Stockings

For the past year or so, I have been working on some stockings that are cross-stitched.  I always wanted homemade stockings in a house of my own.  I figured that I am on my own with my own apartment, so why not start now!

Cross-stitch is my relaxation.  I come home from work, and I work on my current project for at least an hour a day.  It just relaxes me, and since I don't deal with stress very well, it helps!

These are the two stockikngs that I completed.  They aren't finished yet, but the stitching part is complete.  I will need to have Aunt Vonda help me to finish them.  I will need to use the sewing machine to put on the felt backgroung and hook.  I also do not have names on my stockings yet.  That will come eventually!

New Collection

Every Monday night, I head over to Aunt Vonda's house for dinner.  I have been doing this since I moved out of her house over a year ago.  I only lived there for two months, but I just can't stay away.  So, last night we decided to exchange our Christmas presents.  We have always gotten each other something for as far back as I can remember.

This year, I got her a new pair of fabric scissors (she had asked for them) and a gift card to Dress Barn.  She gave me my package, and as I was opening it, I had no idea what it was.  Once the paper was off, I was looking at a plain white rectangular box.  I opened the box, and inside was this beautiful elephant figurine (See below).

I have loved elephants for as long as I can remember.  I think it started at the Clearfield County Fair when you could ride the elephant.  I have tons of stuffed animal elephants, but nothing quite like this.  As I was examining all the detail within the figure, Aunt Vonda was telling me that they are called "Tuskers Elephant Figurines."  There is a whole series (somewhat like Boyd's Bears).

Today, I went online and searched for them.  There are so many, and they are all so cute.  I would like to start collecting them.  They would look cute placed around my apartment!

The Nutcracker

This year for Christmas Marc took me to see The Nutcracker ballet.  I had seen it twice before when I was little, but I was due to see it again.  Marc got great seats at a discount price through the Bank of New York Mellon where he works.  He knew that I wanted to see it with Mom, so back in October he asked me when I would like to see it.  I checked with Mom and we said it December 12.  We went to the evening show.

Marc wanted the show to be a surprise, but he knew that I am not too big on surprises.  Plus, I wanted to take Mom, so I told him that he could surprise me with dinner.  He made reservations awhile back at a small Italian restaurant called Tambellini's.  It was a cute, quiet little restaurant.  It was located right beside the theater.

My sister, Adrienne, met us for dinner as well.  She could not come to the show because she had to pick up her husband at the airport later that night.  Dinner was great.  The table shared an appetizer, and I had Bowtie Blue Moon for dinner.  It was a pasta dish with bowtie noodles, crab meat, and alfredo sauce.  It was very rich and creamy.  Of course, I could not finish the whole thing.

The ballet was amazing.  I remember being mezmorized as a little kid.  Now, as I was watching it, twenty years later, I was analyzing.  I was looking at things like toe point and body control.  It is just amazing to me.  I wish that I didn't get hurt 5 years ago, and I could still be that graceful.  The scenery was detailed, and the costumes were to die for.  The talent that these performers have is wicked crazy!

The story was still the same, but there were some twists.  At the party scene in the beginning, there were a few Michael Jackson moves.  We laughed and had a good time.  The night ended too quickly.

Mom and I did some shopping over the weekend, and we spent Sunday watching all the Christmas movies on ABC family.  I am addicted to this on the weekends apparently!  Of course, I took a break from the movies to watch the Eagles gain control of the NFC East division!  I can see playoffs in the future!

Pitt Game

Yesterday, Marc and I went to the last Pitt football game of the season.  They played Cincinnati for the Big East title.  The game was at noon, so we went to the parking lot to tailgate around 8 yesterday morning.  I froze my petunias off because not only was it barely over 30 degrees, it was snowing!  Of course, the first snow of the year had to be yesterday.  Oh yeah, and Marc was wearing shorts as usual (he wouldn't let me take a picture.)

I took a few pictures before the game started, but my camera was getting wet from the snow.  Since it is a brand new camera, I didn't want to take chances.

The Pitt band playing the fight song before the national anthem at Heinz field.  Our seats were pretty good.  A little higher up, but we weren't on the side with the wind!

The band marching on the field getting ready.  It was senior day at the game, so the parents and families of the senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members got to hold the "Hail to Pitt" sign.

The football players running onto the field from the tunnel!

It was a great game, and very. very exciting.  However, Pitt gave up a 21 point lead, and lost the game by a missed extra point.  The final score was 45-44 Cincinnati.  It was still a good time, even though it was so cold.  The ride back to Marc's apartment was long and silent.  I got out of my wet clothes, took a nap, and we watched football the rest of the night.

Christmas Decorations

So, last week was spent decorating my apartment for Christmas. I did things here and there after work.

My Christmas tree.  It is new this year.  Last year, I had Pappy's old tree that my parents used to use in the old living room.  Mom decided that she wanted a new one, so I took Pap's to my apartment with me.  It managed to stay up last year until about a week before Christmas.  I came home after work one day, and it had fallen over.  There were ornaments everywhere, and the tree was starting to look like it's own version of the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree."  So, Mom and I went to the store the day after Christmas last year, and I got this tree 50% off.  I like it becuase it looks so full.  Although, it took me over and hour just to set  up because I had to snap in all the branches.  There are two ornaments on the tree near the top.  One is a life-like peacock (to remind me of my Missouri family) and the other is a coo-coo clock.  It looks just like the one Pap used to have.

This is my homemade Christmas wreath that Aunt Vonda and I spend about 20 minutes making.  She provided the gold ribbon, and everything else came to a grand total of $13.75 at AC Moore Craft on black Friday.  It currently hangs on the wall between the kitchen and dining room.

These are some of the decorations in the living room.  I got the placemat at Target and the candle holders and coasters came from another craft store just outside of Monroeville.  I love craft stores because they have such unique things.

I am so excited for Christmas this year.  I can't wait to spend time with my family, and hopefully meet my nephew.  Jennifer - you better be on time!  My shopping is almost done, and then it will be time to sing Christmas songs off-key while I wrap presents!