Monday Musings, November 9
I know you probably know this, but 2 weeks from today starts Thanksgiving week here in the U.S.
While I didn’t jump on the ‘decorate for Christmas the day after Halloween’ train, I completely understand why some may have. There is a joy that comes from a home filled with Christmas-y family treasures, all sparkly and festive. And Heaven knows, we could all use an extra dose of joy right about now.
We typically wait until the day after Thanksgiving and then it is full-on, pull-all-the-boxes-from-the attic, joyous, chaotic Christmas decorating euphoria in our home for 3 straight days. I think I will start a wee bit earlier this year. I’ve decided I’d love to have some of the decorations up when the kids come home so that we can spend more time just soaking it in as a family.
That being said, I know Kate really enjoys the process, so I will save some to do with her.
How about you…are you changing what you have typically done for the holidays in light of…well…2020?
If you printed off the pre-filled Ultimate Holiday 2020 Planner, you’ll see that this second week of November is a great time to plan your food gifts. To that end, I’ve gathered 11 recipes for easy-to-make food gift ideas.
Plus, I’ve added more iron-on labels for your holiday gift bags. These labels are available for both the small 5 x 7-inch bags and the larger 8 x 10-inch bags.
One of my favorite food gifts to give is this Spiced Cranberry Conserve. Coincidentally, as I was working on gathering those food gift recipes, that Cranberry Conserve recipe received this glowing review from Lynne,
I have made this many times; it has become a family favorite! We have it with ham, pork, or poultry, on cheese, or just on toast and it’s always delicious. Thank you so much for creating it and I just felt it was high time I leave you a little love for it!
Can you see me blushing all the way over there?
It is a great time to make this rich and flavorful Turkey Stock, which is perfect for making gravy on Thanksgiving Day.
This wrapping paper organizer cart is truly one of my favorite organizing projects. It made a world of difference in creating order from the chaos that was my wrapping paper situation.
For my knitting friends or if you have knitters on your gift list, I am giving away one of my ‘You’re Speaking My Language’ tote bags again. Pop over The Best Gifts for Knitters post and leave a comment sharing your favorite knit gadget. I’ll randomly pick one comment on Friday, November 27 to receive the tote.
Have a wonderful day, my friends.
Peace be with you.
I need another knitting tote bag like I need another project bag . . .and I can always use another project bag!! Thanks for the chance to win!
P.J. Coldren pjcoldren[at]tm[dot]net
hee hee!
“I have too many project bags”…said no one, ever!
Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!
Happy Knitting!
Hugs,
Lynn
Your posts have become such a bright spot in my days. They are full of so many lovely new ideas. Your cranberry conserve sounds delicious and I think I may give it a try. I am an experienced canner, but have only used jars with the 2 piece lid – I have never used jars like the ones you show. Is the procedure the same? I love the way they look.
Hi Ellen,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. I have used those one-piece lids for a couple of years now, for jams and jellies, and have never had a problem with them sealing or staying sealed. I really do like the way they look too.
I process them the same way I process 2 piece lids. Make sure when you purchase them, you do buy ones that say that they are suitable for canning…the jars that I link to in the Cranberry Conserve post are suitable for canning.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m glad to share what I knw.
Hugs
Lynn
How funny that tote is! I knit while my two sisters crochet. They are always wanting me to learn crochet, which I will one day, but there’s still so much I want to learn with my knitting craft. I always tell them, “I don’t speak crochet! I only speak knit!”
I appreciate you Lynn, letting us in on a little corner of your life.
Renee
Hi Renee,
That’s hilarious! I’m just learning ‘crochet’, so maybe I’ll have to make a bag for your sisters one day! 😉 (Although between you and me…I will always be partial to knitting!)
And thanks for joining me in my little corner of the world. I do love this wee job of mine, but it is all the more enjoyable knowing that there are Renees on the other end of my musings.
Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!
Happy Knitting!
Hugs,
Lynn
Love your patterns and ideas. Love to knit!
Terri Fodness
Thanks Terri! I do too! It is a great way to keep my hands busy and make something beautiful at the same time.
Have a fantastic day, my friend.
Hugs,
Lynn
I 💕 simple knitting and would love to have that adorable bag for my projects. Thanks for the offering!
Good Morning Barbara!
Isn’t that bag fun?!
Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!
Happy Knitting!
Hugs,
Lynn
p.s. I hope your children and grands are doing well. I know the ones in Wilmington are enjoying some beautiful weather! 😍
LOVE the bag. One can never have enough. My Mondays would be so empty without your wonderful posts. Thanks for sharing. One thing I cannot do without is a pretty notebook. A place for notes on my projects, sample yarns, patterns I want to try and great ideas that all the lovely knitters I meet are happy to share.
Aw Gwen, thanks so much for those sweet words. I do love connecting with everyone each week!
Curious that you mention a notebook…I’ve been pondering creating one especially for knitters/crocheters. I’d love some input from you as to what, ideally, you would like to see in your “Knit Knotebook”? If you don’t mind, share with me some of your ‘must haves’…three ring binder? folders? etc…
Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!
Happy Knitting!
Hugs,
Lynn
My favorite gadget is actually a small, cloth pouch which my daughter bought at an museum in Washington, DC. In the small bag I keep a medium crochet hook (to fix knitting mistakes without so much ripping), a small tape measure, a pair of scissors small enough to get through a scanner, a plastic coated paper clip to partially straighten and use as an emergency cable needle, a medium yarn darner needle, a tiny small emery board and a couple of simple ring stitch markers. It goes quickly from briefcase to purse.
Hi Carrollyn,
A small pouch is invaluable! Love the idea of a paper clip and the emery board in your pouch…those are 2 things I clearly need to add.
Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!
Happy Knitting!
Hugs,
Lynn
Although my mother taught me to crochet, I am also partial to knitting, which I learned on my own. I especially love your patterns for the kitted wash cloths. This clever bag would be perfect for carrying those projects around (although, these days, it is mostly only from room to room). Like Gwen, I use a notebook for my projects. Mine is a three-ring binder with sheet protectors and pockets. Although I do save many projects on my computer, I like to work from a paper copy. The ones that I plan to use again, go into the binder.
Hi BetteAnn,
Love the idea of a binder! I still print everything off as well, so a binder is invaluable.
Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!
Happy Knitting!
Hugs,
Lynn
I thought I submitted a comment on Monday but don’t see it here. 🙁 I’m trying again but sorry if you are seeing this twice. I just wanted to say that your posts have become a bright spot in my days. They are full of so many new ideas. The cranberry conserve sounds delicious and I think I will try it. I am an experienced canner but have only used standard 2 piece lids. Do you process the jars you show here in the same way or is there something different I need to know?
Hi Ellen,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. I have used those one-piece lids for a couple of years now, for jams and jellies, and have never had a problem with them sealing or staying sealed. I really do like the way they look too.
I process them the same way I process 2 piece lids. Make sure when you purchase them, you do buy ones that say that they are suitable for canning…the jars that I link to in the Cranberry Conserve post are suitable for canning.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m glad to share what I knw.
Hugs
Lynn
I would love to be entered to win the tote bag. I left a comment on the “best gifts for knitters” post, but it isn’t showing. Love all of your ideas!
You are entered, my friend.