Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
 ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

My Old Favorite Baby Blanket

It occurred to me this weekend that, while I've showed you my new favorite baby blanket, I never showed you my old favorite!  It's a very simple pattern, done entirely in garter stitch with just a few increases and decreases, perfect for a beginner. Knit from corner to corner, it drapes beautifully and has a deceptively easy ruffly trim. The pattern calls for yarn that's a bit too rich for my blood. Any worsted weight yarn, doubled up, will work great. Here's my personal favorite, which is washable, too, and comes in lots of colors. I can't lie-- I've knit two of them this month for upcoming baby showers!

Love that scalloped edge. It's much easier than it looks!

Cheer

We have so much Christmas cheer on Avery Park Lane this year! I hosted a little Christmas PJ party last weekend and it was the perfect excuse to unpack all my shiny and pretty holiday decorations. Aside from some candles that must have melted in the summer heat in our storage room, everything was just as glimmering and perfect as I remembered it!

A sweet friend brought me my first poinsettia and it's been living on the kitchen table ever since. I love how it matches our drapes!

 Thanks, Shannon!

I got some tiny flocked trees this year. I'm hoping to get some more on clearance after the holidays so I can have a true armada next year.

Last year, Santa put a pretzel ornament in Matt's stocking on account of they're his favorite food. 

Matt don't let me buy my favorite car because it's "impractical" and "unsafe." Looks like this ornament will have to do!

When we went to Boston this fall, I ate my first lobster so my mother-in-law got this shimmering beauty to commemorate the occasion!

What about you all? Are you spreading some cheer wherever you are?

My Favorite Frosting

Christmastime is officially upon us!  I feel like my days are a little longer and busier but that glimmering, twinkling Christmas tree makes everything so much better!  Last weekend, I invited a five year old friend over to make sugar cookies.  We had the best time!  And it turns out my little friend is even tidier than I am. She must have washed her hands (and our work surface!) five times in three hours.  I wanted to have everything set up before she got there so our time could be spent decorating, not waiting around for dough to chill.  I've listed a couple of tricks (and my favorite butter cream recipe) below.  Happy baking!

Tips for Christmas Baking with Kiddos

• Mix up your dough the night before and refrigerate overnight. When your buddy comes over, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it can be rolled easily.
• Make your frosting ahead of time, too!
• Roll out the dough yourself and let your friend choose cookie cutters and cut out shapes-- team work! Roll out more dough while she/he cuts out cookies so there's always fresh dough ready to go!
• Pour sprinkles into small ramikans so it's easier for them to get just the right amount. It's much simpler (and cleaner) than trying to pour them out of the container.

My Favorite Butter Cream

Ingredients

3 cups confectioners' sugar

1 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 to 2 tablespoons half and half 

Food coloring (optional)

Directions
1. In a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix together sugar and butter on low speed until well combined. Increase speed to medium and beat for an additional three minutes. 
2. Add vanilla, almond, and cream (and food coloring if using) and continue to beat on medium for one more minute, adding more cream if needed until frosting is thin enough to spread.
3. Store at room temperature.

Checking In

Hi Friends!

I just wanted to check in and say hello!  Matt and I have had a busy, busy fall!  This weekend marks our fourth of five weekend trips and I feel like I'm not really sure where I am right now!  We are having a time and a half, though, and I'm sort of proud of my homebody self for traveling so dang much.  This week, we head to Charlotte to see family and so that Matt can golf his brains out. I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures to share when I get home (and I have a lot of time to knit in the car so hopefully, I'll have a project to share as well.)  Until then, here's a couple shots of fall at our house!

Nothing like bright tights and Mary Janes to make the work day fun.

Matt bought me a classic movie I've been trying to find for a long time. I've already watched it once and I'm ready to watch it again. Who's with me?

This was just the sweetest present. My little friend made me a puzzle. Can you read what it says? And are you as glad as I am that children still say "BFF?"

And last but not least, I may not be the type to wear a jersey to church but don't think I won't wear team colors! #12thmanforlife



Sunday Knit Football

When I was a little girl, maybe four or six years old, my dad and brother would go skiing every weekend.  I'm not sure if it's because I was too little or too stubborn but I always got to stay home with  my mom.  Some of my favorite memories are of those Sundays, just us, no boys around.  We nearly always did the same thing.  We'd pick a football game to watch and we'd pick a project to sew.  My mom made both feel very important.  She'd take the time to explain every little thing.  "See that guy, Julia?  He's trying to kick the ball through those two poles.  It's called a field goal."  "Don't forget to tie a big, tight knot in your thread.  We want your stitches to stay put!"  We spent hours making cloth diapers for baby dolls, bathrobes for Barbie, and lots of quilts with buttons sewn all over them.  Then, we'd spend even more time diapering baby dolls, dressing up Barbie, and tucking in cold stuffed animals.  I learned a lot during those Sundays!

I'm lucky I married a football fan.  He not only puts up with the terrible temper I get when watching the Seahawks (although he did call me out for being a baby when I threw my jersey on the lawn last year) but he enjoys talking about football with me.  This year, we each have a fantasy team separately and one together, too.  I love strategizing with him.  And every Sunday, he buys me my lucky slime green slushy, no questions ask (I still swear the Seahawks can't win if I don't have one... how else do you explain the week one loss?).  Since I can't sing jazz standards and Matt doesn't like to cook, football is one of few hobbies we share and I just love it! 

Matt also tolerates my old habit of knitting and crafting all day while we watch games.  This sweet football cocoon and hat has been my project for the past couple of Sundays.  It turned out so sweet I can't stand it!  Finally, something that combines my love of knitting and my love of football.  And thank you to dear Paddy for sharing the pattern with me.  I really, really appreciate it!

Coco's Italian Market

Matt and I decided long ago that, if I were a restaurant, I'd be a place called The Picnic here in Nashville.  Not only is it one of my favorite restaurants but it's the girliest place on earth.  Their menu is all "salads"-- pimiento salad, chicken salad, frozen fruit salad, and about fifteen jello salads (my very favorite thing ever!)  The whole place is covered in ruffled table clothes and even the fire extinguisher has a handmade, decorative cover over it.  Yes, yes, The Picnic is Julia in a restaurant.  Well, I'm happy to report that, this Saturday, we found the Matt equivalent.  It's called Coco's Italian Market and I took him there as an early birthday treat.  This place had amazing Italian sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta.  They also have a shop where you can buy Italian specialty items like imported flour, fizzy soda pop, and olives, olives, olives.  

We sat outside in the sunshine and Matt grinned from ear to ear!  He ordered a meatball pizza (if Matt were a food, I think it would be meatball pizza.)  I had an Italian sandwich and pasta salad.  Everything was so delicious and we definitely had enough left over for lunch on Sunday, too!  Let me also note that this place makes its own gelato and plays nothing but jazz standards.  It was so fun to see Matty smile and sing along to each and every song.  I love being married to someone who says things like "Mel Tormé is so under-rated.  Listen to his control!"  My sweet old man.

If you're in town, you should go sometime!  I bet my dear Matt would go with you!