Post-Thanksgiving Update

I had meant to update the blog before Thanksgiving, but as usual, our household craziness didn't leave much time for that!

I hope you had a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a great one! First of all, we are SO thankful to be in our new house and to be settling in nicely (if not so much neatly). Our ride to WNY was SUPER easy this year - we left around 1:30 and made the trip in 9 and 1/2 hours, which is a Thanksgiving week record! (We're often around 11 or 12 hours). We had a restful Thanksgiving Day, with a very short family Turkey Bowl on the front lawn (maybe next year). I got to go Black Friday Shopping with my BFF - I wasn't sure if she would be able to go this year, but the triplets are still in the hospital and I think her husband decided she needed something to look forward to and to help her not go stir crazy. I'm finished with about 80% of my Christmas shopping, which means more time for crafting and baking fun before the holiday!

I was also able to visit the triplets in the hospital - they are BEAUTIFUL! And tiny! Really, we had a great weekend. Now, if only I could get my decorating mojo going and get my Christmas tree up!

Before Thanksgiving, I was accomplishing quite a bit. Here's pictures that I took a week ago:

First, I made myself a Christmas project bag! I didn't have a pattern, but winged it based upon another bag that I own. I LOVE IT! I might make one for every season!

I finished one Monkey sock. I'm bummed that I didn't finish the pair for Thanksgiving. They are such the perfect fall colorway! (Not that I know what that colorway is....), but there's always next year. The yarn is Plymouth Sockin' Sox and I bought it at least a year ago.

I'm holding off on the second Monkey sock for now, in order to start my Christmas socks.

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 I know, it's Red Heart. I know a lot of people have opinions about Red Heart yarn, but I found this on clearance at Joann's for 97 cents a skein. It's hard to argue with $2 socks, and I LOVE the way it's knitting up. The colors are really pretty. I have about 4 inches of the first sock done. They are my current traveling project. (And yes, they're traveling in my new project bag!)

I also finished the fourth/third Tummy Warmer vest to replace the one that Baby Girl cut up, but I don't think I took any pictures of it finished before I passed it on to BFF. I also knit up three little Christmas Tree Hats for the babies to wear for Christmas (who should all be home in time to celebrate! Yea!)

I love these hats. I had made a larger one for Baby Girl's first Christmas. These tiny ones knit up super fast!

I also finished the Multnomah shawl, but have yet to block it. I've decided it's way too small for my MIL. So, I'll find something else for her for Christmas and knit her an actual shawl for her birthday, which is January 9th. I'll keep the Multnomah for myself.

The Katrine Cardigan has gotten some love this week. I HOPE to have it finished by Friday, so I can totally dedicate December to Christmas knitting. I'm hoping to do a hat for DH (already cast on), two Christmas stockings, and a Bitty Baby Sweater, plus finish my socks. A few pairs of fingerless mitts wouldn't be too bad, but that might be pushing it a bit. Actually, if the hat and stockings were the only things that got done, I'd be okay with that. No, the socks have to be done for sure! And I wouldn't mind knitting up the red and white yarn I bought at Rhinebeck for a festive hat. Oh, if only there were more hours in a day!)

Maybe if I knit a little less I'd have more decorating time. I really have to get on the tree thing! The extra week this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas has me all thrown off. I really like to have our tree up a little early, since we're not home to enjoy it the week between Christmas and New Year's.

I hope your holiday preparations are going well!