Empty Nest in Illinois

Sunday, December 4, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I started crocheting stockings using this pattern the year my daughter was born and have been doing it ever since. I make them in every size imaginable. A couple of years ago I decided to go with plain red and green - that way, no matter how many grandkids I may have, I can always make a matching one. They are all unique - a different combination of the colors for every person/animal (pets are at the top - they're part of the family too!)

The shower curtain - you'll notice I have a "thing" for snowmen.

The tree - not real happy with it but it will have to do.

I even started wrapping presents yesterday!

The spare bedroom - with some of my baskets - waiting to be delivered.

My bed with the Queen napping in her favorite spot. And now I have to go clean those posts!

I made cookies yesterday to fill the cookie jars! The package is ready to send to my brother.

My favorite cookie jar - goes with my snowman dishes. I have the entire set - they come out at Thanksgiving and stay out till New Years.

I got these years ago at the local dollar store. I love them - it always make me sad when I have to put them away for the year.

More of my snowmen!

Friday, December 2, 2011

5 Question Friday

Time to head over to Mama M's for 5 question Friday!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear and LINK UP!

1. What is your favorite Christmas decoration in your house?

2. Do you finish your Christmas shopping early or are you a last minute type?

3. When do you turn on your heat?

4. Do you ever wish your blog was private?

5. Do you put your deodorant on before of after you put on your shirt?

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1. What is your favorite Christmas decoration in your house?

I love nativities. They say so much about what the season is all about.

2. Do you finish your Christmas shopping early or are you a last minute type?

Normally, I finish early. This year - not so much. I've had to dip into my Christmas fund quite a few times this year so I'm really feeling the crunch right now.

3. When do you turn on your heat?

When I absolutely have to - and then I keep it at 66.

4. Do you ever wish your blog was private?

Not really, not many people know about it.

5. Do you put your deodorant on before of after you put on your shirt?

Definitely after - otherwise I end up with white streaks all over my shirt.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun week 39

Welcome to the 39th weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

Each week, Hilary over at Feeling Beechie lists four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. This week’s co-host is Susi from Boca Frau. She came up with the last two statements.
This week’s statements:
1.       I can’t believe_____
2.       ___is my favorite Christmas song
3.       If I don’t have my ___________ in the morning, I cannot make it through the day.
4. I love my __________ dearly but wish ______ .
My Answers:
1.     I can't believe that it's almost Christmas! Honestly, time is going by faster and faster.
2.     O Come all Ye Faithful is my favorite Christmas song.
3.     If I don't have my coffee (is there any other answer? Really!) in the morning, I cannot make it through the day.
4.     I love my cats dearly but wish they would stop shedding hair all over my house!

Pondering with a Purpose

This is my 2nd time participating in Brenda's Pondering with a Purpose.

Her rules are really easy:

1. Grab the Pondering with a Purpose Badge (in her sidebar)
2. Look at the week's prompt
3. Post something on your blog that relates to the prompt - it can be a story, a poem, a picture -- anything you want it to be.
4. Go back here and add the URL from your post to the linky list on Brenda's.
5. Go check out the other bloggers who have added their links to the list.
6. AND most of all.... Have fun!

So this week the subject is: NEW

Today is the start of a NEW month - December - Christmas - snow - carols - nativities - and the movies - December is a wonderful month!

A NEW Year is right around the corner! That NEW year is going to bring my first grandchild! It WILL (hopefully) bring my first trip to England to see that grandchild.

A NEW semester is right around the corner too - and it should be the next to last one! Then I'll have a NEW degree! How about a NEW job to go with that degree? OK - may be getting ahead of myself there. But so many NEW things lay ahead - so many NEW possibilities.