After Christmas

Christmas is over! Three days past now, actually.

I think I've finally recovered.

We had a very nice weekend. It all started Friday night when we took our kiddos to the local zoo's Christmas Lights special. They string the whole place up with displays and little scenes made out of Christmas lights, complete with music and snow machines. It was great! Everyone's favorite part was the train ride. Our youngest is obsessed with trains right now and he was practically out of his skin waiting for our turn to get on. It was such a nice night.

Saturday evening was spent with Ben's family, and then Sunday was split between my mom, grandparents and siblings coming for brunch, then my dad and his wife (and my siblings again) coming for dinner in the evening.

It was very laid back and relaxing. We had normal, easy breakfast foods and for dinner I had ordered some sandwich/deli trays from Vons and then just made clam chowder. I am so glad I ordered those trays, it made the night so much easier.

I have apparently eaten a LOT of food over the last few holidays. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and found out I've gained 7 pounds in the last 5 weeks and was told "that's not bad... but not great..." and to just ask myself when I'm eating if I really need it. LOL! What can I say? I'm hungry!

As easy and relaxing as it was though, I was exhausted by about 7 on Sunday night. Ben had Monday off to play his new game and relax. I got 3 whole days with my husband and I am so very happy and thankful for it. To me, Christmas was not as important as that time with my man.

I think we all came away happily pleased but not overwhelmed with our presents. Last year was nice, but seemed like so much stuff. This year was not too bad. The kids got a decent amount of presents, but I don't feel like it was too much. They have been playing with trains and legos just about non-stop since they got them.

I received gift certificates for yarn which I am so excited about and Ben got me a giant dutch oven and a food mill, as well as a subscription to Countryside magazine and a book I have been wanting for months. The dutch oven was perfect for making the clam chowder (plenty of room!) and I can not wait to use my food mill next canning season. He says he feels bad getting me stuff that I will be using to make him food. I laugh and tell him it's what I've been wanting! And I like to make him food!

I started and finished a scarf order over the weekend, and I just bound off the green shawl last night! It is a weight off my chest. I will try to get it blocked today.

I am going to try to finish the purple shawl by the end of New Year's Eve, but we'll see. I have 2 whole clues plus the border clues to go. Even though they are short clues, it's at the point now that there are so many stitches that it will take awhile. Luckily though, it is in the round and I don't have to purl the back side, since purling seems to take me forever.

I have yarn coming for some other orders and another baby blanket will be started on the 1st. I'm on a roll!

How was your Christmas? Did you get anything special or exciting?

Happy Wednesday,
Meg