lots of time has passed

No sense trying to pretend otherwise. I'll just do a brief catchup. September was full of birthdays with a lot of cooking and even a trip to the beach. October brought another birthday, a quilt guild retreat, meeting with a long lost friend and catching up, spending a day with the auditor in my bookkeeping job, preparing things for Mistletoe Mart. November included teaching a new class, three days at Mistletoe Mart, a fun bus trip to the Smithsonian, going to a friend's art exhibit opening,  finishing a calligraphy commission,starting a new exercise program that I actually like and will do, and of course Thanksgiving. And who knows what I have forgotten.

And now it is December. The last few days have been such a  mix - some shopping, more eating, getting back to working on a quilt started at the retreat in October, cold dreary weather. Today I began an on-line Advent study. I so love this time of the church year - a time of preparation, a time for reflection, a time anticipating the coming of light, a time to slow down in the midst of holiday craziness. Also today (busy day), my son and I took Juliana, Josh and Bella to the ChooChooBarn in Strasburg, PA. It's a 1,700 square foot train garden that is just plain fantastic. We spent more than two hours going round and round enjoying the results of much work. Sorry, no photos yet. The link is http://www.choochoobarn.com/. If you live nearby and have kiddos in your life, do a trip and enjoy.

Here's a chuckle from the weekend: I finally bought an iPod Touch (good sale) and got a bit frustrated setting it up through my computer (no wifi here). So, I called Matthew, my 19 yo grand to ask for help. His first remark was "why do you have an iPod?" When I said 'for music and because I want one', his response was 'that's weird'.  I'm guessing grandmothers aren't supposed to get too hip or with it. It gives him something to think about.

I this this is enough. I wanted to let anyone who is still reading that I am still puttering around. I hope to have more to write about as I get back to making new art quilts and playing with fabric.

Thanks for reading. Be good to yourself in this busy time.
Karen