Edgy

I'm like a cat on a hot tin roof today. Alan is having a hernia operation in a couple of hours and even though I know it's a very routine procedure, I'm still a bit on edge. I was yesterday too. I kept myself occupied by sewing a pillow cover with some 'northern lights' fabric I received for Christmas, and making a little doll that can sit on our nature table this summer. I like the little blue bird that's perched on her forearm.

Because I'll be acting as nursemaid for the next little while, I have made no plans for tonight. New Year's Eve has never been a big celebration night for me anyway...I may not even make it to midnight! Nonetheless, for those of you who do celebrate, have fun and may the good guys win in 2008!

The Finished Product

Well, here it is. I know - it was just supposed to be a pumpkin, but in our house a pumpkin is never just a pumpkin. I'm not totally happy with the faces...I didn't have the right colour fleece for the proper skin tones, and the mother is wearing a pained expression like the last thing she wants to be doing is looking after that brat of a child. But nonetheless, I don't think it's a bad first attempt.

My New Hobby

I've been interested in trying needle felting for some time. It's a technique of using very sharp needles to 'stab' at wool roving, which turns it into felt. I love the shading of colours that this method allows. Yesterday I went out and got myself a beginner's kit and promptly started on my first project - a pumpkin. I'm still not finished but here's how it's turned out so far. Sorry - last photo is blurry.

Your Chuckle for the Day

I couldn't help but post this photo from The ExploreNorth Blog. Too, too funny!!

Basking

It's standing room only at the manger today, the three wise men are on their way, and I am basking in the glow of Christmas aftermath. We visited, we played games, we ate and drank merrily, we re-connected with friends, family and neighbours (I still have more phone calls to make today); it really was a wonderful holiday.

I am overwhelmed at the thoughtfullness and generosity of people. The presents I received were given with care and forethought...a beautiful handmade jewellry box from Jamie, a pottery gravy boat from an artist neighbour (one of her own pieces), ice candles set up on my front step by another neighbour, home cooked cabbage rolls (yet another neighbour), a donation to the Canadian Red Cross for mosquito nets for families in Africa, some wonderful teas with memories to go along with them (from one of my best friends and fellow tea lover), the gift of music in the form of a new sound system....I could go on and on. I am feeling very blessed this holiday season.

Ribbon Candy and Feasting

Remember this old fashioned candy? When I was a kid I could always count on finding some in my stocking. I especially loved the ribbon candy and was delighted when I discovered some at a corner store up here.

It's been a week-end of debaucherous feasting around our place. Yesterday I was still full from our Indian meal of Saturday night (a friend's birthday dinner) and this morning I'm still full from last night's offering of crab legs, roast beast, risotto, salad, antipasto, Christmas cookies and stewed cloudberries. And Christmas hasn't even officially started yet! I still need to get through tonight's tourtiere and a multitude of other delights, and then of course there's Christmas dinner. Yikes! I love it all though.

Merry Christmas and happy feasting everyone. And thanks be to the Gods that we have the fortune of being able to feast.

The Longest Night

Typically on this night I go for a walk in the woods with a candle-lit lantern. But it's really gusty here tonight, so that was out. For the same reason, Plan B was also out...dusting off the advent garden and decorating it with candles - one for each person who's close to me who's passed on. Enter Plan C: light the candles in a darkened livingroom instead.

Not sure if this attracted any spirits: if it did, there must have been quite a crowd in the house tonight.