Week Full

I didn't expect to be away from this space for so long.  Starting December 16th things got busy around here.  Most I can't share, but for the most part, all extremely wonderful.  But between all the changes we were going through and thinking about, there were also Christmas activities.  Life got busy.  Busier than I usually like it at this time of year.

One thing I can share with you is we purchased a new to us car.  Our little Civic had been SO good to us.  It was purchased with the hope of a family, selling my most beloved VW Beetle.  That Civic brought home Grace, and then Aidan from the hospital.  It had numerous family outings to the mountains, kept us safe around town, and in all of its 114000K with us, never had any huge mechanical issues.  Only issue was space.  The trips I made to BC with the kids, it was good in a space way, that Nate wasn't with us.  I had the trunk packed full, the space under the kids feet, and the front seat.  Space in the Civic with two kids was a little tight.

Enter the Mazda 5. 

(photo from the dealership website)



I was at a playdate last week and my friends cousin was visiting.  She was driving a Mazda 5 and I noticed it had 6 car seats.  It was a lightbulb.  Nate and I knew we didn't need the space of a van, nor could we afford one.  I came home and did some work, and found a 2012 Mazda 5 with just over 20,000K for a steal of a deal.  The deal got sweeter when they appraised our Honda at the same price we would have wanted to sell it at privately.  For a VERY minimal cost, two days ago, our new wagon was parked in our driveway. 

I'm adjusting to the length, and to driving an automatic.  But I LOVE the extra room in the back with the back row seats folded down.  Grace is already practicing buckling and un-blucking herself.  She's determined to sit in that back row.  Funny girl.  I feel very blessed that this vehicle seemed to have been waiting just for us. 

This week also found me wrapping up (literally) those projects I mentioned in my last post. 

Erin's tree skirt.  I struggled with the free motion quilting.  Hard to do on my little Singer.  But I think it turned out pretty good for something that will be covered with presents :)



 Aidan's elf shoes.  These are seriously sweet.  I felted them in my front loader which worked like a charm.  They match up to his size 7 shoes.  You can find the pattern here.  I used Cascade 220 yarn.

This little fairy is by Susan B. Anderson and came out in the Knit Simple Holiday 2011 magazine.  It's a great project for using up scrap sock yarn, but is a little tedious and requires quite a bit of seaming (just a warning).  The flower pulls up into a pouch to carry the fairy in.  It's incredibly sweet :)

I have decided to gift the kids their handknits tomorrow night, rather than trying to fight with Santa on Christmas morning.  I hope they absolutely adore them. 

I hope this past week of yours has been one of quiet preperation.  With the last stitch being cast off on the fairy last night, today passed quietly.  Nate finished work early, and it was such a nice surprise to come home from picking Grace up at school, to find him at home.

I'm excited for this weekend, for watching Aidan re-discover Christmas, and for Grace sharing the magic with him. 

Tomorrow:  Making cookies for Santa.  Grace wants sugar cookies, cut out as Santa, with pink icing, and craisins on them.  Sounds interesting.  I hope Santa likes them ;)

Merry Christmas to you & yours!