Greetings! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We did. 
Gorgeous Girl gave us a present of her own, she rolled from her stomach to her back twice (at 11 weeks and 5 days, for those of you who care about those things).
I didn’t get Gorgeous Girl’s stocking finished, or the cardigan sewn up on Christmas Eve. I did something much more enjoyable instead. Gorgeous Man and I took Gorgeous Girl to a local night shelter that provides safe accommodation for the homeless in the area. The shelter can accommodate 50 people a night. Some of his students from Burundi (who haven’t gone home for the holidays) were running a braai (BBQ) for those there for the night, so we went to help out and lend them some support.
For the past few months these students have been collecting unwanted clothing from their classmates and community. After the meal they put all of the clothes on the table and encouraged those there to choose for themselves. The first items to go were blankets and one woman was ecstatic over a towel. The clothes were all good quality and went very quickly. I’d taken some of Gorgeous Girl’s clothes that she’s outgrown and they were snapped up so quickly I felt bad for not bringing more.
People that stay there are charged a small fee each night, and the students also covered the cost of the accommodation for Christmas night as a gift to them. It was a really lovely way to spend Christmas Eve and I’m sure we’ll be going back there again before next Christmas.
I didn’t take my camera because I think there’s something slightly repulsive about saying ‘Here are some gifts for you, now let us document our generousity.’ So no photos of that.
Christmas Day was just a quiet one at home with Gorgeous Girl and Gorgeous Man’s mother and step-father. Here she is with some of her gifts. We tried not to go too overboard since she really doesn’t need anything.
Gorgeous Man and I gave her this very cute owl mobile to hang above her cot. It’s made locally in Cape Town and they do ship internationally if you are interested.
Gorgeous Man gave me sock yarn (Opal) for Christmas, and Amy Karol’s book, which hasn’t arrived from the US yet. I was so happy with the sock wool that I carried it around and kept petting it all day.
I worked on the cardigan Christmas Day, it’s just awaiting buttons and then I’ll post a picture. I’m going to work on the stocking today (child allowing) so that it will be well and truly finished in time for Christmas next year.
Finally, pop over to Barbara in the Netherlands and congratulate her on the safe arrival of her gorgeous little boy.
There has been reading.
Book update:
Books I’ve read in 2007
62. Shanghai Harriet Sergeant – a biography of Shanghai from the arrival of the first Europeans to the end of the Japanese occupation.
63. Making Money Terry Pratchett – the man is a genius, what more can I say. A very funny book.
Merry Xmas………gorgeous girl is growing so quick………did your Gorgeous man want to know what type of snake it was?????? you are a no reply blogger
Merry Christmas Ruth! GG’s first Christmas – it must have been special.
By the way, I recently knitted a pair of socks with Opal yarn and I am a fan of that brand! It wore and washed so well.
What great pictures of you and GG! That owl mobile is too cute.
What GM’s students did was very touching. What a great way to spend Christmas Eve.
A belated merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! What an awesome, beautiful way to spend Christmas Eve.
Beautiful pic of the two of you!
Glad to hear that you had a great Christmas! It’s nice to give something back too – my co-workers and I make up gift bags for the homeless every year. I think that means more to me than anything else! I think we made 50 bags this year.
GG is looking so cute!
Hope you have a great new year!
That was realy a very good Christmas eve. Good to know that GG liked the presents. My girls liked their presents a lot. And we just gave them, well santa only gave them 1 present for each. But it was the perfect one!
Sounds like a lovely Christmas. The owls are very cute, as is GG.