My Two Cents...

Dear Friends,

Maybe it's me but I've always been under the impression that when you send someone a card the intent is to let that person or family know you care about them with something that is at least hand signed.  I'm sorry if this seems harsh and I really do appreciate all the photo cards I've been getting - I think they are a wonderful way of letting loved ones get a peek into personal moments, however; I have a HUGE issue with people not signing them.  This idea of computer signed cards takes the "personal" right out of it.  Seriously, what's wrong with taking a few moments out of your busy lives to make a personal note on the back or at the very least, signing your own names!  It feels like an afterthought now to receive a card in the mail with not one handwritten thing on it - most are even addressed by a computer!  What's the point?  In the end, it feels more like an obligation than a nice remembrance.  Call me old fashioned but my mama raised me to always make it personal.  A short sentence or just sign it with love...but at least SIGN IT!  I promise to always make my cards personal even if I decide to do computerized cards - this chick will at least sign my own name! 

And that's my two cent thought for the day :)

Signed,

The Anxious Knitter

More Christmas Goodies...

Edelweiss Neckwarmer - gift for friend

Never ending "Hubby Sweater!"  Now I just need a pic of him in it!

Truly delicious blueberry pie

Always popular chocolate chip cookies

Chocolate whoopie pies with silky peppermint cream

Surprisingly yummy pistachio and dried cranberry sugar cookies

Thumbprint sugar cookies with homemade seedless raspberry jam

Between this post and the earlier one - this pretty much sums up the baked goodness that happened over the last week before Christmas as well as the yarny goodness that was completed...

and, hubby looks quite handsome in his new sweater!

The Coming New Year

I recently read something on a Knitter's Review forum regarding having "intentions" vs "resolutions."  (Credit to commenter KnittingKittens for the idea!)  I love this idea - it seems much more realistic to me than listing a large checklist of practically impossible things to accomplish during the year.  Most of us know when we list our resolutions that many, if not all, won't even be thought about several weeks into January!  So it is my intention *snicker* to collect my intentions *hehe* and intentionally *too much?* list them :)  Poor attempt, I know!

I've been giving some serious thought to starting some kind of crafting ministry at my local church.  There are a few people on board and I have the support of a staff member but I'm not sure if I can be responsible enough for the endeavor.  The goal would be to raise money for our Global Outreach missions project during the year.  A few of us "core" crafters, those of us who would do more detailed or complicated items, would offer them for sale during the Christmas craft season and donate the proceeds.  The rest of the group's goal would be to knit, crochet and craft like crazy for things that could actually be shipped overseas to the projects we'll be sponsoring.  It's all good in theory but I know myself - I'm atrociously ill-equipped to be in charge of anything!  In any case, I'm going to give it a go and even if interest falls off I'll keep doing my knitting and crochet and try to sell them.  I'd really like to make this a success and be able to make a decent contribution to a worthy project.  And, I'll admit freely, prove to everyone that crafters can make a difference!

I also intend to knit from my stash first - there are so many really nice things I can do from the yarn I already have! 

Further intentions for the year:

• pray more
• read the Bible
• play more with the wild man
• be a better friend
• become more responsible (LOL - really, ROFLOL)
• get back into reading 
• design my own knitting project
• try at least one new technique in both knitting and crochet
• manage my eating/exercise habits to avoid becoming diabetic *sigh*
• renovate the upstairs bath
• paint the kitchen and living room
• continue the process of decluttering
• take up sketching/painting again
• become less judgmental and more understanding of others
• expand our veggie garden
• continue pursuing "green" alternatives
• learn to sew 
• prepare Christmas 2011 gift list and start knitting early!

That's the start of it!  I hope to add to this list of intentions as the year goes along.  

What are some of your intentions for the coming New Year?  I'd love to hear them!

 Stay safe and have a wonderful week!!!

Christmas Goodies

Bouche de Noel

Raspberry mousse filled Bouche

Dark and White Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Coconut Macaroons

Chocolate cups filled with raspberry mousse and homemade whipped cream topped with fresh raspberry

Almost there...

I'm within 2" of finishing the never ending hubby sweater!!  Yay!!  It's been three years and my poor man has been waiting for his Christmas sweater and this year he'll finally have it :)  For such an auspicious occasion, photos will be taken!  I'm predicting the sweater will be finished in the morning, loose ends woven in and buttons sewn on.  Then massive cookie baking and candy making will commence, not to mention all the wrapping that needs to be done!

Stay tuned...

Have a safe and happy week!