Potpourri Friday

It is raining today. A cold, rainy fall day. I do love this time of year. This last week before the holidays officially begin is my second favorite week of the year. There is a certain "feel" in the air, just right before it all begins. Like something that can hardly contain itself - it's going to burst. My first favorite week of the year is the week between Christmas and New Years. I love the holiday feeling and all the work is behind me. Love it!

I was taking an inventory of my Christmas craft projects. My husband pointed out to me that I have taken on too much. I told him I love doing it. I want to do it. It's just that it is so hard to find the time to do it. Here is where I stand:

Wallhanging for my sister. The blocks are pieced together. I still need to do the backing and the binding. This project turned out much bigger than I anticipated. I actually made two (one for me). There is a funny story about it I will share when I can also take a picture of the completed project. I love saying those words. Completed project. Completed project. Completed project.

Christmas ornaments for my daughters. Three completed - one to go. Can't say too much about them because they are a surprise. Not that they are getting them - they know that because they have gotten one every year since they were born. But I never let them see them until I give them.

Cross stitched ornaments for the church board members. I started the tradition of giving each of my husband's board members a handmade ornament 19 years ago. I'm wondering why now! This year I chose a white and gold cross stitch pattern. They are lovely. I need to do 12 and I am on the thrid one. Not too bad huh?

A set of 12 knitted dishcloths for a sweet elderly lady in our church who claims us as family. The problem is with women in their 70's is that they have everything already. So I thought the dishcloths would be something she would enjoy. I am on number 9.

A special gift for each of my daughters. Again I can't say what because they read my blog. I have two almost done. And two to go.

I have 4 little ones who don't have grandparents in their lives so we are their grandparents. And of course grandparents are big on Christmas presents. These little ones enjoy homemade things. So I am making the 3 little boys pajama pants and matching robes and the little girl a nightgown and a matching robe. So far I am about halfway through one robe. Yikes - I've got to get going on this!

This isn't for Christmas, but when I found out I'm going to have a sweet little grandbaby I started knitting a little hat. It's so sweet. And it's for a girl. If we have a boy I will give it away. But it's so sweet. It's from this book that I learned about from this blog. I couldn't help myself. Did I mention how sweet it is?

Okay, I think that's all. You can see that I have just outlined my weekend for you. Except that I have to work on Saturday - I proctor tests about 6 Saturdays out of the year. And Sunday is our church's big Thanksgiving dinner and dessert auction. This takes all day.

Oh, and last night I made Paula Deen's Coconut Cake that I hear so much about in Blogville. This is for the Dessert Auction on Sunday that raises money for our youth group. This cake was quite labor intensive. But it is beautiful. Every year I try to win the "dessert that makes the most money" award. I've never done it. Not even the year I made Esther Bolick's Orange Marmalade Cake. I even included the little Mitford book that goes with it. Somehow every year Wilma K's pumpkin roll brings in the most money. And I know why because one year she made me one. Wow! Words can't describe. But in my dreams, some year, I hope to win the coveted prize. I'm just competitive like that.

So anyway, I have much to do. But as I said, I love doing it. It's a good thing!
Happy weekend everyone!