We made long popcorn/cranberry chains for the church Christmas tree. And it looks like Anna got the sudden urge to write the first letter of the word ‘popcorn’ on the seat next to her. She was the most patient of all of us. It actually turned out to be a good way to teach her how to handle a needle.
Homeschooling at it’s best. Who said you need big ole textbooks? Well, I suppose there are times you do, but sometimes popcorn and cranberries are a good stand-in for a pencil and paper.
And, yes. Yet another gratuitous view of my favorite bowl with my favorite pine cones. It keeps sneaking in. But I can’t help it. Sometimes it’s just love.
Just a little word for my bloggy aquaintance, Zee. Her art photography is stunning. Really it is. Please stop by her new blog and shop. It is such a lovely place to browse.
You know those ‘Snuggies’ that are everywhere? Kinda look like a blanket with holes for your arms.
My question: Why not just wrap yourself in a blanket like normal people?
The apparent answer: ‘Snuggies’ are nothing new. Just ask the Icelandic people. Only theirs are cooler. Theirs make you look like a seal.
Cool. Maybe.
And so the countdown continues…a little over two weeks until all of our preparations will come to fruition, either for good or bad. I sincerely pray that, for you, it is all good.
So, this morning another early morning run. In the rain and sleet and cold. Please help me understand why I signed up for a race on New Year’s day. I still am not sure, but my race packet and bib number should be coming soon in the mail. I’m not sure if this makes me crazy or diligent. I’m guessing, and my lovely mother would probably agree, that it is firmly the former. *sigh*
Anyway, I randomly added that extra mile this morning to see if I could do it.
I did it. And felt rather sorry for my legs that they always have to put up with my shenanigans and whims. So, so sorry, legs. You are so faithful and I take you so for granted. Someday soon I shall reward you with a day at the spa (meaning you may actually get shaved). Something to look forward to, right?
Now that I am done talking to my legs, and establishing myself as a first-rate nut job, I’ll post the snapshot of the day.
This particular picture was taken last year on, I believe, Christmas Eve. Can’t exactly remember.
Very, very first snowman of the season. And very first snow.
I wanted to name him Harold. The kids decided on the very loyal and seasonally appropriate name of ‘Frosty’.
Quite dashing with the whole scarf thing going on.
I hope you are having a wonderful and warm season, so far.
The first snow of the season.
The courtyard garden turned into a white and fluffy piece of art.
Hot cocoa with hand-whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Mr. Pumpkin finally got a hat. Looks dashing, no?
This time last year…
Calm evening and red pears. I had never had them before, but the color was so intriguing, as if they would taste better because they were so red. Maybe I just imagined it, but I think they did.
Finally finished that project I was talking about a few posts ago. Some worn, used, men’s shirts from a thrift shop make super-cute, not to mention, super-cheap, Christmas decorations for my mantle. The kids helped me stuff them (thus the lumpiness), but I resisted the urge to “fix” them and stuck them pell-mell up on my mantle late last night. I got the idea from the blog Wise Craft. She has some other really great ideas I plan to try…just maybe next year. I still have, as yet, to whip up the new stockings. I do believe I have just enough of the shirting left to make some quilt-y, somewhat matchy receptacles for Christmas goodies.
Did you see the project I am working on for the new I Spy book? Totally kidding, of course, but my dining table somehow looks like it could easily make the cut.
I spy the yellow block.
I spy the box if ziploc baggies.
I spy the tin bucket.
I spy a kitchen scale.
You see where I’m going with this. All in all, this photo is my new attempt at posting some hardcore reality every once in awhile. So the moral of the story? Forget about the piles just for a moment, and go decorating your mantle, or whatever, pell-mell.
Pell-mell, my new motto.
Went on my morning run and this is what I got to see the whole time. I just followed Mr. Moon around. Or he followed me. I can’t ever tell. Have you ever gone running in 20 degree weather? My gloves are so covered in snot that I could probably single-handedly save each and every elderly horse in the Continental United States from the glue factory. Goodness, it just kept coming. I know you sooo wanted to know this.
You are welcome.
And, yes, sadly it is almost Christmas and Mr. Pumpkin is still sitting by the back door, content to still be uncarved, poor guy.
Note: I am very sorry my photos are so fuzzy. I have no idea why, but I shall try to fix them when I have the time. Which will be next year, perhaps in July.
She turned around and said, “Mommy…do you like my songs?”
Of course, I said, “absolutely”. Because I do.
Do you see a clue of what I did with those old men’s shirts?
An ornament, hand-glittered a couple years ago by a certain child, with the image of his Aunt C’s “tummy where the baby is”. We had just finished a frank conversation about the womb and this is what he did to celebrate it. Every year when I take it out of the box, it makes me chuckle. Thought you might enjoy that “Aunt C.”
Somebody, I won’t say who, (ahem, Child #2), got a hold of the camera today.
I think it is rather humorous what a 7 yr. old finds fascinating to photograph.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our home, such as it is.
Interesting variety, no?
P.s. Sorry about that shot of the ‘john’. Tasteless, I know. But I couldn’t resist. And, yes, that is subfloor…we are replacing the flooring in there. Makes it all the more awful.