If I had managed to get any Christmas cards sent, this is what I was sending this year.
I have the dog. And I have a Volkswagen. As for the tree, I did have to bring a rather large tree home a few weeks ago and cords were involved. Bungee cords - they were to keep the trunk from bouncing up and down onto the approximately two-feet of box still sticking out the trunk. But it worked and I got the tree home, and that's all that matters, right?
Are you all ready for Christmas? Stockings hung? Packages wrapped? Christmas cards sent? (Show off.)
I'm as ready as I'm going to be, which sort of makes me think that Christmas is a lot like Quilt Market. Even though I've had months to plan, get organized and get busy... I'm still rushing last minute to finish twenty-seven things I could easily have had done weeks ago. It seems like I'm spending a fair amount of time waiting for UPS and FedEx, and if you've been to a mall or shopping in the past few days, then you've essentially been to Sample Spree. And after all the preparation, build-up and running around, it's all over in a flash. Until next time.
So what's been going on here?
This seems to be what I've done the most of this past week or so. Doing the dishes after making a batch of [fill in the blank]. I've been baking and that always seems to mean that I've got a sink full of dishes either waiting to be washed or drying. When you're baking one batch of cookies right after another, doing the dishes by hand is definitely the fastest and the easiest way to go. And even though I have an extra bowl for the mixer, I'm going to have to wash it anyway so I always seem to wind up using just the one.
With my brother coming for Christmas and my not "working" elsewhere this year, my Mom decided that I should be able to get some cookies and quick breads made. So I baked Chocolate Chip Cookies using the recipe on the bag and Oatmeal Cookies using the recipe from the cannister. They're not fancy but they always seem to wind up being the recipes I like best. I made Hermits using the recipe from Sandi in Florida, and I baked Orange Date Nut Bread using a recipe my Mom got from my grandmother years ago. It's my brother's favorite. I also made Cranberry Banana Bread. I also baked some terrific cookies using a recipe from Midwest Living magazine -- Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies.
This is Midwest Living's picture -- my cookies are in the freezer right now.
I've also been experimenting with a Meyer Lemon recipe... with much better results than some folks.
I made Limoncello using Giada's recipe. And instead of throwing away the rinds, I did what one reviewer suggested and I tossed them with sugar to make candied lemon peel. I'll let you know how that turned when they're dry.
With the baking and fermenting out of the way, I've hung Christmas lights outside -- two strings of icicle lights on the brick wall. The neighbors were a little shocked too. Of course, it also meant a trip to the hardware store when the outdoor extension cord didn't work, and everything else I had that worked was too short. The upside is that I got this funny pen with a light bulb at the end that lights up and flickers when you bounce it on the table. I also managed to get the tree up this year. Poinsettias? Check. Real and faux. Wreaths? Check.
My Mom's bathroom is all finished except for the decorating -- she thinks she wants some black & white photographs for the walls. I think that will have to wait until after Christmas. The work went really well though just about the point where I was ready to pack my Mom and Rosie in the car and go someplace -- anyplace! -- because I couldn't stand the noise of the jackhammer any longer... it stopped. And it was over. The same goes for the craziness of having just one bathroom. As you can probably guess, the work took a week longer than expected. Seriously, we're going to have to talk about what "two weeks" means in contractor-speak. And of course, the cost was a skosh more than anticipated. But my Mom is happy so that's all that matters.
As for stitching time... I haven't gotten any. But lucky me, somebody else did it for me. I've been enjoying a sweet redwork stitchery this year -- Christmas Treasures designed by Rosalie Quinlan.
If you're wondering if I stitched this... the answer is "no". Not because I didn't want to. And not because I couldn't do it... though actually, I couldn't do it because when I showed the pre-printed linen to a dear, sweet friend for her approval, she ripped it from my hands and volunteered to stitch it for me. And she wouldn't give it back no matter how many times I asked, and no matter how many tears I shed.
(Yes, that's my story. And yes, I'm sticking to it.)
Okay. Because I want to stay on "the big guy from the North's" good side, I'll concede that subconsciously, it is within the realm of possibility that I showed it to her in the hope that she might offer to stitch it for me. I didn't think about it at the time... but I have to admit that there is no doubt whatsoever that her stitching it means that I get to enjoy this lovely redwork this Christmas instead of Christmas 2017. And really, she did a much nicer job on it than I probably would have. That's a given.
Just so you know, I saw this on Rosalie's blog in August and ordered it from Under the Mulberry Tree. The design is printed on white linen and it comes with a skein of Lecien Cosmo embroidery floss.
It goes without saying that I hope you and yours have a very safe, happy, joyous holiday -- a very Merry Christmas.
Next week? I'm really looking forward to a long winter's nap.
Merry Christmas to all!
Carrie, by the sound of things you are actually really organised. There hasn't been any baking here but I did do the stitchery like your friend did for you and its a lovely one. The Limencello sounds yummy, sure you wouldn't like to send some "down under"?
Anyway hoping that you, your Mum and Rosie and family all have a wonderful christmas and prepare yourself for the new year ahead.
Posted by: Deb | December 23, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Merry Christmas!!!
Posted by: Tonya | December 23, 2011 at 12:40 AM
I did the very same thing with the stitchery!! Mine of course is only slightly started and I will have to wait until 2017!! Merry Christmas Carrie, Mum and Rosie!!
Posted by: Sasha | December 23, 2011 at 01:24 AM
Happy Happy! I think those cookies look easry and will be in the oven. Merry Holidays to you all!
Posted by: Auntie Pami | December 23, 2011 at 06:14 AM
Carrie, you always make me smile :) that is truly a gift in itself..the ability to make people smile. Honestly, if we ever met in person, we would click..we have that same sense of humour/sarcasm lol! Merry Merry Christmas to you and all yours!
Posted by: Shelley dionne | December 23, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Laurie in Iowa | December 23, 2011 at 08:03 AM
That was our card this year too!! I wish we had the VW to go with it!
I LOVE that embroidery pattern. I might have to seek that one out and make it for next year.
Posted by: mary | December 23, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Merry Christmas, from your very pushy friend. ;-)
Posted by: Darlene | December 23, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Merry Christmas! you bring a lot of joy into my (and i know a LOT of other people's) life with your blog and your patterns and your fabric!
Posted by: dorothy | December 23, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Isn't is amazing just how much we have to do when we don't 'work'? Your gift to us, besides everything else, is the smile you put on our faces when we read your posts. Thank you. And Merry Christmas to you, your mom, your brother, Rosie, and anyone else I missed.
Posted by: Mary | December 23, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Love the redwork! Darlene did a gorgeous job! Have a wonderful Christmas~ make lots of fun memories!
Posted by: Sandie~ call me crazy | December 23, 2011 at 01:11 PM
I have seen (and drooled a lot) Rosalie's pattern and I adore it. It really is beautiful and the stitching is perfections...but then the "Wonder Quilter's" stitching always is, LOL. She'll know what I mean *wink*. I happy to hear you now have a second bathroom. I raised two daughters before we had our second bathroom done. Mornings were always an exercise in terror with my hubby and I getting ready for work and two teenage daughters getting ready for school...so glad those days are over. Thank goodness we got the second bathroom in before we raised out two grandsons. Funny though, now that we are 'empty nesters' only one bathroom gets used, LOL. Hope you, your mom and Rosie all have a Merry and Joy filled Christmas. Enjoy your brothers visit. Big Hugs...
PS...I used to drive a little Volkswagon Bug when I was so pregnant that the steering wheel rubbed my belly, UGH. Not one of my fondest memories, but I did LOVE that car. Here in the Utah snow it never slid off the road. Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy | December 23, 2011 at 02:52 PM
It's so nice to hear what you have been doing Carrie! I think your mom was right... since you weren't putting in exhausting hours elsewhere... why not put on an apron and be a Martha!
So are you saying you got a bathroom redo for your mom for Christmas?LOL
Have a very blessed Christmas!
Posted by: Sinta | December 23, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Well.......... I could just say you are waaaay ahead of me, but I don't want you get all big chested!! We've been cleaning and fixing this house in FL and seems very slow, but then we are doing it ourselves and seems there is a holiday where some things just don't get done - there that's my story. Love your redwork, it's beautifully stitched, no matter how you got it! Cute photo, and I'll bet Rosie can even drive, I was sure she posed!
Merry Christmas, Carrie! Thanks for everything!!
Posted by: Linda P | December 23, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Merry Christmas Carrie! Hope to see you at Spring Market.
Posted by: Dawn Heese | December 23, 2011 at 07:01 PM
Happy Christmas!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | December 24, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Have a wonderful Christmas! I hope you get that long winters nap too!
Pat
Posted by: Pat | December 24, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Merry Christmas Carrie!
Posted by: Michele | December 25, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Carrie, love your life stories. Sounds just like the rest of our lives, but your life seems so much funnier. Loved your redwork Christmas picture and thanks for sharing where it came from. It's after Christmas, but have a happy and prosperous New Year!
Posted by: Janet | December 26, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Happy Holidays! It sounds like you have a good pair there. Hahaha! You've been very busy this holiday season, and you also need to rest. You deserve that long winter nap.
Posted by: Angelica Emmanuel | December 27, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Okay, I really enjoyed this post! You made me laugh several times. Thanks for the humor. ;p
Posted by: ina | December 27, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Hi,
Do you know where I can get buy this cute Christmas card. I just purchased a vintage VW Bug and I have a 10 year old Jack Russell that everyone knows, so this would be such a great card for me to send.
Happy Holidays 2012!
Posted by: Robert | December 02, 2012 at 09:52 PM