Holidays

Oh Boy! Can you believe it’s here already? It’s been three weeks since I posted and I just can’t believe it – time is flying by!

Our rough week after Thanksgiving got even rougher — the Grandmas in Thimbleannaland haven’t been doing very well. MeMum has had pneumonia and was in the hospital for a week. When she came home, we took the opportunity to move her into our house — we’ve known it’s been coming for a long time, and this seemed like a good chance to make the move, since she’s always vowed that she’d never live with either of her girls. So, this is just “temporary”, but it’s really not. ;-8 TheManoftheHouse has escaped the fun for a few days to go and be with his mother who is gravely ill. Today is her birthday and she has her three boys with her and I’m hoping that they’ll be comforted by having their family all together.

So, not much decorating or baking this year and … gasp … wait for it … no Gingerbread Houses either. In over ten years, this is only the second time we’ve missed the fun — hopefully we’ll be able to pick back up next year. The boys and MyDadLovesMeBestSister are having an “in-law” year, so it’s blissfully quiet here. The Grinch tried to sneak in, but, as you can see, Grumpy Monkey and Luna Lapin are having none of it!
;-D.

I asked MeMum, if she could only have one cookie for Christmas this year, what would it be? I knew she would say our beloved Angel Slices, and she did. So, I squeaked out a pan of them on Thursday night (along with the best caramels) and made a batch of sugar cookies last night. After all, we had to have our traditional Christmas Eve morning breakfast — even if it didn’t have the variety this year that we usually have.

I also found some knitting time and made one of Julie’s adorable little stocking ornaments. Won’t it make a fun gift with a penny or two from this year tucked inside?

Now, I’m looking forward to a VERY relaxing Christmas Day — watching movies and quilting — it’s been too long since I worked on FinallyAGirl’s baby quilt and I’d like it to be done before she goes to kindergarten!

Wishing all of you a very, VERY Merry Christmas – I hope Santa is oh-so-good to you this year!

Merry Christmas!
XOXO,
Anna

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Well, I’m a little late to the party, but Happy New Year! Our usual tradition is for the kitties to wish you a Happy New Year, but they’ve been traumatized by 10 days worth of the adorable Winston and there was no way they were going to pose for a picture. So, Winston, the perfect, always happy dog, would like to wish you a Happy New Year.

TheFirstChild, SweetiePie and Winston just left to go back home and we’re going to miss them — after we rest up. Whew – I’m tired! It sure was fun though — especially the dog walks with Winston. He’s just too cute!

We have two other New Year Traditions around here. The first is to put a gingerbread house or two out for the birds and squirrels. So far, we haven’t had any takers, but we’ll see. It’s so sad to put them out there without any snow — usually our January is white and wintery!

And the other tradition is to look back at 2015 and create a little collage of the year in sewing, knitting and travel. I don’t get as much done as a lot of you, but it sure was a fun year!

So, now, on to a new year. A clean slate. I love all the dreaming and planning that comes with a new year. I’m hoping to plan some new projects and maybe finish an old one in the next few weeks. I can’t wait to see what 2016 will hold for all of us — with a new grandbaby on the way, our year promises to be exciting. Wishing all of you a Healthy and Happy 2016!

XOXO,
Anna

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
~Grandpa Jones

XOXO,
Anna