Bright Copper Kettles and Warm Woolen Mittens...

There are a handful of movies that were on regular rotation growing up. "Fiddler on the Roof", "The Gods Must be Crazy" and "The Sound of Music" were right up there at the top of the list. The trailers for the Broadway Musical had me stoked to see how they would handle this classic.  Carrie Underwood as Maria?!?! This could be great! 

….Epic fail. I have no words for how awful it was to sit through the entire show. I wish I could say I turned it off. It was three hours of my life that I will never get back. It did however, inspire the networks to air the original (redemption perhaps?) and even Glen was feeling Christmas-y enough to sit through it. All of those warm fuzzies got me thinking of MY favourite things at this moment. This list is not exhaustive and I'm sure with some effort I could come up with a list of philosophical or sentimental favourites. That sounds like work, so you get this. Enjoy. 

David's Tea

I always have Checkmate and Read My Lips in my tea stash. Stormy Night was a gift from a dear friend and it is well named. Hail, wind, rain, lightning…it just works.

Handmade Stockings from my crafty Mama

How amazing are these stockings? My mom made one for her and my dad, each of the 6 kids, 6 spouses, and 20 grandkids and every stocking is unique. Last week, I asked for a matching stocking for our dog. She didn't hit me, so there is still hope. 

Parenting via Elf on the Shelf! 

"Can I play on your iPhone?"... "Norah already had a turn!"… "I just want to play angry birds"… Sorry folks. Fancypants has the iPhone. Guess we can't play on it till tomorrow. 

Handmade Ornaments

This little number has become one of my most prized ornaments! Caleb lovingly made it last year and to my horror, insisted on it having a prominent place on the Christmas tree. This little craft has quite the fan club, and I really should have it laminated.  If you would like one of these on your tree …trace your scissors. Better yet, get your whole family or your girlfriends all together and make it a craft night - you could have a whole set of these on your tree. Do it. 

Charlie Brown Trees

Every ornament Will has pulled off has been put back a little higher. If he removes even one more from the bottom half of the tree, this thing will topple like a Jenga tower! You will also notice the garland that Little Miss tried to put back in a panic after pulling it off. I have moved past hating this awful mess to a place of appreciation for the moments that are passing way too quickly. Baby wins…I give up. 

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There really is so much to be thankful for…Reading the story of Jesus' birth to the littles and Nativity scenes, watching their faces light up at the Christmas lights and 'Home Alone' for the zillionth time but the first through the eyes of a six year old boy. Paying for the car behind you at Starbucks, frosty windows and snow tunnels in the front yard. Now that lady in the car ahead of me who let AT LEAST 8 cars in before deciding to go? Too much Christmas spirit. Dial it back a notch. 

This year is the first for me being able to make handmade gifts. My crochet hooks have been busy (hence the blog silence), and for once a "handmade Christmas" is a possibility - not this year, but maybe next. I love the simplicity of beautiful, handmade treasures crafted with intention. This last little while I made two scarves, 9 pairs of slippers for my sister's family, Norah and my parents, finished up the last of 5 minion hats and have started on a set of leg warmers for my niece. Glen has 5 whole days at home and then two days of work before we go on a little holiday. Life is good.

This Christmas, I hope you have warm slippers on your feet, a steaming cup of tea in your hand and treasured memories made with the people you love. Remember the reason we celebrate, Love came down. Blessings to you and yours.