The holiday rush!

Let us start with Thanksgiving.  When asked, I always say it is my favorite holiday.  Nothing is expected but family and food!  What more do we need?  It makes me very sad that this wonderful holiday doesn't get the respect it deserves.  I was appalled by the fact that so many stores opened late in the day  for "Black Friday".  Having worked retail for several years, I knew of only three days of the year I was guaranteed not to have to work.  Now it's down to two, apparently.  I was even more appalled when the media reported it was a smashing success. That means it will only get worse. Dave Barry once said, "If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be 'meetings."  I would add black Friday to that!  Humbug!

  Speaking of being a humbug,  I admit to being a bit of a Grinch.  I just don't see why this one holiday should take up a whole month of my time!!  But here I am, spending hours decorating and shopping and baking and still making gifts, which I never do.
(I guess I can't say that anymore)



 





 



I kind of redecorate the whole house for Christmas. Not the huge displays you see in magazines, but all of the knick knacks get swapped. 






Most of the gifts are made, in spite of my whining.

Fabric star snowflakes, from PennyMarble Designs.

 I even made some gifts using the Xcentric block we learned from Anita Grossman Soloman.  The Christmas stripe is one I just found in my stash!















The blue tote was a wide stripe I used for one of those magic table runners  

Try to act surprised if you get one of these, ok? 

Here are some green tips for the Holiday season:
 * Recycle last year's cards into this year's gift tags. Use serrated scissors to cut the front of the card into appealing shapes and sizes.
 *   Make sure this year's cards are made from recycled paper.
 *   Put E-mail to work and send paper-free electronic greeting cards.
 *   Avoid wrapping paper. Use newspaper or brown craft paper that you can decorate yourself. Sunday comics also make a colorful, recyclable wrap kids will love!

I am grateful for:
Family
Having a little one to play with once in a while.
Guy is coming home at Christmas!
Christmas cookies (even though I have to put in time on the treadmill after!)
Christmas music, especially the silly ones like this.