Hi, Jan,
We had a stellar holiday. We have gone to a gift exchange model for the adults, which seems to have allowed for much more personal gift selection and/or making. With only one gift outside of your immediate family to worry about, it seems you worry a lot more about it and really strive to hit the mark.
Here is one of the gifts that hit the mark for me - 70% merino/30% silk roving. No, I am not taking up spinning, but Margaret spins, and that is what really hit me, that she would take on spinning this lovely stuff for me. I didn’t get a shot yesterday of the lovely yak yarn from Daughter #1 (cranberry - Karen says I need to consider wearing colors once in a while) or the excellent Rilo Kiley and Stars CD’s from Jenny (she is responsible for keeping me up to date in pop culture) - their gifts are always special to me as they seem to intuit what will really mean something to me almost all of the time.
Also on the knitting front, I can now reveal the holiday knit. 
It is the lovely Ice Queen by Rosemary Hill and featured in Knitty this issue, but done in the Hurricane colorway so I am calling it Hurricane Princess because I knit it for our little princess.
Of course, the best gifts are the hardest to wrap.
Love,
Ellen
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Oooo! I covet that roving. It is gorgeous. And the Hurricane Princess is just stunning — so is the snood. I love the sidelong glance and barest Mona Lisa smile. You can tell Karen is quite pleased.
I often think about adult gift exchange on our side of the family too…but would always want to get your name. I also always feel the need/desire to do something for Terry. Am I wrong to assume he is lonely at Christmas?
Since others agreed several years back to cut back, maybe it’s time we just drop to exchanging with each other? I don’t think Dale would mind…and I think Patty would support. There’s still Terry though… hmmmmmm…..
December 27th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Happy Holidays to you both. Sounds like a lovely one.
Take care and drive safe home, Miss Ellen.
Love to all,
Kathy