Christmas in Effingham?

Which is a town in Illinois, I promise! 

As it turns out, Effingham is pretty nearly halfway between where we live and where our son's family is stationed, so we made a plan to meet up after First Christmas on Dec 25th 

for a second celebration! 

A hotel stay with some rooms adjoining meant that the cousins could play, 

and we could all exchange gifts (the sweaters!)...

and just hang out together for a couple days, which was way fun! We made stops at a trampoline park, 

Andi, Aaron, Aiden and Allen, and
some random girl in purple...

we played in the pool, 

some of us napped, 

and some of us poked the [Pop Pop] bear while others took pictures!

There was eating (and waiting for food),

and playing (and knitting) and loafing, 

and fun, and a couples of cousins got to know each other a bit better even. 

All in all, a great couple of days with 10 of our favorite people!

Note: hotel employees thought we had so much fun, they even tried to get [their thumb] into the pictures! (Still a great pic, though we cropped out Diane's thumb!)

Today, we are on our way home, and the Christmas vibes are still pretty strong! (But we miss the rest of us...)

I hope you are also still having fun! What was your favorite gift this season (if you have/received gifts, that is)? Whatever it is, I hope it hasn't broken yet! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, from our house(es) to yours!

However your house has been constructed,

whether heavily deliberated over,

supervised by elves, 

covered in Santa hats...

Even if you needed help from Mom,

or concentrated with your whole self,

we hope that the season has brought you the best of everything that it can. 

Thanks for stopping by, Knit in Good Health and Merry Christmas!

PS-Yes, we will eat them! They are super yummy...see my Pretty Good Recipes if you'd like to try one!

The Joy of...

I was going to title this post "The Joy of Knitting,"...

She says, as though that thought would surprise someone. Anyone? She didn't think so... Also, copyright law...

...because knitting does bring me great joy! But it's not the only thing, especially at this time of year. For example, 16 pair of festive feet(mine!) make my heart sing!

And candy making each year for gift giving...

And little boys with Christmas cake...

And gingerbread baking...

And little, Christmas donuts brought in by a co-worker (thank you,  Jill!)...

I mean, what doesn't bring me joy at Christmas?

She says, hoping the people who know her best aren't paying too much attention...because she does grouse about some things...but not here.

Getting back to the knitting, one thing that brings joy to my knitting heart is a perfectly placed, set-in sleeve...

...or two!

I know that it might be contentious to say to knitters today, but I love setting in sleeves on a sweater! It is so satisfying. 

There are other ways, and every knitter has their favorite...drop-sleeves, top down raglans, bottom up & joined at the yoke... there are even ways to knit that sleeve into the armhole with short rows! But sometimes, when I think about an armhole-in-waiting, 

I just get the itch to sit with needle and yarn, gently easing the two pieces together until they are one. 

So. Very. Satisfying.

She sighs, contentedly and sips her cocoa, while admiring the work. 

What brings you joy in your work? In your knitting or crafting? In anything?  I do hope you find joy somewhere. This life is bleak when there is no joy, and I would not wish that upon anyone. If today's post brought you just a little joy, drop a comment to let me know. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Knitmas 2024!

Well, wasn't that a party? Yes, Virginia, our Knitters' Christmas last Sunday was great fun! Here's a peek, for those of you who couldn't make it...

Festive feet, tangled yarn, Not wine...maybe...

...food, friends, fun...

...and presents!

I sometimes pop this post up, complete with photos of our Stocking Stuffers, as a bonus post mid-week, but this year I didn't want to spoil anything until all the stuffers had been delivered. So I dropped off a bag to Judy this morning, and now that that's done...here's the haul:

Thank you, Friends! 

As usual, the food and time with friends was fantastic, and we all had so much fun! We did forget the annual group order of sock yarn (sad face here), but we remembered the group photo! 

If your foot isn't pictured, and you'd like it to be included next year, mark your calendar now! While I can't say for sure whether it'll be on Saturday or Sunday, there's a good chance the party will be held the first weekend in December!

Since last Sunday, I've been indulging in all the Christmas I can, including handmade (not by me) peppermint soap for my shower...

Cookies, definitely made by me, on the tree for my stomach...

and board games with little boys for my soul! 

Only 10 more wake-ups, and I'm excited for another chance to celebrate with family this Christmas! What am I gonna do to pass the time? Oh! That's right! The knitting! 

Teacher gift, requested by 6- year-old!

I hope you're having a fun December, too, even if it's busy and distracting! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!