Monthly Archives: December 2014

Stairwell …

Thomas Edison National Historic Park  ~  West Orange, New Jersey

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Stairwell …

Thomas Edison National Historic Park  ~  West Orange, New Jersey

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Rear View Sunset …

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Merry Christmas?



It’s the most miserable time of the year…

Yes, I know those aren’t the right lyrics, but for me this year, they're mostly the truth.

You see, for me, Christmas is all about having family around and giving. And this year, I had only half my family and not much to give. And msot of what I did give, I had to send through the postal service. As of the day after Christmas, those gifts haven't arrived. Irreplaceable, handmade things. One of a kind earrings from an independent website. The joy of her receiving a box of things made, wrapped, and packed with love.

Gone. Like a fart in the wind.

No Christmas tree this year because I lost the Christmas spirit back in November when my furthest flung child and I realized that neither one of us had the funds for a plane ticket, and it was stressing us both out, so I told her if it would make things easier on her, she could stay where she was this year. I wouldn’t like it, but I would understand. I wish now that I hadn’t gone to visit her in October; we could have used that money to bring her home for Christmas. But hindsight’s 20/20, right? So to perk myself up, I thought OK, maybe just a small tree that would fit on he table. By the time I went shopping for the small tree I wanted (and had seen ina few places), everywhere I'd seen them was out of them, there wasn’t a Norfolk Island Pine to be had, and I ended up with an ornamental pepper bush that I decorated with lights and garland I bought in the dollar store. It’s amusing. But losing leaves like it’s its job.

So anyhow, being damn near flat broke but in possession of an awful lot of yarn, I asked the kids if I were to make them something for Christmas, would they want it for their hands, head or neck? Girl-child asked for a cowl. One she could wrap double, please. She chose the yarn via a few texted photos and I made her a beautiful, light but warm wool cowl. In time to mail for Christmas. It’s lost in the mail.

Girl child lives in Colorado, so earlier this year, on sale for a price I couldn't pass up, I bought her 3 pair of over-the-knee socks in cute prints to help keep her warm. Well in time to mail for Christmas. They’re lost in the mail.

She called to tell me, a couple weeks ago, that she’d lost her last felted wool dryer ball. A shepherd friend of mine sent me roving to make her some, as long as I’d pay for the roving in dryer balls. DONE. In time for mail for Christmas. They’re lost in the mail. (The shepherd’s arrived in VT, according to tracking.)

Girl-child has gauged ears. She can slide a #2 pencil through the holes in her ears. I’m not a fan, but there are some really gorgeous “plugs” out there for gauged ears. I found an awesome pair from a vendor on Etsy – one of a kind – and bought them. In time to mail for Christmas. They’re lost in the mail.

In answer to “what would you like me to make you for Christmas,” boy-child asked for socks. Preferably knee length, to wear in his boots. (head, hands or neck???) After dogging him for weeks to get his measurements, I started with a basic sock. He texted me the measurements 4” in. It was going to be too tight. Rip…rip…rip… Begin again, more stitches. Add decreases so he doesn’t have elephant ankles. Use “standard” measurement for foot length. Finish, annnnnnnnnnnd…………hold. Until he can try it on when he gets here Christmas Day, because I am NOT ripping out 2 whole socks. (It fit perfectly, so must begin #2 soon.) He also got a bottle of the rye he prefers. In the economy size because it was the last bottle in the liquor store. It made him laugh. I figured it might, but go big or go home, right?

My fiance’ and I did not exchange gifts this year, because reasons. Mostly money reasons. It’s OK – sort of. I bought him a custom t-shirt that won’t arrive until after Christmas. He bought me my favorite scented lotion (Twisted Peppermint) from Bath & Body Works that won’t arrive until after Christmas. We’re even.

Christmas Day itself was quiet. We watched TV and movies, and I went to the train station to pick up the boy-child, who arrived late in the afternoon. It is SO good to have him home! We’ll get to spend a couple days together before he has to go back. He and I are going to a museum on Monday, and I think it’ll be the first time just he and I have spent a day together in YEARS. I’m very much looking forward to it!

Dinner was excellent - ham, pierogies, corn, pumpkin pie. Perfect! Coffee with Irish Crem liqueur (sp??) in it for days! Snack tray with cheese, ring bologna and papper jellies (thanks, boy-child), and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I'm planning on cooking a big breakfast on Saturday. It's going to be great!

I got to spend the rest of Christmas day knitting – I’m making matching squirrel hats for my (nutty – HA!) brother and his wife, who collect squirrels. I’m finished one, halfway finished the second. I have no idea how to ship them, because I don’t want this paragraph to end like most of the others in this post – lost in the mail. Brother’s birthday is January 2, so I am hoping to get these in the postal stream by the 30th. I’m not sure why I would trust them again, but what’s the alternative?

So there you have it. Probably one of the least joyful Christmases I’ve ever experienced, overall not horrible. Except for girl-child’s package.

In case you missed it, it’s lost in the mail.

Merry Christmas?



It’s the most miserable time of the year…

Yes, I know those aren’t the right lyrics, but for me this year, they're mostly the truth.

You see, for me, Christmas is all about having family around and giving. And this year, I had only half my family and not much to give. And msot of what I did give, I had to send through the postal service. As of the day after Christmas, those gifts haven't arrived. Irreplaceable, handmade things. One of a kind earrings from an independent website. The joy of her receiving a box of things made, wrapped, and packed with love.

Gone. Like a fart in the wind.

No Christmas tree this year because I lost the Christmas spirit back in November when my furthest flung child and I realized that neither one of us had the funds for a plane ticket, and it was stressing us both out, so I told her if it would make things easier on her, she could stay where she was this year. I wouldn’t like it, but I would understand. I wish now that I hadn’t gone to visit her in October; we could have used that money to bring her home for Christmas. But hindsight’s 20/20, right? So to perk myself up, I thought OK, maybe just a small tree that would fit on he table. By the time I went shopping for the small tree I wanted (and had seen ina few places), everywhere I'd seen them was out of them, there wasn’t a Norfolk Island Pine to be had, and I ended up with an ornamental pepper bush that I decorated with lights and garland I bought in the dollar store. It’s amusing. But losing leaves like it’s its job.

So anyhow, being damn near flat broke but in possession of an awful lot of yarn, I asked the kids if I were to make them something for Christmas, would they want it for their hands, head or neck? Girl-child asked for a cowl. One she could wrap double, please. She chose the yarn via a few texted photos and I made her a beautiful, light but warm wool cowl. In time to mail for Christmas. It’s lost in the mail.

Girl child lives in Colorado, so earlier this year, on sale for a price I couldn't pass up, I bought her 3 pair of over-the-knee socks in cute prints to help keep her warm. Well in time to mail for Christmas. They’re lost in the mail.

She called to tell me, a couple weeks ago, that she’d lost her last felted wool dryer ball. A shepherd friend of mine sent me roving to make her some, as long as I’d pay for the roving in dryer balls. DONE. In time for mail for Christmas. They’re lost in the mail. (The shepherd’s arrived in VT, according to tracking.)

Girl-child has gauged ears. She can slide a #2 pencil through the holes in her ears. I’m not a fan, but there are some really gorgeous “plugs” out there for gauged ears. I found an awesome pair from a vendor on Etsy – one of a kind – and bought them. In time to mail for Christmas. They’re lost in the mail.

In answer to “what would you like me to make you for Christmas,” boy-child asked for socks. Preferably knee length, to wear in his boots. (head, hands or neck???) After dogging him for weeks to get his measurements, I started with a basic sock. He texted me the measurements 4” in. It was going to be too tight. Rip…rip…rip… Begin again, more stitches. Add decreases so he doesn’t have elephant ankles. Use “standard” measurement for foot length. Finish, annnnnnnnnnnd…………hold. Until he can try it on when he gets here Christmas Day, because I am NOT ripping out 2 whole socks. (It fit perfectly, so must begin #2 soon.) He also got a bottle of the rye he prefers. In the economy size because it was the last bottle in the liquor store. It made him laugh. I figured it might, but go big or go home, right?

My fiance’ and I did not exchange gifts this year, because reasons. Mostly money reasons. It’s OK – sort of. I bought him a custom t-shirt that won’t arrive until after Christmas. He bought me my favorite scented lotion (Twisted Peppermint) from Bath & Body Works that won’t arrive until after Christmas. We’re even.

Christmas Day itself was quiet. We watched TV and movies, and I went to the train station to pick up the boy-child, who arrived late in the afternoon. It is SO good to have him home! We’ll get to spend a couple days together before he has to go back. He and I are going to a museum on Monday, and I think it’ll be the first time just he and I have spent a day together in YEARS. I’m very much looking forward to it!

Dinner was excellent - ham, pierogies, corn, pumpkin pie. Perfect! Coffee with Irish Crem liqueur (sp??) in it for days! Snack tray with cheese, ring bologna and papper jellies (thanks, boy-child), and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I'm planning on cooking a big breakfast on Saturday. It's going to be great!

I got to spend the rest of Christmas day knitting – I’m making matching squirrel hats for my (nutty – HA!) brother and his wife, who collect squirrels. I’m finished one, halfway finished the second. I have no idea how to ship them, because I don’t want this paragraph to end like most of the others in this post – lost in the mail. Brother’s birthday is January 2, so I am hoping to get these in the postal stream by the 30th. I’m not sure why I would trust them again, but what’s the alternative?

So there you have it. Probably one of the least joyful Christmases I’ve ever experienced, overall not horrible. Except for girl-child’s package.

In case you missed it, it’s lost in the mail.

Christmas 2014 …

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Holiday Gifts

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Did you get any great books for holiday gifts this year? Have you read them yet?

If not, were there any you hoped you would get?


Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!


Christmas Eve 2014 …

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Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas From The Flock

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We had some holiday fun today.  Not everyone enjoyed it as much as we did, but I think you’ll all like the results!

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Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!


Tagged: Farm, Pets, Seasons

Merry Christmas From The Flock!

12.24.14i

We had some holiday fun today.  Not everyone enjoyed it as much as we did, but I think you’ll all like the results!

12.24.14h

12.24.14f

12.24.14g

12.24.14e

12.24.14d

12.24.14c

12.24.14b

12.24.14a

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!