Year in Review

We are now again cresting upon the end of one year and the beginning of yet another one. This time every year we make promises that are never kept (for most people that is). We say we are going to be better in the new year an some people are. Right now the world is in a hard spot the economies aren't good in many places of the world. Job’s are still hard to come by and governments can’t figure out how to fix the problems (or they do find a way and can’t get everyone to agree). So this is the end of the year, pretty much just like the rest we’ve had in the past few years.

As far as my end of year, well lets just say I would like to be happier. I don’t want you to think that I had this offal, horrible, terrible year. Because I really didn’t, you always want things to be better like be able to stop smoking, win a million dollars, win two million dollars, maybe three million (ok so I got a wish list that has money on it, in this day and age you can’t do anything with out it and besides it’s what you do with it that matters). To get a better look at the kind of year I've had you can look back at my blog history.

This year well I got to do some fun stuff, work allot, do more fun stuff, work a lot more, get some fun stuff and STOP SMOKING. Yes this year was the year I stopped smoking. I haven’t had a cigarette since September and I don’t plan on going back. That is one of the reasons I didn’t tell anyone in October. I wanted to make sure I had quit first before I said anything. So that has been my year how about you.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a good holiday. I went to lunch with my parents to the Chinese buffet. Then went up to my sister in laws where Ed was waiting for me. Since I’m the only child Ed and I have holiday dinners apart.

Ed and I both got some cool stuff from Santa, I got books a on tapestry weaving, two on embroidery stitches, palm weaving, how to make liquid soap, a local farms cook book, cookies and a gift certificate for seed from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Ed got a cook book about salty snacks, Lancaster Farming, a seed sprouting kit and a butter making kit. We also got clothes and things you tend to get every year. So we had a good Christmas and today is a lacy day since it has decided to snow so we went and did some running around and are now home for the day.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Cleaning

I just wanted to let everybody know that I have officially finished Fall Cleaning (and its still fall too). It took me a week alone to do the kitchen and I took a week off because I wasn't feeling well and returned to cleaning last week. Every room and the hall way has been cleaned and it needed it. There is a different smell and of course look to the place. Now if you ask Ed he will tell you that the place is sterile enough to do an operation. It’s not that clean put could be close.

Early Christmas Gift

My Father in Law on Monday was at an auction, one he goes to regularly. While he was there he picked up some things

he thought I mite be able to use. Ed came home from the farm Tuesday and told me there was some stuff in the bed of the truck for me. I had to stop my cleaning (yes I’m still cleaning, I am almost done though) and go get my surprise.

When I got the bundle up stairs I found four embroidery frames the kind that work like a scroll. One of them even has feet to stand on a table. A separate stand that I can put the frames on to keep a hand free when embroidering. You can use it with frames or hoops. The piece de résistance is a Schacht tapestry loom it is the 18” model and was made in 1979. So I’m cool with that and all pieces are with it.

So I am more than happy that my Father in Law was thinking of me while at the auction. He saved me a couple  of hundred dollars on equipment that I can’t afford right now or just would do with out.

O by the may he only spent two or three dollars on all the pieces.

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New York

A week ago Ed and I went on our yearly Christmas Shopping trip to New York City. We enjoyed ourselves as we always do. We went to Chelsea Market, Strand, Union Square (Christmas Craft Fair and Farmers Market), Macy’s (got to go too Macy's), Eataly, Donut Planet, Lord and Taylor (that one was a first for me and so was Donut Planet), Grand Central Station, Trump towers, FAO Swartz, St Patrick’s, Rockefeller and of course Time Square. I think I named all the major spots, I’m sure I left out some place we ducted into along the way Since it was raining most of the day.

While I was up there or over there how ever you want to look at it. I of course picked up some things. Like a couple of books, ok three to be exact (Thumbelina is telling me to tell the truth) two embroidery and one on palm weaving which is really cool, I finished reading it and can’t wait to get some palm come spring. You can also use native grasses and or straw, your not restricted to using palm.

I also picked up a body brush. This type of brush is soft and is used to clean the skin naturally with out soap. You only use this brush once a week and not on your face that skin is to sensitive. To use it make gentle circle motions, starting on the arms and working up. once you are done you rinse of in cool water and you can use a light moisturizer. You feel very invigorated when your done and the use of the brush not only exfoliates the skin it also helps with blood circulation. I got it at Whole Body which is part of Whole Foods.

Even with the rain Ed and I had a wonderful day in New York. We both say every time we go we could live there. Now all we have to do is come up with a million to buy a place.

What I've been up to

I have been busy with fall cleaning (Yes it's still fall). When I say clean I mean take everything out of the cabinets and off walls and so forth. To give the place an excellent cleaning before the new year. I only got the kitchen cleaned so far. I have also decorated the front porch for the holidays. We got a Moravian star that we have hanging and we got some greens and had some fun. I have the rest of the place to clean and we are also on Christmas cookie duty this year. We have no clue what kind we are going to be making but we'll figure it out.