Christmas! Lavish, festive, thrilling! I am all for an over the top Christmas. But times change. I sat down with myself to decide what really matters to me, what do I love most about decorating and cooking for these very brief few days of each year. Because why do it if no one cares but me, right? Two quotes to ponder.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
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The Quilts
December 1st I got out most of my red and white quilts and the stack of usually made each year tiny quilts. This is a joy but also practical, as the quilts need to be aired and refolded at least once a year. Here's what I found.
Not sure I will do a tree! The Christmas Eve get together may just feature pizza from the freezer. [Celeste's are pretty good/ no deliveries on Christmas Eve here]. I had my heart set on this tiny tree from Terrain. At $228.oo it was far beyond my budget, tho it did include a dozen tiny glass [repro] feather tree ornaments , "penny ornaments" that can run $20.oo each, so the price is not sooo crazy. I waited, waited for Black Friday, would the Tree be half price? Still would be too $$$, right! But no, it was sold out before Black Friday came.
As for looking forward, I had planned to make Jan Patek's Joy pattern this year, despite the irony of the word. Unlike the quote person, change makes me very sad
Inspiration pic/ Cheri Payne via Pinterest, if my tiny tree needs more ornies:
But rummaging for gift tags I found these two cuties--if not for Christmas-New Years home alone days then for the winter ahead? The tiny grid of 1" squares on the Whatnots always defeats me but I love it.
I am determined to stick to small quilts for now/ for the future. I just cannot iron and finish the big quilts I enjoy making.
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And the Christmas baking--simplified. My little artist friend will come after school one day and we'll make pre-formed rounds of Pillsbury sugar cookies decorated with wonderful holiday sprinkles and bright colored sugar. Always the funnest part. No rolling out, no cutting, no hours with royal icing. Just the fun of an hour together.
No gingerbread house either! Not sure I miss that , they're a challenge. Though my son and his buddies loved stomping the G House to crumbs on New Years Day. Just in case you do want to try fancy cookies, here's a fun Quilt Block cooky. Scroll down, I apologize for the busy, ad filled, linked website.
I hope your holiday preparations bring you joy too.
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
cresent moon and Venus on earliest sunset of this year
"and look, my Sweater still fits!"
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