So one of the things I would have told you in November (wink), was that my DH Bill took me to Florida for a couple weeks, to recuperate from all the shows I did from Aug to Oct... we had a great time, just goofing off, reading, soaking up the sun, swimming... and of course, eating seafood (mmmm).  I must admit, when we stay in the Kissimmee area, we hit Joe's Crab Shack before we check into our timeshare resort!

However, I was only home for TWO DAYS before I rushed off to England to help our youngest DD, who was heading back to work and didn't yet have anyone she trusted our new granddaughter with, since her first choice (her sister, our other DD) hadn't yet gotten her visa to move over to England, and her second choice was 9 mos pregnant herself, LOL, and couldn't handle a baby at this time.

What started out as "a week or so to help out" turned into 3 weeks, LOL, but I loved it.  I got to see our granddaughter stand for the first time, to buy her a pair of shoes and a riding toy that she was very soon pushing around as she started trying to walk... and I even saw her first couple of tentative steps - even if they were mostly accidental, (GBG), so it was a wonderful trip...

However, I forgot how very busy and time consuming babies are - it's been over 30 years since I had mine!  I had taken several books with me - and read none, LOL.  AND I had taken a couple of projects with me (one to stitch and several to design).  While I DID get SOME stitching done, not nearly as much as I expected to.  However, I did design some adorable snap wallets (watch for them in 2019), and I got the first one stitched (but not assembled).  But there was another project a stitcher is waiting for (a little impatiently, LOL), which STILL isn't finished and ready to print, but IS on the list for this week (sigh).

I returned home THREE DAYS before the Gatenby's big family Christmas, and Bill was supposed to be home a day or so after me... but as you know, he's working in Nunavut now, and he got snowed in for two days!!  He finally got out of camp Saturday morning, got a flight into Toronto the same day (very late), stayed overnight in Toronto, and took a train right to his mom's in Kingston, where I met him on Sunday! 

In the meantime, I had several orders to ship out, including 8 dozen charts for one of my distributors, I had to do all the shopping for his family that didn't get done because I was in England, wrap everything, and spend pretty much all day Saturday baking 13 dozen buns (!!), 10 dozen of which went to the Gatenby's.  Everyone brings part of the meal, and I make the buns every year, (but my MIL, SIL's and nieces have come to expect extra buns to take home, LOL), and 3 dozen went in the freezer for our OWN Christmas!

Whew... busy, but fun!

Once I recovered from all THAT, LOL, I remembered I was teaching a 2-day Advanced Hardanger class at my guild in January, so everything went on hold (again) while I worked up a class project... I'm giving them a sample cloth to learn the stitches on, then a cute doily project (with an owl) that they can make on their own, using the new stitches... sorry, that almost counts as business, which I try not to talk here (wink) ...

My sister (meanwhile) had gone on a mission to Kenya, helping out for three weeks at an orphanage and hospital, acting as an aide for the nurse she went with - she even delivered a bunch of babies!!  SHE got home Christmas Eve, and my family (mom / dad / sis / Bill and I) had a lovely breakfast (mom does this baked dish every year), and opened stockings and gifts at our place.  However, since Chris was so jet lagged, we had decided to postpone our big dinner until Boxing Day, to give her time to rest, so I put the turkey on to cook overnight, and the gang gathered again (with the addition of an adopted aunt and uncle) for a big feast on Boxing Day.

Of course we were all suitably spoiled, LOL, I think EVERYONE gave me De Rocher chocolates!  And even the dogs and cats got goodies!  Another wonderful Christmas gone too quickly...

A cousin came to stay with my parents for a couple days after Boxing Day, so there were more meals together, and games to play... and today (before she headed home), we all went into Belleville and had brunch at EGGSQUIS (if you don't know this restaurant, think a less expensive, but just as tasty Cora's - lots of fresh fruit, and mainly breakfast and lunch menu - they are only open 6am - 3pm).  So again today we were spoiled!  But I was determined to get this blog - and hopefully a newsletter - done up before I gave in and went to bed!

Always thinking of YOU, ROFLOL. 

Anyway, that's the fast (if not short) version of my past month... this year has been full of wonderful events (the best of which is a new granddaughter - our first official grandchild - though we do have 2 step-grandsons), and lots of great designs and wonderful friends...

I'm hoping to get myself organized and caught up before the new year, but since Bill took extra time off over the holidays, and DN leave for work again for another 1.5 weeks, LOL, I'm dubious - but I'll do my best!

Lots of plans on the drawing board, and exciting things I can't wait to share in my newsletters... so have a great holiday season, and the most fun New Year's Eve possible, and I'll talk to you next year!