellies with wonderful food shared with family. Friday we were back on the road and drove to the lake. Road trips are fun for me as the music man usually almost always drives so I get a lot of knitting time in.
I am working on the slouchy cardigan from Knit Cafe and I know I say this alot but this could be my new favorite (haha), I know but a girl can't have to many right.

The weather is cold and it feels more like winter than Fall these days. Funny how this California weather can be. Not to long ago it was 100 degrees out and now we are averaging in the 50's and 60's. I know not cold for most of you but us So Cal peeps really dont know what real cold is. We have been enjoying soup and home fresh breads though, yum!

The cool air has inspired me to get going on my Christmas gifts as well. I have several to finish up and much more to do. I hope to have my tree up by next weekend and am looking forward to hanging the garland and mistletoe.

Be back soon to share some of my soon to be (I hope) finished projects, until then here's wishing you a beautiful week filled with peace and joy.