Outside my window . . . It is already dusk at 5:00 P.M. on this 7th day of winter. Sunset was at 4:44 P.M. today. I can see the outline of the trees against the darkening sky. It is 18 degrees, and a light snow is falling on top of the snow that's already on the ground.
I am thinking . . . of our first Christmas without children in 32 years. But we got to celebrate with our dear friend, Doris, and a cute grandpuppy, Royer, who was celebrating his first Christmas ever. We had good phone calls from our children, who were celebrating Christmas with their in-laws, and my parents, who we'll see later.
I am thankful . . . for my warm home on this cold night.
In the kitchen . . . there are homemade Sweet Petals on the kitchen counter left from Christmas morning and Cheese Soup in the refrigerator.
I am hearing . . . Christmas carols on Pandora Radio and the hum of the furnace keeping our home warm.
I am creating . . . a high school graduation quilt for my nephew Andrew. My mother has made a quilt for every grandchild to take to college with them. She has sewn the 5" blocks into 9-patches, and I am sewing the 9-patches together for her.
I am going . . . . to enjoy the rest of my Christmas vacation from teaching.
I am reading . . . The Shapeshifter by Tony Hillerman for my Raspberry Mountain Readers bookclub meeting for January. We're all reading different Hillerman books from his Navajo Tribal Police mystery series set in the Southwest. My bookclub is made up of twelve retired teachers and parent volunteers who I know from teaching.
I am hoping . . . for a wonderful 90th birthday celebration for my dad, with my mom and their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am hoping that everyone will be healthy and be able to travel here for it.
I am looking forward to . . . having my three sons here for their grandfather's birthday.
I learned . . . how to make Chrusciki with my friend Doris on Christmas Day. Chrusciki are a non-yeast dough, bow-tie shaped pastry that is fried and then dusted with powdered sugar. They're also known as Angel Wings. Neither of us had ever made them before, so it was an interesting experience!
Around the house . . . all of the Christmas decorations are still up - including stockings over the fireplace, our nativity sets, the advent wreath on the table, and a beautiful, 10-foot Fraser fir Christmas tree. The outside white icicle lights shine through the windows as I write.
I am pondering . . . my next long-term quilt project.
One of my favorite things . . . is spending time with my family.
A few plans for the rest of the week . . . get my hair cut, work on my nephew's quilt, take down the Christmas decorations, and prepare for my dad's birthday party.
You might enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-sweet-grandpuppy.html
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| Our 10-week-old Grandpuppy Royer |
Outside my window . . . It is already dusk at 5:00 P.M. on this 7th day of winter. Sunset was at 4:44 P.M. today. I can see the outline of the trees against the darkening sky. It is 18 degrees, and a light snow is falling on top of the snow that's already on the ground.
I am thinking . . . of our first Christmas without children in 32 years. But we got to celebrate with our dear friend, Doris, and a cute grandpuppy, Royer, who was celebrating his first Christmas ever. We had good phone calls from our children, who were celebrating Christmas with their in-laws, and my parents, who we'll see later.
I am thankful . . . for my warm home on this cold night.
In the kitchen . . . there are homemade Sweet Petals on the kitchen counter left from Christmas morning and Cheese Soup in the refrigerator.
I am hearing . . . Christmas carols on Pandora Radio and the hum of the furnace keeping our home warm.
I am creating . . . a high school graduation quilt for my nephew Andrew. My mother has made a quilt for every grandchild to take to college with them. She has sewn the 5" blocks into 9-patches, and I am sewing the 9-patches together for her.
I am going . . . . to enjoy the rest of my Christmas vacation from teaching.
I am reading . . . The Shapeshifter by Tony Hillerman for my Raspberry Mountain Readers bookclub meeting for January. We're all reading different Hillerman books from his Navajo Tribal Police mystery series set in the Southwest. My bookclub is made up of twelve retired teachers and parent volunteers who I know from teaching.
I am hoping . . . for a wonderful 90th birthday celebration for my dad, with my mom and their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am hoping that everyone will be healthy and be able to travel here for it.
I am looking forward to . . . having my three sons here for their grandfather's birthday.
I learned . . . how to make Chrusciki with my friend Doris on Christmas Day. Chrusciki are a non-yeast dough, bow-tie shaped pastry that is fried and then dusted with powdered sugar. They're also known as Angel Wings. Neither of us had ever made them before, so it was an interesting experience!
Around the house . . . all of the Christmas decorations are still up - including stockings over the fireplace, our nativity sets, the advent wreath on the table, and a beautiful, 10-foot Fraser fir Christmas tree. The outside white icicle lights shine through the windows as I write.
I am pondering . . . my next long-term quilt project.
One of my favorite things . . . is spending time with my family.
A few plans for the rest of the week . . . get my hair cut, work on my nephew's quilt, take down the Christmas decorations, and prepare for my dad's birthday party.
You might enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-sweet-grandpuppy.html
I love this picture. It is a postcard classic! BTW, whatever is that grandpuppys' name?
ReplyDeleteHis name is Royer!
ReplyDeleteI read all the Tony Hillerman books. He was a great writer.
ReplyDeleteI really felt I was on the scene.
Royer certainly is a photogenic little pup! Enjoy those holidays ... when I was teaching, I worked every holiday for the Cleveland Public Library. (I was someone else's vacation)
In those days teachers didn't make a living wage and the 4th grade teacher had to pump gas evenings and holidays for his family to survive ... and the BOE didn't want him doing that because the job was nor dignified enough for a teacher!
I am a dog person and really love that little Royer. Happy to hear you all survived the experience. LOL He seems to be a treasure, and you and hubby are great to have taken him for 10 days!
ReplyDeleteDiane P
We really just had him for 4 nights at our home. We miss him!
DeleteI just love this post....what a gifted writer you are! And that puppy!!! He looks like a big fluffy teddy bear!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
What a refreshing post you have. I counted 15 different headings for your personal feelings, future plans, feelings of a wonderful light winter snow fall, and times with your food friend, Doris. You are an inspiration. This day was quite sad for me. My sister and I had to travel to the office of an undertaker to make plans for our mother who passed away yesterday morning. She was 94 years and 7 months old. I wore many home made clothing including our bed sheets, quilts and also our under garments. She was amazing with sewing and it was her first love. She also baked wonderful pies that many people enjoyed. Tell your dad Happy Birthday from me.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your mother, Janice. This is a difficult time for you and your sister. Your mother sounds like an amazing seamstress and pie baker.
DeleteAll of the topics I wrote about can be found at The Simple Woman's Daybook website. I included the link above. You post your Daybook responses once a month. This was my first posting, but I think it will be interesting in the future to look back and see what I wrote each month.