Friday, November 24, 2017

The day after...........


It is the day after Thanksgiving and the feast is over.  Well that is until we eat leftovers for the rest of today.  This is how Little Buddy and I decorated our table.  He put stickers on simple cut outs I had for work.  We spread them around under beautiful berries from my holly tree.  


Speaking of the holly tree, it is so full and gorgeous this year I can hardly stand it.  What does that mean, is it going to be a tougher than normal winter?  Colder than normal?  I have no idea.  All I know is that it is stunningly beautiful, especially after a rain.


Thanksgiving decorations have been gathered up and are ready to be packed away.  Dare I say Christmas decorations will be up today.  I know it is way too early but this is the only time I have to do it, the rest of the month will be crammed full with work, Christmas shopping and wrapping.  I am trying not to be so much of a grouch this year when it comes to Christmas.   Trying is the key word here.


My favorite Little Buddy decoration for Thanksgiving.  He missed out on lots of fun at school because he was so ill.  This one is a keeper, those Pilgrims look hysterical to me.  I laugh every time I see them.  




There are certain things I needed to complete and this is the weekend to do it.  I sort of finished this vest.  Well I am saying sort of because it is supposed to be the Envision Cardigan by Heidi May.  I was all excited about it and actually got a lot done until I got sidetracked with another project, said every crafter everywhere.  When I dragged myself back to it and started the sleeves I saw the problem that had been lurking in back of my mind.  I am not so good joining rounds in crochet.  Actually, that is an understatement, I am horrible at it.  Yes, I have tried all sorts of different ways to do it and I still stink.  The bottom of the sleeves were going to look horrendous. So this is now the Envision Sweater turned into a vest.  It is simple and elegant, or at least I am trying to convince myself it is.  I adorned it with my 99 cent Joann Fabric and Crafts bargain pin found years ago.  Will I wear it, I am not so sure but that really isn't the end goal is it?  I mean creating is the main goal, if it fits and I wear it that is just an extra bonus.  Made with Juniper Moon Yarns Moonshine in the color 01, 800 yards of yarn used, with a size H hook.  This is the third attempt at a project with this yarn, it will not be frogged again, even if it needs to be.


Another goal was to plant some plants back behind my pool area.  I got them in just in time as we had a good rain on Thanksgiving day.  Is there anything prettier than raindrops on a beautiful poinsettia? 


As for this guy, this is all you get today.  He is pretending to be a snake and well snakes don't like their picture taken.  I thought I would surprise him with a wee box of Frosted Flakes, I would have loved these when I was little.  Nope, not Little Buddy, he did not like them and chose toast instead. 


I have one more project to finish for Christmas.  This will be a shawl/scarf for Little Buddy's Physical Therapist.  She loves orange and I had this in my stash so it was a win-win.  The only problem is with a triangle shawl you actually have to have the middle point of the triangle stay in the middle.  The other evening I saw that I had veered off at some weird angle and the middle was no longer the middle.  Rip, rip, rip and now I am back on track.  The yarn at the bottom and the pattern is for my next project.  I will share about that later. 

I leave you here to start decorating, I have procrastinated long enough.  I thank you for your birthday wishes for my sister.  I thank you for your Thanksgiving wishes, and of course for your friendship.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

The vest looks fine!! A lovely pin with the buttons and beads and funny to read how you think about making it, so recognisable :-)
And too early for Christmas? No, not at all, because we are putting our tree up this weekend too :-)
We have poinsettia's too, but we can't plant them outside, they would die very soon! We have them as indoor plants or as table decoration.
That shawl on the last picture will be gorgeous, I love those colors too!
I was planning to make some gifts for Christmas myself too, but haven't really started any! Maybe I'll start now, I still have time for some little gifts to make... I hope ;-)
Have fun decorating!

Karen said...

So many pretty things in this post. That pin is just so cute, and the poinsettia and holly are gorgeous. And that orangey yarn looks yummy.

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I'm trying to wrap my mind around the fact I can plant pointsettias outside here. Never, ever in Michigan, but how fun that I can now!

bittenbyknittin said...

Oh, I remember begging my mother to buy those little boxes of cereal that came in a variety pack. Only problem was there were always varieties no one wanted. Little Buddy is like my granddaughter - she turns her nose up at things I think she would/should *adore* and wants the stuff I think is ridiculous (like Shopkins). She will be here next Wednesday, so we will drag out the xmas decorations. Maybe then the last of the Halloween bats and such will be taken down.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Love little Buddy's pilgrims!

And you reminded me - I need to pick up some poinsettias!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Nice holly for the holly-days! My hydrangea bush leaves are changing into beautiful fall colors! I'm hoping to get small fiber optic tree up this weekend and a few decor out for Christmas. I love how children give reasons not show their face. M does that, partial covering face like her gr grandma! I'm up and ready soon for just normal shopping for food and a museum visit. Happy weekend!

busybusybeejay said...

I love the yarn for LB's Therapist.So unusual.Has Little Buddy written his Santa list?Bx

linda said...

Belated happy Thanksgiving Meredith, I hope it was a good one for you. The vest is lovely and looks just fine the way it is. The holly is amazing and so is the poinsettia so pretty. The shawl is going to be beautiful I love the colours. Have a great weekend. :) xx

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with Little Buddy! Frosted Flakes are awful. Most of the cereals that I enjoyed as a kid are awful. They've changed the recipes to make them "healthy" and took the good right on out of them.

I'd have toast too, LB! By the way . . . YOUR PILGRIMS ARE AWESOME!!!!

Wishing you a very happy Christmas season!!!

Joyful said...

So glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I don't think it's too early to put up the Christmas tree and you will enjoy it for longer. Have a great weekend, Meredith. xx

Araignee said...

I feel just like those pilgrims today-all out of sorts. I must be getting old because holidays really wear me out. So many people are decorating for the holidays today but I think I am just going to take a nap. Your vest is so practical and as for that orange shawl...those colors are just stunning. Someone is going to love it!

Jo said...

I would have loved those Frosties (as we call them over here) when I was little, my mum would never buy the small variety packs of cereal as they always worked out far more expensive than a large box and if truth be known, I only really wanted them because the little boxes looked cute, I didn't really like the cereal inside them. What gorgeous colours in the shawl, I think it's going to be a beauty.

Gracie Saylor said...

I love you, Mere. Thanks for your good-humored honesty. I can so relate to your feelings about veering off course in creative projects...hear groaning laughter from yours truly. Little B's Pilgrims are delightful :) I love your beautiful Holly and Poinsettias! I am planning on dragging out my Christmas tree this weekend and am looking forward to having it up even if it gets dusty before Christmas :) You inspire me, my friend! xx

Christina said...

The Pilgrim card is making me giggle, so sweet. I get sidetracked with other projects all the time, it is normal I think. Each project has its time, or mood. Have a wonderful weekend xx

CJ said...

Love the cardigan, definitely simple and elegant. Sorry Little Buddy missed the good stuff at school, hopefully there will lots of Christmas things to make up for it. Love the pilgrims and the table decorations. Glad you had a good day and I'm wishing you a lovely weekend. CJ xx

Delighted Hands said...

The decorations came down and none went up-I'm just not ready for it!
The vest will be great over a tshirt ; just wait for chilly and you will love it! The new orange shawl is striking-keep it in the middle-sorry but I laughed, glad you caught it now at least!

Teresa Kasner said...

All my txgiving decor is ready to put away, too. Time to find one of my Christmas tablecloths and start to decorate. Little Bs pilgrims made me LOL.. the woman looks like a muppet. So fun! And goodness.. that grey sweater is very classy.. you would look gorgeous in it! Today I got the yarn delivered for Lucy's new blanket. And a new little tree.. will show you it later.

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*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)

kathy b said...

I had no idea snakes did not like their photos taken. Please tell Lil Buddy that I will not take snakes' photos if I see them anymore in the Wisconsin grasses !! Your vest is lovely Mere. Juniper Moon yarn is lovely and I knit with it once this summer! In just a few weeks both my kiddos will be home for Christmas so I am thrilled about all things Holiday !!

Jodiebodie said...

Those pilgrims are definitely "for keeps". So adorable and funny. They look great. They remind me of a Christmas Fairy that my daughter made out of a cardboard roll, ping pong ball and paper doily when she was very small.

So funny, it brings a smile every year, just like your pilgrims do. Our fairy's looking a little "down in the doily" department but the expression on the face is so amusing, it still wins the family votes to be "top of the tree". I will have to send you a picture when we get our Christmas decorations out.

At least you have your Christmas decorations done - one less thing on the 'to do' list. Adelaide hosted its annual Christmas Pageant last Saturday - it has been a South Australian tradition now for many decades and many South Australians take it as the cue to get their Christmas season started.

Many happinesses to you, belatedly for thanksgiving and in advance for Christmas! ;-) Thank you for your wonderful online friendship.

Jodiebodie said...

Oh! P.S. That vest is absolutely lovely and NO! It is definitely NOT for frogging!

Betsy said...

I laughed out loud when I saw the Pilgrim picture. Little buddy is quite the artist isn’t he? I also did not know that snakes don’t like their pictures taken. I’m glad I don’t see very many snakes up here. I would hate to be the one to offend them with having a picture of them show up somewhere. I can’t imagine how nice would be to be able to grow Holly and poinsettias in your yard. It seems so tropical to me. But then I guess that is where you live isn’t it? In the tropics. Have a lovely weekend my friend.
Blessings, Betsy

Between Me and You said...

Love your enthusiasm for decorating for Christmas. I'm trying not to think about it!!Little Buddy's such a character!!xx

Jeannie Gray Knits said...

Oh gosh! I LOVE that girl pilgrim! Her expression is exactly how I feel throughout the holidays. I think you should have them framed for posterity (and for future Thanksgiving decorating.)

Nance said...

Those pilgrims would be the best thing about the rest of my Thanksgivings forever and ever!

Anita said...

Such a lot happening at your place right now!!!! Thanksgiving....Christmas.....snakes!!! lol I love how
a child's mind works...Buddy is probably right about snakes
not wanting their photo taken. lol I hope you get all done that
needs doing this weekend and the best is just beautiful. xxx

Judy S. said...

Maybe that first Thanksgiving dinner wasn't so great? LB is creative, that's for sure, but then, so are you, Mere. Love that vest as is! It's perfect without the sleeves; in fact I can't even imagine the sleeves. It also seems perfect for Florida! Wow, this year is passing way too quickly; how can it be almost December? I am so not ready!

Caffeine Girl said...

Where do you find the time to decorate on top of everything else you do? Little ones do appreciate all the holiday spirit, even if they don't quite understand how much work it is!
Your vest is simple and elegant. It came out just fine.

The Well Fed Wheel said...

Those pilgrims have made my day. In fact I'm guessing they will still make me smile tomorrow just thinking about them. What joy that little guy brings. Love that vest and you've got me thinking about decorating now too. So far it hasn't materialized into actually doing it....but it's a start.