I finished crocheting 1 pair of origami potholders, for a Christmas gift. I'll make 3 more pairs; 1 friend gets 2 pairs. 1 pair will be in Christmas colors and the other pair will be in red and white variegated for her year-round kitchen accent colors. I'm making red and white variegated potholders for a VA friend, too. After the potholders are finished, I have no more kitchen items to do for Christmas.
I have a bone growth on my left pinky finger, inside, on the lower knuckle. I'm trying to finish the crochet up before I see the Dr. because he said if it grew, he'd send me to an orthopedist. If I end up having the bone growth removed, it'll make typing on the keyboard "tricky" and crochet isn't hard, because the yarn merely wraps around the pinky finger. However, I'm motivated into getting the Christmas crochet finished in case of surgery on it. So, I've cut my crochet gift list down to:
1- DGD = 1 butterflies Granny afghan, 1 butterfly pillow, 1 vest with butterfly-type cap sleeves.
2- DGS-3.5 = 1 afghan, 1 scarf with doggy hand mittens attaches to the ends, found at http://www.redheart.com and a cat neck pillow.
3- DGS-5.5 = the same as DGS-3.5, only the colors of his afghan, the pattern sequence, and scarf-mitten set are in different colors than DGS-3.5's are in.
So far, 1 afghan's done, the butterflies Granny is being slowly assembled, and DGS-3.5's afghan is about 3/4 done. When all 3 afghans are done, I'll do the scarves and the vest, and after that, it's on to the pillows.
The reason the pillows are last, is because if I run out of time, or for whatever reason, cannot do the pillows in time for Christmas, I can make them for their b-days; 1 is in January, 1 is in February, and 1 is in April. I felt that this was a "doable" way to go. So, at least they're all 3 receiving 2 gifts apiece; a nice afghan and scarves for the boys and vest for the girl. I'm sure that I'll be able to get the pillows done, as the calendar reminders I've made with deadlines, puts me at crochet-free about Dec. 3 - 5, somewhere. It would be lovely to concentrate on decorating and later in December, about the 20th, some baking. I feel like I'm "on a roll" now, I'm getting excited about Christmas- at last- and can hardly wait until Christmas arrives. It's so wonderful to feel "in control" of the gift-making, too. All it takes is time, making sure to sit down and actually do it. And since the play-offs are here, Autumn football, and the World Series is nearly here, it's so nice to watch, to crochet, and chat with DH about the games, and kill 2 birds with one stone. It makes Christmas crochet less of a chore and more of a pleasure, which I'll give from my heart. Sorry I got long-winded again. Have had broken sleep again, for the 2nd night/morning this week, so ramble when I'm tired or am psyched up and happy about Christmas coming.
Happy Holiday Planning, Everybody! It's so much fun! Isn't it?
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." ~ Arthur Ashe
I've finished the body of DGS's afghan, will add the border tomorrow, because I'm crocheting myself a pink Cancer Awareness scarf to match my hat.
I've gotten the next afghan Butterflies Granny project totes together, near the sectional sofa and recliner, to work on it there, tomorrow, after I finish DGS's afghan. Once this Granny's done, I'll have all 3 afghans done prior to November! I CANNOT BELIEVE it!
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." ~ Arthur Ashe
Ivy/feline I know!!! I can't believe its the 12 of October!!!
Since I have company coming I thought I would see how much it wold cost to have lights put on my trees out front... the one birch is $800.00 wow de wow wow... so that is definitely not an option!
I found my Christmas cards and wrapping paper so that's good.
I know have a holiday picture of my family
dd younger has a shirt for Christmas
goal this week - work on books for 2 lovely children
I am feeling stressed because d young family members coming from France are expecting a magical Christmas American style. I know I will have to pay for everything. And I have to find things for them to do. I have been working on the house which I still need to paint.
Blessedw2 ~ I don't think you should feel pressured to do (and pay for) a bunch of extra activities for your guests. Include them in the things you normally do with your family.
* Have them help decorate the tree and the rest of the house; your decorations will be different than theirs, which is the point.
* Does your family normally go to an annual Christmas concert or play?
* Bake and decorate cookies; maybe do a cookie exchange with a group.
* Host a movie night with your DDs best friends, and borrow your favorite holiday cartoons from the library. Charlie Brown? Rudolph? Frosty the Snowman? Even if the girls spend the whole time laughing about how goofy the old movies are, it will be fun.
* Take a drive to find the best Christmas light displays. Do some research ahead, newspapers will usually have articles about neighborhoods that have competitions and such.
* There are a couple places near me that the families have programmed light shows on their house and in their yard. You tune your car radio to the number they say and the lights dance to the music. It's free to the public, though they have a box where you can leave a donation.
* Are there any stores near you that still do the old-fashioned window displays?
* Check out a 2nd run movie theater, there might be one with tickets for only $5 -- though of course you will spend a lot less on a DVD and popcorn at home.
The thing to remember is not to over-schedule your time. You don't have to do new things every day. Alternate being out of the house with stuff at home.
Oh, you just posted about tickets to 2 shows. There, that's enough! I can tell from menus you've posted that you are an amazing cook, you don't need to take them out to a restaurant.
By the way, expect them to help with dishes. You are not their employee!
I agree with BookSaver. The cookies you bake together may be the thing they will remember most. If relatives were coming here to be entertained for Christmas, I might consider the sleigh ride that usually happens locally, very inexpensive, or one of the live nativities that are considered destinations. I know you and your family have enjoyed the decorated windows before - that is without cost, and could be part of a day-trip just to admire and have lunch.
Oh, also we would go to the town that boasts the best light displays - they are pretty amazing and all free to drive through and enjoy. Actually, we have two such towns within a reasonable driving distance, so I might pick the one that is least popular so as to avoid traffic and keep the drive pleasant.
Our larger first-in-laws party has been set for the 20th. Ddil cannot attend but will be working. Ds and my green-eyed boy will be there. Don't know about dd34's family yet.
Hello, Everyone! 
I feel like I'm "on a roll" now, I'm getting excited about Christmas- at last- and can hardly wait until Christmas arrives. It's so wonderful to feel "in control" of the gift-making, too. All it takes is time, making sure to sit down and actually do it. And since the play-offs are here, Autumn football, and the World Series is nearly here, it's so nice to watch, to crochet, and chat with DH about the games, and kill 2 birds with one stone. It makes Christmas crochet less of a chore and more of a pleasure, which I'll give from my heart. Sorry I got long-winded again. Have had broken sleep again, for the 2nd night/morning this week, so ramble when I'm tired or am psyched up and happy about Christmas coming.
