I’m glad my post yesterday struck a chord with so many of you. And it’s nice to remember to slow down and enjoy the season. But still – it’s a busy time of year and while we are enjoying we also have to prepare. And in the spirit I have to admit that my to-do list is about to explode and it’s sort of all I can think about these days. And so, while I’m still focusing on what matters, I’m also going to unload on all of you. Here are 10 Things On My To-Do List Right Now.

1. Order Christmas cards. At least we finally got the photo done over the weekend!
2. Mail the Dansko clogs I sold on eBay.
3. Make an appointment for an oil change. Of course my car hit the 7500 mile mark at the busiest time of year. Of course it did.
4. Prepare the Library and COA Budgets for 2015. Good times right there.
5. Prepare for the Kiwanis monthly business meeting. Lots to talk about after our successful Christmas on the Common weekend.
6. Squats, Push Ups and a Plank. Every day.
7. Finish Christmas shopping. I only have a couple of things left to buy but I’ll feel better when it’s done.
8. Wrap gifts. I generally don’t wrap until everything is purchased.
9. Pick out a Christmas tree. You would think, given that we sell these, that this would be a no-brainer. And yet, it’s not done.
10. Bake cookies. This will be done over the upcoming weekend.

I think writing this all out actually made me feel worse but I’m hoping that reading all of your to-do lists will make me feel better! Don’t forget to add your link below and if you want to receive the Ten on Tuesday email then click here to sign up.

Vicki sent me this topic idea and it’s a timely one for the season since we all get unexpected guests around the holidays. It’s best to be prepared and so, here we go with 10 Favorite Housekeeping Shortcuts.

1. Put things away every time you use them. This is my #1 thing because it’s the thing that will make the most difference. Are you done with those pants, that newspaper, that dish? Put.it.away. Don’t leave it out because you’re going to wear it, read it, eat from it again tomorrow. Put.it.away.
2. Straighten up the cushions and pillows on the couch. This little thing will make your family room instantly fresh.
3. Sweep the floor. As the owner of a yellow lab we have tumbling tumbleweeds on a regular basis. Giving a quick sweep of the kitchen floor cleans this up and it makes a remarkable difference.
4. Wipe the counters. No crumbs and sticky spots!
5. Clean the bathroom sink every day. Rinse out that toothpaste and clear out those stray hairs. Give a little shine to the faucet and wipe up the water that (other people in your family) splash around. While you’re in the bathroom, clean the mirror of that sink and wipe the toilet seat. I keep paper towels and Windex in the bathroom vanity to make this quick and easy to do.
6. Run the dishwasher. Empty it right away. An empty dishwasher means you can put dirty dishes in there and no one will see them. There is nothing worse – to me – than dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter.
7. Go through the house with a box or laundry basket and put everything in there that doesn’t belong. You can mostly avoid this if you follow rule #1 up there.
8. Keep cheese in your fridge, crackers in your pantry, and maybe some frozen hors d’oeuvres in the freezer. Having a snack to offer your guests will make them completely forget about their surroundings.
9. Light a candle or three. I have Yankee Candles in the living room, bathroom and kitchen. I light them and things instantly smell better and look cozy and inviting.
10. Freshen yourself up. Go put on a fresh top and some lipstick and fluff your hair. You will feel better AND look better.

And there you have it. Most of my tips are pro-active so that you aren’t scrambling at the last minute to keep things picked up. I nag my family constantly about this stuff but it really does makes things look better and reduces, well, my stress anyway. The bottom line, though, is that if someone is dropping by it’s because they want to see you. Not your house. Not your floors or your sticky counters or your piles of laundry. They want to see you. So put a smile on your face, give them something to eat and drink, and relax.

Do you have some tips to share? Make sure you add your link by clicking the button at the end of this post. And if you want to receive the Ten on Tuesday email, click here to sign up.

It’s the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and that means there is only one possible topic for Ten on Tuesday: Ten Things I Am Thankful For. I tried to go for some new stuff this year but the truth is, it’s a lot of repeats. You know what, though? When it comes to being thankful I don’t mind saying the same things every year because I have so much and I am so blessed.

1. Family. Dale and the kids and the extended family like my brothers-in-law and their wives and my cousin Len and his wife and kids. I have a family and it’s just what I always wanted.
2. Marriage. It’s not always easy and it’s sure not perfect but I have a marriage that brings me great joy and contentment. I have a husband who loves to have fun with me. He is my rock and he makes my world an infinitely better place just by his presence. He is, quite literally, my dream come true.
3. Education. I hear a lot these days about the cost of a college education and it makes me extremely grateful for not only my Bachelor’s Degree but my Master’s Degree as well. I had some debt for a while there but it wasn’t much by today’s standards and I’m grateful for this education since it truly shaped the person I have become.
4. Food. Every day I see people who don’t have enough to eat. It’s a sad state of affairs that the richest country in the world is full of people who are going hungry. I have plenty, allowing me to eat even more than I should, and I’m grateful for the abundance of good food in my world.
5. Technology. I have a laptop and an iPhone and an iPad. I have access to WiFi and I have flat screen TVs and a blog and a digital camera and all of the comforts of a first world nation. I go crazy without it (which is probably not good) and I love it all.
6. Health. I had a mammogram 2 weeks ago and the results were normal. I had a colonoscopy last summer and the results of that were normal, too. I have lost weight and lowered my cholesterol. It’s been hard work but I’m grateful that my body has adapted and changed and gotten stronger.
7. A house. This house I live in isn’t one I chose, it came with Dale. But I have grown to love it and I have made it a home and it’s where I put my feet up, where I gather our friends and family together, where I nurture my soul and love my pets and keep my stuff and spend as much time as I can.
8. Transportation. I have a brand new car, my husband has a mostly new car and we have a spare, too. I can afford to buy gas and I have the luxury of going where I want, whenever I want.
9. Friends. I have an incredible group of friends. There are women I wouldn’t want to live my life without – I’m looking at you Jo-Ann and Anne and Sharon and Lois and Doreen and Chrissie. I have a best guy friend who I can talk to about anything. Hi, Tom! I have friends from high school and college, friends at work, friends from my church, family members that are friends, blog readers and knitters and spinners and so much more. I could call on any one of them right now and they would drop everything if I asked. Talk about being blessed!
10. Kiwanis. We work hard but we play hard, too. And there is nothing better than handing a check to someone and knowing that you are making a difference. I am so lucky to be the President of this club!

There is something so humbling about remembering and being thankful for all that I have. I am going to love reading everyone’s lists today. Make sure you add your link by clicking the button at the end of this post. And if you want to receive the Ten on Tuesday email, click here to sign up.

Sweater weather is definitely here and most of my hand knit sweaters are now too big to wear. That’s a mixed blessing, right there. It means I’m smaller – which is great! and it means I get to knit new sweaters – which is pretty great, too. It also means that some of the sweaters I love are going to new homes. Anyway. Today I want to talk about favorite sweater patterns and favorite sweater yarns. 5 of each. In other words, today’s Ten on Tuesday topic is 5 Favorite Sweater Patterns and 5 Favorite Yarns to Use. Ten is the total. Ready? Let’s go.

First for me, the patterns:

1. Everyday Cardigan. This is my favorite plain cardigan. I’m still wearing mine but I probably shouldn’t as it’s very big and sloppy looking. I definitely need to make another one.
2. Twist. And my favorite cabled cardigan. Fun to knit and assemble, it’s a classic.
3. Miss BB. I queued this a while ago, I think when Margene knit hers. And then Patty referenced it last week and I immediately ordered yarn from Peace Fleece. I can not wait to start!
4. Folly Cove. I’m still waiting for a few pounds to go away before I start this one, should be great for spring.
5. Brynna. I think this would be great for work – a little less “woolly” and a little more stylish, if you know what I mean.

And the yarns:

1. Peace Fleece Worsted. My favorite. I love tweedy yarns and Grass Roots is probably my favorite Peace Fleece color ever.
2. Beaverslide. Beautiful and it blooms into a fantastic fabric when knit. It’s not cheap but it’s worth it.
3. Frolic from The Woolen Rabbit. All of Kim’s yarns are wonderful – this one is a beautiful worsted weight and will be perfect for Folly Cove.
4. Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Ultra Alpaca Light. The colors of these are awesome and the yarn doesn’t pill. It’s very very warm, though.
5. Green Mountain Spinnery Weekend Wool. This has that tweedy look that I love and the colors are wonderful.

Today’s topic is a dangerous one and I’m not sure I should even go forth and read all of your posts! But I will so make sure you add your link by clicking the button at the end of this post. And if you want to receive the Ten on Tuesday email, click here to sign up.

Thanksgiving is only two weeks away! Let’s hear it for my favorite holiday! And let’s talk about the showcase of Thanksgiving day: the dinner. Of course we’re all having turkey but today I want to know what else you are having. Tell me your 10 Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes.

1. Mashed potatoes. Is there anyone reading this who didn’t know this would be first on my list? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
2. Gravy. Because you cannot have mashed potatoes without the gravy.
3. Stuffing. Dressing. Call it what you want but make sure it’s loaded with sage, celery and onions.
4. Boiled onions. Not those little ones with cream sauce but full sized onions, boiled whole.
5. Cranberry sauce. Homemade, whole berry cranberry sauce if I’m being truly specific.
6. Parsnips. I love all the root vegetables but parsnips are my true favorite.
7. Brussels Sprouts. Because you’ve got to have at least one green vegetable on your plate!
8. Stuffed dates. I can remember making these on Thanksgiving Eve with my mom. Split open a date, stick a walnut half inside, smoosh it back together and roll it in sugar. I loved them then and I love them now.
9. Celery stuffed with cream cheese & olive. We also made this on Thanksgiving Eve, usually with my Nana would would make one, eat one, make one, eat one and then my mom would come over to the table and wonder where there were so few pieces done.
10. Dinner rolls. Soft, yeasty ones, warm and shiny with butter.

And now I’m hungry! Pass the gravy, would ya? If you wrote a post about today’s topic, don’t forget to add your link below. And if you want to subscribe to the Ten on Tuesday email list just click here.