The Stockings Were Hung . . .

When you live far from family and you don't have kids, you have the opportunity to decorate your home for Christmas, just the way you like. 

I gave up on Christmas Trees a long time ago, even before I acquired animals.  Between the busyness of teaching Sunday School and before that Skiing - and bad memories from childhood (from putting up the tree not the stupendous selection of gifts stashed beneath it), trimming a tree seemed senseless.  It takes 20 minutes to deck the halls.

Isabelle and Ebenezer Have Their Own Stockings
(from Pottery Barn)

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown

(And I Need to Dust my Tall Bookshelves)

Nativity Banner

(I got tired of finding the Baby Jesus figure in the Cats' Water Dish)

Issie Naps on the Mantel

(She's Small, Not Much Bigger Than the China Cats)

Waiting for Santa

(At 14 Pounds, the Last Thing He Needs is More Treats)

Quilted

For some time - decades actually - I have stashed baby quilts in my hall closet and shared them with people I encounter who are expecting.  At times, I know one or both of the parents' quite well.  I don't always know the prospective parents' well at all.  Once, I shared a quilt with a young woman with whom I shared a bus bench Monday through Friday.  She was single and worked at Whole Foods.  I didn't know her name, but was impressed that she was making the best of a challenging situation.

Recently, I realized that I was fresh-out of baby blankets and wouldn't be able to go up to Boulder to visit the Sewing Circle ladies and stock-up.  Lacy, a co-worker, mentioned that she and her sister had made some quilts, took them to a craft fair, and sold only a few.  I encouraged her to bring them in so we could admire her handiwork.

Turns out, my co-workers so liked Lacy's blankets that there weren't many left when I got in.  These are the four I purchased.  I like the pink and green one and the orange and blue ones best.  The orange and blue quilt is made of flannel and has little front end loaders on it, with the words 'Under Construction.'  Flannel is cozy and bright colors don't look as dirty as quickly as the pastel blankets do.

Girly

Under Construction

Bright

Christmassy