Imagination at Hand

Lucette has a marvelous art teacher. Such a variety of mediums and genres she introduces. Yesterday, my new favorite was sent home. They had studied one of my most favorite children's books of all time, Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden.

They dove into the magical world of Mary, Colin, and Dickon and imagined their way onto the page with pencil sketches, ink outlines, and vibrant water colors.

Lucette, seen here as she was dashing out the door this morning, has a fancy imagination.

When I slow down a bit, I am right there with her. Because really. Don't you just wish you could live in her painting? I think the tree looks like a perfectly splendid home.

Snowstorms and Soft Trees

Last year at this time we had a big snow. In our area, anything more than a few inches causes quite a kerfluffle, and we had over 3 feet that was thickly frosted with ice. The "Arctic Blast of 2008" really was quite newsworthy.

Needless to say, all of our ill-equipped vehicles lent to a cozy snowed-in existence for a solid week. While we did enjoy ourselves quite thoroughly, the term stir-crazy did find it's application from time to time.

When I found myself in such a state and tumbled upon these soft tree instructions, I just had to make myself a few. Or a dozen.

Unfortunately for Pops' wool sweater, it was the only green fabric I had on hand. "It has a moth hole and he complains it is much to hot," I justified to myself. "And really, this red and white shirt has a stain I've never been able to get out." Snip, snip, stitch, stitch, and a happy family of plush trees was born.

Personally, I love the reincarnation and my Seuss-like forest. And if the snows decide to storm again this year ... I make no promises to Pops' wardrobe.

Jane in Lilac Flannel

The girls were dreaming of new flannel nightgowns. How can a mother refuse? Jane was to be first, made up in lilac flannel with little pink roses.

I used the same pattern from last year but expanded the pattern margins by about a quarter inch and dropped the sleeve and skirt and hemline to allow for growth. Nightgowns are rather forgiving in the fit.

We added some lace trim,

a creamy pink button from Great-Mother's button tin,

and didn't skimp on the gathering for the puffed sleeves. Oh, little girls are so delicious to dress.

Simmered Orange Peel in Cider

And the computer is functioning again. Hurrah! Well, for now at least, but I'll take it. Thank goodness for Pops or I'd have given up and stared at the continual, yet errant, "loading" message for weeks on end and my vital posts on beverages and housecleaning would never be. Such tragic thought!

Last night, we had the pleasure of hosting our bible study group. A wonderfully diverse group of people whom we have grown to dearly love. Together, we study, converse, and inquire ... and laugh ourselves silly. Such a treat.

Naturally, we had yummies to munch, coffee and tea to offer, but I was most pleased with the big pot of simmering cider. What deliciousness can come from such little effort! Buy a large jug of unfiltered cider at the market, glug it into a stock pot to simmer on the stove, sprinkle in some nutmeg and some orange rind slices, and you've found grand success.

Hung By the Chimney With Care

Peter said to me, "Mom, I really love it when the house is decorated for Christmas. It just makes me feel so ... so nice inside." I know exactly what he means.

Taking an unintended hiatus until our computer woes are over. Something about a bad drive and crashing system. Feeling the nudge to spend this offline interim in the Word and in prayer.

Perhaps this can be a good thing, after all.

And Why Not?

Peter: Hey, Lucette. Tonight, if we have time, wanna do slow-motion wrestling?

Lucette: Yep.

Wreath Reinvention

Feeling a little bored with our old version, I'm rather pleased with this new take on an Advent "wreath."

The milk glass candy dish was divested of it's lid and bathroom counter cotton balls for some floral oasis foam, moss, and dollar tapers. A candle to be lit at each of the four Advent Sundays and one in the middle to represent Christ's light on Christmas day.

A fun alternative, don't you think?

Sweaters for the Windows

We have some drafty old windows. Particularly at the front of the house where the girl's bedroom faces. Pops went up to tuck them in for bed the other night and was grossly disturbed at the freezing air that leaked in at the windowsill. So much so, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Next thing I knew, horror upon horrors, he had the packing tape out and was taping the window frame to the windowsill at the seam. Packing tape!

The nice thing about having a husband who isn't particularly motivated by aesthetic is the free reign I get over decorating the house. The bad thing? Incidents with tethered toothpaste, crepe paper attached to the walls with a staple gun (Yes. That actually happened.), or windows that get taped shut.

Since solving the window problem as if it were a UPS package simply insults my sensibilities (Sorry, Honey), I had to come up with something else. To the rescue? Giant dry rice window snakes. Rummaging around in my stash of fabric I found some old flannel to make a liner and some teal wool to slide over top like a long, cozy sweater. A few seams with the machine, funnel in some dry rice (A whopping six pounds, it took!), and there we go.

Snuggled up against the window on the sill, everything is much, much better. Incidently, Jane, my pet-deprived daughter, has found great affection for them and has named the woolen snakes "Juju-bee" and "Pinbird." Well, okay then! All is well once more.

Advent and It's Blessings

Advent season always sneaks up so quickly (this year it started on November 29th!), but it has become a ritual of celebration that our family loves.

When it comes to holiday celebrations and traditions I've found many an inspiration in Martha Zimmerman's Celebrating the Christian Year. Now, I have found one never knows what attempts will actually "stick" and become truly meaningful. Sometimes what is glorious for one family may be agonizingly impossible for another. (I should know, I've tried.) But, if you take Martha's book with the proverbial grain of salt, you may just be able to find a few ideas and twist them to fit your family wonderfully.

One that we particularly like is what we call "Rice and Beans Night." Each Sunday of advent we replace the evening meal that we normally would have with one made of rice and beans. Just boil some brown rice in broth and serve with red beans and a glass of milk. This is to serve as reminder to us of all of those in this world that would be grateful for such a simple meal. You'd think the kids would grumble but I'm always surprised by their enthusiasm.

The money saved by making this our meal is represented by a dollar bill placed above the plate of each person. This gets tucked into our "Blessings Jar" along with any other donated funds from chores or savings. We choose some person or group that we know could use the gift and send it to them after Christmas. It's simple and not a huge amount of money, but a very real way to show the children how they can show love in Christ's name.

After mealtime we sing a Christmas hymn together (this week is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel), clean up, toss on the jammies, light the advent candle, and cuddle under a blanket for the advent reading. Last year I came across a book called Jotham's Journey and it is just excellent. I highly recommend it as a fun way to work through Advent and the real meaning of Christmas.

Reflecting upon all of my attempts to make meaningful experiences and memories for the family, the main thing I've learned is: Keep it simple, keep it fun, and bag it if it's not! It will be interesting to see what traditions continue through the years, what fades, and the birth of the new. Regardless, it's all starts with just being together.

Mad for Plaid

Between the arrival of the Christmas season and my newly purring sewing machine, I just can't stop myself!

I'd been wondering what to make out of this delicious plaid wool yardage from Grandma's stash. First came some coasters backed with a happy holly-red chambray. No longer will my magazines be abused by drippy mugs! And aren't they cute? While unintentional, I like the flirty upbend at the corners.

And then came the zippy pouches. I almost don't want to put these in the shop they are so cute! Vintage metal zippers and a little tabby at the edge.

Wouldn't they even be cute as a little holiday handbag? I'm picturing a trip to the coffee shop with with a fluffy cream scarf and this little honey to stash a bit of cash, Christmas list and pen, and a cheeky tube of lip gloss. Anyone want to meet me for a cappuccino?