Christmas 2012

We started by counting down the days. One day at a time.

Teeny-tiny boxes lined the window sill, marking off the days one at a time. For me the days rushed by, but I know the days moved slower for kidlywinks as they opened one box at a time, waiting and waiting.

The days rushed by until late one evening, past bedtime in fact, the tree went up. Chosen from the tree lot and lugged home in the van. Transformed with lights and ornaments new and old.

And always a reminder. A reminder of why we count the days - the anticipation of hope and peace wrapped up in a little baby. 

And come Christmas morning did at last. Christmas pyjamas opened on Christmas Eve and worn on Christmas morn. Pausing, much to Mr. Man's chagrin to take a photo by the tree.  

Gifts carefully chosen and wrapped were given to those we love. Unwrapped...

 ...and some enjoyed right away.

Two family Christmas dinners enjoyed by candlelight. 

The last of the sparkly decorations are now all packed away. 

The Last of Christmas 2011

The new year is here. We had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. I hope you did too. Enjoy the last few photos of Christmas. Christmas morning. The kidlywinks open one present on Christmas Eve - new jammies. It's a family tradition that they love.

Christmas afternoon and evening at my parents'.

Baby Max :)

Boxing Day supper by candle light. It was so pretty. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Making gingerbread. We mixed and rolled. Cut and baked.

Then the real fun began. Decorating! All the candy came from the Bulk Barn. They had so much fun picking it out.

 Mr. Man couldn't wait to add his gummy shark. Every gingerbread house needs a gummy shark.

Off again to spend time with my family and our new addiction - Storage Wars.

Getting Ready

We've been busy this week getting ready for Christmas.

Making an ugly Chrsitmas sweater. It was so much fun to put together. Sparkly garland, lights that blink. What's not to love?

I'm happy to say that Andrew won the ugly sweater contest at work. Really, was there any question?

Wrapping presents, presents, and more presents.

A flannel sheet found at a thrift store (don't worry, it was brand new with tags still attached) becomes a table cloth and fun little bags that hold treasures for Christmas morning.

Cute little jingle bells attach the handle.

Some more little bags made out of a piece of remnant fabric with jingle bells to tie them close.

 Already to open Chritmas morning.

Baking gingerbread houses, cookies and Christmas cake.

Lots and lots and lots of chopping. Thanks, Andrew!

Nine eggs. Yes, nine eggs! It's an old recipe. From my mom, from her mom.

Ready for the oven. Andrew's been boozing the cake. We'll eat it Christmas day. I can't wait.

Adding sparkle.

Enjoying some Christmas cheer.

Mr. Man's Christmas concert was short and sweet. He was a dancing snowflake.

Even Sneakers got into the Christmas spirit.

Three Cute Little Trees

Three little trees all in a row.

So easy to make.
For the first little tree, all that it took, was a empty box of cereal and an old table cloth. Oh, and a cute puppy who likes to help.

You could make one too. Flatten an old cereal box and make it into a cone.  Rip strips of fabric and wind them around the cone. I used the white part of the table cloth, but you could use any fabric you have. When one strip of fabric is getting near the end, simply tie on another piece of fabric and keep wrapping. The ties make cute little bows.

For the second little tree, all that it took, was some left over underlayment.

This stuff normally goes under laminate flooring. We had some left over from when we remodeled the apartment. You could make one too. Roll the up the underlayment into a cone. Glue.  I cut out a star out of the same material and glued in on the top. C'est tout fini!

For the thrid little, all that it took, was a package of handkerchiefs and a stitch or two. You could make one too. The package of handerchiefs came from a thrift store. Still new in the package. A set of four. Fold the handkerchief in half.

And then in half again.

Repeat with the other handkerchiefs. (I love saying that word!) And stack them one on top of the other. Then sew through all four handkerchiefs on the diagonal. It doesn't have to be perfect.

Cut off the corner.

Hold it by the point. Shake. Stand it up and arange the folds.

And there you have three pretty little Christmas trees.

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