Christmas Tree and Making Treats

We bought this tree 2 days before Melody was born. It was 75% off at Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts Store, so it was a steal. It even has lights strung on there already. We never even had the chance to put it into storage and drove to the hospital with the tree in the back of the car. I knew I wanted to have a tree for Melody because I grew up with a tree and have many fond memories.When my parents divorced 4 years ago, they had to sell their house. My father and sister were going to be moving into a 2 bedroom apartment. During the time when we were packing things up and throwing things away, vultures descended on our house. I called these people vultures because they practically took anything they could get their hands on. I was only able to go back a few times to help them clean, so I wasn't there that much. My father was pretty distraught and didn't really care about anything. It was DH, me and my sister who got the house ready for the movers. What we didn't know was that my father let the vultures take our huge Christmas Tree and all the ornaments. Ornaments that we collected since we were kids. And some ornaments that my sister made in grade school with her name on it (it was a cute Rudolph the reindeer made out of clothespins).
When we first found out, we asked my father to ask for it back, but he said he couldn't. Though he had no had no problem asking for furniture pieces back when he bought a house a year later. Anyway, my sister and I have been pretty upset about it for the last 4 years. It was our thing to put up the tree and we would always save our favorite ornaments for last. It was these two crystal candy canes. We always thought that when we grew up, we would each take take one for our own tree. I have been pretty upset since Thanksgiving when we put up our own tree. It reminded me that we lost all our ornaments, all those memories.Now that I have my own child, I decided that I am going to make my own Christmas ornaments. The plan is that I will make a new ornament each year. When Melody is old enough, we will make the ornaments together. I think it will be wonderful to see a tree full of memories and special ornaments. I started off Melody's First Christmas with 5 knitted Baby Santa Ornaments, one to represent each of us in the family. As you can see, I only managed to get initials on for Melody, Napoleon and Caesar's hat. I was having trouble embroidering and kept trying different techniques. I will get mine and DH's initials on after I get back.And on the back, the numbers 08 to represent the year that I made it. For the pattern, you can get it here. It's quick and easy and it only took me a day to knit all 5 hats.This little bear is super cute. It's knit flat and then seamed up with the ribbon tucked in the head. I want to make more, maybe next year. The free pattern can be found here.On the top left, I filled empty glass globes with the yarn ends I had to snip off when making the hats and the bear. They look very festive with the colorful yarns in them.I know the tree looks sparse, but I don't mind. It's a work in progress for me and I can't wait until Melody can join in the fun. DH had Melody pick out a pack of minature Sesame Street ornaments. He held up two different packages and she grabbed for the Sesame Street one. She is in love with Elmo lately. On the top right, you can spot Big Bird dangling there. We also had some simply felt ornaments that I had bought last year. I need an idea for the Tree Top. Something knitted would be great, but I have until next Christmas to get that done.
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I spent the beginning of the week locked in the kitchen making treats.Right to left: Pecan Almond Chocolate Toffee from the book, Baked: New Frontiers in Baking, Homemade Marshmallows from Martha Stewart, and Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies.I packed up 20 assorted packages and brought it to my Wednesday night knitting group. I think it was a good sign when one of the ladies, Judy, polished off all her toffee with her cup of coffee.

I also made enough to send a few packages out to friends. I am not saying who because I want them to be surprised. I hope the marshmallows last because fresh marshmallows dry out faster. Eat them first! Or use it in your hot cocoa.
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I am now in Massachusetts for the Holidays. We drove from NYC on Friday morning and it only took us 8 1/2 hours (normally it is a 4 hour drive). We got caught in a huge snow storm. The conditions were so scary. I was car sick for most of the trip. Melody could not fall asleep and ended up screaming and crying from Rhode Island to Massachusetts. The boys (Napoleon & Caesar) were whining to get out. We finally had to stop and let them out. It was snowing so hard, you couldn't see past your hand. Napoleon had a coat on, but was so cold, he stood there shivering and wanted to go back into the car immediately. Caesar and his mighty fur coat was fine. He did his business and ran around for a bit before going back to the car. Napoleon basically held it for the 8 1/2 hour drive. They are very good boys.

We are spending the weekend in the North Shore with my mom and will be heading down to the South Shore for the rest of the week.

Are you all done with your holiday gifts or shopping? I am done and actually brought a knitting project for this trip that is just for me. Selfish knitting! I think it was more wishful thinking than anything because I am so tired right now and knitting is the last thing I want to do. Good luck to everyone that is still working on your gifts.