The goals I had set for 2011

refering to this post.

1. Learn to knit
I certainly did! I'm very happy that I can say "Yes, I do!" when people assume I know how.

2. Cut on meat eating
We did, and it feels great, but we're still eating a lot of it...it's still a w.i.p.

3. Cut on cow milk, totally if possible (a hard one, I'm emotionally attached)
That one failed after realizing I'm quite intolerant to Soya mylk, makes my tummy ache. Rice mylk have enzyme in it that makes it not the best for children, and Almond mylk isn't the best to cook with, but we've cut on cow milk, just not totally.
4. Fill my etsy shop with organic doll goodness
I think that one is achieved. I also have new ideas that includes peg dolls :)

5. Don't buy any cloths for me or the kids, make them instead
Well, I'm very proud of this one!

6. Furnish our (upcoming) house with previously loved furniture, preferably unpainted wood N/A. Unfortunately!

7. Still breastfeed on December 31st
I'm 2 days away from this goal. I think I will make it ;)

8. Produce the majority of our veggies N/A for this one as well. I thought I we would spend the summer at "our new house"...oh well!

9. Make our bread
Not as much as I would have liked

10. Be more patient
Still working on it.

11. Enjoy every moment!
I think I did, most of the time.

I'm currently thinking of 12 goals I want to set for 2012 and went back to see what I had achieved this numeral year. I'm definitely not in the place I wanted to be, thought.

Winter Solstice and Xmas

We celebrated the Solstice day, which happened on the 22nd this year, with my mom before she left for Mexico. I made a cipaille, which is a traditional meal from our region consisting of throwing meat and potatoes in a pot and covering it with dough. It was good and the kids loved it, especially Merrick who likes potatoes so much.

We also made a batch of gingerbread men and pine tree, but they've gone missing before I had a chance to take a picture of them... I actually found some in the playroom, missing limbs, naked of all their buttons and eyes...Wonder what happened to them!

We opened our stocking on the solstice day. I like that, so xmas eve isn't too overwhelming and I feel they savour their gifts more. It might me egoist of me, but I knew my handmade stuff would be eclipsed by the huge cardboard playhouse the in-laws bought. I love it too!

I was heard and no one received plastic! Even me, I asked for knitting needles and crochet and received bamboo ones.

But I have mixed feelings about this year's holidays. I really feel like celebrating on the 24th is a fraud, so to say. Papa also informed me of his desire not to celebrate the 31st, as it's "Just a number". We pretty much agree that the real new year happens is November 1st, when the nature is finally getting a rest. So we are in this weird stage of creating our family tradition and finding what's right for us. You know, Boxing Day isn't our kind of thing.

What traditions did you keep? Which one did you create?

Other Handmade Gifts

My daughter adores Fairies. It might be my fault, as I push for her not to like the princess, fairy makes a good replacement. Those are the disney fairies. Even the "evil" one, my daughter's favorite, that never really gets to be displayed on their merch. I love how they turned out and find them really cute. Mariann loves them of course, and she installed them in the felt house I made last autumn.

I made 2 mechanics for Merrick to go with the cars Mariann painted for him.

And this crown was made for the little red-head best friend of Mariann, Zoe. She turned 3 in the middle of the month. I also made her a set of pretend cookies.

And I made this for one of my SIL. Now that she moved to study I thought she could use a sewing kit. I also made an infinity top to the other SIL, but she finds it too thights and the wraps aren't serged so she won't wear it... I made a red infinity dress for myself. I'll try to show you soon.