Mom's Mandala

.

This is the Mandala I made for Mom for Christmas. I had a clear vision and high hopes for this piece and I'll admit (with all modesty) that it turned out even better!

12" x 12"

The hummingbird is a fairly expensive bead from Just Nan. I call $6.50 for a tiny bead expensive anyway. The dragonflies are buttons of which I cut the shanks off - from one of the Jesse James collections.

Man, do I love making these things!

* * *

I had to wake Simon up this morning! This is a far cry from Christmas mornings when he was a little one, that's for sure. I made something similar to this Christmas Crescent Ring for breakfast - made individual triangles, rather than a ring. A woman at work made these for our Friday Breakfast treat a couple of weeks ago. I woke Simon up so we could eat and open presents because Steve had to skidaddle over to his mom's with his compressor to see if he could clear her drains. His sister had called us 8:45 to say the tub and sinks were backed up! Steve was able to blow out the clog fortunately.

Btw, we had that roaring fire channel playing on the TV while opening presents. High def rocks.

Simon gave me a tart warmer, tart and tealights - all in a new variation of the Yankee Candle scent he and I love most - MacIntosh. This new variation is MacIntosh & Peach!

I gave him cash, gift cards from Starbucks and Blockbuster and candy in his stocking. I had wanted to give him a gift instead of cash, like I did last year but he was unable to think of anything he wanted and I couldn't come up with anything either. He's looking to get his summer car fixed so he really wanted cash this year anyway. But the thing that kills me is this weekend he asked me, "How come you didn't ask me what I wanted for Christmas?" I about fell over because I very clearly asked him at least twice. But unlike his procrastinating ways, I asked him weeks ago so of course he doesn't remember. Errgh.

Speaking of food - Steve's aunt and uncle gave me Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals book. I get just about all my new recipes online these days so it's cool to get an actual cookbook. Gretchen gave me a subscription to Cooking Light magazine. I used to subscribe a few years ago so it will be good to get back to that. I've sort of lost interest in cooking the last couple of years as Simon will gladly tell you. Feels like the old Stefani is ready for a comeback.

And I received other lovely gifts. I've mentioned my family makes charitable contributions and exchange small gifts. This less frenzied Christmas is so nice - both in preparation and on the day itself. It feels good all the way around.

We enjoyed each other's company eating a fabulous ham, au gratin potatoes, a delicious green salad provided by Gretchen with a terrific touch I'd not heard of before - sweetened walnuts, pecans and almond. My Baked Parsnips were actually quite good and enjoyed by all (except Simon and Paul, who at least tried them). We enjoyed my raggedy ol' checkerboard cake I dragged over there and Mom's delicious Dump Cake, with ice cream.

And we missed Nick, who is spending Christmas in Iraq. Please continue to keep a good thought for him.

From Mom and Dad's house, Simon went to his girlfriend's house. Steve was at his mom's so I had the house to myself, always enjoyable. Naturally I took the requisite nap on the couch with Reggi behind my legs and Verona on my hip, at one point.

Time to work on the Pine Tree Designs website I promised to have reopened tomorrow. It won't be 100% complete. I'll send an announcement email out in a week or so when it's totally done. (For now. Always a work in progress of course.)

I love spending time with my family and I love my alone time too. Hope whatever holiday you celebrate was enjoyable for you.

.