Purler Beads and Pyjamas

We are so fortunate that some of our kids were able to come home for Christmas this year.  Our daughter and son in law who live furthest away were not able to come.  We were sad about that but realize that it just doesn't work out sometimes for us all to be together.  She works in the Human Services field and there are people to look after 24/7.  I am hearing rumors that they may come in February though and that is something special to look forward to.

 Now that all the cleaning has been completed in our home in the country, that we have returned to after six years, we can move all the furniture into the rooms.  I had so much fun making the bedrooms cozy for everyone.

Somehow some cold germs crept into our home and heads and lungs this holiday.  It has slowed things down a bit but that is not necessarily a bad thing either.  

Our first order of business when the kids arrived was to tromp through the forest to find the best Christmas tree ever!  Ten feet from our back door was a beauty.

Our son was pretty excited to chop it down.

A little off the top and a lot of the bottom.

This girl found the perfect, tiniest tree that she got to decorate in her own way.

Everyone helped with the decorating.

I enjoyed finding ornaments that have been stored for the last six years.

I also dug out the little village that all of my kids helped paint when they were young.  

Ah, sweet memories.

One Sunday I drove out to bake cookies with an old friend and her daughter.  We baked and baked, traded some cookies, and just like that Christmas baking was done.  It was really fun doing it with friends, I must say.

Here is the library area for my grand-daughter to enjoy.

I'm learning to crochet and in between cooking food and washing dishes and playing hockey or soccer with little girl, I sneak up and knit a row or two.  So far I can only make rows and I'm working on keeping the edges nice and neat.

The snow has fallen in abundance on our mountain, and most days we find ourselves outside playing as energy permits.  Sledding, snowman building, angel making and rough housing!  

Lots of belly laughing ensues!

On any given day, family can be found in numerous comfy corners, resting, reading, recuperating and playing with purler beads in pyjamas.

Blissfulness.

Nostalgia and Wistful Thoughts Today.

Our intense cleaning is done. Until we have to clean again, because wishing with all your might that the cobwebs will stay away, doesn't mean they will.  The good part is that now we can clean little bits at a time instead of the entire house at once.

And for me the fun of dusting off old treasures from the storage room begins. I feel nostalgic as each item has certain memories that are attached.

I am emotional also because I am tired.  I am emotional because a lovely family we know has lost their beloved, young 19 year old son, tragically.  I am emotional because sometimes I struggle living in a beautiful house and having beautiful belongings.  Like I'm not sure I deserve to have.  I struggle having when many don't have.  

My thoughts run deep and heavy these days.  

It's a snowy, winter day outside and so inside I am trying to create comfy corners.  Places where company can come and relax and visit.  Corners where I can think and ponder and be creative.

This is what I found in my storage room today. Table cloths from sisters.  Candle holders.

Come over for a bowl of soup sometime.  You will be welcome to sit around our table.  A table my brother made when he was in high school and the same table my hubby D renovated many years later and added the benches.  My mom has had this table in her kitchen since I was very young.

I love doilies.  They are part of a dying art.  

My hubby D built this tea wagon when he was 14.  That makes it vintage!  I love it.

These items were bought in Israel.  We went on a trip there many years ago.  The amazing thing to me was that family friends took us.  As in financed the trip for us.  As well they gave us a handful of film to take as many pictures as we wanted and some spending money.  This little tea set is special because of their generosity.  The wooden camels come from Bethlehem.

This is our little common area upstairs where we relax in the evening.  It gets all cozy up there from the wood stove heat.

I have so much to be thankful for.  

I want to be intentionally generous this season.  I will think of ways to share.  I will try my best to be kind, to listen well, to feel the pain of others, and help them carry their heavy load.