Lucky Lunch

My coworker said that black eyed peas, rice and spinach were the foods one ate on New Year's day to have a lucky year.  Well, we decided to have it for lunch.... today.  =)

Have a safe and Happy New Year's celebration!

What awaits you

if you do not use a frost free faucet or forget to turn off the water and drain the outside faucet.  I did not get a picture of the faucet lying outside the house but was still attached to the pvc pipe with a nice cylinder of ice poking out. 

After changing, I was headed outside to bring in wood for the cook stove and heard water running.  No laundry was being done so there was no reason to hear water in this part of the house.  The outside shut off was just a foot away from me so I turned off the outside faucet and the sound of running water stopped.  This is when 'Oh no' just kinda of crept in.  Doning Ronnie's knee high wader boots, I went to the basement to discover Lake Dunnagan - it is named after him 'cause he admits to forgetting to re-winterizing  the faucet (it had already been done but was turned back on for some reason I cannot remember).  He found the pump, just a tiny thing, and is draining Lake Dunnagan into the side yard.

A bit of good news - this package arrived in today's post.  It is the result of a giveaway I won a few weeks ago.  I've only gotten as far as the intro and it has me spellbound!  This book is written by Margaret Hathaway over at Ten Apple Farm.  My plan is to start with some chickens and then at some point add a few dairy goats to the mix.  Oh, and Margaret included an extra little bag of goodies.  Love me some goodies!  Thank you Margaret!

Why do you write?

Last night I was thinking about this blog; why I write and how these words have changed since blogging began in May of 2008.  No, I am not going to stop the blog; just thinking about the information I share, if it is enough, the right stuff, etc.  After reading Jen's post over at Woolgatherings, I realized that the content really does not matter (for the most part).  This blog began as an easy way to document and journal my little family's journey into a simplier way of living, topics of interest, ramblings, etc.  A creative outlet if you will.  Family and friends who do not live close are able to get a peek inside. 

Not everything sees the light of day; some thoughts are too dark or disturbing or just need to stay out of the local grapevine - yes, I have a small local readership via Facebook.  =)  Perhaps that does not count as a readership as these poor souls are 'forced' to read because they are my friends.  Muhaha.  =)

I enjoy writing here and the input/comments that are shared.  My followers excite and inspire; when a follower leaves I wonder what went wrong; am I now boring?  not informative enough?  Am I investing too much energy into wondering why someone leaves? 

Thank you. All of you.  For hanging out with me, listening (or maybe that's reading), commenting, and walking with me on this part of the trail. 

Garden dreams with some yarn thrown in

The first pair of mittens crochet turned out so well that both girls will get a pair... as soon as I'm finished making them.  This pattern will be worked instead the one I created.  

Nothing new on the renovation work.  Last night and tonite were/will be spent fixing other people's hot water heaters; replacing the elements.  I do not believe we will be able to leave that hole in the kitchen ceiling as a vent.  This evening, when trying to start a fire in the stove, I kept feeling this strong breeze down my neck.  Looked up to see the hole.  Hmmm.  Nope, no decorative vent there.  Too much cold air.  Brrr.

All else on the home front is quite.  Both girls are away visiting their dad (just 1.5 hours south of here) and they will be home in time for New Years.  Snow still abounds and the garden is lying in a blanket of white.  Next season I hope to have more going in the cold frame department. In the meantime searching for doable pest control has begun.  The HGTV site has some good info on critter control:

• For slugs:  "For example, all too often the slugs in her garden take over her flowers. Since the mother slug lays her eggs at the base of the most tender, succulent plants, the babies proceed to pulverize her precious petunias. But Binetti sprays a homemade half-and-half mixture of ammonia and water on the slugs. "In order for the solution to work, you have to spray it directly on the slugs," she says. The bonus is that the ammonia converts into nitrogen, so as you're killing the slugs, you're actually fertilizing your plants. And Binetti suggests using the leftovers to wash the windows."I use beer as snail bait," adds master gardener Paul James. "I put a little bit in a shallow container, and I place it in the garden. They crawl in, but they can't crawl out."
  

• Cabbage worms: "To protect her cabbage, Binetti sprinkles self-rising flour on the cabbage leaves. The worms eat the flour, and when the sun comes out, the worms explode.
  Just take a cup or two of self-rising flour, pour into a small paper bag and roll up the top of the bag. Poke a few holes in the base of the bag and sprinkle the flour over the cabbage. Binetti recommends applying the flour to your plants during the early morning since that's when the worms are most actively eating. Once the mercury starts rising, so will the worms."
  

Info on controlling moles and such is also included (chili powder).  My biggest battle, other than with cabbage loopers, are shield bugs.  I think an order of Praying Mantis  and tachnid flies is in order.  I had heard that mantis need numerous flowers for them to  hang around the garden.  Is that true? 

As with any search, asking the right question is key to finding the information you want.  Praying mantis cocoons are the easiest to find: Planet Natural and Buglogical are the two I've found so far.  Anyone have another supplier? 

This tidbit was also helpful:

What types of plants will attract more beneficial insects? Generally, they are attracted to plants that have small flowers such as golden marguerite, cosmos (especially the tall white variety), lemon gem marigold, zinnia, tansy, dill, fennel, Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota), spearmint, buckwheat, caraway, basket of gold alyssum, sedums, yarrow and coriander. If you want to attract a specific beneficial insect, a little research may help you learn what that insect prefers. For example, ladybugs are especially drawn to yarrows, golden marguerite, dill and fennel. Of course, you'll want to select plants that will look good in your garden too.

In looking at how my garden is set up, I believe that permanent beds need to be installed along the perimeter and in these perm beds, the herbs and other beneficial plants can be grown.  And with what shall we build these perm beds?  That will be my next search.

Look out Virginia

My oldest baby girl now has her learner's permit.  I see drinking in my immediate future.  jk. 

The kitchen

How does one celebration of learning to knit not one but two socks?  Why, tearing out the ceiling in the kitchen, that's how!

It appears that the kitchen, beneath tongue & groove pine paneling and ceiling tiles, is tongue & groove oak.  We've decided to clean up the ceiling, add a fresh coat of paint, and leave it as is.  I am in love with the look.  In the meantime, you can see what it looks like right now.

We discovered, when renovating the room above the kitchen, that at one time there was a hole in the floor by the chimney.  Our theory was that this was a heat duct and that there should be a corresponding hole in the kitchen ceiling.  Well, when tearing off the ceiling tiles we discovered that it was a vent; the kitchen hole is still there!  Now the decision is to install a decorative vent or use some tongue & groove pieces saved from another project to seal the hole and then paint.  Whatcha think?

Its all about da feet

One pair of sock coming right up - they are finished!  An important lesson learned is to use one skein per sock.  Do not try to save yarn by starting the new sock with the remaining skein from the first sock.  Leads to an interesting pattern bruhaha as shown here.  Also, be sure of the same lot number.  The texture of these two socks is different, you can tell these were two different skeins.

My directions were not as clear on how to do the kitchener's stitch to end the toe so one sock (on the right) I used this video...

The left handed sock I used these directions...

We went to Harrisonburg VA today for some shopping and I saw these - when did crosswalks become lime green and white?

Happy Holidays

We've had a busy day today - getting the float ready for Saturday's Day after Christmas parade, picking up a trickle charger for the motorcycle, and installing the spreader on the back of the truck in preparation for the ice storm we are supposed to have tonite. 

I'll post pictures of the float and such tomorrow... maybe.

Anyway, belated Winter Solstice to my Pagan friends, Merry Christmas to my Christian friends, and Happy Holidays to those that ride the fence.

Be safe and warm.

Where, oh where could it be?

Felting did not occur last night.  We had a fun evening sitting around the kitchen table, eating spaghetti and then just hanging out in the warmth of the cook stove; I was crocheting a scarflet.  It is times like these that are the best gift a mom can have; no one fighting, just laughing and talking.

My camera is still missing.  I have looked in all the usual and unusual places with no success; unusual including in the cabinets and on top of the frig.  It is not in the desk or dresser drawers, book case or closet.  The last place we used it was in the kitchen, A15 was taking pictures of me sleeping at the table.  Well, not really but I could have.  I was sooooo very tired.  The next morning the camera had disappeared.  *heavy sigh*  It is my only camera and I feel nekid without it.  Not sure where the brownies took it too.  Perhaps if I leave a gift in trade they will return it?  What kinds of gifts does one leave for a brownie and where does one leave it?  Perhaps at the mouse door?

During our fun, silly time the other night we spoke about building a little doorway, without the door, for our little mouse that lives at the base of the chimney and steals dog food out of Otis' bowl.  We are also going to leave him the gift of cheese on  Christmas Eve.  This mouse has not been sex'd; I am using the pronoun 'him' just because it was the word that came outta my keyboard.  I think a little faerie door would add some charm to this part of the kitchen.

A15 & K14 are going to spend Christmas with their Dad so Ronnie and I are planning to do some work at the house, namely hang drywall on the ceiling in the kitchen.  Can you see, in this picture, the original wood walls that are now covered by pine planking?  The original ceiling is tongue 'n groove ceiling (same as the original walls) that was covered with ceiling tiles.  We've decided to leave the ceiling tiles and hang the drywall over top thus creating a bit of insulation from kitchen noise; K14's room is directly above the kitchen.  I'd love to be able to install these tiles on the ceiling, however, we have xtra drywall and need to use what we already have on hand - so drywall it is!  I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Felting for comfort

Today I am posting over at Homemakers Who Work about felting those mittens I crochet back in November - come for a visit and let me know if you have any tips on felting. 

Winter Solstice & bits

The official measurement is 27"; a depth that has not been seen here since 1995.  This snow was very light and powdery, good to sled in if you smoosh is down first and then use those plastic sleds that ride along the top of the snow.  I have an old sled with metal runners; not good for this type of snow.  Those older sleds scare me.

Yesterday, as the kids were sledding and I was keeping the fire, I noticed crows hopping around in the snow.  So pretty, this pair.  All the little tracks around the bird feeder intrigue me; one little sparrow was even bold (or desperate) enough to hop into the feeder whilst I was filling our outside wood furnace.  The Crow pair was in the tree cawing at me.  I wonder if crows need help to get through the winter or if they do well enough on their own?  Are crows a bird that I want to encourage?  This pair have been here for as long as I can remember.


Happy Winter Solstice!  For the East Coast it is the shortest day of the year and now the days will begin again to lengthen; a few seconds each day.  There is a slew of info on the web and in blogland so I will not copy it here. 

In past years, school was out the week of Christmas and they would not go back until after the first of the year.  This year they decided to have school today and tomorrow - not gonna happen cause of all the snow.  They now have two more days to make up.  *shakes head*  What were they thinking?

Before I head out, I wanted to share this Marilyn Monroe quote with you; there are several more posted here.

"I want to grow old without face lifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I have made."

Its all over but the shoveling

The snow stopped falling late last night and we woke to partly cloudy skies.  The air is so clear and crisp - simply beautiful.  Here are some shots from yesterday's play.

And for some video of Ronnie's truck pull - pulling the truck outta the ditch!  After this shot we were able to get chains and straps on the tires and going was much easier.  We went right back into the drive and parked!



Are we ready for Yule?  Ummm, sure.  =)  This time of year is the perfect reason/excuse for excessive crafting.  I gotta milk it for what it's worth.  

Its snowing, its pouring. . .

10" at 7:58 pm and still coming down hard.  Cannot wait to see what we have in the morning.

Stay warm!

Snowballs

Made of popcorn!  That is my project for this years Christmas parade float.  The Grist Mill, Ronnie's employer, is entering a float called Winter Wonderland (or an Olde Fashioned Christmas - not sure which) and they want to hand out popcorn 'snow' balls to the kids, wrapped of course! Not the kids, the popcorn balls.  =) The recipe I want to use comes from Allrecipes:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 5 cups miniature marshmallows

Directions

1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Set aside.
2. Add vegetable oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Put popcorn in prepared pan.
3. Melt butter In a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and cook until melted, stirring constantly. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and mix with spoon to coat evenly.
4. Let mixture cool slightly. Smear butter on your hands or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Mix popcorn with your hands so that it is evenly coated.
5. Form popcorn into 8 balls.

Looks easy enough, eh?  We shall see.  Speaking of marshmallows, there are some 'easy' looking recipes available from blogland.  I like those pictures of marshmallows in hot chocolate!  Yummage.

1. How to make marshmallow snowflakes, from Curbly
2. Homemade Marshmallows from Our Best Bites

That's all I have for now.  Two's enough,  yes?  If you have one to include, please post in comments or sent me an email and I'll add it to the list.  


The float construction has been super secret with no pictures allowed.  They cannot stop me from taking pictures during the parade so displays of this 8' tall snowman will follow.  12 inches of snow are predicted for this weekend, starting tomorrow; the parade is Saturday.  HA!   Stay warm!

M is for Manipulation

A coworker told me about this article and how it reminded her of another coworker so you know I had to see it.  Sadly, these tactics are popular with the one coworker.  Glad to have some cool comebacks - now I just need to remember them!  This author is Brett Blumenthal with the official article available here.

Many of us like to think the best of people.  We like to think that they shoot straight and are forthright in their intentions.  We also like to believe that they will ask for what they want and not resort to crazy tactics to get it.  Unfortunately, however, there are times when we come across those who will do whatever it takes to get what they want...including manipulation. Being manipulated never feels good, but the worst part of manipulation is that often, we don’t even realize that it is happening.  Here are a few ways to know if someone is trying to manipulate you:

1. Buttering You Up: To get their way, manipulators will often make you feel good so that they can then ask you to do something that they want.  The person may first compliment you or tell you what a wonderful job you did on something.  Making you feel good will, in their mind, make it difficult for you to say no…after all, you wouldn’t want to disappoint them or give them reason to think you didn’t deserve the compliment in the first place. What you can do: Return the compliments and the niceties before saying no.
2. Guilt: This doesn’t only pertain to Catholics and Jewish Mothers; guilt trips have been a successful manipulation tactic for centuries.  The saddest part of this strategy is that the victims of this tactic succumb to the manipulators’ demands because they feel they HAVE to, not because they WANT to.  In personal relationships, this sets up a co-dependency that is extremely unhealthy.  What you can do: Ask the individual if they want you to do something because you have to or because you want to.  If they say they want you to want to do it, tell them that you don’t and that they are trying to force you into something you don’t feel comfortable with.
3. Broken Record: Probably the most obvious of formats is the broken record tactic.  If a person asks you enough or pushes their agenda enough…constantly repeating the question or request over and over again…in slightly different ways, the victim will inevitably give in and give them what they want.  Oye!  What you can do: Ask the individual what they don’t understand about the word “no.”  Tell them that asking you over and over again isn’t going to change anything and that they are inappropriately over-stepping boundaries.
4. Selective Memory: This one gets me the most.  You swear you have a conversation about a plan and everyone is on the same page, and then one day, the manipulator pretends to remember the conversation completely differently, if at all.  What you can do: Record your conversations…seriously!  Okay, maybe not.  At least have a witness that you can count on to back you up if the person pulls this shenanigan.  Call them out on the fact that they conveniently change the game to fit their needs.
5. Bullying: If a person doesn’t get their way, they make you out to look or feel like the bad guy…like you are the wrong one.  What you can do: Be firm and tell them that their bullying tactics are inappropriate and unacceptable.

Keep your eyes open for these behaviors and continue to stand your ground to ensure that you aren’t a victim of manipulation.  Have you seen any other types of manipulative behavior?

That'll be $85 for the office visit.  =)

Keep safe AND healthy.

Blah

Over the last few days a realization came over me - I follow a poop load of blogs.  Lots of great information; however, it leaves little time for using that info much less sharing here.  So those blogs that I saved due to a link or two are now bookmarked.  Cleaned up my list just a little.  

Life feels busy, though I cannot say why as it does not appear that there is too much going on.  Work has been wicked busy, come home to fix dinner, laundry, knit, chat with kids, clean up and then it is time to get ready for bed.  Where did all the time go???  We have a Christmas party tonite and another on Saturday.  Saturday is also the Christmas parade.  *whew*  Perhaps my days are fuller than I thought! 

Christine, my sister who lived in Peru and now lives in Bogata, sent an email sharing that Mom arrived safely, though delayed by about 12 hours (roughly).  There were delays due to the weather, missed flights, stand by flights and then Mom did not have Christine's new address and the embassy driver did not bring his paperwork with him.  Oh my.  Mom, I am glad you arrived there safely!

Girls are doing well and active in Chatelaines.  Their teenage, hormonal, pick-at-your-sister-constantly tendencies also add to my tiredness.

Yule gifts are almost complete - wish I could share pictures and patterns but if I do then everyone will know what they are receiving (via Facebook). 

I would love to make some. . . fruitcake this year.  You know the kind - involves Apple  Brandy and cannot be used as a doorstop later.  Anyone have a tried-n-true recipe to share?  or a link?

Happy Feet (or just foot for now)

Oh happy day!  The sock is finished.  Muhaha.  I was so excited that Ronnie did not have a chance to get out of bed before trying it on.  The cuff goes to mid calf; it was rolled over to make it easier to slip onto his foot.  Both ends must be woven in and voila - He is the man with one sock. Part two is on the needles.  Cannot say that it will be ready for the 25th; won't be too much longer.

Why was I up so early whilst Ronnie was still sleeping?  I shall explain.  K14 stayed at a friends house last night and since her friend's mom works at the hospital just up the street, the Mom was going to bring K14 to work with her this morning and I could pick up K14 there (Mom and I are good friends.  We woke to an ice storm.  I got the call at 7:45 to say they had made it safely in and that I come get her anytime.  She was going to sleep in one of the hospital beds til I arrived.  Now, Bath Community Hospital has a total bed count of 10.  It is one floor and the kitchen is located just down the road from our house.
When the call came in we were sleeping so soundly, buried under blankets.  We dressed quickly as K14 was ready to come home.  Although the roads were icy, melting had started.  We snagged her and headed home (8 minutes away).  Upon arriving home, we cooked up some breakfast (including coffee), ate and Ronnie went back to bed.  I had to finish this sock and woke him up to try it on and get a picture.   In a few short hours we will head 1.5 hours south to Roanoke to pick up my other daughter, A15.

It is amazing how much confidence comes from something so small.  Thank you, Meadowlark, for challenging me to knit a sock.  *hugs* I am now off to finish my coffee before it gets cold and finish casting on sock two.

 Stay warm!

Some clean Holiday gift giving

Happy Yule and welcome to those visiting from the Domestic Witch's Home Crafted Holiday tour and to the Ward Houses' faithful following!  My holiday craft tutorial involves either crochet or knitting dish/wash clothes.  These puppies seem to last forever, unless your puppy gets hold of one and, well, these are not chew proof.  These gifts combine a love of working with yarn and creating something that will last.  The completed gift will include a bar of homemade soap. 


This first cloth is a crochet pattern from Lion Brand (pattern 60587A-3).  Hook size G (6), and 1 ball of 100% cotton yarn.  The closest store that carries yarn is Walmart so my cloths are made with either Peaches & Creme or Sugar & Creme yarn.

Chain 33
Row 1: skip 2 chains (counts as single crochet), work 2 double crochet in next chain, *skip 2 chains, work (single crochet, 2 double crochet) in next chain; repeat from * to last 3 chains, skip 2 chains, single crochet in last chain - 10 (single crochet, 2 double crochet) pattern repeats.
Row 2:  Chain 1 (counts as single crochet), turn, 2 double crochet in first single crochet, *skip 2 double crochet, (single crochet, 2 double crochet) in next single crochet; repeat from * across, single crochet in turning chain.
Repeat row 2 until piece measures 10 1/2 inches from beginning, fasten off.  Weave in edges.

This next pattern is from Homespun Living and will need 1 ball of 100% cotton yarn (again I use the Peaches & Cream) and size 6 knitting needles.  Knitting, just like crochet, has its own set of abbreviations.  K = knit, P = purl.  It took me several rips to get the hang of what this is supposed to look like. The stripping was not intended; just worked out that way.

Cast on 38 stitches. Knit 3 rows for border.
Row 1: (right side): knit
Row 2: K3, purl to last 3 stitches, K3
Row 3: K3(P2, K1) 10 times, P2, K3
Row 4: K3, (K2, P1) 10 times, K5.

Repeat these 4 rows fourteen times.

Knit last 4 rows. Bind off, weave in ends.

Now for the necessary - I was not paid nor was I given anything by the companies listed above to share this information with you.  *sighs* 

Enjoy yourselves and have a great holiday!

A new look

The blog and I needed a change of pace, a new look.  CSS has some sweet templates; my only beef is that the contact, about, and search buttons do not work.  I know enough about HTML to sometimes be able to locate the code that needs correcting yet do not know enough to be able to correctly and viably alter said code.  Grrs. 

We are also trying on a 2-column style as opposed to the 3-column.  See how it feels.  Thoughts?

UPDATE: the search box works, it is just slightly below the graphic search box.  How bizarre is that.
ANOTHER UPDATE:  Ok, guess I know more about the code then originaly thought.  Now all the cute little icon dodads (technical term here) work.  WooHoo!

16 days (roughly)

And counting.  We will actually celebrate Yule a little early as we will have all kids home the weekend of 12/19.  I am feeling a bit crunched.  Yes, we give only a few small gifts to each other.  Still.  There are so many patterns that I'd like to stitch/hook/knit and so little time - even when I started earlier this year!  I must admit to being scattered especially since I keep changing the list!  LOL  Adults are easy enough - it is making something that my fashionista teens will like that I find most challenging. 

Having typed all of that, I did find these posts today that provided some inspiration:

1. Repurposed sewing, which some great book links, from FIMBY.
2. Beeswax, candles (citrus) from brown robin
3. Great December desktop wallpapers from Smashing Magazine.
4. Field Guide to Cookies giveaway.  =)  Find your inspiration!
   

Today I have also posted at Homemakers Who Work - scoot over there to see pictures of the gingerbread house we created this weekend.  The recipe is included!

I win!!

Does not happen often, yet when it does I must do the happy dance. 

Those giveaways include:

• A halloween ornament from Haunted Swam Designs.  He is now hanging on the Yule tree.  =)
• A cross stitch pattern from Sherry Senicar Designs.
• Living with Goats book from Ten Apple Farm.

A big THANK YOU to those that hosted the giveaway and those that donated.  Christmas has come early.  =)

Paper and scissors

add scotch tape and a stapler and voila!  Some swedish style stars.  These are soooo easy to make.  I made four for the windows at work (or at least on my side of the building) using recycled paper at that!  These are big stars, however, the same principle applies to smaller squares of paper - easy to adjust for tree stars!

<--  Another idea I plan to make are these
snowflakes.  If you are daring and feeling keen with a sewing machine, try these beauties.  An easy snowflake garland for the tree using a snowflake punch (which I actually own!

Do you know the gingerbread man?

Whenever I hear the "Do you know the Muffin Man?" phrase, thoughts of Shrek come to mind.


There are several tutorials on the web and this one will probably be what we go with (unless Meadowlark has conquered Crackberry).  =)  Another blog I read reminded me that Christmas eve is just a few weeks away - 3 actually (counting today).  I think I'm ready, think being the important word.  I'll look at it again tonite.

Family History and a giveaway (or two)

I've cut down on the giveaway blogging just 'cause I'm tired.  =)  This one, though, is just too cute.  Picard Creative is giving away your choice of a Christmas ornament.  This artist is too talented!  Go to Mrs. B's site to enter.

Another sweet giveaway can be found at a Work in Progress.

My Mom follows the blog via email subscription and she sent me a little insight into how Christmas's were when she was growing up.  Some quick history - my maternal grandmother was Belgium and Mom, though born in the U.S. was raised over seas only to return when she was 14.

Grandmaman told me that when she was growing up, she got ONE present for Christmas, and she gave ONE to her parents (when she was older).  Her parents gave each other ONE also.  That gift was a symbol of the gift of the Christ child to us.

When I was young, my parents always had me make my gifts.  I remember cross stitching an "S" on handkerchiefs for my father.  I also used to make my own Christmas and birthday cards.  When I was a teenager, I would get TWO gifts only, and they were always clothes.  I will never forget the year I got a reversible, plaid skirt with a sweater to match on Christmas.  All the kids at school had all these matching outfits, and mine had always been neutral colors, so that anything went with everything else.  I had felt so out of place.

I enjoy hearing stories of Christmas's past, from when my parents and grandparents were growing up. 

I'm not the Grinch, really

I like to think that my sense of fashion is waaay better - I certainly do not have the body type that would look good in a green cat suit.  Anyway, in an earlier post I grouched about the commercialism of Christmas.  I totally understand the need for retailers to make ends meet and cannot explain why Christmas sales and music before Thanksgiving irritates me so.  Is it something I learned from childhood?  I still remember when everything was closed on Sundays!  Yes, I am that young.  =) 

My Christmas memories consist of the tree, music, cards, cookies, lights, and just the feel of this time of year - it is a difficult feeling to describe.   Gifts were not a big deal at home either.  It was something fun and mostly function.  One year I remember receiving a Make animal magnets from pom pom's kit.  I make one for my Grandmother, gave it to her, and was suprised to see it on her refrigerator at our next visit.   Another fond memory was our stockings; there would be an orange in the toe, trinkets sprinkled amidst nuts, candy and wrapped smoked oyster tins.  Yummage!  For some reason these do not sit with me now as well as they did when I was younger. 

I have tried to develop a sense of the season for my girls without all the 'gotta have' hubbubaloo.  I'll have to post gifts after the season so as not to ruin any suprises; all gifts are handmade at home.  I hope to still be able to give the girls some cash so they can get much needed clothes (jeans especially) from Plato's Closet.  This weekend we will put up a Yule tree, decorate and bake/create a gingerbread house; a favorite activity with the teens.

Do you make ginger bread cookies/houses?  Is there a favorite recipe?