A Good Time Was Had by All

Scout was very happy to help open presents and roll around in all the tissue paper. Apparently he is real Space Cat, judging from his eyes!

Merry Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas,
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse;

Clement Clarke Moore


I can't believe everything is done! No more shopping, wrapping, cooking, fighting insane traffic, nothing! Just a few cards to sign for my family. The Angel Chimes are lit and tinkling, the tree is beautiful, we even have lights in the window and some outdoor decorations. whew! Just waiting for Santa to come.

Merry Christmas to all my friends. Happy Yule, Winter Solstice, Hannukah and Kwanza. God Bless Us, everyone.

No Room at the Inn

Nor at the Target parking lot either... H and I tried to go there today and we couldn't even manage to turn into the lot. So, we consoled ourselves by going to Michael's on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. It was swamped but manageable. This is the same famous Colorado Boulevard that the Rose Parade travels down each New Year's day. For those of us who grew up in this area, one of the signs of the season is when they start building the bleachers for the Rose Parade. They are all up, big lumbering metal constructs waiting patiently for Christmas to be over with and New Year's to arrive. These are the seats that you pay for; camping on the street to snag a spot on the sidewalk is free. I'll try to go back and take a photo to post. Since all of my three readers are local, I'm sure that you've seen them yourselves.

I thought I'd post a few links to things I've found in Blogland. The first is a photo from Supergirl's blog, Kato wears a hat. I'm a sucker for a cute cat photo, especially a cat in a hat.

Norah Gaughan hosts a new blog named Berroco Design Studio blog. I enjoy the behind the scenes look at Berroco. I'm not sure how I feel about the knitted beets (Would someone please explain the Office reference?), but I love the Boyfriend bag.

There's Getting Stitched on the Farm for Kristin Nicholas fans.

If you'd like a highlights reel of knitting blog, check out Re:Knit a knitblog re-blog. I find all sorts of interesting references on Re:Knit.

Finally, to make you smile when your feet hurt from shopping, your stomach hurts from eating too many Reese's chocolate jingle bells and your head hurts from too many crowds, I present a new blog, A Steaming Pile of Knit. This is for those of you who are missing "You Knit What?"

I'm Baaaaaaaack

Last week's regularly scheduled blogging interrupted due to a visit by Ms. Bron Chitis. Thanks to the wonders of modern chemistry, I'm better, but the kid is having a relapse. aughgh.

A lot of people knock Southern California for having no seasons. I don't agree with that, we certainly do have seasons: Drought, fire, earthquake and Blazing Hot. However, this week, we've actually had weather--it has rained TWICE! The weathermen are beside themselves, on full out storm watch. We've also had our first good snow in the local mountains. Looking east from the San Gabriel Valley, you can see the snow on Mount Baldy and other peaks in the San Bernardino mountains. There's a nip in the air, California style, and I've actually worn grown-up long pants and a coat. I'll wait while that settles in for those who know me, I know it's a shock.

I thought this Christmas meme was fun. I found it over on Knitting the Blues.

Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping paper, but love the ease of gift bags

Real or artificial tree? The kid is allergic to real trees, so it's artificial for us. A couple of years ago I bought a pre-lit, 3 piece tree. best thing EVER!

When do you put up the tree? Usually the week before Christmas or whenever we get the living room de-cluttered.

When do you take it down? My personal record is some time around Valentine's Day, but these days usually around New Year's.

Do you like eggnog? good grief, no!

Favorite gift received as a child? 1963 Barbie that came with 3 wigs: Bubble-cut Blonde, brunette pageboy, titian side-part flip. No, I'm not so psychotic that I remembered all this, I looked it up. In my Barbie book.

Do you have a nativity scene? yes, the one from my childhood.

Hardest person to buy for? My step-father who only likes tv, golf & Sudoku.

Easiest person to buy for? the kid. She makes very clear lists :-).

Worst Christmas present you ever got? Kermit the frog telephone.

Mail or email Christmas cards? I try to mail.

Favorite Christmas movie? I'd have to say the Santa Clause, because that was the first holiday movie I took my daughter to and it is a really happy memory for us.

When do you start shopping for Christmas? Um, now...

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I 'll never tell!

Favorite thing to eat on Christmas? For our family, Christmas means lefse and various Scandinavian cookies.

Clear lights or colored on the tree? Both. As many as possible.

Favorite Christmas song? It's hard to pick just one. The entire soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas, White Christmas, Silent Night, O Holy Night, Feliz Navidad...

Travel at Christmas or stay home? home

Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? Yes. I have to sing the song to get them all, but yes.

Angel or star on top of tree? Angel. I have the one from the 1930's that was on my grandparent's tree. NB - don't worry about fire hazards, it was reworked and rewired about 15 years ago.

Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? My sister and I always got to open one present on Christmas Eve, and we have continued that tradition. Everything else is opened on Christmas.

Most annoying thing this time of year? The way that the commercial part of the season now starts at Halloween. That is too early!

Do you decorate your tree in any theme or color? No, we have an eclectic/kitschy mix from several generations.

What do you leave for Santa? Cookies and a note, which Santa always answers.

Big Game Saturday

Things are kind of pathetic chez Ward. H has been sick for a week and yesterday I found out that I have bronchitis. I spent most of last evening lying in a fetal position on my bed trying not to cough, surrounded by my daughter and the cat. That's quality family time, I tell you. Anyway, in lieu of having a "real" post, I present:

Your Brain is Red

Of all the brain types, yours is the most impulsive. If you think it, you do it. And you can get the bug to pursue almost any passion. Your thoughts are big and bold. Your mind has no inhibitions. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about love, your dreams, and distant places.

What Color Is Your Brain?

Today is our Big Game, UCLA vs. USC. My brain may be red, but I bleed blue and gold. 'nuff said. Be kind and pass the cough drops.