oh, christmas tree

As if on cue the snow started to fall early last weekend, giving the perfect backdrop for gathering our Christmas tree.

It has been a number of years since we've gotten to cut down a fresh pine for our Christmas tree.  For the past five years we've opted for an artificial tree because of some darn allergies of mine and Buddy's.  But we've been feeling pretty good this year, so we decided to give it a go.

I love everything about a fresh tree.  The searching, the gathering, the smell of pine in the house.

For the kids this was the first time, or the first time they could remember, getting a fresh tree, and our search was punctuated by having to repeat over and over "that one's too big, the tree needs to fit in our house."

But a spirited search soon revealed a sweet, little, nicely shaped, just tall-enough tree.

So cutting commenced.  Dragging commenced.  Tying it to the roof of the car commenced.

The kids were so excited to get the tree home, and inside, and decorated.

Too bad that within an hour of our perfect little O Tannenbaum being indoors that I realized we had made a mistake.  A big mistake.  Buddy was sneezing, I was getting a scratchy throat.

The tree had. to. go.

So, we've ended up with a sweet, little, nicely shaped, just tall enough, fresh cut tree on the patio. 

All it needs now are some birdseed decorations to make it complete.  I'll have to see about that.

making-merry

We are well into our lists here.  Luckily there is not gift shopping on those lists.  Instead it is the fun merry-making part of the season:  baking, wrapping, bits of sewing and crafting, creating some last-minute goodies, sending cards.  And a bit of house-cleaning, but that feels good too, no?

Those three huge baskets of laundry I just folded?  I get to check that off of the list.

I made the lists earlier this week, knowing that all of the to-dos in my head would feel so much better on paper.  Because on paper you can always erase them, and let a task go if you decide instead to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and watch a movie with your Honey instead.  Which I did.

And among all the merry, some good belly-laughs are a bonus.

Like this text from my sister, also a Mama:
"Ok. You know you're having a Mommy moment when you pull the whole "He sees you when you're sleeping" card, and at this rate mister, you're getting nuthin'!"

Or hearing this song from Straight, No Chaser.  If you enjoy men's acappela groups, it is worth watching.

Oh, and seeing the Big Guy in line at the post office.  When not tending to the presents, Santa wears a leather coat and cap, and always makes sure he has a photo to share with you.

Wishing you much merry, oh and belly laughs too!

from france with love

We love getting packages at our house.  There is much excitement to see what treasures those boxes might contain.  And this time of year the packages seem extra special because the contents are often for the kids.

I know some people probably save the packages and open them on Christmas morning, but not us.  The anticipation is too too great, and it is really so much more fun to spread the joy and gratitude over many days and fully enjoy the gifts when they arrive.  So as soon as a package arrives at our house we open it and enjoy all of the surprises inside.

That is exactly what we did last week when we received a package.  From France.

We have friends living there for a year, and they gifted us with amazing scarves from their travels.  A scarf for each member of the family, and an extra gift for me, a sumptuous leather journal with a pen engraved "Claudine," as could only be found in France. 

These same scarves are now featured in the blog header, and you will see more of them later this week on our Christmas card.  Truly, aren't they fantastic?

We got a chance to thank them "in person," thanks to Skype.


And the best part is that every time I select a scarf to put on, or the kids do, I am reminded of our friendship over the years, and over the miles.

So thanks for the love from France.  Love ya right back!

this moment {charlie brown with friends}

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are savoring this week!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

happiness is

That song from the musical "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" is running through my head these days.  Maybe it is the almost always present din of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" playing at our house, due to one little girl quite smitten with him, that keeps the tune there.  But I think it is the happy that has found its way to me these past couple weeks.

~ getting used to, and happy with, this new haircut
~ two kid-sized carts at Trader Joe's
~ taking Darth Vader on errands
~ a visit from St. Nicholas
~ kids putting on a show, of course entitled "Your Talented Kids"
~ a clean, re-organized art shelf
~ a very clean house, entirely done by a dear friend recognizing what a gift it would be to me
~ discovering lots of twinkle at Target
~ some serious candy for some serious gingerbread house making

And that song, it keeps me looking for that happiness around me.  Encouraging me to also spread happy of my own.

gifted

{All photos above from December 2010}

One holiday tradition that we share in our family is the sewing of matching flannel pajama pants for all of the nieces and nephews.

The kids, all nine of them, have great anticipation for the moment on Christmas Eve when they get to open and wear their new PJs.  It is one of their most loved gifts.

But the real gift, I believe, is the day spent actually making the pajamas.  It is the single day each year that my sisters, mother, father and I spend uninterrupted time together.  Just the five of us.

Early in the morning, we converge on Nonnie and Poppy's house and then spend hours measuring, cutting, remeasuring, pinning and sewing pants after pajama pants.  Sewing machines whirring.  This is best accomplished while telling stories, listening to Christmas music, sharing thoughts and lots and lots of laughter.  Some, doubled-over, cross-your-legs, tear-inducing laughter.

Of course all of that creating is punctuated with breaks for meals, all prepared by my Dad whose job that day is to keep us well fed.  And we are well-fed indeed. 

What a gift it is to be together, just the five of us, as we were 20 years ago before each starting our own families.

Sharing grace. 

Sharing meals. 

Sharing ourselves to each other. 

Sharing laughter until we are crying.

Gifted indeed.


While I can't show you photos from our sewing day this year lest I ruin the surprise for my nieces and nephews who are regular readers, I can share some pajamas from Christmases-past.

{2006}  This was our second or third year making pjs and we had to get creative when we couldn't find enough yardage of the same fabric.  These still are one of the favorites!

{2007} The one and only year we did different fabrics for different kids.  They insisted on all matching after that!

{2009} Did I mention the kids also do a talent show on Christmas Eve?  Here are cousins singing.

{2010} Last year we managed to make 17 pairs in one day and surprised the adults with pajama pants too!

this moment {growing}

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are savoring this week!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

what you find...

...when you take a very quick look to see if Soulemama has posted yet today.

And somehow (oh how!) you spend a bit more time on blogs than intended.

It really sounded like playing to me!

does this count?

I get my hair cut about once a year.  Whether it needs it or not.  Except for a quite unfortunate "mom cut" after my oldest was born, I've basically had the same, one-length, hair since college.

That particular length has varied over these past, ahem, twenty years.  Sometimes a short bob, sometimes halfway down my back.  But always all one length.  Generally predictable, my hair.

My annual cut is basically a trim to even things up.  I am not too fussy.  I also don't fuss much with my hair each day, usually putting in a couple messy pigtails or, more recently, two braids.


But last week, I was definitely due for a good hair cut.  My hair had grown quite long and almost unmanageable.  So I assured my stylist that she definitely should take some length off.

And sure, I am not opposed to some layers to lighten up the weight.

My only stipulation was I still wanted to be able to do two little pig tails in the back.  After all, pig-tailed is one of the first descriptors of me on my blog.

I agreed when she suggested right around my shoulders.  Yeah, that sounds good.

Well...it seems to be a bit alot shorter than that.  With quite a few more layers than imagined.  I am honestly not sure how I am going to style this every day.  Maybe a call to the Muppets' stylist would help.

But, I still can get in two pigtails.  Phew.

this moment {holiday marshmallows}

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are savoring this week!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

grateful for

:: The whole family of birds outside of our window.
:: Making banana bread with little hands.
:: The lovely snow-covered boulevard I frequently travel that becomes dream-like all winter long.
:: Having constant companions in Spiderman and a ballerina.  (Who insists on only the tutu.)
:: Sharpened colored pencils.
:: An organic art gallery on my kitchen cupboard of Munchkin's emerging talents.
:: A handful of alligators.
:: These spunky little leaves on our dogwood tree.  The very last leaves on that tree.  Their might, strength, and determination are inspiring me during my recent moments of change when I am just hanging on.

I hope today is bringing you much for which you are grateful.