The Cabbage Patch

What Have I Been Up To?

 

Making the above costumes plus fittings and other additions to costumes.  

And, finding a replacement for below.  On top of Christmas preparations.  This year I was a complete Advent flunky.  

My Latest Finished Projects

I knit these hats very quickly.  The pattern is very easy to remember.  The one Pumpkin is wearing was knit on a size 4 while the one above was knit on a size 8.  I used the same I Love this Cotton yarn.  I don't know who will be the recipient for these hats.  I do know it won't be for any of our Northern relatives.  The holes make it impractical.  I'm knitting for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

 

Snow!

This is what greeted us this evening on our way to mass.  SNOW!  The flakes were really big too.  The kids were so excited and happy.  The were saying, "This is the best Christmas ever!"  When I reminded them that Daddy was not here, they revised it to "This is one of the best Christmases ever!"

 

Status

There are too many things to report.

1. My nephew has been hospitalized since Saturday.  He had been having breathing problems for a week brought on by a viral infection.  It came to a head on Saturday.  The Children's Hospital admitted him.  He couldn't get enough oxygen even with an oxygen mask.  He was able to graduate to a cannula on Sunday and then today, he went off oxygen.  This evening he went back on the oxygen.  I guess he's not quite ready to come home.  Please pray for my little nephew.  His name is Ryan and he is 4.  I really hope he doesn't have to spend Christmas in the hospital.  
2. Nutcracker is over.  It's always sad and a relief when this happens.  Sister would dance in a 100 shows if she could.  Honey did very well despite her cough.  The bodices looked wonderful as did the waltz overskirts.  
3. Ben has finally arrived at his destination.  Hopefully, we'll be able to set up some regular correspondence.
4. My mother was helping out this weekend.  She did mounds of laundry, cooked, cleaned and babysat.  I learned some humility this weekend when she cleaned my bathroom (very embarrassingly icky).
5. My Christmas cards are going out late.  No surprise there.  Same with Christmas gifts I have to mail.  I have officially run out of time.

There are probably more.  My mind is full of things to do.  Hopefully, I'll be able to slowly chip away at my to-do list.

Salado Christmas Tree Farm

We've been going to this tree farm for a few years now.  It's always fun.  We get on the hayride, have hot chocolate and have popcorn after we pick our tree.  This year I picked a 9 foot tree.  It was about 6 inches too long.  Ben had to cut some off the bottom.  It's beautiful though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the tree in all it's glory with a few handmade ornaments.  We don't have lights on it yet so we won't put ornaments.  Usually, we put purple lights for Advent and then right before Christmas (the 23rd), place our white lights and ornaments.  However, with Ben leaving soon, the kids begged for ornaments early.  Of course, I relented.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Less Than 40 Days...

until Christmas!  

To procrastinate even more, here's a fun quiz.

You Are Dependable and Trustworthy

You approach the holidays with drive and determination. You're usually the one who does all of the organizing and work. You love being in charge of Christmas dinner, decorating the tree, and picking out presents. You know that everything will be perfect, as long as you're the one behind the wheel. Of all the types, you're the most likely to search far and wide to find the best deal on the gifts you give. You're also the most likely to have a very detailed system for how you wrap and label presents.

The Wrapping Paper Test

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

ht:  Red Cardigan

Joy to the World!

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Last night we attended the 5:00pm children's mass.  It was a lovely, lovely service.  At one point, Father Richard has the children of deployed parents come up for a blessing to send on to their loved one.  It was poignant.  My heart ached for them and I had to blink away the tears.  The children sang "Silent Night" and then were blessed. 

Please pray for all separated from their family today especially those in the military including spouses and children.

God bless you all on this joyous day.

Preparing for Advent

I had purchased a wreath for Advent.  The plan was to have a simple purple bow for Advent.  After seeing Dawn's wonderful idea, I knew I had to expand on my simple wreath. 

I'm not too happy with the bow, but it'll do.  I wish I could make those wonderful full bows.  I think I needed to add one more loop on each side to accomplish the look I was going for.  I plan on changing the bow for a blue one on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  I searched high and low for a rose colored ribbon for Gaudete Sunday, but haven't located one yet.

When I was putting the different activities on each notecard, I forgot that Thursday was the Feast of St. Nicholas.  I may change that day's activities or add to it. 

Our activities are simple but I know the children will love them.  Tomorrow our activity is to get the tree.  We go to a wonderful farm where we could cut our own, but those trees are not great.  We will, instead, purchase a Douglas fir.  This particular farm has the best ones I've seen here in Texas. 

I need to get off to bed and do my novena prayers before midnight (Yikes!  Why do I wait until before bedtime before saying these prayers!  Note to self:  Say them in the morning.)