“let me tell you a story henry”

A couple of weeks before Christmas we traveled to Newton to celebrate Gigi’s 90th birthday.  We try to make it down there every year right after Thanksgiving so we can celebrate her day and to help her decorate for Christmas.  We took Gigi to dinner and the boys and her got ice cream sundaes.

The main decoration that Gigi requested was her beloved Nativity Set.  Cameron got very excited and told Gigi that he could tell her the story of Christmas.  In true Gigi form she sat through it and listened to every detail with shear delight.

Of course Gigi had a few differing ideas on the set up than Cameron’s ideas.

    I had to explain freedom of expression to Cameron, it didn’t go so well but the promise McDonald’s on the way home made it all a little better. I figured that would be an easier task then asking a 90 year old Catholic if she could just leave them the way Cameron had set them, at least just until we left.

Once the set was in place Cameron decided to share a story with Henry.  This is was took place.

Cameron:  “let me tell you a story Henry.  It is about the day you were born, kind of like when baby Jesus was born.  Look at all the people that came to celebrate you, just like how the Sheppard's and  Wise Men came for baby Jesus.”

Well maybe he understood my “freedom of expression” speech better than I thought.  I love my little story teller.

reflections of a handmade christmas

I tried to have a handmade Christmas this year.  We were about 80% there.  The other 20% was in the form of Lego’s for Cameron and Thomas Wooden Railroad for Henry.

I sewed, baked, made candy and made a few photo albums and recipe books.

Here is one of my favorite pieces.  I made this for my friend, Anja, she brings Cameron home 3 days a week for me.  She is also my confidant on so many levels.  I really cherish the friendship that her and I share.

I took a wool sweater and sewed the sides to form a pillow, I then simply stitched with wool yarn the rough outline of a snowman.  I almost kept this for myself.

I baked some banana bread for some neighbors, the postman and our fresh connect delivery man.  I simply wrapped the bread in wax paper and tied a simple bow around them.  Of course I made my brother in law, Randy, his peanut butter balls.

I made a few basic quilts for my Mom, sister and niece.  I sewed several table runners and napkins.  I talked about the recipe book, here is what I did.  I found a program on cvs.com that let you make a recipe book with a hard bound cover.  You designed it yourself and it was ready in about and hour for pickup at the store.  I usually do my photo books that way too.

I really enjoyed getting ready for Christmas this year.  Cameron and Henry helped me along the way, even Mr. Miller was a good extra hand in the sewing room.

What were some of your handmade gifts this year?

taken it off tuesdays

 

Thank you for the overwhelming amount of support in emails, FB and comments.  It is so nice to know that you have the support from your peers and loved ones.

First week, well there were times that it was trying but overall I think it was successful.  I only got one of my workouts in but we are going for 3 this week.  I am a little afraid of the scale just yet so I am going to get to that maybe next week.

Found some great recipes this week and ate very well and was very satisfied and actually had a hard time getting all of my points used.

We had Bobby Deen's Lighter Blueberry muffins with some Potato Soup on Sunday.  The muffins are from Paula Deen’s website, and you know how I LOVE her, her son Bobby has done several lighter versions of her famous recipes.  These muffins were 4 points, not bad with the Potato Soup for 1 point.  I did add corn this time so it made the soup 2 points per serving.

I did find some frustrating moments but I had to tell myself this was worth it because I want to live a healthier lifestyle.  I know there will be weeks where I don’t lose or gain but that’s ok. It will take a while but that’s while it is called a journey.

Goals ~ I had someone ask me about goals.  Well I set a small one.  I decided I wasn’t going to set them in pounds rather set them at first by achievements.  Here is my first, I want to fit back into my corduroys.  I have 3 pairs of cords that I wore before I had Henry and I love them, they hang in my closet and just stare at me.  Well my little friends I will wear you again.  You can count on it!

Good luck on your journeys whatever they may be.