Hand Made Christmas

My daughters and daughter-in-law decided that 2010 should be a hand made Christmas.  I jumped on the bandwagon and made my granddaughter a photo album of and for just her.  Then I saw a great idea on the Internet that I wanted to make all the girls.  I saved it on my computer and then when I went to find it, it had disappeared into cyberspace.  I Googled every site I could find and there was no photo or mention of the idea anywhere.  I didn't get it done.  I will look all the coming year and do it next year if I can find it.  I am beginning to wonder if it was all in my dreams.

The girls did a fantastic job on their gifts though, and I am sure you will agree.

Colett made me this decoupaged wall box.  She ordered a special crackle medium from France that made it look aged.  I love, love  the tree and the sentiment. Her hubby Matt actually made the wooden box and helped with the graphics. It is very special to me. (She sells them now and if you want one let me know.)  She has lots of different graphics to choose from.  Enlarge to really see how it looks. She really has an artist's eye.

Amy made this necklace and put it in my stocking.  It is made of simple glass beads on a silver chain. It's so pretty.

Kee made me these beautiful earrings from chocolate pearls.  Oh I love them so.

Amy knew that I wanted a cute apron and sewed this one up for me.  She has such a talent with clothing design. A while back,  I told her I didn't like the feeling of a strap around my neck and she made this one that crosses in the back.  Isn't it just the most darling apron?  The apron actually has an apple green pocket and trim.  I don't know why it photographed yellow.  I have never had that happen before. Enlarge once again to see the detail.

I had seen an item like this at the Beehive Bazaar and commented how cute they were but didn't buy them at the time.  Well, Kee made me a bunch.  She took half rounds and glued them to little spools and then wrapped baker's twine around them in all the colors.  I use the twine in my scrapbooking and cards.  It makes me happy just to look at them.  Little mushrooms growing all over my window sill now.

My friends even did hand made this year.  Susan found a vintage looking Christmas

card and put it in a hand made frame, and Laura decoupaged a little print and made it into an ornament.  I also got hand made loaves of bread from Tricia and Becky and peppermint fudge from Robyne but I didn't have anything to photograph as they were devoured too quickly.

Amy made me another amazing gift.  She took music paper and cut leaves out of it and made a wreath to hang by my piano.  Not only can she sew, she is just plain crafty.

Isn't my gift pile just wonderful?  Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you all.

Things I have loved this week

I am one who loves the sometimes rather hectic days during the weeks prior to Christmas.  These are the things I have loved this  past week.

1. Making goodies with the family.  We made peanut butter fudge, peppermint bark,   cake bites, sugar cookies, mint chocolate brownies and Mexican wedding cookies. 

2. My friend Susan had a luncheon for those neighbor ladies with December birthdays.  We had quiche made by her hubby Paul (to die for) fruit, green salad, monkey bread (to die for) and treats.  Best of all though, was just sitting and talking to friends for a couple of hours.  We discussed all the important things in life....how to raise children, diseases and immunizations, Ro's childhood, shopping or lack there-of, parents going on missions, how much we love the young men who prepare and pass the sacrament at church, the evils of porn, etc. and how much we love each other.  Lovely, lovely lovely

3. Listening to all my old Christmas CD's and my new one by Michael Buble'.  I know he is singing just for me. Thank you Michael, you are wonderful.

4. Finishing wrapping the presents and knowing most of my work is done

5. Eating hot dogs at Costco with the Grand kids and just walking around looking and not touching

6. A call from my Mom

7. Wayne healing from his heart stents

8. Shon and family getting here safely even though he had to drive 40 mph much of the way from Wyoming and causing his trip to last 13 hours

9. Crafting with the daughters and daughter-in-law

10. My little grandson telling me I am his best friend and when his Mom says "WHAT?  I am your best friend."  Then he points at me and says Grandma is.

11. Snow that made the trees beautiful but the temps were warm enough to melt the snow on the streets and we have a snow blower that I learned to use

12. Neighbor kids who have befriended my grand kids and spend time with them

13. Brenden who calls me Grandma Ostler (16 year old neighbor boy)

14. Book Club dinner and Christmas party with my favorite ladies in the neighborhood

15. Getting a nice check in the mail for the last cow tags I will ever make

16. Fresh homemade bread from my friend and my visiting teacher

17. A homemade craft from my uncrafty friend Laura and another framed vintage Christmas card from Susan

18. Breakfast at church with the wise men (Bishopric) doing the cooking

19. Wayne's homemade 3 berry jam

20.  Cards and newsletters from faraway friends

21.  A wonderful Christmas program at church and singing in the choir, listening to a violin duet by my 2 neighbor boys, and a great talk by my other neighbor about the real Christmas story

22. Watching sappy Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel

The Nativity

It's been three years since our family did a nativity program for our own family party.  I am amazed at how much they have all changed in that time.  I don't know why, because children will (of course) change greatly in three years, but when I see them every few days I don't always appreciate how much change there is in such a short period of time until I see the photos.  I have blogged this before, but just as you put up your own nativities each year, I have to do this one again as I love the memories and the photos so much.  It was one of those times when everything worked out perfectly.  The children were excited to do their parts, the baby never cried, and the true spirit of Christmas shone through.

Nick and Isabelle were Joseph and Mary

Little Emerson was baby Jesus and smiled almost the whole time he was in the manger.

Millie, an actress and a true angel, portrayed the angel who came to announce Christ's birth.

My grand nephews were the  wise men

 

My little McLeod cousins played the shepherds.

 

May the spiritual aspects of Christmas permeate your home this year.

This TIme of Year

It's busy this time of year but I love it.  It took me a week to decorate again this year but my house feels like a Christmas village and it makes me happy.  It will be a sad day when I can't climb a step ladder and hang my decorations one day in the future.  I have added two new decorations this year but I will either have to get rid of some or never buy more because my horizontal spaces are depleted. I always put up garland, lights, etc. and save my nativity for last.  It's the favorite of all my decorations (and I have a lot of favorites).  It is quite large and covers the whole top of my piano.  It really helps me remember the love of our Savior and also helps me relive the joy the world must have felt at the time Christ was born as they had been waiting for their king. Angels actually came down and sang and there was renewed hope for mankind. If I had been there at that time, I am sure I would have found one of the choirs to sing with, just to be a part of it all.