On other news, I won a giveaway a little while back from Granny at Granny's Garden.
She makes the most delicious soap and has been making my mouth water with her concoctions for quite a while now. I received a wonderful bar of her Musk soap and I must say I love it! I've used it already, and forgot to take a photo, but there are lots on her blog, and it was wonderfully moisturizing and a nice amount of bubbles, not to mention the blissful scent. Thank you again Granny!
My kitchen as been busy. I always make some beeswax candles at this time of year
to give away and to use at home.
I'm busy chopping dried fruit for fruit cakes. I make quite a few of them as they freeze well, and we have several family members that love them and enjoy them through the rest of the winter.
The Christmas shopping is finished!!! YAY! The wrapping still needs doing, but I feel I can move onto the other, more enjoyable things now, like the baking and cooking and socializing.
I love Christmas and usually start listening to the music, watching the special Christmas movies and reading my beloved Christmas books around December 1st. This year a local radio station started playing 100% Christmas music 24/7 on Nov. 15th!!! Now I love Christmas music, but it did seem early to me! Just seems to begin earlier and earlier every year.
I've borrowed some great books from the library lately.
Louise Penny's A Trick of the Light, great murder/mystery series. A caution that the language may offend some, but such a good read.
Martha Stewart's Entertaining. If you are strong enough to lift it, it's a beautiful browse and full of great tips.
Simple Knits for Cherished Babies
Debbie Macombers' Christmas Cookbook
I've also become fond of the Andy Griffith Show, and am watching episodes as I work. It was so funny, especially Don Knotts, and I love Aunt Bea. A little bit of nostalgia I suppose.
My knitting needles have been busy. I am knitting this sweater for Henry. This is a picture from the pattern brochure.
It is my most ambitious project ever. I've joined a "Knit Your Own Project" class and have learned so much. I was quite nervous about knitting cables, but it's quite easy and hope to have it done in the next couple of weeks, so I can have a Ta Da moment here, and show it off.
For the first time I purchased a little Rosemary Tree. It is sitting on my Cookbook shelf and is so fragrant. I am undecided about whether or not to decorate it...it does look so pretty just left as it is, but the desire to give it a bit of Christmas twinkle is pretty strong....
Henry helped out around the place with the big guys!
Sam wants to be a worker too!
Working at the computers with Grampa
Miss Ella hanging out. (This photo stolen from my daughters' blog)
And speaking of daughter's blogs, do you know that both my girls blog?
A Nest With a View & Hippies in a Small Town
Go on over and say hello :)
Have a wonderful rest of the day,
blessings,
Niki
14 comments:
Hippies in a Small Town is a great title! I don't know about my Canadian friends, but I'm pretty sure that my American ones are feeling the need for comfort and LOTS of it. Times are hard so Christmas music playing early is a part of that TLC. Enjoy your rosemary tree, now I want one, too. Happy baking!
Lovely Rosemary tree. I am listening to Christmas music already...I like to make the season last as long as possible!:)
Blessings!
~Nadine
I never heard of a rosemary tree - I'll keep my eye out for one.
Good for you getting all your shopping done!! I have some done but not all.
I love the Andy Griffith Show too. Very wholesome.
I'd love to see a post on your Christmas books and movies :)
xo
I agree with you about Granny's soaps they are just wonderful!
That cable sweater will be beautiful finished and I told you cable was not that hard:0)
I recently read my first Louise Penny book on your recommendation. Very likable characters. I think I had some trouble following names etc. because I read it on my Kindle and couldn't flip back easily. I'll have to see if I can find some at the library and read an actual paper and ink for my next one. :)
On another note, I cannot believe how quickly Henry and Sam are growing! Can't wait to see the sweater.
Im glad you are are enjoying the soap Niki :0)
All the very best to you and your lovely family.
Thank you for sharing these posts on hospitality. I enjoyed reading through each one. Love all the homemaking things you do and share on here. You make it all so lovely.
P.S. We should want to sing and enjoy the songs of the Incarnation all year round, no? :) Seth and I have been singing "Christmas" hymns since September. Angels We Have Heard on High has been his most popular request.
Just reading this is putting me in the holiday spirit! We decorated this weekend - I love how the lights push back the darkness of this time of year. It's so cool that you make beeswax candles. I can only imagine how wonderful your house must smell!
I just hosted a Thanksgiving party for 17 family members and plan to host one for Christmas as well. Your series on Hospitality were spot-on, Niki. Thank you!
This was pure delight to read. Just like an old-fashioned letter in the mail. I just loved it. Thank you so much. I'll check out your girls' blogs. I'm kind of a hippie in a small town myself, and I do live in a 'nest with a view.' :<)
I love your new blog design. So cheerful -- I have been enjoying the beeswax candles so much!! Thanks mama!
Love you!
Vanessa
Wow! You sure are busy and you get so much done! It's so interesting that you're making beeswax candles. A rosemary tree must really scent your house. I've got a whole bush outside. Maybe I should cut a few springs and bring them in.
Saturday: I just cut some branches off my rosemary bush and put it next to the artificial tree. It really is wonderful! I was going to buy some pine scent, but this is just right as it is. Thank you for the idea!
I love Christmas music, not sure about it 24/7.
Great photos of the little ones, they are growing so fast...
Gill
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