Too Busy...I Don't Think I'll Make Christmas Morning Cutoff...

Good morning, happy Sunday, and Merry Christmas Eve!  Phew...that's a lot to cover in one day.  LOL

My Baby Boy and his GF arrived on Tuesday evening.   I worked on Wednesday, but took Thursday and Friday as family days.  SMILE  We have managed to hit all of our favorite restaurants, a few thrift stores, a yarn store, and made one trip to the fabric store since then. I know, what a surprise!  LOL

Headed over to Morro Bay.  The weather was beautiful on the coast.  Those lumps are a herd of otters in the bay.

Then to Cayucos for lunch at Schooner's.  Yummy.

And who is this?  Why Ryan and his GF, Elyse.  We had a wonderful meal.

Then off to Cambria to check out a couple of thrift stores...cough, cough...and my favorite yarn store.  LOL  I found a beautiful wrap on display.  Of course, the pattern AND the yarn were available.  Elyse showed an interest and I think I can do the pattern...so...it came home with me.  LOL  Thank goodness I've learned how to use circulars. 

Once in the thrift stores, it was hat-trying-on time.  LOL

And my favorite...Don't I look FABULOUS?!  LOL

With all this fun going on, I'm a little behind on my creating.  I'm pretty sure I won't be finished with my son's quilt by tomorrow morning.  But, I did give him a peek, he seems happy.  He's has already placed a color request on the binding.  LOL 

And my scarf?  Another skein in, two more to go...

I always enjoy his visits.  Both he and Elyse mentioned that they use the washcloths that I made for him last year.  Well, surprise, I have more that need to go home with him.  LOL  I gave Elyse her gift as she will not be here Christmas morning.  She seemed pleased.  SMILE   We had a quickie fudge-making class.  Did a pan of eggnog fudge...not bad, but because I used real eggnog and white chocolate, not as firm as I hoped.  But, I know that sometimes it takes a full 24 hours to set.  We'll see...

I leave you with the sunrise.  Have an amazing day, be kind to one another.

I Think I Lost a Week...And Fudge...

Good morning from the rancho.  I'm pretty sure that somehow, someway, I have lost a week of time.  I remember getting up for work, many times.  But after that, it's a little fuzzy. LOL  I am so far behind on reading blogs, I'm sure I've been kicked off your reading lists.  LOL

I just can't believe how work cuts into my free time.  I know, I know, it should be a no-brainer, but I am having a horrible time getting back to "normal" after my last vacation.  I seem to have lost what little time management I had.  I'm still working on projects, but oh so slowly.  LOL  I knit two or three rows, then find myself slipping off to sleep.  At least I'm using circulars so the needles are short and less likely to poke me in the eye.  LOL

I am done with the dark yarn, moving back into some of the lights.  I think I have two skeins left...

A dear friend of mine started this needlebook from The Primitive Hare.  She realized after doing three quarters of the stitching, the instructions had been just a bit vague.  She stitched the inside and outside patterns too close on a single piece of linen.  She put it into a bag and refused to touch it again.  LOL  I told her that I would "fix" it for her.  Soooo....I finished stitching the inside pattern, moved the wording to the bottom of the boxes and added fabric at the top and bottom to compensate for the lack of linen.  I think it turned out very well.  It will be off to her house next week.

I was a little hesitant to do the blanket stitch around the outside, not my style...but on the other the hand, not my needlebook!  LOL  

It is once again fudge time!!  I started last night, made six batches.  Salted Caramel, Coconut Chocolate, and Chocolate Mint.  Here is a picture of the finished coconut fudge...

You will notice the pan of salted caramel...with a piece missing.  Hmmm.  I am pretty sure it wasn't me.  LOL  DH was helping last night, by licking and then washing the tools for the next batch.  Guess he decided I didn't leave enough on the spatulas.  I still need to make Peanut Butter, Pumpkin, Peppermint, and Plain Chocolate.  Most of it goes out for gifts, but this year I'll be saving a bit for Baby Boy.  

And how long before he's home?  Two days!  He's in Phoenix, but will be back on the road Monday or Tuesday.  I am very excited to have him home for Christmas...it's been a long, long time.  SMILE

I am off to start my day.  I hope that each of you have an amazing day.  Be kind to one another.

Back To Real Life

Good morning from the rancho!

Important life lesson...you will not have enough time for projects when you are expected to go to work every day.  LOL  LOL  LOL  I was on a roll....I WAS THE PROJECT QUEEN!  Now, I just try to stay awake past 8 pm. 

It was a long week.  It is so dark at 4 am.  Sigh.  I don't mind being up that early, if it was to work on knitting or something.  Work was okay, but after three weeks off, I realize that it will not be that hard to retire.  LOL

I did get a little time on my projects this week. 

Knitted another skein on my shawl. 

My son and his girlfriend are planning on being here for Christmas Day.  I want her to feel welcome and thought I would do a little something for her.  She is an avid gourmet cook.  And really, really good, too.  When I was visiting, I felt funny dicing vegetables for her...after 30 years in food service, I was worried that my dicing wasn't nice enough!  LOL

So...I made a couple of kitchen towels and trivets for her.  I found the towel material last June.  It is from Moda and sewn on each side.  You use the length you want, hem it, then add fabric or stitching.  I choose some Moda French General fabric.  The trivets are about 9x9, so a nice size to use to protect your counter or table.  I love this red. 

Otherwise, life is the same.  Dad is no better, no worse.  He seems to have lost a bit of weight, but is still eating the same.  We stopped the home health visits.  They aren't really necessary.  At this point, I am well aware how to care for him.  If we see a serious change, we will just call the doctor.  I don't know if we'll ever go back on Hospice.  I just pray that Dad is comfortable during this time.

I am off to start my day.  I did the heavy housework yesterday, so today will be groceries and stitching.  LOL

Wishing each of you a happy Sunday.  Be kind to one another.