Beautiful Wedding; Beautiful Couple

 It's all over and it was beautiful!  Everything was perfect, except the weather.  But the weather was perfect for taking pictures.

The rehearsal was on Friday at noon.  After we practiced the ceremony a couple times, we all gathered at a restaurant for a big early dinner.  That evening, Ed and I had a small party at our house for our family members that were staying in town Friday night.  From my side one of my sisters and her husband and one niece and her husband were able to make it.  It was the first time I got to meet my niece's husband, who happens to be very nice.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures while they were here.  I was too focused on being in the moment, which isn't a bad thing!

Trisha and a few of the bridesmaids spent Friday night. Early Saturday morning, the ladies who were doing the hair and makeup showed up.  I made a brunch for the girls.  Then it was off to the venue about 1:30.

The ceremony and reception was perfect.  Everyone told me how beautiful everything was and how good the food tasted.  We are still waiting for all of the pictures from the photographer, but here are few.

We came home with half of the bottom layer of cake and two trays of leftover sweets.  As a result I did not bake any Christmas cookies.  I felt overloaded with sugar, but now that Christmas is over, I'm craving a cookie or two.

Christmas plans changed.  We had planned to go to Cincinnati Christmas afternoon to have dinner at my younger sister's house, but she and her husband and boys tested positive for COVID.  We ended up staying home and had a relaxing (sort of) day at the house.  It was relaxing for me once I got the dinner prepared.  After getting the news that the plans with my siblings was cancelled, I scrambled to put together a turkey dinner for my family.  I got the last fresh turkey at the grocery store, which I consider a small Christmas miracle.

In the afternoon, we took our time opening gifts and then watched football.  Honestly, I like being home and not rushing off to Cincinnati for the evening.  It is so much more relaxing.  

Squeaks agrees.

I didn't get all of the handmade gift done.  Ed's socks have about 4 inches to go on the second sock.  Blake's quilt needs the binding and Kristin's needs quilting and binding.  Blake is leaving tomorrow to head back to Cincinnati.  My goal for today is to finish his quilt so that he can take it with him.

Time to get moving if I'm to get it done.

One Week Left

 Not until Christmas, but finally my daughter's wedding.  (NOTE:  It was one week left when I started writing this post.  It is now 4 days left!) Trisha and Craig got married last February like originally planned, but we had to delay the reception because of the Vid.  All I have left to do is prepare some food for Friday night and Saturday morning.  Friday we are having our out-of-town relatives over for appetizers and drinks.  Saturday morning I'll have a brunch while the girls and I  get our hair and make-up done.  The biggest thing is that I need to clean my house before Friday.  I got over the biggest hurdle yesterday.  I had two of the bridesmaids dresses to hem and Trisha's veil to shorten.  Those are now done. Big relief for me.

In the midst of all this I am trying to get ready for Christmas.

The outside lights went up over Thanksgiving weekend with Blake and Trisha's help.  Blake pointed out that if you look closely, you can see Squeaks sitting in the doorway watching me.  She's my shadow and is usually near me unless she is taking a nap upstairs.

The tree is up and I have a few decorations around the family room.  I'll slowly get the rest of the house decorated as I clean this week in preparation for Friday night.

Work is gearing up and I've been quite busy.  Once I get through January, though, things will taper off.

In between everything, I'm getting little snippets of time to knit and crochet.

While I sit in the car while Ed has his PT, I knit on socks for him.  Like other handmade gifts, they may be presented on Christmas morning as a UFO.

Speaking of sitting in the car, the other morning I got to see a beautiful sunrise.

I did get one Christmas gift project finished.

The corner to corner afghan for Trisha and Craig is done.  I spent an evening weaving in the ends and clipping threads.  I goofed in a few places and clipped too short and had to do some repairs.  I hope holes don't pop up while they use it.  If that does happen, though, I have extra yarn to mend it.

I'm slowly making progress on my Right Around the Corner shawl.  Even though it is Christmas colors, it won't be done by Christmas Day.  It'll get tucked away for next year.

Work is extremely busy right now.  For the first time ever in my professional career (and we're talking over 35 years) I will be working between Christmas and New Year's.  Fortunately I'll be at home, but I think Ed and Blake will also be off so the house is going to be a bit noisy.  I might have to move my computer up to my sewing room to get away from the distractions.  I'm not enjoying working from home with this project.  Too many unknowns, including who I need to talk to to resolve the unknowns.  If we were all co-located I could walk over and ask someone.  Doesn't quite work the same being remote.