Wrapping it up Daybook

In the garden...
...it's dark, and it's cold, and every once in a while we get a thin covering of snow, but so far there is no real hope for a white Christmas. I know most of you are not fans of snow, but I find it to be so soothing and magical, I wouldn't mind a few inches.

I'm thinking about...
...well, Christmas. How 'bout you? I have the third batch of cookies in the oven (biscotti tonight and pizzelles earlier today, springerles last week); about one quarter of the gifts are wrapped; and I still have some that are unaccounted for which I hope show up on my porch tomorrow or Tuesday.

I finished all the hand-sewn gifts, even with my temperamental sewing machine not working half the time, and my gifts of jewelry are finished, as well. Now I have just shopping, wrapping and the rest of the cookies to bake. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I hope to have a few moments through the beginning of the week to rest, watch a Christmas movie or two and catch my breath. If not, I guess it will happen during the Twelve Days, which has become my favorite part of Christmas.

I am wearing...
...a charcoal great skirt, black knit top and a black scarf. Earlier I had on my black suede boots and earrings, but they came off after Mass. 
In case you care. ;-) 

I am reading....
...I just finished One True Thing, by Anna Quindlen, one of my favorite modern books. I love it because I feel it validates my vocation, and work as a homemaker. If you've never read it, I'll warn you, it's sad, but it's good. I don't agree with much of it, but there is more good than bad. The book, of course, is so much better than the film, but the film is good, too. 

I'm also listening to Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, but I haven't had much time for listening.

I am creating...
...a sweater for Faith is on the needles, but most of the other creating is over and ready to be wrapped. I made two pairs of children's pajamas for a nephew and a Godchild, and eight seasonal pillowcases for Doug's niece (one of the favorite gifts among all of our nieces nephews and young gift recipients).

Also pictured is the garter stitch shawl I recently finished.

At the school table...
...no school for two weeks (whoopee!), although we have a stack of Christmas books to read.

Plans for the rest of the week...
...wrapping and baking and celebrating.


A few of my favorite things....
...friends who check on me when I've been absent from here for a while
...children who can get along long enough to put up the Christmas lights -- all by themselves. (whoopee!)
...cookies in tins (though not so much the making of the cookies)
...a lit tree in a dark room

Prayers sent heavenward...
...for my husband and children to do God's will
...for answers to medical questions...still
...for all the priests and religious
...for all the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week, for a change of heart

Thought of the day...


...these thoughts are compliments of my mother-in-law who has been ill with bronchitis, and she sent me this poem she penned the other day:

Trinkets

My heart is filled with many things

Scraps of cloth, bejeweled rings

Sparkling glass and shiny floors

Praise of people and much more

The things that have to be just so,

A perfect gift, the so-so bow

The perfect word for perfect prayer

The perfect weight, the perfect hair

It tires me and weighs me down

 The things I do to gain renown

 The idols fashioned through the years.

My lack of love, the harbored fears

Yet only You can ease this pain

Can empty me of all that's gain

 Free this captive, bring new birth

For this is why You came to earth.

 I've waited in this Advent time

 Longed to feel your touch Sublime

 My heart is filled with many things

 I long to empty for my King.

--Susie Stein