I’m full!

I can’t help but think about that Taco Bell commercial today… I’M FULL! Thanksgiving was great! Geoff and I did our usual lunch with his family and dinner with mine and by the end of the day we were both properly stuffed.

Geoff and I stay out at my parents’ house on Thanksgiving and Christmas because after two HUGE meals (and plenty of alcohol courtesy of my dad) we are in no condition to drive the 45 minutes back downtown. Of course, this year I made a contribution to the alcohol with my spiked mulled cider! Oh it was sooooo good and a big hit with everyone! I’ll definitely do it again for Christmas. Here’s the recipe:

Yummy Spiked Mulled Cider
1 gallon apple cider
2 oranges, thinly sliced
4-6 whole cloves
4-6 whole allspice berries
4-6 cinnamon sticks

Put all of the ingredients in a crockpot (or a big pot on the stove I guess) and heat it up! Serve with a shot of Apple Brandy (I use Applejack brand) or a shot of spiced rum. Enjoy!

WARNING: Consumption of too much spiked cider can lead to goofy smiling…

I’m surprised I didn’t screw up Geoff’s scarf! Even under the influence of alcohol, I did get a good bit of knitting done. Oh! And on Wednesday I ordered four pairs of Addi Turbos (sizes 1 and 2) so that I can FINALLY try and master this socks on two circs thing! I can’t wait until they come!!

And when Geoff and I finally woke up this morning, my parents were starting to decorate the house for Christmas. That’s always how it was growing up. The day after Thanksgiving was when we’d put up the tree and get out all of the decorations. Seeing them begin that ritual put me in the holiday spirit and I couldn’t WAIT to get home and start decorating our house for our first Christmas as husband and wife.

I was fortunate to have had my best friend from elementary school and her mother throw me a Christmas-themed bridal shower last December and I got such GREAT things for our house! I had registered for Christmas decorations and ornaments from Pier 1 (LOVE that store) and registered for some reindeer Christmas china at Pottery Barn. If you are looking for a great (and useful!) theme for a bridal shower I definitely recommend the Christmas theme. Newlyweds never seem to have enough ornaments and decorations to make their first Christmas together special!

So anyway, I shifted around some furniture in our living room to make room for a tree (which I’m not sure when we’ll get). I put out Christmas stuff and changed out our everyday china for our Christmas china! I’m definitely in the holiday spirit now!

Tonight Geoff and I met up with “Kevelyn” to celebrate their recent engagement and our friend Kelly (my friend who’s pregnant!). It’s always TONS of fun when we all get together. Kelly put in her request for some knitted goodies for the little butterbean. She wants a little hat and some mittens. Does anyone know of a good mitten pattern for a baby? She doesn’t want those little “hand sock” things that keep babies from scratching their faces. She wants actual mittens with thumbs. The baby should be about 7-8 months old by the time it gets cold enough to warrant them. I’m sure I could just make up a pattern but if there is one already out there then all the better!

And one of my friends from high school waited on us tonight when we went out for dessert. And she said she just learned how to knit! Yay! I told her I was really wanting to get a “Stitch n’ Bitch” together here in Columbia, SC. Hopefully she’ll stop by here (Hi Evelyn!) and drop me an email. I know of a good handful of cool knitters here in Columbia and I think it would be great if I could get everyone together. If you’re reading this and live in or near Columbia, SC then drop me a line and maybe we can get something planned! Of course everything is crazy during the holidays but maybe I can get something together after the new year.

Ok, enough babbling for me tonight. I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and you’re recovering from all the food and family!