We have been getting snow and that makes me happy.
We've taken some snowy after-dinner walks.
I took down all the Christmas decorations.
I've been hanging some pictures and vacuuming up all the Christmas tree needles.
A January tidy up always feels good.
I tried a new blouse pattern – the Geneva V-neck Blouse from Liesl and Co. Can't quite decide what I think of it. As usual the pattern itself was great. It has these lantern sleeves that are sort of funny. And since I made it in this bright fabric it feels a bit clownish. I think the pattern really wants to be made in a lightweight pretty fabric – something flowy and feminine. I'll make this pattern again for sure.
It felt nice to spend all the time I wanted in my sewing room. That's what these days between Christmas and New Year's are great for – just doing what you feel like doing.
I'm so glad we got to be with all our loved ones in Michigan this year. We prefaced our visits with Covid tests. So strange, but the tests did help me feel a little safer and somewhat assured that I wasn't going to pass Covid along to either grandma. Other than that, Christmas felt normal. Lots of cookies, lots of laughs, some nice winter walks, all the sparkly pretty decorations and big hugs to say hello and good-bye.
While I was wrapping presents a Christmas miracle happened. The pattern of the paper lined up on the back of the present.
A walk to the lake with Brian
Making meringue trees
Getting ready to host our annual gingerbread party. I love seeing this mountain of flour and spice.
I made six houses and a bunch of cookies
Bea put all the houses together
Claire and her friends
Bea decorated her roof with a cell diagram
All the houses were sweet
The gingerbread is watching you
Time for our family Swiss Christmas with raclette
Oh what fun… Last year we celebrated all of our Christmas at home because Covid cancelled our fun. Thankfully his year we get to go to Michigan. Time to pack.
I found this plate of fake cookies at an estate sale. I think they are funny and perfect for Christmastime. My family thinks they are weird.
Christmastime shadows:
Christmastime plants:
Christmastime decorations at the Chicago Botanic Garden – during the day:
And at night:
Christmastime dinosaur:
Christmastime humor:
Christmastime crazy:
Across the street from the crazy house:
Christmastime Legos:
Christmastime panna cotta:
We went for a walk over the weekend and even though we are well into December it still felt like fall. The paths were still lined with green grass since we've had lots of warm days. And the colors of the prairie plants were lovely red brown to light tan. I'm hoping for a white Christmas.
I'm hoping for a white Christmas.
Last week I made a big pan of cinnamon rolls for Bea to take to her Friday breakfast at school. So that made the house smell yummy.
But even better in the wonderful warm homey yummy scent that fills the house department… granola. I make the Eleven Madison Park Granola recipe. It's a great way to use up bits of nuts or dried fruit before they get old. Then I eat it with plain yogurt or milk. It's a winner recipe.
It's also looking like Christmas around here – even in my fridge. Brian has his beer advent calendar going again and I love the packaging illustrations that the Mikkeller Brewing Company makes.
The only bad Christmas news – we came downstairs on Saturday morning to find three-quarters of our Christmas lights not working. Arg.
Hope your home is smelling and looking festive.
I've started making a sweater!!! The pattern is called the Winterfell Cardigan – it's pretty basic but it has a pattern of diagonal raised stitches on the front for a little interest. I picked out a nubby wool yarn that has little confetti bits of light bIue and white scattered around. I've started over once and there are many many mistakes but that's OK because it' my very first sweater. Let's see how long it takes to finish.
Well, It's come down to just Claire and I on the decorating committee. Brian helped me get the tree on Sunday before he caught a flight to Geneva. They have reindeer at the place where we buy our tree. Look at that fuzzy nose!
I have to say I kind of love that bare minimal look above.
When it came to decorating Bea was more interested in building a minecraft Christmas tree* (which, to be fair, did turn out cool).
I can always count on Claire to get into the holiday spirit with me. We put Elf on and made our tree so pretty.
But next year I'll be back to forcing everyone in the family to help.
*UPDATE
Here is Bea's impressive Minecraft tree:
Laowai 