Gifts

'Cause that's what it's all about, right?

Jamie drew me a picture with "Happy birthday, mama" on it, all caps, spelled almost right (moama, because he started to write mom and changed his mind). He also made me an ornament, wrapped it, put it under the tree, and when Darren got home from work, announced, "I made you an ornament for Christmas." "I thought it was for my birthday." "Um, it's for all of us." "O.k."

Darren got up late at night and went into the garage (a place I won't venture in the day time) and made me a swift (used for winding yarn). I was quite excited and used it immediately, although I really didn't need any yarn wound. I had asked for him to make me one, but would have bet he didn't (too much going on). And, the one he made was much nicer than the link I should him. One day, I will take pictures of it in action. I do not hide my knitting for him nearly as well as he hid this project, perhaps because I won't go in the garage. He also got me the composter I have been wanting. Now, I need someone with a lawn :-).

My sister, M, had given me my gifts earlier, at Thanksgiving, because she was moving, remember? They deserve their own post and will one day get them.

My sister, L, knit Jamie a stocking and it came in the mail. It also deserves its own post and will one day get it.

My mom gave me two of my favorite things, coffee and chocolate. I am enjoying them now.

I also went this weekend to a cookie exchange. I made marshmallows; I used Martha Stewart's recipe, here, but found a whole world to marshmallow making here, and in the spring can imagine yellow lemon bunnies, pink strawberry and blue blueberry eggs, all homemade marshmallows, way better than peeps. Sorry to peep fans. In the meantime, I have scraps of leftover marshmallows (I cut them out with cookie cutters for the exchange) that I am going to dip into chocolate today, as well as some candied orange peel I made back with the mandarin oranges.

So, more posts need to be done, but for now, I am going to sit back and enjoy the gifts of my friends and family, physical and spiritual.