Quietness

Happy Tuesday to you all. One week and one day to go before the day we celebrate the Lord's birth here on earth. I think I have all my preparations made and now we're just counting the days until we go and see Piper again. Oh yes, her parents will also be there. :-) Many of you have seen pictures of the rainbow blankets I make for any and every baby that I know. That blanket just happens to be Miss Piper's favorite blanket and she sleeps with it every night. It covers her in her car seat, etc. Well, last month when we visited Japan, Uncle Alex sent home the cutest little stuffed bunny for Piper. It's pink and about 9-10 inches tall. She adores that little bunny. It goes everywhere with her. Mandy says she wraps it up in one of her kitchen tea towels and carrys it around. Yesterday we were face-timing and sure enough, she had that little bunny wrapped up, over her shoulder and patting it on the back! It was the cutest thing. Well, this Grandma decided little bunny needed a blanket of it's own and last night I whipped up a matching blanket for the bunny. It should fit it just right and I think Miss Piper will be happy. What do you think?

I made it lots smaller than the normal ones and added a little border instead of the granny squares in the corners because of time constraints, but I think it will make her happy.

I also managed to finish nine more pairs of mittens since my last post.

I know the colors are a bit boring here, but I was using up the ends of lots of partial skeins. My good friend and fellow blogger Teresa and her husband Dayle, sent a generous check which arrived yesterday to help buy more yarn. I think that's where I'll be going this afternoon, to buy more yarn. I'm getting down to the odds and ends. I have about 20 more pair to make and I should be done! Teresa, your gift to help the kids is so generous and I thank you and Dayle from the bottom of my heart.

I decided that my snowflake garland needed a little bright color since we have no tree this year. Yesterday I just added a few glass balls and I like how it looks. The snowflakes stay up well after the new year so this is a great Christmasy touch.

The elf cups on the island are a family tradition. As you can see the individual cups spell NOEL. All the time our kids were growing up, I would wake in the morning and they were switched to say "LEON". Over time I discovered that it was Jamie, our middle son who was the culprit. I loved it. Now that the cups stay the same all the time, it saddens me. I almost didn't put them out this year because it can be a bit depressing, but every time I look at them I smile with memories. Oh how I miss my little ones running around the house.

It's been a fun week for me since my last post. On Saturday, Neal and Jenny and Hubby and I went to Camping World and looked at campers just for the fun of it. Yes, we were the ONLY people there. We had a grand time. Then we proceeded on to Cabela's. That place was packed with shoppers but the four of us had one goal in mind. The Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich. Oh my goodness they are delicious. We did do a bit of shopping but that wasn't our reason in going. Then it was home to an evening in front of the fire watching Hallmark Christmas movies. That, my friends, is a good day for me! I know. I'm a strange cookie.

Yesterday I went to the Post Office to mail a package. I dreaded it because you know how it gets there the week before Christmas. It was wonderful. Christmas music playing. A guy dressed like Santa going down the line filling out a form for you so all you had to do was weigh your package and pay at the counter. There were about 20 people ahead of me in line and I was only there about 5 minutes! Now that was a Christmas miracle wouldn't you say?

Last but not least, here is a picture of Hubby and I at his company Christmas party. He looks happy. I look like I sucked on a lime. What on earth is wrong with me? Oh well. A lesser woman wouldn't post it, but oh well. It's me and I can't change it, but next year, I must remember to smile!

Next Monday is our bloggers Christmas luncheon in Portland with Teresa, Taci and Gracie at Teresa's farm. I'm so excited to finally go to Teresa's place. I've been to Gracie's and Taci's, (well I guess Taci's old place since they sold it and are building a new home). Now I get to see Teresa's nest. And the girls. Oh my goodness. We don't stop talking when we're all together. It will be such fun and I wish each of you could be there with us.

I'll see you again soon.

Blessings,

Betsy

Christmas-A star to light the way. Bright hosts to light the night, A Holy Child to light our hearts with Heavenly delight. "I have come as Light into the world." John 12:46