Someone started a journey today - a musical journey.
She practiced all afternoon.
M even had fun drilling her on the five notes she has learned.I wonder how unusual it is to get one's finger stuck in the "f" whole.Don't ask.
Thoughtful Sunday
(M after completing a long and successful day at regional solo and ensemble competition yesterday)"His heart will get heavy when his songs are all gone.""How They Broke Away to Go to the Rootabaga Country," Rootabaga Stories, Carl Sandburg, 1922.
It Might be Time
It might be time to take down the tree.
A Blur of Family Fun
The weekend was a blur of family fun.
P has been making new paper snowflakes every day.
Our windows are almost covered.
P planned Santa drawing time for us yesterday. She was up before the boys and made a "sample" Santa picture so that we would all know what to do. Still, everyone's picture was different- we had Santa on a flying bicycle, a Santa matryoshka, an up close portrait, Santa feeding his deer, and Santa with a tree surrounded by presents.
Last night we had a long game of 20 questions where all of the objects had to be tree ornaments and then stayed up too late working a jigsaw puzzle.Sigh.I love winter break.
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Hugs and Kisses
I found this little baby sweater set yesterday while searching in the freezer. (I have it stored in the freezer to keep the moths away.) This was a sweater I made preblog when I was pregnant with P. I took the pictures to update my ravelry project page and I thought I'd share it with you too.
The pattern is Heirloom Aran Baby Set by Lisa Lloyd in the spring 2004 issue of Interweave Knits. I don't remember the details on the yarn but it is a super soft merino wool.
I even have proof that P wore it! Here she is in November 2005. 
What a cute little peanut she was on her vintage pink thrifted blanket.
Basking in the Glow
I am enjoying having everyone at home for winter break. This weekend we enjoyed some fun and games - Pictionary and Twister! D had an exam this morning and has another tomorrow evening but it is nice that he can be home and go back to school just to take his exams.
Today we will do some baking and playing in the snow. I'll start a fire in the wood stove so that we can warm up and dry off when we come in.We are hoping for clear skies so that we can see the lunar eclipse tonight.It will be wonderful for all to be home the evening of the solstice tomorrow. We'll light candles and bask in the glow.
Peaceful Process
I may have said this before but I love the PROCESS of creating. I (usually) enjoy the making more than the finished object.
I love hand stitching.Really.It is FUN for me. 
This is not a new project but I remember the peace it brought me when I made it. The boys were young and very active. A kit project like this was just what I needed; it was all ready to go without much planning on my part.
It makes me very happy to see P enjoy hand stitching too.
Tiny Treasures
As I was looking at our tree I found this little section decorated with tiny origami creations.Yes, it truly is the little things that make me happy.What little discoveries have brought joy to you recently?
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Yesterday before dinner we decided to venture over into the park across the road. B had been over there early in the morning and seen the sun sparkling on the icy branches. He said he thought there were winter fairies over there. We went just before sunset and saw a few sparkly branches and lots of interesting snowy places but no fairies.The snow covered blueberry bushes looked like the kind of places fairies would like. They must have already gone in for the night to get out of the bitter cold wind.
Still, it was a lovely walk.
There were even pink clouds.
It was nice to have an unexpected "day off".
Snow Day
We enjoyed our first snow day! It is bitter cold but we have had a bit of sun.I have been lazing about today, doing a little knitting in in the glow of the tree while P keeps the holiday cds playing.
Eventually someone will need to go to the store. We are almost out of milk.
Twinkle, Twinkle
I've been playing with my camera!Today we need to find that last box of decorations. It is the one that has the special Santa holding the BIG gold bag that we fill with candy. We are missing our candy dish....We also plan to do some baking.
Shiny Brite
Today am trying to make the house shiny and bright! I need to clean up so that we can put out our non-tree decorations.
Enjoying the Glow
P and I are having a quiet day at home today. She woke with a little cough and stuffy nose so I'm keeping her home. We will spend time on the couch listening to holiday cds and reading books.I may even get some knitting done!I hope you don't get sick of pictures of our tree over the next few weeks. I'm sure I'll be posting a few more. Because, you know, Christmas comes but once a year. Soak it in!
Wordless Wednesday - the busy in the workshop edition
Happy Holiday Happenings
Whew, that was a busy weekend. Thanks to all of you who came to the show. It was fun to meet so many new people.Yesterday was a day for changing gears and getting caught up a little. P and I spent a long time putting ornaments on the tree. This tree is different from any we have had before. It is one that we grew and has never been trimmed (except maybe nibbled a little by deer). It is very open which is great for allowing the ornaments to dangle but there are also fewer branches for the ornaments so each branch is loaded with a number of decorations. This is one of those times that I can let go of my "less is more" mantra. I think with the tree "more is more" is the way to go!!More sparkle.More light.More memories!I never used to be a fan of glass ball ornaments but I really love them now. We have collected quite a few vintage shiny brites in the last few years. I love the way they make the tree sparkle even more by reflecting the lights.
This tree makes me very happy. I love the mix of handmade, vintage, and other new ornaments. There are so many memories hanging from the branches of our tree.I do wish my mother were here to see it. I think she would appreciate its overloaded branches in all their glory.We still have the icicles to add but P has requested that I wait until she is home from school to do that.What is making you happy today?
Reframing the Season
Sometimes December can seem overwhelming with people bustling about, going shopping, and stressing over gifts and activities of the season. I have been trying to cut back the stress by thinking about what it is that I enjoy about the month of December.
I like that our advent calendar is ready to go at the beginning of December each year. I don't have to purchase any toys, candy, or even write notes. The focus here is on the passing and savoring of each day.
Tomorrow I'll have a booth at the "All The Trimmings" craft/art show at the Chelsea Fairgrounds. The hours are 10-4. I hope some of you local readers can make it. I would love to see you there.After the show tomorrow I am looking forward to a month of fun - making gifts, twinkling lights, baking cookies, family games, visiting with friends, and singing with the holiday cds.What are your favorite December activities?
The Quest
Today we went on a quest,
a quest for a Christmas tree.This is the earliest we have ever gone out to get a tree. We usually wait until the first or second weekend in December, but the next two weekends are already very busy for us so I thought it would be fun to go ahead and get the tree early while D is still home from school (after all, he is the master at putting on the lights so that the entire tree is lit up and we don't see the wires). B is out of town but we decided to go ahead without him.It started this morning with a drive to the tree farm where we have purchased a tree for the last few years. It was a lovely drive, a bit longer than usual because we missed the last turn. We did get to see lots of animals - cows, dogs, goats, horses, chickens, even little bantams running across the road in front of us.After stopping to ask for directions at two homes we finally found the tree farm. Sadly, it was deserted.Not open.Closed.There was no one there.So, we drove home.I didn't think any of the trees we had planted were big enough to be Christmas trees but, not wanting to go to another tree farm or purchase an already cut tree, we ran down to assess the situation in our field.Happily, there were a few trees that were tall enough.I like that this one is not too fat and has space for the hanging ornaments to hang freely between the branches.
So exciting. The kids were thrilled
that the hunt was over and we didn't have to go out in the car again.
The best part is that from now on our tree hunting expeditions will only be a walk from the house!
Flock of Turkeys
I am glad P is around to remind us of the importance of family holidays even when it is just the five of us here. She loves all of the little details that set a holiday apart from any other day. Last year when we had Thanksgiving dinner with friends, there were place cards for each of us on the table. P remembered this and set to work yesterday morning making place cards for our table.I had a quick idea of a way to add a turkey to spiff them up. Here is a quick tutorial if you want to make your own (If we had thought of this before Thanksgiving day I would have posted it earlier. You can just file this idea away for next year.)First, gather your tools. We used a two inch flower punch, a one inch circle punch, a standar hole punch, glue, and a fine point marker.
You will also need some fancy paper. Double sided craft paper works best for the tail section.
Next, cut out one of each size circle for the turkey body parts. From left to right they are the tail, body, and head.
Fold the largest circle so that the back edge peeks out behind the front. Glue the folded paper together and then add the body and head as shown. Use the marker to make a face.
Lastly you will glue the turkey to the card and add legs.
The legs can add quite a bit of character to the turkeys.
Thankful
I am thankful:* for my family and the time that we are together. With D at U of M and M making his own college plans our family time seems much more precious. Any time we are all together is a time of thanks.* that so many people are willing to give of themselves to make our community a wonderful place to live with many great opportunities for our children.* that I have a home to keep out (most of) the wind and weather. Although our home is old, drafty and needs much work it is more than many people have.* that we have a pantry and cellar full of food to help get us through the winter months. However, I do wish those hens would start laying again.* for the friends and inspiration I have found in this online community. This really is a special place. Thank you to all who leave a comment or send an email and let me know you are out there. I enjoyed a recent email conversation with someone who moved to my hometown years after I left.* for my health, eyesight, and ability to work with my hands.* for the unending support of family and friends -especially my sisters who are always there for me no matter what, even when I am sure they would rather be doing something else.Wherever you are, I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.
