I debated with myself about not posting anything YOP-related for another week, or simply posting nothing much at all. I finally decided to do the later - peeking in and just saying "Hi!" is a better choice over being absent.
Like everyone else, I suppose, I'm finding the time leading up to Christmas is too short this year. I've been making gift lists, shopping for said gifts - online and in person. I'm even still considering making a few simple gifts this upcoming week. Why do I always wait until the last minute for such things? I've done this since I was a kid, so I have a tough time believing I'm going to actually change now. Even though I have thoughts in July of making some Christmas gifts, I never quite seem to get started until sometime in December. I don't know... 'Tis a new year coming up - maybe I can turn over a new leaf. Hope springs eternal.
There is no urgency to finish the projects I've been working on recently, so while they are coming along, they get back-burnered very easily.
This series of cute small (and free) monthly cross stitch patterns are fun to work - once I get going on one again:
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And my colorful Dahlia blanket is still a pleasure to crochet. I'm just about finished with the rows, then there will be a couple dozen ends to weave in, and finally, I'll make a border.
There are quite a few more hours of crocheting before this is completed, but maybe I'll finish it by the end of the year.
And does it sound silly that I'm already entertaining starting another blanket as soon as I finish this one? Winter is just such a perfect season for crocheting a big blanket. It keeps me warm and cozy while I work on it, and will make someone else (or maybe just me - who knows!) warm and cozy when I'm done.
The sermon I heard this morning was about Hope. I hope your holiday season is filled with blessings to give and receive. I am thankful to continually be reminded that the reason we celebrate is because God gave us the best gift of all - salvation through His son, to all who believe. The hustle and bustle and last-minute gifts start to fade in importance when I focus on that.
I hope you all enjoy this last week leading up to Christmas! And if anyone reading this has anything difficult going on, I pray God will break right through the hard things, and show you His love and grace.
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I really like the sparkly cloth for the cross stitch. Very festive looking. Blanket making is perfect this time of year. You Dahlia is so bright and cheerful. While it will keep a body warm it will also keep them cheerful. Advent is one of my favorite seasons in the church. Lent is the other one. Both lead up to glorious celebrations related to our salvation.
ReplyDeleteLove the bright colors of your blanket. Wishing you a wonderful week of final preparations for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYou and I are a lot alike when it comes to last minute preparations for Christmas. I always say I will do better next year, but when next year rolls around I am right there in the same boat! Yeah, some habits from a lifetime of behavior are just hard to break. I love your pretty blanket. It looks so colorful! I don't do needlework or knitting, etc. Just never could sit down long enough to learn, plus I'm a lefty, and that's my excuse so I'm sticking with that! But I appreciate everyone else's talents and wish I'd tried a little harder to learn while I was still young and teachable. LOL. Yes, Advent is a season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. I LOVE the hope and joy and peace that I feel as I focus on the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ...our Savior and Lord! I wish we could all just focus on Him and what He means to us and our world, and not worry about all these other activities. I do love the music, and the lights and the joy on children's faces. It's a most wonderful time of the year, for certain. I enjoyed your post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI often think we put too much expectation on ourselves when it comes to Christmas and end up doing far too much and then feel such a letdown when we can't find time to do all that we think we can...or feel we should. I try very hard to have all the prep done by the end of November so I can then have December to be social as needed, but it doesn't always work out that way. It generally ends up being somewhat depressive because I suddenly don't have any projects demanding attention and it's hard to get back into the doing. Delicate balancing act I guess. We all would do better to remember the real reason for the season.
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