Little & Big

the 6th day of Advent

The 6th Advent stocking had this little card.

So we set out, the three of us.  Not on a big adventure like two years ago, or a medium adventure like last year, but a little adventure, to the center of Shelburne, where the Boy Scouts are selling trees.

We came home with a big one, that needed one big Boy Scout and one big Boy Scout's big father to heft onto our car.

We got it home, that big tree.  Undaunted, we three donned our work gloves and managed to get it off the car and drag it to the house.

I had some excellent help.  And once the Daddy was enlisted, well, it was a piece of cake.

St. Nicholas Day

Last night they set out their slippers and a treat for St. Nicholas and his horse:

and this morning, we found this:

And this:

That's a treasure map in the middle (because St. Nicholas knows how much these boys like a good treasure hunt), leading them all about the house.  They found three gifts.  Something they want:

Something they need:  

And something to give away -- that was a lovely golden bag of clementines.  It was promptly (and delightedly) given to the new friends who came for early breakfast -- before I could grab a picture. 

That St. Nicholas -- that generous fellow -- inspired such generosity around here.  I even got a chunk of candy cane.

2nd Sunday of Advent

Another gathering, same circle of friends, but this time we brought evergreen boughs.  No stories or readings on this cold, star-lit night, only singing.  After everyone had walked the spiral, we came out of the cold and quiet, into the warm house, for a shared supper, complete with amazing food, laughing adults and a pack of hollering children.  

I am so grateful for this tradition, and for the circle of New Hampshire friends that invited us into it years ago.   What a simple, beautiful, reverent way to meet the darkness of this time of year, and to celebrate the coming light. 

someone special is turning 1 today

We knew it was coming, so we got busy

making soft toys

and corresponding birthday wishes

for one wonderfully special little cousin. 

Happy Birthday, Baby E!

December 2

Day 2 of Advent.

Of course, with the scissors in David's hand, every snowflake is a divinely-guided work of art.  Mine look more like Mayan sculptures than snowflakes.  By the end, the kids were having him finish theirs too.  

Now the windows are bedecked with snow.  If only we could come by a little white outside these windows . . . 

Christmas project: an Advent stocking garland

 

Inspired by both Amanda Soule and quietfish.

And assembled from materials that I had in my stash: wool felt, felted sweaters, vintage Christmas decorations, vintage buttons, and beads.  Plus some of the fabulous materials that I just inherited from David's mom.  And as you can see above, I had a little elf helping me, stitching stockings.  Wool felt is lovely to work with, in that it's so easy to cut and stitch cleanly (and if you make a mistake, you can pull the needle right back through). 

I love little projects like this: quick, easy, lots of room for creativity and personal flair.  Granted, making 24 of them isn't exactly "quick", but making one is, and so satisfying too. 

We had 13 done by this morning; each is a unique little work.  Some are filled with goodies and some with family activities (ie: make paper snowflakes and decorate the windows).

This morning, they were thrilled to find out what was tucked in number one (fruit leather).

Eleven more to go, and 23 days in which to finish them.  Looking forward to every one.

first Sunday in Advent

In our previous New Hampshire neighborhood, dear friends down the street invited us into their yearly Advent celebration. On every Sunday evening during Advent, as the sun was going down, we'd gather in a beautiful candle-lit garden and share Advent songs, readings, stories and a spiral walk.   It was so magical to be out, under the moon and stars, in the snow and cold, singing together and taking a meditative walk to the center of the stone spiral (or, as it was for many years, walking a restless baby or an impatient toddler about the snowy garden).  Through those Sunday evenings, Advent became a particularly dear time for our family.

With our move, we decided to continue the tradition,  bringing it to our new home and neighborhood. 

First step: build a spiral from stones collected and dug from the property.

Set out the candle

and collect the lanterns (simply: jars with wire handles)

Gather stones and shells to place on the spiral this first Sunday. 

Invite friends, big and small; light candles, and share songs, readings, and stories in a moonlit backyard; then welcome everyone in for hot cider and warm Advent cheer.

a birthday party

hunting for hidden stars

once they were all found and counted they could be shaken

 

and mixed and turned into

a gift which contained

a clue for

a treasure hunt

finding its way to

a piñata

and treasure,

gifts,

games,

and cake.

end of November

 

the birthday

1:30 a.m.  Is it my birthday yet?  Can I go down and open presents?

                These questions repeated, ad nauseum, interpersed with enthusiastic kisses, until about

2:30 a.m.

4:45 a.m.  Is it my birthday? 

                Yes.  It is.

                (jumps out of bed)  Am I bigger?!?  I feel higher!

5:35 a.m  I finally let the little guy go downstairs and open one present, now that his brother and father are up and headed down to start the fire.  (I go back to bed.)

6:40 a.m.

7:08 a.m.

7:17 a.m.  outside in the gifts his parents gave him: a rock crushing tool and goggles from his father, and a knitted hat from momma

7:36 a.m.  pancakes with applesauce and bacon, as requested.  plus "on the day you were born" stories.

9:10  daddy "tunes" the guitar (plays with)

while momma pretties the cake.

9:38  a bowl of cake trimmings for everyone.

9:50 until afternoon   the kitchen gets visited many times by a roving minstrel

                        my my this american pie

12:00 decorating the cake

1:50 packing Thanksgiving to go to friends'

 

and dressing-up (complete with muck boots)

the birthday cake comes too

5:43  singing celebration

of this beautiful little boy.  He is 5 today.

Happy Birthday.