Monday, December 21, 2009

Hodge Podge

As you know, I'm not responsible for my online purchases. There is usually a blog that "made me do it". I've been seeing ornaments across blog land. All those pretty pictures. So I ordered the JCS Christmas editions from 2004 to 2007. I already had 2008 and 2009. They're a great value. Where else can you get so many patterns for one low price? This was a cost effective purchase!
I've been missing having a sock on the needles so I cast on for one late Saturday. Plain vanilla. Mindless. Just perfect. I love red and I love the stitch definition that this yarn gives. Right now I don't have the brain cells for anything remotely complicated.
Last year, Greg and the boys and I went to see the Luminaries. While we had a great family time, the luminaries were a huge disappointment. This year Greg and I went to St. Augustine to ride the Holly Jolly Trolley around town with some of my coworkers and their families. It's wasn't a long ride but it was fun and downtown St. Augustine was beautiful. One evening I'd love to go there and go from pub to pub listening to all the live music.
I'm in Florida so the open air trolley really was not a problem. It messes with the hair though!

This is the Basilica. I've never paid too much attention to it but at night it is amazing!
Somehow our holiday preparations are getting done. We spent hours over the weekend wrapping up gifts after finishing up our shopping. I have 2 gifts that should be delivered this week and a very large gift for Chris to wrap and then I'll be pretty much done with all that except for stocking stuffers. I have an emergency hair appointment tomorrow - it is absolutely driving me crazy. Why does short hair seem to grow so fast? Especially once it starts (coughcough) to turn gray?

As you can tell, this post is all over the place. I think that is typical for me this time of year!

I'd like to thank all of you for this year of reading my blog, commenting, and getting to know me. I never expected that a blog would bring me friendships but it has. What a nice surprise! I've also learned so much from your blogs. Thank you for sharing your tips, tricks, lessons learned and your stories. It's been a pleasure to get to know YOU in 2009! I wish each of you a safe and happy holiday and new year!
Hugs,
Jackie

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sock yarn looks exactly like the Malabrigo socks I'm wearing tonight. LOL

The Holly Jolly Trolley looks like fun. I'll have to remember that for next Christmas. It doesn't take me TOO long to get up to St. Augustine.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Unknown said...

i love your sock knitting......

Barb said...

You and your husband look awesome....and I have the same sentiments about you....it has been a fun year!!!

Margaret said...

Oh yes, those JCS ornament mags are a necessity! I filled in my collection at my LNS - I think I have all the ones you have too. :D Great pics of the trolley tour! Love your socks too -- pretty yarn! I have yet to learn how to knit socks. I suppose I should join the crowds of knitters. lol!

Pat said...

The Holly Jolly Trolley ride sounds like a lot of fun! Merry Christmas to you and a wonderful 2010, also.

Julia said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and getting comments from you this year. I love my blogging friends and I pray for a Merry Christmas for you and your family!

Simone de Klerk said...

How lovely to see you in that trolley! You look so happy (O:
And thank you too, Jackie, for having met you and for sharing so much of your life with us. I have learned many lessons from you and have always found it a pleasure to see that you had a new post.
I admire all the work you do and get done. You are a woman with very many talents and lots of patience.
Happy Holidays for you, your family and your loved ones!
Fijne kerstdagen en gelukkig 2010!

Annie said...

St Augustine looks like a great place to be instead of where I am, still recovering from Saturday's record snow storm. My brother got married in St. Augustine many years ago and it was a great place to go for the wedding.

Love the sock color and have fun with your new mags.

Happy Holidays!

Beth said...

Even in the warm weather, the lights put me in the Christmas spirit. Nothing like Christmas and palm trees! Merry Christmas!

Carol said...

Oh, I love St. Augustine, Jackie--haven't been there in years, but I would love to go back. The trolley ride looks like fun.

So good to get to know you this year, too...Who knew that blogging could be such fun!

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2010!

woolwoman said...

Jackie it's been wonderful getting to know you this year - even though we are in the same city - I became interested in being friends thru your blog - isn't that interesting - then of course seeing you at the LYS and then having you join our sampler group - it's a wonderful journey with like minded stitchers - whether they are in blog land or right in our own town - blogs are a great way for us to communicate and keep in touch.

I've wanted to do that trolley tour too - you and Greg look so happy - just what the holidays are about - Cheers my friend! Mel

Nancy said...

I agree with you on the JCS Ornament issues. It's my goal next year to start with my oldest issue and finally stitch the designs I love. Great purchase!

I love your red knitting, and I hope we get to see a finished photo.

The trolley ride sounds like so much fun, and the lights are gorgeous!

I hope you have a very happy holiday season, and best wishes for a wonderful 2010!

Mylene said...

Great pictures! Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! It has been fun keeping up with your blog! The Trolley looks like a really fun time. The red socks are a perfect project for this time of year. Hugs:)

Daffycat said...

Oooo, great stash! Those will be handy for years and years!

It is really amazing the friends you find online. I'm so happy to have 'met' you!

FlourishingPalms said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures of St. Augustine at Christmas! Though I've visited there myself, it looks extra pretty and fun at Christmastime.

It's nice for you to have your plans in order and ready to enjoy time with family and friends. Thank you for sharing your life with us. It's been a pleasure to get to know you too!

Micki said...

I love your socks, and it has been a pleasure getting to know you too Jackie!
Micki

Tammy said...

I love vanilla socks...great choice in yarn....pretty pics, and Merry Christmas!

imquilternity said...

Jackie, You are an absolute treasure! It's been fun getting to know you and I always love the wonderful comments you leave for me at my blog. I think we have a lot in common, although my hair is probably already ALL gray, underneath my color. LOL! Love the sock and the yarn...it's a gorgeous color. There's a lot to be said for simple, mindless knitting! Merry Christmas!

Sherry said...

The sock knitting looks great, i have tried to learn to knit but just can't get the hang of it, i did learn to crochet and really enjoy that. Love your blog, Merry Christmas. I see your from FL too!

Chris Daly said...

Merry Christmas Jackie :)

Candace said...

I KNEW there was a method to my online shopping addiction - thanks for clearing that one up, Jackie! Happy holidays to you and yours! Very cute pic of you and Greg!
Cheers!

Carolyn said...

Merry Christmas, Jackie! I just love all of your pictures and I would dearly LOVE LOVE LOVE to learn to knit. I must add that to my "to do" list this next year. It looks hard. I wish there was somewhere around here that gave a class. Then I could go from there. Have a wonderful new year!
Hugs,
Carolyn :)

Siobhán said...

Love the sock knitting, Jackie! Good for you on the JCS mags. I always find something new each time I look at them. Love the Holly Jolly Trolley snaps, too! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.