Christmas Cards

Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon at the kitchen table crafting. I used three kinds of scissors, lots of glue, rubber stamps and many different papers.

Finally I had the Christmas cards we need. Today I will sign them and take them to the post office. Usually we send self-made cards, but sometimes we buy them from Unicef or the Red Cross, or the children's school fund raising. I think people like home-made cards, and they like making them. In November I was even asked to show a group of young mothers how to make nice cards. It was a fun afternoon, but I didn't get any cards made for myself then as I was busily helping the ladies.

Have you ever made your Christmas cards?

Christmas ornaments

These traditional Finnish Christmas ornaments have always belonged to my Christmases. This set was made by my parents for us in 1990. They remind for the old times, when there was not much of anything.

Crochet

I have been crocheting some potholders for Christmas for someone who doesn't read my blog so I can finally show something I have done. The super soft cotton is a Christmas gift from Stephanie last year. The brown striped one will be for me.

This morning there were hardly any clouds left, and I saw the almost full moon through the naked trees behind our woodshed.

Third Advent

Wintery weather continues. We have rain, frost, snow, and a glimpse of sun on the best days.

Cafe makeover

"My" cafe at the mall was closed for six weeks in the Autumn, but when it was reopened, I liked it even better.

There are sofas with cushions, and lightly upholstered chairs instead of the wooden ones they used to have. Much more tables, more light, more customers and more staff. I have learnt to avoid the tables on the left, as they are close to the revolving doors, and my bones don't like the draft. On the right, out of the picture, is the original part of the cafe with the view at the florist's, my favourite place. Today we will go there before grocery shopping and have a special cake to celebrate our engagement anniversary.

If you like Advent Calendars with a lovely surprise for each day, you might like to follow my dear daughter's daily matchbox postings until December 24th here.

Christmas baking

Yesterday I baked the first Christmas baking of the year, traditional star shaped tarts filled with plum marmalade. Traditionally, I bake them using ready made puff pastry and ready made plum marmalade, so they are the easiest ever. I cut the stars this way so the points will not be too long and burn easily.

After baking, I sprinkled them with icing sugar, packed in a tin and took them to the sewing class. We always bring something for the last class before Christmas, and I brought the pastries this time.

We had some hot glögi, gingerbread and chocolates too, and a little less sewing.

Winter Sun

Yesterday at 10.50 from our doorstep. The sun doesn't get very high!

It was the coldest morning this winter, -8 C or 18 F, but last night we had rain all night and the temperature is above freezing point again.