More Christmas Stuff--Can You Stand It?

No, the first photo isn't about Christmas except that it shows Spike doing what I'd like to be doing--relaxing surrounded by a lot of fabric. Here she's sitting in--or on top of--the basket holding all of my flimsies. She knows a good spot to hang out! Stitch is curled up on the desk between my chest and the keyboard, sleeping. All is peaceful here for the moment.

I wanted to show you The Boys all loaded up and ready to go visit the retirement home. Hubby baked and decorated these gingerbread men, and he'll take them to the home where his aunt lives; there he'll share them with some of the other residents. Last week, Hubby went to visit and took his aunt an artificial tabletop Christmas tree, lights, ornaments, and a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream--they had quite a lovely afternoon decorating!

Tonight was the December meeting of Gran's Knot-y Ladies embroidery class. Those of us who wanted to do so brought a wrapped ornament to exchange--didn't the table look lovely with Gran's Longaberger basket arrangement, flicker candles, bears, and greenery?

And I suspect some of you may want to see a close up of that quilt she spread out--it's quite striking and the quilting is beautiful!

The funniest moment of the ornament exchange was when one woman opened her box, only to find it empty! Oh, we laughed and laughed! Of course, the woman who brought the gift was simply mortified, but it was all fun and I hope she didn't feel too bad. We suspect the "ornament" fell out somehow before the wrapping paper was added. Everything turned out well, though--the intended ornament was an embroidered Christmas design to hang on the tree, and the gift-giver had another nearly completed that she finished and substituted--I think it may have been a Bird Brain design of a reindeer--darn cute!

And just so you know, we didn't starve to death either! Everyone brought something to share and we had quite a little feast. (I brought some of the nuts I've blogged about, and they seem to have been a hit!) We spent the evening stitching and reminiscing about different Christmas subjects--Gran throws great parties!

It's time for me to head back to the kitchen, because I have some sugar cookies to bake--Hubby made a few batches of dough for me the other day. I have about an hour before bedtime, so I might as well be productive and get a few baked. Christmas will be here before too long, and there are still more things to do! Have you ever been ready for Christmas before December 24th? I don't think I have!