Sunday Sundry - Vol. 19

I've taken a pretty minimalist approach to Christmas decorations this year.  We plugged in a pre-lit, four-foot tabletop tree the first week of December, but never got around to hauling out the other boxes.  That's okay; we're feeling the Christmas spirit all the same.  

My dad gave me some vintage ornaments that he remembered being on the family tree when he was growing up. I put some in an old relish dish and hung the rest.  I came downstairs one morning to find them sparkling in the sunrise through the east window.

Needling

I made good progress on various sewing and quilting projects this week.  I finished sewing all the clutch purses, which I blogged about earlier this week.  I also worked on a couple other small things, which I can't show you yet because they're gifts and the recipients might be reading this.  

I also finished quilting the baby quilt for a friend.  It's done in a variegated blue thread, which seemed to work pretty well.

And I made myself a hat out of some scrap fleece.

It really makes my hair static-y, not to mentioned flattening the heck out of my do.  But it's warm.

Digging It

The blizzard of last weekend dumped 11 inches, per the official total.  It took a few days for the snow to finally melt off the top of the garden window.  As it did, an extraterrestrial appeared. 

E.T. phone home...

My African violets don't care what the weather is outside.  They're bloomin' crazy!

This is the one I repotted a couple months ago.  It's pretty happy about its new digs, I think.

Smorgasbord

The doorbell has been ringing fairly regularly with deliveries of Christmas gifts ordered, etc.  But I was super stoked to get this package.

Cheese!!  Well okay, it's fake cheese, which I'm sure sounds like a really strange thing to get excited about.  But since I have to eat dairy-free (and gluten-free), I was ecstatic to find out about this vegan alternative.  So far I've tried it on a tuna melt and in a baked pasta dish, and you know what?  It tastes like cheese!  We are having lasagna for Christmas dinner, and I cannot wait to make a pan with the mozzarella for my daughter and I to enjoy.

Though this post seems pretty much all over the place, things are coming together for the holidays around here.  I have wrapping to do and maybe a little more baking.  

Gluten-free Chocolate Cookies, recipe by Gluten Free Gobsmacked

How about you?  Are you ready for Christmas?

I listened to Harry Connick, Jr.'s holiday album while I quilted today.  Here's one of my favorite tunes to get you started out on a festive glide over the week ahead.  Enjoy!