Gearing up for the holidays here. I finally got around to having the boxes of holiday decorations brought inside from the shed. The livingroom looks like a box and crate store exploded.

The Christmas tree has been assembled. And, I have decided that this will be the last Christmas for our fake tree. It's been through a lot. First the plastic base broke and we had to make it fit in a stand meant for a real tree. And then 2 years ago, the boys accidentally snapped off the bottom of the pole while assembling it. So, it's a good foot shorter than it used to be, and there's a big wad of duct tape at the bottom to make it still fit into a tree stand. It leans slightly to the left, and every year it looks more like a bottle brush and less like a tree.

So......this is it's last huzzah.


I'm going to wait until the holiday stuff goes on sale at all the stores and buy us a nice new tree for next year.

And since I'm replacing the tree, it's time to take ornament inventory as well. I have TONS of Christmas decorations. I love the holiday season, and I inheirited lots of old decorations from my parents when they downsized their holiday collection. I love them all -- such wonderful memories. But.....they're looking a bit worse for wear. Which is understandable some are 50 years old or more.



So, I have decided that I'm going to weed out the decorations that are beyond repair and throw them away, after taking off any recyclable bits. And, the ones that are just a bit worn or tarnished looking, I'm going to repair and refurbish to be used on our new tree next year. That ought to keep my creative side going for a few months. :)

And I'm going to tackle a project I've been putting off for a long time. I have a box of antique glass tinsel ornaments that my grandfather's family brought from Germany in the early 1900's. They are absolutely gorgeous -- but in dire need of repair and cleaning. This year is the year. I bought the supplies needed to clean and restring them.

Not only will that make our holiday decorations special and beautiful, but it will also meld my family traditions and my husband's together. :) I look forward to it!

On the knitting front, I got two new knitting books! I finally got my copy of Mason-Dixon Knitting, and ordered a copy of Scarves and Shawls for Yarn Lovers.



I have yet to start anything from MDK -- I'm still reading through it to decide what to make! :) Scarves and Shawls really isn't anything new pattern-wise. The patterns in the book are very simple. It's more about mixing yarns for certain effects. I'm making a scarf using an idea from the book, and so far I really love the look! :)

This is just a simple garter stitch scarf -- CO 12 with size 15 needles, holding two strands of yarn together, then K across over and over and over again. Yarn choice can really make something simple look special though! I had some purple cascade and two skeins of Trendsetter Dune in Color 85 (purple, olive, lavendar) in my stash. Knit together they are really making a gorgeous slightly sparkly scarf with just a hint of mohair soft fluffiness!



Here's a bit closer:


I really love the 2 yarns together! :)

Onto other things..... I had a great thriftshop find this week! I had a ghost story anthology book for years that I really loved. I reread the stories all the time because it was just such a great collection of well-written and famous stories. After several moves though, the book was either lost, or I gave it away. I never thought I would find it again, as it was a book club edition from way back when I was in middle school. But, lucky day!! I was at the local thrift a few days ago, and lookie what I found!



Not only is it the same book I had, but it's in perfect condition with its dust jacket! :) I am a happy camper!!

And, last but not least.....I have a question for the any tea experts who read my blog. :) I was sent some very nice tea related supplies in an exchange box a couple months ago. But.....can someone tell me what this is for???



I asked my husband what he thought, and he had a rather rude, yet funny, suggestion that had to do with aliens and probes..... I'm thinking maybe it's to clean out the spout of a teapot?? Clueless here! Help!??