Christmas Slowly

Thanksgiving was late this year.  I am busy at work this year.  I probably have some other excuses for not being ready for Christmas...I never really am.  But slowly some things are getting done and what doesn't get done just doesn't get done.

I wanted to buy more presents for the girls but I have waited too late.  They really shouldn't mind getting surprises in January and February, should they?  After all they are awesome mature adults who understand that their mother is a little overwhelmed :).

I started with wreaths and then got stalled.  I have made some cookies and I have finally decorated the tree.

This wreath is new this year.  My friend, Kathleen, made it from tin can lids and vintage balls.  I think it is beautiful and that she is really talented.  And I am a little jealous.

I did make a few new tree ornaments.  It is one of those things that I like to do...that keeps me from doing those boring mundane household chores.  These ornaments were made from patterns from Betz White.  They are all fairly easy...the instructions sometimes said to glue but I decided to sew....glue didn't seem to hold.

There is more to do....presents to wrap, cakes to bake, and a few more gifts to buy.  Getting busy!!!

Stitching

A couple of years ago I decided that I needed to work on my stitching...embroidery...skills.  When I was in high school...many, many years ago..I was pretty good.  My Navy issue bell-bottom jeans were covered with every stitch imaginable.  Unfortunately, the class at the Visual Arts Center that I signed up for was cancelled.  So when I found an online "Autumn Stitching Club" at Wild Olive (for only $5) I decided to sign up.  The patterns are really not my style.  Cute would be the description.  But it forced me to  practice and I now have a finished product.  I love finished products.  And I now love hexagons.

So what in the world will I do with this?  Well, my younger daughter, Joanna, is a preschool teacher in Brooklyn.  And I think it would be the perfect addition to a preschool class.  What a great conversation prompt and what a great way to introduce the seasons.

So I have also signed up for the Winter Stitching Club.  Jo, look for more stuff for your classroom!!

Kale & Brussels Sprouts Salad

Less than a week before I had not finalized our Thanksgiving menu.  I knew we would have the old stand-bys...turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc....but I was looking for a new side...and not sweet potatoes.  I had considered brussels sprouts and I had considered a kale salad.  While doing something in the kitchen on the Saturday before  I was sort of watching the live Thanksgiving special on the Food Network.  They were making a kale and brussels sprouts salad.  Hmmmmm...

So that was added to the menu.  And it was a hit.  With most people.  It has shredded brussels sprouts, chopped kale, endive, almonds, gorgonzola cheese, and bacon with a mustard viniagrette.  Yum!!  The recipe is here.

I plan to make this for Christmas too.  I will leave out the bacon and add dried cranberries, I think.  There are a few vegetarians in the Christmas group and the red & green colors will be quite festive.  I may sub fennel for the endive too.