Posting after Christmas...

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were filled with Faith, Family, Friends and food.

Mom and I attended the 8 PM Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve. Fr. Dan took the opportunity to invite all the visitors and friends and inactive members to join us weekly. To encourage this action on their part, he kept his homily blessedly short! He is a wonder speaker. Always has something great to say. Almost always talks way longer than the attention span of his congregation! :)

Older son's Friends came to spend the night and enjoy Christmas morning with us. All the younger generation went out with friends on Christmas Eve. For the first time since my children were born, our Christmas morning started after 9 AM!

Presents and merriment ensued. Santa brought stockings full of goodies for all the regular residents of the home AND the guests. Presents for all as well...

My favorite - older son moved out late Summer. I overheard a comment he made to a friend, "I really don't expect to get much. After all, I don't live here anymore." and then when he received an abundance of goodness, he said, "I really didn't think I'd be getting this much. I don't even live here anymore." My response, "I guess you got a surprise."

What I really wanted to say, "Well, SON, you didn't cease to be my son when you walked out the door."

He got very practical gifts -- which I would have probably gotten him anyway -- pots and pans, a coffee maker, and other useful items for a bachelor pad. And some new clothes because he's lost a lot of weight. His job pays his living expenses, but doesn't yet lend itself to a wardrobe overhaul.

Distributing and opening presents with oohing and ahhing gave way to a pancake breakfast (made by me), then chips and dips and cookies (set out by me) as our final guest arrived.

Then commenced the cooking of the dinner (me again) and the eating of said feast (everyone) and then cleaning up (woohoo, the boys cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher; I just had to do leftover packing and cooking vessels)... I could barely stand by 6:00!

It was a WONDERFUL day. No fighting. Very little digging. Only an occasional walk away moment. A truly lovely Christmas!

May the Christmas Spirit continue to shine in your life and mine!

Christmas Preparations in earnest!

Wrote the list - lots to do! So, what am I doing? Blogging, naturally!

Mom is making Irish Soda Bread, so I need to stay out of her way. When she's done, we'll start in the Living Room and work our way through, cleaning and decorating as we go.

If the weather holds, I'll prepare the outside as well. If not, there is always tomorrow.

Both boys should be here today to help. Both boys BETTER be here today to help! :)

Found some fun over at Sandy's Knitting. She asks you to tell her what you think.
Now, I ask you to tell me!

My Johari Window

Some Christmas Fun...

Are you fond of Christmas songs? Do you know every verse? Check out your knowledge on this quiz:

Chicago Tribune Christmas Quiz

I got 96% because I was waffling between two answers on one question and picked the wrong, rather than the right, answer!

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Some Christmas Games

Another bunch of Christmas games (mostly puzzles)

and even more Christmas games

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... and you thought Ravelry was a time suck... Muhahahahahahaha

What Ornament am I?

As seen at Mary Lynn's Blog:

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Jen is having a contest...

cause she needs a little blog lovin' and you are just the people to give it to her! Win some sock yarn! Cheer her up! :)

Go. Now!

One Pair, Two Pair, Pretty Mittens to Share

best colorful
Originally uploaded by radarkaty.

One Pair for Soaring Eagles!

Plymouth Encore ColorSpun - 75% acrylic/25% Wool; Color 7124

two pair
Originally uploaded by radarkaty.

Two Pair for Soaring Eagles!

Plymouth Encore (worsted); Color 204 (on the left)

The pattern used for both is the mitten pattern from Ann Budd's a knitter's handy book of Patterns

The Colorful ones used the third column gauge at 5 - following the best I could.

Deep Forest Green ones used the fourth column at gauge 5 - following the best I could.

It is possible I have made some mistakes. If I did, I made sure I made the same one(s) on both mittens of each pair! :)

P.S. Two Pairs of slippers are almost done, too!