Holidays and Changes

We will be celebrating Thanksgiving at my daughters house this year.  My Aunt just sold her house and already has her garage filled with packed boxes and will be trying to move out before the 12-21 hand over date.  Not exactly the most fun time of year to have to move!  It;s a bit of a scramble to remember some of the things needed because my Aunt usually takes on the biggest part of dinner.  I went out today to buy the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pie ingredients (my son also needs pie ingredients).  Wow, a lot a people are out there shopping for The Dinner!  I am looking forward to our family celebration and E's kitchen is so big, open and friendly.  I just can't believe the holidays are here.  What I am most thankful for this year is that my son in law is home for 2 weeks from Afghanistan, it has been a very hard 5 months (for him and E and especially the girls, V is 3 and wouldn't talk on skype or the phone with her daddy) and he'll be gone again for 6 more.

I have finished my knitting project (the cowl) and need to block it and weave in the ends, I need to find another project though because of withdrawals from keeping my hands busy.  I have two other crafts projects in the works, ornaments and woven baskets.  More on this later with pictures.

Feels Good

I made applesauce today, enought to can 8 pints.  It doesn't sound like much but you work with what  is given.  I used the peels and cores to make jelly (from my daughters effort at making apple butter for her husband). Todays will go to more jelly making in the morning with the addition of cinnamon sticks and a piece of nutmeg.  I found a recipe online  for jelly and it came out great.  The comments were saying that their batches were not jelling.  I added 1/2 cup of lemon to the recipe which is required for sweet fruit   in order for a balanced recipe.  I am not sure why it needs to sit in the fridge overnight!

So it took all day, What is with that?  I am happy with the results though and thoroughly satisfied, we have taste tested . . . . . mmm good!

Nature's Art

  

I love the morning the sun glistening on the frosted trees, the amazing colors of yellow, orange and green.  The stark  bare trees, the dark evergreens contrast so beautifully with the color.  When the sun comes up over the hill and hits the tops of the forest trees down from us, I feel drawn into the mysterious shadows underneath. The sun so warm and the air bone chilling cold!  Nature gives so much to us if we stop and pay attention.  I do love this time of year!

I started a knitting  project, a cowl;  for a Christmas  present.  It's a lovely rose with a hint of purple from my stash.  I like the rhythm of knitting and prefer small projects.



 Also, I have started making christmas ornaments, this is my tradition that helps me get into the spirit of the holidays that become presents to family.  Some years the ornaments are made of fabric, some years string crocheted snowflakes, hearts, crosses and more!