Because of "Shepherd's Picks," I have been thinking all week about what it is that I love to do at Christmas. As you well know, that is hard to put in 1 thought. We all have a million things we love to do. (see below) One thing that I try to do every year is to stitch an angel. Sometimes I give them away, and most of the time I keep them myself, and sometimes I give them away and then re-stitch them for myself. I guess that makes it a tradition, although I have never thought of it as such until now. When Christian was 3, he got sick on Christmas Eve just as we were getting ready to go to my brother's house for dinner. I stayed home alone with him lying next to me on the couch and I stitched an angel all evening long as he slept. That will always be a special Christmas for me.
Earlier this week, I read through my Sunday school lesson--12-13 year olds--to discover that it was on suffering. I simply closed the book, bought-frost-your-own-sugar-cookies and pulled together supplies to stitch tiny angels in our class. OK--you're right a little suffering going on in the class after all. But the kids had a blast--even the skeptical boys--and I think we might have them finished in another 4-5 weeks. Then last night, I pulled out the pattern and stitched one for myself. I just might stitch lots of these angels this year. Or---I might stitch the brand new Mosey n Me piece--Santa's Coming. I don't do Santas--cause remember I do angels, but this is the absolutely most darling pattern. We have stitched ours at the shop on red, hand-dyed linen, and I can't wait. I think we will have the picture at the bottom of the blog, so take a look.
Now, I promised you Shepherd's picks for Christmas, so here we go. It is actually sort of hard to decide what your favourite anything is since there is so much to choose from. Maybe one of these picks will inspire you, or maybe you will just decide that your own picks beat out ours. Either way--have fun.
Tina: I love Mr. Magoo's Christmas. I know that is a bit odd, since I don't really like cartoons. Perhaps too many years with boys, but I have always loved this movie. I used to have all the songs memorized--pitiful--but how can you resist the pudding song or ringle-jingle. I also love to watch the Muppet's Christmas Carol. --yeah--I have most of those memorized too--except for the sappy one.
Sue: This year my favorite pick for a Christmas movie is Christmas with the Kranks. This is because our oldest daughter just got married in August and lives in Milwaukee with her great new husband. They will be home for Christmas this year and I'm all for "skipping"--but not really. I want everything to be perfect for her, her new husband and the rest of our family. I love the laughter that this movie brings. Fun Fun Fun.
Kari: Next to going downtown to see the lights at Christmas Village, I love watching old classic Christmas movies. One of my favorites, and my pick for this year is: It's a Wonderful Life. Whether you watch it while baking Christmas cookies, or with the Christmas tree lights on (with all other lights off) while sipping a cup of hot chocolate, or just curling up on the sofa with your new cross stitch project, this movie is bound to touch your heart and bring in the Christmas spirit.
Lynnette: The original Miracle on 34th Street is one of my favorites. There is just something about those old classic movies, wrapping up in your warmest and most favorite blanket, with your newest cross stitch project and watching until the early hours of the morning and then doing it all over again the next night. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Teri: I only read Christmas books during December. Over the years I have read so many great ones. Here are a couple of my favorites. Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah, Redbird Christmas by Fanny Flag, and Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. May you find the time to curl up next to the fire and read into the night by tree light. Happy Holidays!!!
Chyrl: I love everything about Christmas. My favorite Christmas song is Mirriah Carey's All I want for Christmas. My favorite book is Pioneer Christmas Memories. My favorite taste of Christmas is cookies and chocolates. And of course, whatever Christmas stitchery I'm working on. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!
Kristin: One of my favorite parts of Christmas is coming up with the "perfect" gift for someone I love. I have discovered that I can't find that gift for everyone every year, but each year there is at least one person for whom I have a gift that I wait with anxious anticipation to give. This year that person is my three-year-old, Jillian. I am finally finishing her stocking. She has looked closely at her sisters' (Sophie's and Elisabeth's) hanging on our mantle and asked all season when she can have her "bootiful stocking." So, I am stitching Jillian's Stocking into the late hours of the night. When I can convince my husband to watch TV with me as I stitch, our favorite Christmas shows are, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Mr. Bean's Christmas." We both agree that they get funnier every year!
The following picks were told to me over the phone, so I am trying to relate them to you as they were told to me:
Chyrl: I love everything about Christmas. My favorite Christmas song is Mirriah Carey's All I want for Christmas. My favorite book is Pioneer Christmas Memories. My favorite taste of Christmas is cookies and chocolates. And of course, whatever Christmas stitchery I'm working on. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!
Kristin: One of my favorite parts of Christmas is coming up with the "perfect" gift for someone I love. I have discovered that I can't find that gift for everyone every year, but each year there is at least one person for whom I have a gift that I wait with anxious anticipation to give. This year that person is my three-year-old, Jillian. I am finally finishing her stocking. She has looked closely at her sisters' (Sophie's and Elisabeth's) hanging on our mantle and asked all season when she can have her "bootiful stocking." So, I am stitching Jillian's Stocking into the late hours of the night. When I can convince my husband to watch TV with me as I stitch, our favorite Christmas shows are, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Mr. Bean's Christmas." We both agree that they get funnier every year!
The following picks were told to me over the phone, so I am trying to relate them to you as they were told to me:
Leslie: Leslie's pick is to go on a 4-day trip to the Homestead all by herself where all she would have to do is stitch and take walks in the sunshine to enjoy the fabulous view. (I'm not sure whether she means on Christmas day or not, but either way, we are all jealous.)
Nancy: Nancy's pick for the holidays is the new Mannheim Steamroller CD--but she can't remember the name. (Do you think that this is what she loves or is this what she is hoping for?) She also loves It's a Wonderful Life. (Our pick for Nancy is the delicious shortbread she makes every year.)
Lonii: All my things start with F. I love Food at Christmas. Eating with Family and Friends yummy holiday food. ( Lonii also makes Fabulous Christmas Fudge... it is milk chocolaty with marshmallows and nuts and we love it when she brings in a batch to share) I hope that this week you have time to enjoy a few picks--either ours or some of your own. Happy getting ready.
Until next week--Tina
This is a photo of a darling Mosey N' me picture "Santa's Coming.'
We stitched it on a great, red, hand-dyed linen and used overdyed floss.
Nancy: Nancy's pick for the holidays is the new Mannheim Steamroller CD--but she can't remember the name. (Do you think that this is what she loves or is this what she is hoping for?) She also loves It's a Wonderful Life. (Our pick for Nancy is the delicious shortbread she makes every year.)
Lonii: All my things start with F. I love Food at Christmas. Eating with Family and Friends yummy holiday food. ( Lonii also makes Fabulous Christmas Fudge... it is milk chocolaty with marshmallows and nuts and we love it when she brings in a batch to share) I hope that this week you have time to enjoy a few picks--either ours or some of your own. Happy getting ready.
Until next week--Tina
This is a photo of a darling Mosey N' me picture "Santa's Coming.'We stitched it on a great, red, hand-dyed linen and used overdyed floss.
