Friday, December 23, 2011

Come together

A part of Mimi will join us at the holiday table this year. I rescued this beautiful and unique vase from the estate sale. Sara took it to her florist who loved working with such a pretty piece of glass. It shows.

The list I did not make--but was nevertheless weighing heavily on my sudafed poisoned mind--is finally getting done. One by one, the little things we do that make our holiday traditions complete are coming together. I like these traditions, from the deep cleaning to the baking, shopping, decorating and cooking. Which reminds me...I still forgot to order the meat. I'd better get on that right away.

OK. Technically,it's not a Christmas cookie cutter, but handily for me, my state comes in the shape of a mitten. You can ignore the Upper Peninsula, or not. I think they look just right together!

Today I cleaned the house and baked my little heart out. It was just me and my baking partner, Leo, in the kitchen. For the record, he's a slacker. While I baked three different cookies, and three loaves of honey bread, he mostly napped. He did get up every single time the mixer was running, but only once did it pay off when powdered sugar flew out of the bowl. For the most part, he cleaned the floor for me. He watched intently and whined while I frosted 3 dozen cookies.

Would it be holiday baking if Leo didn't get a little flour or sugar on his face? I could have substituted last year's photo here.

Friday is for grocery shopping and trying to remember to get the meat. If I'm still up to it, I'll bake one more type of cookie. If I'm not, it'll be a quick knit on the menu for my day. Hey--the cleaning is done, so why not?

Are you ready?

17 comments:

Rositta said...

Nope, not ready but who cares. It's just the two of us and maybe an "orphan" couple. I did bake a little though but mostly I'm taking it easy, knitting and enjoying not having pain in my gut...ciao

Jane said...

How lovely to have a special flower arrangement. She did a wonderful job of complimenting the vase.

SkippyMom said...

That arrangement and vase are gorgeous Rudee. I bet you could replicate it next year yourself if you want.

For a sick person you sure are getting a lot done. You go girl! I had to laugh at the state cookie cutter mitten. Wallene and I definitely agree - a mitten! :)

I have 5 more presents to wrap tonight and we will clean this floor tomorrow. Then shopping for groceries and we are done. We have been baking for a month - and I a little burnt out. :) What are you having for Christmas dinner - the "meat" sounds good.

Take care and I hope by Sunday you are feeling great. Hugs to you and Leo. [so cute!]

Rose said...

I love the flower arrangement and the sentiment behind it. So glad Leo was helpful :) I am leaving the baking to the girls, so I'm ready. This seems like a relaxed time; guess I got my anxiety out of the way earlier in the week. Happy Christmas to you and your family!!

Mimi said...

Stunning arrangement in the vase!
Rudee, you couldn't magically get my cleaning done, could you? I'm on this computer so i don't have to clean!
I'm going to the shops really late tonight- discovered that trick a few years ago, about 12 tonight there will be nobody there, and I'll feel like a child who shouldn't be out so late!
Hope you get to relax a bit now the work is done.

Unknown said...

Yes I agree with SkippyMom you are sure getting things done for a sick person. Maybe those Sudafed are an upper, that is the way they effect me. I don't do cookies anymore either. All the daughters and grands do those.
QMM

Knitty said...

I have just a little baking left, a little cleaning and a whole lot of crocheting left to do. I am making a single crochet ripple afghan for one of my sons whose birthday is next month. I swore back in the 70s that I would never make another ripple afghan and here I am. Sigh. Never say never. ;-)

Regarding places to eat mac and cheese, I've never tried the place you mentioned in your comment on my blog. Maybe after the first of the year I should look them up. Thanks.

Brenda said...

You are so far ahead of me. And I don't even have a cold. Love the vase and floral arrangements. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Rudee!

Stephanie V said...

It looks like a reindeer cookie with the mitten below. You have state cookie cutters? How cool.

The vase is beautiful and those gorgeous red flowers are perfect.

You've got a lot done - more than I have! I hope you've had some time to knit already.

Celia said...

Nope not ready. Haven't wrapped anything, and still need to buy two presents.

debra said...

Looks like a mitten and a stocking to me. Lots of love and light to you, dear.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

i don't think leo is a slacker at all, napping is his "job" after all so he was hard at work!

smiles, bee
xxoxooxox

Winifred said...

Have a wonderful Christmas & a fabulous year in 2012 Ruth.

I haven't been around for a while. Must do better in 2012!

Unknown said...

Not ready!! But it will all come together :>) Wrapping would be a lot easier without a 70 pound Boxer snoopervising each and every package!! Have a very merry...

Unknown said...

That vase and flowers look wonderful.

I love that picture of Leo. It made me smile.

I will pray for both our families, too.

Ruth said...

What a beautiful vase - it is so nice to have something special that belonged to those who are no longer with us.

Ruth said...

What a beautifll vase - it is so nice to have something special that belonged to those who are no longer with us.