Holidays 2014 Before They are Gone

It was one of the Noro viruses I had and unfortunately Paul got it as well, hitting him on December 18 just as his son arrived. Paul was a trooper doing what he could while sick entertaining said son. And then between us we give HIM the bug as well. Apparently we weren't the only ones sick this holiday season according to the news.

Through that we celebrated Xmas 2014 in Portland, Oregon, where Paul's son and partner live and work. Portland is only a 5.5 to 6 hour drive from Vancouver, so the three of us headed there on Monday, December 22. The home we stayed in was beautifully decorated (far better than the one here in the Lower Mainland) with lots of glitz and glamour for the season.

Indeed a lava lamp was a gift shared this year

Sorry to cut the top off, it was beautiful too.

We enjoyed good conversation in front of a roaring fire watching, Portlandia, silently in the background.

Relaxing after the gift opening frenzy

And of course it wouldn't be a traditional Xmas for us without cooking up a big Lebanese meal that included kebbee (a Lebanese take on meatloaf) and mihsheh koosa (stuffed zucchini). It was quite a feast. Paul's son, girlfriend and I were the worker bees as Paul supervised (remember he was sick). What fun to enjoy one another's company while cooking. Traditions are being passed on to a new generation.

Here we are just before enjoying the fruits of our cooking

Knitting, well yes some took place. I ¨finished¨ the O scarf but am not satisfied with it.

Finished is a relative term here. Paul wanted a shorter scarf so I stopped knitting blocks when I thought it was long enough after the second ¨O¨ was added. But as you can see, the red of the last block and the final ¨O¨ block don't match the first set seen at the top of the photo above. He and I have discussed it and I will remove the second ¨O¨ add another grey block and then redo that second ¨O¨. Finally the fringe will be added and it will be done. (BTW, I shouldn't be using the word red with regard to this particular scarf, it is scarlet I am told.)

Here's a YouTube video from Franklin Habit. It pretty well represents how many knitters go about creating Xmas gift ideas for others. Perhaps this is exactly how Paul has ended up with a knitted woolen scarf too warm for where we live. This video should make you smile if you are associated with an addicted knitter.

I leave you with a wish for just the year you want out of 2015. I know I am looking for a healthy start to this new year. Enjoy New Year's Eve!

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