Friday, December 6, 2013

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Brrrr. I know that we in the Inland Northwest aren't the only ones in this deep freeze, but good golly it's COLD!!! We're supposed to be below zero tonight and tomorrow night. It's a balmy 4F outside right now. I just got back from a run to the post office to send off a couple of packages to Japan and I made it there just before the big rush. There was only one person before in line but when I left there were about 30 people in line! My goodness! I wasn't the hold-up either. I had all of my documents filled out and ready to go. As the saying goes, "this isn't my first rodeo!"

Since I've been busy trying to finish the last minute gifts, I haven't done too many mittens but I have managed to finish four more pair. I guess that's better than none, right?

I ran outside last night and froze my fingers to get a couple of pictures for you. These are the brightest houses on the block. We don't have lights out this year. Our house is so high and I hate ladders. Consequently I don't like Hubby on them any more than he has to be either. So since the boys moved out we have given up the outside lights.
My favorite by far is the one with all of the blue lights. We took Piper down the street to see them Saturday night and Mandy says it looks like a Christmas movie "threw up" on the second one's lawn. (Must be the nurse in her!) *smile* The third is so simple that I like it too. Sorry that picture is a bit blurry. My hands were completely frozen by then!

I think I told you that I was making some socks for some children that live in Northern Idaho. I met their mom on her blog. Her husband is a pastor at a small town church and they live in the mountains in a log home. They have children who love wool socks since they heat their home with a wood stove and the floors can be cold. She doesn't knit and when I read this, well, you know what happened. I offered to knit some socks for the kids. Yesterday her husband had a meeting here in Spokane so Julianne and I met at Perkins for tea and ended up talking for over two hours. She is an absolutely lovely lady and we had a wonderful time. At least I did and I hope she did too! :-) They make their own tea mixture and she gave me a jar of it. I had a cup before bed last night and it is wonderful. It's so nice to meet new people through this blog and others too. I wish every one of us could get together and share like Gracie, Teresa, Taci and I do. It's one of the things I look forward to every trip I take to Portland. After hugging and kissing on Piper of course! We're having lunch at Teresa's home in about two weeks and I'm so looking forward to it. Fun and fellowship and talking about crocheting and knitting and Christmas and, and, and, whatever else comes up. We just truly enjoy each other's company. I am very jealous that Gracie and Teresa get to go swimming together several times a week. Well, maybe someday I'll live close by and can join them.

We're not putting a tree up this year since it's just Hubby and I and we'll be at Mandy's for Christmas itself. I did put a few of my favorite decorations out though. This is our nativity set. It's the star of the show every year, because without Jesus' birth, why would we even be celebrating? After all, that is truly the reason for this season we celebrate.

I made this set the first Christmas we were married in 1978 so it's been on prominent display for 35 years now. Through all of these years not one of the pieces were broken. I even painted on the faces of all the people and the animals. This definitely has a favored spot in my heart for the holidays.

Tomorrow is Hubby's company Christmas party. He will be honored as being an employee for 20 years. So that means we've been in Spokane for 20 years. That time has sure gone fast. It seems just a few short years ago that we moved cross country to a city that I'd never even heard of before. We do love it here EXCEPT for the brutal winters. Retirement closer to the coast is sounding better all the time. I just wish we could afford to retire to Hawaii! :-)

And now I need to gather my mitten materials and head out the door to my Friday afternoon knitting group. Another group of lovely ladies to play with! Oh I do have a wonderful life.

Have a safe, warm and dry weekend my friends and I'll be back soon.

Blessings,

Betsy

An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and they were terrified but the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

10 comments:

  1. Hi Betsy! A fun post full of lovely things.. I also am glad you, Gracie, Taci and I get together and share our thoughts and things. Non-bloggers don't understand some of our conversations, do they? LOL! See you soon and keep warm!

    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    *M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. Your Nativity set is beautiful, Betsy. How special to have it all these years and not have any piece break. I'm glad to hear that. The lights on your street look great. I love Christmas lights, though we only do a few strands around trees and bushes. I enjoy driving around the neighborhood to look at the lights; we always do that one evening just before Christmas. :)

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  3. We woke up to a dusting of snow this morning, Betsy, and the temps have been in the low 20s and teens...bone chilling! I enjoyed your post, and especially enjoyed seeing your nativity set. I grew up with a similar set that my mom painted. I treasured it as a sweet reminder that God loved the world so much He gave his Son so that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life. So amazing...
    Blessings to you and yours,
    Gracie xx

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  4. We are having sleet, with a coating of snow overnight. Always delightful. Love seeing those houses all lit up!

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  5. Oh Betsy, I just love you.!!! Your are the sweetest person. Knitting socks for a new family you just meet, how sweet is that!!! I love to see neighborhoods all deck out for the Holidays all those beautiful lights just put me in the Christmas spirit. Try to stay warm...my that is some cold weather you all are having. It's 36 tonight for us and that's cold enough!!
    Hugs, Shari

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  6. Hi Betsy. I would love to learn how to make those darling mittens! Maybe next year. It sure sounds cold out there! We are cold too. Cold for us. In the 30's at night, and 50's during the day. I am loving it!
    Your nativity set is so pretty! I love that you painted it yourself. So special.
    Enjoy your holiday festivities!!!
    XO Kris

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  7. I miss holiday lights. As a child in Mississippi, it was a tradition to ride around with the family to the fancier side of town and gaze upon all the beautiful holiday light displays. Not much decorating goes on here anymore. Seems like it's just more effort than I am willing to put into it. How wonderful that you got to meet another lovely blogger face-to-face. Bless you for knitting up those socks for that family and for continuing to make all those pretty mittens. Sending warm wishes your way. Tammy

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  8. Betsy, you are an angel. You spread Joy and love everywhere you go with everyone you meet. How could your new friend not have enjoyed every single second with you? i would have. I understand about the outside lights. I gave up that job a few years ago, and have handed it over to my husband. Thus the inside of the house is decorated and I am still waiting for those lights to go up outside. Love your beautiful Manger Scene. Last year my Dad gave me the one used in my home while I was growing up. I am proudly displaying it.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  9. What a lovely post Betsy! Your nativity scene is lovely. I have one too and I love to have a reminder of what Christmas is really about.
    The houses is your neigbourhood are beautiful! It must be wonderful to take a walk around there and takie in all those beautiful sights :)
    Elisabeth x

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  10. Your nativity set s just so beautiful and so very special. It has Ben a part of your family for all these years. How special ... Just like you my dear firmed. Can't wait to see you soon my friend . I miss you.

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