What I've been doing...

other than feeling sorry for myself (don't ask, seriously)...

Well, getting ready for Christmas, of course. Had a hard time motivating myself to get the Christmas decorations out, but once I did, I got the tree up and decorated. We have mantel to put things on again, so I got my mantel scarf up, along with 2 stocking hangers for the kids stockings (someday, I'll actually FINISH the needlpoint ones I started oh so long ago....). Put up outside lights. Scott did the "high stuff" on the roof edge, and I did the rest. It's really quite festive at our house now. I will post a picture of the house shortly, but it's either been raining or too cold. The ONE night I could have gotten a good picture, the neighbor was parked on the street and I couldn't stand far back enough because of that (oh, and it was windy, so the lights would have been blurry).

I've shopped...and shopped...and shopped some more. And yes, I still have a few things left to acquire, unfortunately. Hopefully, I'm wrapping and mailing next week. Scotty was diagnosed with walking pneumonia this week so he's been home, meaning I couldn't get anything done, really.

Christmas cards/newsletters are just about ready to go out. Ran out of ink. Will acquire more tomorrow and finish printing them out. Mailing on Monday, drop dead final date!

We had a huge Christmas production at church. We've been working on the music for awhile now, and I was honestly afraid that I would not be able to get it together in time. It was not easy; the person who wrote it definitely did NOT write music with trumpet players in mind. But our Christmas production was last Sunday (December 6) and it came off really well. We did it for both services, so my lips were hamburger after all of it. I have a video, and hope to post a clip or two up soon.

The kids have their Christmas musical on Sunday, called "The Best Christmas Present Ever". Both are singing with their choirs. Scotty is still part of the "preschool" choir (our church keeps the kindergarteners in the preschool section; they transition better to the elementary section the following year), and Hannah is in the elementary choir. She has a small solo, a duet, and a narraration part. I'm really proud of both of them; they are really enjoying this!

And last but not least...I have been making German straw stars. I fell in love with the straw ornaments in Germany...and have always wanted some. I didn't buy any because I knew we were moving and I was afraid they wouldn't survive a move. Last year, my friend Steffi showed me how to make them...even wrote out a pattern for me, and gave me one off her tree. Of course, this was shortly before we prepared to move. I KNOW I have the star somewhere, but can not, for the life of me, find it. AND I can't find the instructions.

BUT...Google to the rescue. After searching, I found a store that not only sold the straw (you can't just go and pick it out of a field, you know!), but had kits with crown molds and straw splitters! So, I've been on this kick. They don't take all that long to make (it's not hard to lay straw down on a pattern in a mold), but the tying takes longer. Still, I can make a smaller star in about 1/2 hour. I made a double star...that took about an hour, all told. Here are some of my creations:


Two small red stars. These are about 4 inches across. They were 2 of the first I created.

using color. I used colorful metallic thread for the star on the left, and color dyed straw for the one on the right.

This is a double star. If you look closely, you can see that the inner star is tied with gold thread, then tied to the outer star with silver thread.

Oh...and I had to LAUGH at this. Hannah got this in her halloween bucket. seriously.


Why is it funny? There is 1, one, ONE jelly bean in the package. Wow....must have cost that house a LOT to put these out. Scotty didn't have one, so who knows what HE got from that house? Oh well. We are STILL plodding through the halloween candy. We let the kids have a piece or two after lunch and supper. Occasionally, one of us sneaks a piece out...but there is still a lot left. Getting tossed before Christmas, that is for CERTAIN!

Merry Christmas, y'all!