Monday, December 04, 2017

December 4

 Just a little update on Christmasy preparations ... today I finally got the Christmas card banners in place over the dining room windows.  But there's more!

Years ago I made some curtains to cover the bottom half of the dining room windows that look onto the porch.  The view is not all that pretty and these simple curtains
worked very well to camouflage it and still let light in.  Later on, I made some fall curtains with fabric I had on hand.  For years, I've been wanting to make curtains specifically for Christmas or winter, but there just hasn't been time and I usually just use the geranium curtains above. 

But this year I tried something different.  I used wooden clothespins to clip red-and-white checked dishtowels to the tension rods.  It would look nicer if I had enough dishtowels to use two per window, but I only have enough for one each so am going with that for now.  It occurred to me that I could probably find some Christmas dishtowels, maybe even in the dollar store,  to serve the same purpose, so I may eventually do that.  For now, though, my simple and cost-free solution is working fine.  Maybe I can take a picture later, but not today.

Let's see -- last evening I wrapped about half of our gifts for the Nevada contingent and did the click and print at USPS.com, then scheduled a carrier pickup.  Light-years ahead of my usual speed in accomplishing this task. 

I hope to get the rest wrapped in the next few days and get them on their way as well.   While I'm at it, I'll also wrap the gifts I have for our local family members and stick them in large gift bags to await the Christmas tree.

There are just a few gifts left to purchase and even though I'm feeling very stretched in other ways, this part of my Christmas preparation seems in good order.

Between Saturday and today, I also prepared Christmas cards for a swap I'm taking part in and got those on their way.

Today I made some fudge and prepared care packages for a couple of college students to get them through the last days of the semester.  Just now did click and print and scheduled a carrier pickup for tomorrow.  I love being able to do this online ... it saves me so much time and trouble!

I'm also trying to take part in a Christmas photo challenge over at Instagram.  So far, so good!  I'm having fun with it.

That's all for now.  Hope everyone else is having a productive December!

6 comments:

  1. You have had a busy time...What flavour fudge did you make?
    I love the curtain...we call them Cafe Curtains.. they a brilliant for blocking unsightly views
    Phoebe x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I made just a very simple chocolate fudge, Phoebe. Basically, 3 cups of chocolate chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, a dash of salt and a teaspoon of vanilla. You melt them together in a saucepan, stirring nearly all the time, until thoroughly melted and smooth. Then pour into a foil-lined 9-inch square pan and put in the fridge until firm enough to cut. That's it!

      Yes, the curtains work beautifully for blocking not-so-pretty views. I've used the same ones for years and they have held up very well.

      Delete
  2. You have been very busy!! I make that same fudge Mrs T...so easy and always sets up!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Arlene, this is basically your recipe. I didn't have time to post a link for Phoebe so I just shared the basics in my reply to her comment. I am so thankful you shared that fudge recipe some time ago. I make it every year, usually more than one batch!

      Delete
  3. You have really been busy and today you’ve taught me something I had not known about shipping packages. That would be easier. I have been standing in long lines.

    Hope to see what you’ve done with the Christmas curtains.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I finally got around to posting pictures of them!

      I'm glad you found the tips about shipping packages helpful. I'm still learning myself! But anytime we can avoid a long line at the post office this time of year is a good day!

      Delete

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit my kitchen table! I love company here in my kitchen, so be sure to leave a comment so I'll know you've visited! I'll answer your questions and comments here on the blog unless you request otherwise.