Through the Season

I'm going through an Advent Bible study that's keeping me focused on remembering the arrival of Jesus this Christmas, but also not feeling the holiday spirit. My Dad's death knocked me off-kilter, and I've discovered that I'm completely susceptible and empathetic to the emotional challenges others are facing. Friends who have recently lost someone (two people), or received unexpected and difficult health news (three people), or who are coping with a difficult situation weigh heavily on my heart, thereby impacting my desire to sew. Add to the emotional weight, the physical discomfort of an out-of-nowhere flu (cold?) that left me achey, shivery, and listless... it's been a low period. 

Still, my sewing room and stack of WIPs and UFOs beckon.

My Posh Penelope quilt top is finished and has been pin-basted. 

It's awaiting quilting inspiration.

A two-day spurt of energy had me sewing two garments. This is a Ceilo top made with "Eye Candy" fabric by Rashida Coleman for Ruby Star Society. 

This plaid linen sewed nicely into McCall's M7831 jumper pattern. I lined it with white muslin, and added side seam pockets. I've found it useful to have side pockets for a cell phone and iPods.  

Diamond painting dabbling continues. No doubt you're tired of seeing this one, and wondering if I'll ever finish.  

Round loom knitting - well, any form of knitting, really - has been most appealing. I am still enamored of Tiny Dolls, and though I always give them away (the local police department will take them in their squad cars, in case kids need comforting), I like making them so I can enjoy them first. The one on the loom will wear an orange cap. 

And I always continue to knit dishcloths - see the yellow-orange square at the top. A small pile of dish cloths is at the ready when I need a thank-you, or to send an "I'm thinking of you." 

Tuesday, while at Big Cypress Quilters for "open sew," a friend, Sandy, brought me a few skeins of donated yarn, and got me started knitting a child-sized afghan. Happily, among my Mother's crochet hooks and knitting needles, I found the size 13 circular needles called for in the pattern. Interestingly, I learned that I knit "continental style," throwing the yarn from my left hand (I'm right-handed). Since my friend knits "American style," we had to watch a YouTube video to see how to purl stitch in the continental style!

Our days haven't been typical for December, as we're seeing progress on having our previously screen-in lanai, enclosed. Last week a young man spent an entire day grinding the lanai's concrete floor to remove paint we'd had put on a dozen years ago. The paint needed to be removed so tile can be installed next week. 

Yesterday, windows that had been ordered seven weeks ago were installed. Progress. We still have a paint contractor to come in, and then have blinds installed. 

Around town, it's looking like Christmas with frequent sitings of UPS delivery vehicles. It always make me smile to see a person dressed in the brown UPS uniform, driving a golf cart with a wagon full of parcels in the back.

I pulled up in my golf cart behind this one. Seems to me it would sort of be a fun job in this temperate climate.

Likewise, all the rec centers are decked out. I thought Big Cypress was looking especially pretty when I walked in on Tuesday. 

Gorgeous flower beds for December, wouldn't you agree? 

Whether you're celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, or in some other way, it's a special time of year, and I hope you're finding it meaningful and enjoyable. Linda