P.S.

And can I add a few more to yesterday's post?
-Organize my sewing room. And get rid of at least 50% of the "this and that's" that I am saving for future projects. Those projects are never going to happen. I get happy just thinking about an organized room
-Plant enough rhubarb to be able to say I am tired of it. Because I Love rhubarb and found a great recipe in one of my favorite Christmas presents-The Smittenkitchen cookbook. I have planted it for the last 3 years and it never does well. How can it not do well? It's almost a weed!

New Year!

It's a New Year and with it comes that good "let's start anew" feeling. Of course I made resolutions---didn't everyone? I am going to put mine here so I can either publicly humiliate myself or make myself accountable!
1. Stop neglecting my Blog. See-I am already accomplishing this. Oh Instsgram-you have your charms but this blog is my
first love.
2. Do something I have never done before---and that I will be proud of! I just don't know what that is yet! 2 years ago it was beekeeping and last year it was running a 5k. I have some ideas-stay tuned.
3. Lose weight---that is a tradition--the resolution, not following through!
4. And finally--let my fingernails grow!! I cannot do this alone-so I ordered some nasty tasting yet pricey polish to help!

Tradition

Sadly, we had to break with tradition this year because the tallest family member forgot to place the angel atop the tree when he was home. The tree was installed, the angel ready for placement----and we totally forgot! Luckily, we had the next tallest family member on the bench, suited up and ready to play!!

Holiday traditions.

It's been a weekend of holiday traditions---appropriate for the first weekend of December. First---I brought out my favorite ornament. My Mom's Snow Lady. I wish I knew more about this little gal! She looks waxy and is fragile. I know my Mom bought her during WW2 and she used to spray her with flocking from a can every year. I haven't touched up her snow in years and think she still is pretty. And then Friday nite we went to the Toledo Zoo's Lights Before Christmas. It was packed!!! And packed attendance meant a traffic nightmare but a nice, family crowd. And a chance to see the prettiest tree in Toledo--covered in blue lights!

Beads!

We've been wanting to get to our Toledo Museum of Art's exhibit of Manet and decided Sunday was the "now or never" day before the holiday rush started. Yes---it was an exceptional exhibit and we also took in a photography show featuring old promotional photography from the golden age of Hollywood. But sometimes it's the simple things that really catch my eye. Like these beaded curtains in the cafe. The public was invited to create beads---all different mediums---and they have been assembled to create these window coverings. Some are whimsical--like cupcakes and hamburgs---and some are small intricate treasures like hand blown Venetian glass. Together they make a beautiful work of art.

Turkey Trot!

I've ticked something off my "bucket list" I have always been in awe of runners---knowing that "I just can't run".My youngest son ran cross country and it was an incredible feeling to just be surrounded by runners at events and feed off their energy. This summer I asked myself why I couldn't run and I didn't have a good answer. So I started a walking/running program and felt proud, and yet----. My oldest son urged me to sign up for a 5K run and said that would show progress. Again, those old doubts came into play. But when he presented the opportunity for all of us to run in a 5K---and do it on Thanksgiving morning, I asked myself --"why not?" So we all signed up and on a beautiful sunny Ohio morning 2 days ago, we did it! It was an emotional moment to see the Welcome Runners sign but with the finish line in sight---and my whole family(who finished quite a bit in front of me) cheering me on--it was emotional beyond words. I am proud of all of us and never thought I would do this!!!! What next???

Handmade Christmas

I've been knitting away at these mini sweaters---to make ornaments and also to use up leftover yarn. They look cute hanging on a small tree and they are an easy project to take along when I'm on the go. It's very gratifying to use up my scraps of yarn. I noticed online that some knitters use them as gift card holders.