Major Catch up Time

We went to California for a surprise (and boy what a surprise it was) birthday party for my sister-in-law Bobbie (White sweater with sister Marilyn) and ended up staying for Thanksgiving. We really enjoyed our time with Bobbie and the family! With all the travel time and both events, the month just got away from me.

As soon as I got back I had tons of laundry, cleaning, Christmas prep like wrapping gifts & shipping packages, and like a fool I signed up for a 4 day stained glass class in the midst of it all. But the worst was that I came home sick and proceeded to get even sicker before it was over. Today’s the first day I feel like a human being again. I do like the stained glass piece though and am happy to have found a new hobby that hubby and I can do together.
During this time was the end of a 3 month long swap that I was participating in. I had a great Sweet Goodness Holiday sister Jenn. She sent me the pictures on the left (Thanksgiving box and the Christmas box with place mats, tea towels, hot cocoa, potpourri, cookie cutters, icings, cider mixes, chocolates, corn, knitting needles, chocolate coffee, peppermint bark, ornaments and more) and I sent her the pictures on the right for Thanksgiving and Christmas (snowman candle holder and tree like taper candles, knit cap, snowman ceramic buttons, snowman dip spreader, snowman cookie press, 2 quilt patterns, tea towels, leaf coasters, mobile, cat tails, dip mix, cookie cutters, tealights, First magazine and for her birthday a combined copy of the 2 cookbooks I’ve written for the family).

I was also participating in a Christmas garland swap for GAGA for Garlands and had a great partner Fanny. She sent me this wonderful peppermint themed garland that fits just perfect around my mantle. I went with the jingle bell theme and did a looped quilted garland with bells for her.
So, I’m fairly up to date for now and will start fresh with the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all…