Christmas Time is Near

Recently, I heard a news item about apps that help to diagnose Alzheimer's. I thought that was interesting and saved the article.

Also, I love to make hot cocoa from scratch on Christmas Eve with my girls and watch "Polar Express." In the past we would also make popcorn and eat popcorn, but the girls have braces so many things are not allowed, so I am saving all kinds of fun things we can make together.

I love the Grinch! I love what he says about buying things for people to only have it thrown away! I saw this Grinch in Whitehaven and it was so funny, I had to save it for future watching because it is the truth and funny all at the same time.

This is a really good info on where to learn Sign Language.

Afghans:
C2C Moss Stitch
Jeweled Pebbles Blanket
Autumn Leaves
Bernat Wonky Squares

Amigurumi:
Cuddle Me Bear
Christmas Gnomes - free Ravelry download
I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas from Red Heart. I am so making this cutie.

Decorations:
Mini Creche
Red Heart Colorful Snowflakes
Harvest Pumpkins
Advent Calendar
Wreath Ornament
Penguin Ornament
Nadia's 12 Days of Christmas - this is such a wonderful and fun site full of patterns!
Santa Ornament
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar - my girls love Advent Calendars. This could be fun to make in the New Year and have for next Christmas.
Fair Isle Santas from Red Heart

Gifts:
Blue Spruce Mug Cozy
12 Weeks of Christmas Bags
Pattern Paradise - this is the site for 12 weeks of Christmas... quick and easy crafts.
Santa Pants Gift Holder

Gloves/Mittens:
Kreisel Fingerless Gloves - These are beautiful, architectural dreams.

Hats:
Ornament Hat

Shawls/Scarves:
Tides of Dawn
Northwoods Shawl
Van Ness

Cincinnati Zoo Lights and Christmas

We have been going to as many places as we can with the good weather. Walking as much as we can and looking at as much as we can. We have been having fun and learning so many different things. Love the zoo and their mission to educate on animals and help species survive.

Christmas and Winter at Kings Island

Kings Island brought back Winter Fest. My girls have been twice, my husband once and I took them once. They loved it. Some rides are open, not many and there are tons of shows and lots of lights. We had so much fun wandering the park and looking at all the lights.

More Warm Weather....Tornadoes in February

Went to my sister-in-law's house for Super Bowl and it was a great time. Plenty of food and great people and my dad went along and had a good time. He got to watch the game and visit with many other people and see his granddaughters two days in a row. He was cheering for the Falcons and I was cheering for the Patriots, my husband was cheering for the Falcons and said, "Looks like it is finished. Falcons are going to win." He he he...Pats Won! We finished listening to the game on the trip home, as it was so late and we needed to go home so we could get some rest since the day had to start early for us. The weather kept getting warm, Sunday was in the 40's, Monday was in the 50's and today, Tuesday, we are waiting on some serious weather. In fact, NOLA was hit by a tornado and they were unprepared. I am taking some time today to work on my email and get it cleaned out a little. It is hard to be online when there are 3 kids online for their school every day. When the evening comes I just want to be quiet and knit or crochet. I finished a shawl for myself and finished a couple of hats. I discovered that you can easily get 3 hats from one Caron Cake. I love the Caron Cakes and love the colors. My youngest picked out another Cake for herself and wants a hat and mittens from it. I need to finish up some other things and I think I will work on a blanket tonight and see if I can't finish it up.

Afghans:
Illuminations Blanket
Amish Star Afghan - free Ravelry download
Modern Rose Afghan
Log Cabin Throw
Simple Rainbow Chevron
Flirty Fan Throw
Fall Romance Throw
Shaded Diamond Afghan NEW to the blog and beautiful.
Quiet Country Garden Throw
Satellite Connection Afghan
Arches Square
Garden Patch Granny

Baby:
Old Shale Lace Baby Hat
Square Dance Baby Blanket

Christmas:
Wintermint Socks
Folkways Christmas Stockings
Gift Bags
Wine Bottle Sweater
Festive Star Afghan
Nordic Holiday Centerpiece
Tiny Tree Ornaments - tree shaped ornaments.
Links for Last Minute Gifts
Cheery Christmas Noel Afghan
Peppermint Bliss
Poinsettia Tree Skirt

Cowls/Scarves:
Orange Sorbet Cowl
Nordic Super Scarf

Hats/Headbands:
Licorice Twist
Falling Leaves Hat
Ice Fishing Hat (Newborn to Adult)
Cat Hat - these have become super popular with women who like to protest Trump. So if you sell what you make, these are sellers.
Messy Bun Hat - another item that has become "hot"

Shawls/Wraps:
Sun Shawl - the site is originally French, but they translated as they went.
Shawlette Muguet
Land and Sky

Socks/Slippers:
Easy Socks


They are from the same Caron Cake and look fabulous.

Coolest Christmas Gift!

My youngest sister-in-law lives in Virginia and works in Washington, DC.

When I first married my husband, she gave us a Christmas ornament that I thought was wonderful. I have loved all of them since. They are from The White House Historical Association. I have them saved and we look at them every year. This year's ornament is my favorite by far. It is to commemorate Herbert Hoover's years. Best by far, so far! Thanks, Jodi. We love it.

Time to Start for Christmas

Once Christmas is over and the New Year has past, it is time to begin working on the new Christmas. My girls and husband love to decorate for Christmas, but we have cats, plural, cats. We have 2 that would be thought of as bush cats, they don't climb and they wouldn't climb a tree. Then we have 2 cats that would be thought of as tree cats and, yes, they would climb a tree. I know this because one year, after we got the first tree cat, he climbed the tree taking it down. I had put some very old ornaments, and very fragile, on the tree. They broke when the tree came down with the cat on it. Now, we have two tree cats and I haven't put up a tree since then. I have purchased small trees for my girls and the youngest cat, chewed through the wires and now they won't light up. Every year, I try to make a few little things that my girls can put on their trees and now they are decorating outside as well. So, I really need to save "Christmas" things to make, especially for my special girls.

Little Gift Card Stocking - I know it says gift card, but I think it would be fun to put candies in them (wrapped) and put them on the trees for the kids in the neighborhood.
Christmas Tree Garland - I have a few trees in the yard, that the girls could put this on and they would love it for their trees.
Christmas Angel - I can remember my Grandmother making ornaments for the trees. They were fun and lovely and well made and I wish that when I was younger I had taken an interest in learning how to make them with her. Her's were made using yarn and plastic and counted cross stitch. She was so talented.
Christmas Baubles - this is a tutorial and they are to look like old fashioned glass ornaments.
Christmas Snowman Sack - I want to make a lot of these and stuff them with fun small things for little ones to hand out at a party.
Winter Snowflake Garland - this is just as pretty as the Tree Garland and would look fun anywhere.
Santa Gnome Ornaments
Starry Night Stocking
Santa Gift Card Holder
Mini Christmas Knits
Holiday Drawstring Bag
Cone Christmas Trees
Candy Cane Reindeer
Christmas Wreath Ornament
Snowflake
Textured Topiary Tree - can be made different colors and then set out any time of the year, but could be fun for Christmas in different colors.

Patterns and Christmas

We are 5 days away from Christmas. I still have things to make and finish. I feel like that is a perpetual with me. Last night I was trying to work on a blanket and my cat decided to sit on it and not move. I still have so many patterns in my email that I need to sort through. I am starting to see lots of repeats. I am also starting to put them in google + to share with people who only look there.

Afghans/Squares:
Rhythm in Cables
Mermaid Lap Blanket
Sea Creatures Throw
Northern Motifs Throw - colorwork.
Blue and White Afghan
Deco Columns Throw
Dream Catcher Baby Blanket
Setting Sun Patchwork Afghan
Cosmic Dorm Throw
Cozy Man-ghan
Evergreen Throw
Zippy Zag Zag Lapghan
Scrap Happy Quilters Afghan
Kaleidoscope Afghan
Arizona Sunset Afghan
French Country Throw
Blue Squares Afghan
Blue Lagoon Throw
Rich Mitered Throw

Amigurumi:
Ice Cream Cone

Animals:
Cat Nip Bunnies - I need to keep this for my sister in law and me and others with kitties.

Bags:
Candy Cane Treat Bag
1 Skein Farmer's Market Bag
Waves Tote Bag
On the Go Knit Bag

Boot Cuffs:
Boot Cuffs - Easy

Cowls/Scarves:
Pretty Pilgrim Scarf
Fisherman Scarf and Cowl
Cozy Plaid Super Scarf
Linen Stitch Colorblock Scarf
Summer Dream Scarf
Lacy Wine Infinity Scarf

Gloves/Mittens:
Bellas Mittens
Wicker Knitting Set
Polka Dot Hat and Mittens
Corgi Mittens
Links for Mittens
Women's Norwegian Mittens
Warm Winter Mitts
Dog Fir Mittens
Four Needle Mittens
Seed Stitch Mittens

Hats:
North Shore Hat
Frog Hat
Basic Ribbed Hat
Cascading Leaves Hat
Wine Harvest Headband
Embossed Leaves Hat
Celtic Dream Ear Flap Hat
Easy Slouch Hat
Fallen Leaves Slouch Hat
Madly in Love Hat
Burgundy Breeze Cable Hat

Kitchen:
Lighthouse Dishcloth
August Dishcloth
Chocolate Chip Cookie Hot Pad
Ripple Pot Holder
Sprinkle Pot Holders
Not Your Mom's Hotpad
Dutch Skies Pot Holder
Perfect Pot Holder
Old Fashioned Pot Holder
Pot Handle Cover
Best Crochet Potholder
Let's Get Cooking
Four Square Pot Holder
Coffee Cup Hot Pad

Shawls:
Evening Breath
Midnight Magic Shawl
Top Down Shawl
Ella's Rhythm Shawl
Silver Glam Shawl
Sweet Vintage Shawl
Texture Stitch Wrap
Country Cottage Shawl

Slippers/Socks:
Grandma's Slippers
Pansy Path Knit Sock
Best Sock Pattern Ever

Christmas Time is Near

I have been busy with my knitting and crochet. I have learned new techniques, perfected other techniques and played with a pattern and written a pattern. I still have a few things to make and some things to finish, but I am getting there. I stopped making as much, so I could make candies and fudges and cookies with my girls. Learning as we go, but they are learning. 

 Slouchy hat for my middle. 

This is a modified version of this Hat designed by a friend. 

Dragon Scale mitts for my youngest. 

Dragon Scale Ear Warmer for my youngest. 

I designed this because my youngest didn't want a hat this year. She wanted a HeadBand/EarWarmer.

Dragon Scale Mitts for my oldest. 

My oldest chose this style of handwarmer for her Halloween costume, but is continuing to wear them. 

Day of the Dead Scarf for my youngest. 

This was also chosen by my youngest. She is liked this scarf. 

Maple Leaves. 

You can find a really nice tutorial on The Crochet Crowd with Mikey. 

Water Bottle Cover. This could be found in a book called Crochet One Skein Wonders. I borrowed from the library. 

 New skill...scarf for my husband. 

This was a new skill for me, making an Entrelac Scarf. It is a free Ravelry download. 

Dragon Scale Ear Warmers for my oldest. 

Taft Museum of Art

All I can say is, "WOW!" The place is gorgeous. It is hard to get to due to construction, messed up roads and signs that just don't help with getting around, but it is worth the trek. It is free on Sundays, but you still need tickets (getting them online). They are set up for Christmas right now and the security is all through out and since they work there, they know things that general public wouldn't know and they are worth talking with. There is one gentleman, who on first look makes you think, he could so be part of the President's security detail, he is that impressive. When you talk with him you find that he is a wonderful man and has a great smile.

I would love to go back to the Museum in the spring, as the gardens start to bloom, I think they would be worth the trek (again).

I will state this, I don't like Christmas, as in you have to come down to celebrate, even if you have things going on, you have to make the trek. Really? I have to make a trek to come see people who cannot have contact with me or my family for a year? I have to make a trek to come see people who don't come near my home at any time and love to state how FAR AWAY I live. I hate Christmas. But, I do love to see Christmas decorations and wander around see houses lit up and see Christmas trees. I love to hear the Christmas stories told in churches and I love to hear the music. That is the extent of my love of Christmas. I would love to have that be all that there is to Christmas.

So, towards that end I will share some of the photos I took at the Museum, showing Christmas in the 1800's and early 1900's.

If you get a chance to go to the Museum, have fun and take time to look in all the rooms and in one room, there are 2 gorgeous chandeliers and if you take a selfie under the chandelier, looking up, it looks like an engagement ring....beautiful. I won't tell you more than that, you need to find it for yourself, or talk to the very knowledgeable security officers. They are fabulous!