December is my favorite month and it is finally here.  Today I started my favorite December past time, Christmas Shopping.  We don’t do much shopping any more.  The family is just too big to try and buy everyone something so I make something, either something I knit or something I cook and then find something special for our four kids  and their families or just send a little money.  Today I found just what I wanted for two of my kids but I can’t tell you what it is as I know they read this .  I had hoped to go out and shop and get some ideas but there are so many stores and so much in each store it is just confusing so I have been looking on line and found just the right thing.

Norman painted the bathroom yesterday and put down the leveling agent today so tomorrow he can start laying the tile.   It is so much brighter and pretty already, I can’t wait to see it all put together.  I know it will be beautiful.

I started this last week but then got so busy I didn’t finish it, so will now.  Norman tiled the bathroom floor and grouted it yesterday.   Yesterday he also installed the toilet. Today he is installing the vanity and two side vanities as there was not enough room for two sinks so we got two foot wide vanities to go beside the sink vanity.  That way we each have our own storage for our personal things.  It is looking so nice but nothing is easy for us old duffers so it will be a while before it is all done.

I got my tree.  We decided on a fake tree this year so we can use it for several years.  It is a four footer so does not take up our whole living room and looks so pretty. 

I will wrap the things I have knitted and put them under the tree until Christmas Eve when we go to Patty’s for the family tree.  The santa under the tree is the one I usually put on to of the tree as it’s topper but as you can see he is much too big for that so he has to stand under the tree from now on.  I used the small decorations I had and they are just right for this size tree. We don’t have room for one any bigger and I am very happy with this one.  I do miss the smell of the real tree so may just stop by Walmarts and see if I can get a branch or two that is cut off someone else’s tree and put the boughs under the tree must to get the right smell.

Yesterday I made the brown and serve rolls for this Sunday’s dinner and next week I will make a new batch for Christmas.  Today I made the sauerkraut .  We have three small kids this year for our Christmas Eve party and need something they like to eat as well as the things for the adults and the only thing Gina will eat is hot dogs, fresh fruits and vegetables so I will make a nice big fruit salad that has melons of all kinds, berries and bananas in the boat made from the watermelon.  And then have hot dogs on sauerkraut.  The kids probably will not eat the sauerkraut but most of the adults love it so they can have that while the kids eat the dogs.  Of course we will also have three different kinds of roasted chickens, mashed potatoes, squash, stuffed mushrooms, beets, brusell sprouts, green beans, cranberry sauce, pickles etc.  and everyone’s favorite home made brown and serve rolls.  The kids may eat just that anyways.  We always start with chips and dip to tide everyone over until everyone arrives to open presents before we eat.

I have everyones slipper socks done and am now finishing up the hats.  If I have time I’ll make a couple pair of mittens for the kids in the cold states – that is Alec, Luke and Dyhana.  Time to get dinner in the oven so Have a great day.