Thankfullness

With Thanksgiving upon us, Ive been taking some time to reflect on the things that I am most thankful for in my life.  In the past, Thanksgiving has been a hard time of year.  I had a rough growing up and don't really have much to do with my family anymore because of this.  The one constant that has been in my life is my Grandma.  When things got really bad at home, I would go stay with my Grandma.  I'm lucky enough that she is still with us at 97.  We talk on the phone every week.  Even though her health is failing and her memory has become fainter over the years, she always asks how I am, how my pattern designs are coming and how Andy is.  She is an amazing woman, who is graceful and generous in every situation.  I can only hope to be half as much of a generous and gracious person as she is.

My cousin Lindsay with my Gram this summer:

I am also thankful for Andy.  He has stood by me and been supportive through family crises, health issues, didn't bat an eye when the majority of my hair fell out from a severe allergic reaction to medication, listens to my knitting talk and always takes a look at what I'm making. H was even dubbed "The Good Fiber Husband" by a group of women at a fiber festival!  He's my very best friend and sole mate. I don't know what I would do without him. 

Andy and I have our annual Thanksgiving lock down in the works.  Turkey, a few sides, movies and a quiet day of relaxing.  It's been our tradition for several years now and it works out really well.  Black Friday?  Here at our house it means left overs and usually a craft day.  We try not to leave the house at all.  The crowds are really insane and we both agree that nothing is worth getting trampled over.  We are planning on heading out to the local farmers market for Small Business Saturday though.  Most of the gifts we give come from local or craft/indi businesses on Etsy.  It's really important to us to help support our community.

I found this on Facebook and it really cracked me up!

I'm really hoping we can put the tree up either Saturday afternoon or Sunday.  I love decorating for Christmas and especially love seeing the lights on the tree.  What are you weekend plans?  I would love to hear about your Thanksgiving traditions!

I am having a sale on my patterns for Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday.  Use coupon code: Turkey for 25% off all single patterns in my Raverly Shop.  The coupon is good until midnight on Cyber Monday.


Marly Bird has a lot of great holiday specials listed on her blog: Marly Bird  I know I will be taking advantage of the ones at Signature Needle Arts! 

Tina Sanders will be posting specials on her blog this Friday: Peacefully Knitting

November

To say that November is a busy month for us is an understatement.  My birthday was earlier this month and Andy took the day off to spend with me.  We went out for a wonderful lunch and then went to a few shops to look at Christmas decorations and pick up a few things for the kitchen.  You know you are getting older when kitchen accessories are what does it for you! 

Since I have severe food allergies it's nearly impossible to get a cake or baked goods from a bakery or grocery store.  I decided that I really wanted chocolate cupcakes with butter cream frosting.  Every time Ive attempted to make cupcakes they are a complete failure.  This time I managed to have success and they were quite good.  The recipe is from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. 

Then of course, we had Thanksgiving.  Rob and Shannon came over and hung out for the day.  They worked on refinishing a chest and then came in and helped with dinner.  For the past few years we have had our Thanksgiving on Monday since Andy has the week off.  We then get to have turkey all week long and not have to worry with cooking. 

Earlier this year I won a book naming contest on Veryl Ann Graces blog.  I was so excited that she chose the title that I had come up with!  Last week a signed copy of Murder Comes Unraveled arrived in our mail box.  I loved the first book in this series, Murder Spins a Tale, and the second one is equally as good!  When I opened the book, I was so surprised to see that Veryl had mentioned me in the dedication.  I am so honored and was quite speechless!  Thank you so much Veryl.  Not only do I get to read another wonderful book written by you, but I will have this very special copy too!

 

 

 

 

Ive also had knitting time and am now up to 198 Hexipuffs!  Ive recently coerced Beth into making them as well.  I can't wait to see her's.  She's such a prolific knitter, I bet her quilt will be done in no time!