Tall Tales from Kansas

If you are sitting alone, looking at the fire tonight, while you wait for Santa to make a delivery, may I suggest you listen to Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie? Written in 1938 it’s a timeless classic. Who killed Simeon Lee inside the locked room in an old English mansion in the countryside? Was it one of the son’s? A daughter in law? The stranger from South Africa? The newly discovered granddaughter from Spain? The valet? Or someone entirely different. Not to worry, Hercule is on the case. It’s a fast 6 hours and most atmospheric. I am going to suggest a glass of eggnog with a good shot of bourbon to go with. Narrated by Hugh Fraser, it’s a great listen. Be sure to have your pajamas on, a place to prop up your feet, and maybe a bit of knitting in a basket by your side.

It will likely make you want to get out the game of Clue and have round or two. Again, it’s a fun diversion for a quiet holiday for one or two. Most of the Thanksgiving crowd we had over last month, came down with something after that holiday so we are staying in our respective homes for the 25th. If you think you can’t play Clue with just 2 – look up how to do it on the internet. They have answers for everything.

On another holiday front, I decided at the last minute to whip up a new set of napkins for Christmas. I saw this bundle of fat quarters at Sarah’s downtown on Mass street and I jumped on them.

I am a sucker for making a mitered corner. Mostly because I used to think it was impossibly hard, and after about 10 sets of multiple napkins it is easy. I did not even burn my fingers once on the steam from my iron when I was getting them ready to sew.

I also decided in the last several days that I needed a new mitten for the mitten garland over the fireplace. Here it is in the leftovers from my Sophie scarf with a little something else for the right gauge.

As I put this post to bed tonight and get ready to go sit in front of the tree, I am thinking about how making stuff is so much like playing. Using your imagination and materials of some sort to pull something out of nothing. I wish you lots of playing, making, and anything else that makes you happy during the holidays.