Countdown to Christmas

I guess it's been a little while since I updated this because that thing called life has taken over. 'Tis the season to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off. In fact... okay, I did a quick check and it's still there.

We were out of town for Thanksgiving, spending a wonderful time in Massachusetts with our grandkids and their parents. We couldn't have ordered better weather, and we took advantage by getting the whole family outdoors for an adventure in the woods. This was Logan's first such outing, and he was worried about encountering bears and wolves.  He wore his (dinosaur) hat with teeth just to be safe!  We took our family dogster along for "protection" and only encountered... other dogs. Great fun for all!  

We scrupulously avoided all shopping on Black Friday (that was the day we went to the woods),   although Erin and I visited local consignment shops on  Saturday and scored some great finds. My prizes were a stoneware planter, in which I now have amaryllis bulbs planted and starting to grow, and a long black wool coat -- total for the two items, under $20!  

I have since completed a good deal of my gift shopping. We're keeping it simple. I wasn't organized enough this year, with all the house construction and other disruptions, to work on handmade gifts for everyone (besides,there were those four new babies in four months to stitch birth samplers for!), but I'm hoping that next year will be slightly more sane than this one has been.

The good news is that I actually get a Christmas tree this year! Last two years, I haven't had room, but adding a second story to our house changed things. Somehow I think the cat will be pleased.