This gift made me cry

It's not that I love cooking so much but this gift said to me :

we know how hard you work to keep this family fed, we appreciate your efforts and hope this pot helps and adds a bit of joy to the process

Paul on the other hand said this gift represents the kitchen "arms race" happening amongst my Dad and all my sisters.

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff - Lego Rug

This was 

To:  James  From:  Maryanna

Lego actually has a similar product that they offer in their catalog but we made our own version.  It was simple enough for Maryanna to cut out and she sat by my side putting the pins back into the pin cushion as I sewed.

Now James' sets will stay safe from little hands while he is in the process.  You can see Maryanna eyeing the folded up pouch but no worries "here are two fine lego sets that were completed on the safety of the rug".

One more homemade gift to blog about but there is no picture because it has already been destroyed.  Henry sat on my lap and helped me assemble a little photo album for Clara.  I made the mistake of letting her look at it in her crib during nap time and now all that is left is a pile of crumpled photos and shredded paper and plastic.     

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff - Bib

This was 

To:  Henry  From:  Clara

It's just a bib and from the same fabric scraps you see in many of my other projects.  It was quick but not so simple to sew with a 2 year old on my lap.  We actually had plans to sew two but one was "flopped" because Clara kept pulling the bias tape away from the fabric as I sewed. Still it was fun to have Clara participate in this activity.

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff - Art Case

This was

To:  William   From:  James

I've been wanting to make one of these ever since it was posted on This Mama Makes Stuff.  James agreed it would be a great gift to make for William but refused to touch the sewing machine because "sewing is for girls". Instead he helped select the fabric, art supplies, thread and did the Math for me as we figured out the dimensions (we didn't follow the pattern exactly because James wanted it bigger). He also kept me company and entertained Henry while I sewed.

William is enjoying his new set and is busy using right now as I type.  He said it kind of looks like a frog and I think he is right.  

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff - Lego Set

This was

To: Peter From: William

The original gift was a story of Peter's favorite toys which William took pictures of and then edited on Adobe. We ordered a photo book but unfortunately it didn't arrive in time, we will save it for his birthday instead.

So William last minute created his own Lego set and wrote up some instructions for Peter. It was a 50 piece set and William completed and illustrated it completely on his own.  This was one of Peter's favorite gifts and yes Cookie Dough the Rat was on the loose as gifts were opened.

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff - Elephant Dress

This was

to: Maryanna from: Peter.

For the kids gift exchange they got to work one on one with mommy to design and create something special and handmade for their sibling. Peter can't really sew but he picked the fabric (which Cathy picked up at a yard sale in Bountiful for me). He kept me company and entertained me as I traced the pattern from the Japanese sewing book, sewed a few straight seams, and also helped me cut and operate the snap press (no time for buttons during crunch time).

The pants are made from a men's T-shirt and topped stitched with hot pink thread because it is hard to get Maryanna to wear anything that isn't pink. I also added a hot pink pocket to the dress, hot pink snaps, and two little hot pink tags to the pants. Apparently it wasn't enough because I had to put a piece of gum in the pocket of the dress just to get her to try it on. I tried to convince Peter to select the pink Marimeko fabric I have but ultimately it was his gift, he loves elephants and stuck to his choice. I think it will grow on her.

      

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff - Photo Journal

This was for Paul who stuffs his pockets with scraps of paper for taking notes on things he reads and thinks.  I would have liked to give him a pile of moleskines but I couldn't resist this project which I originally saw on One Pretty Thing ( I frequented this site daily as crunch time approached).

I already had everything for this project on hand and will make more when this one fills up.  I especially love that I was able to use up old spiral notebook paper for the pages.  

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff - Library Bags

These were made back in September but I forgot about them. I'm happy I found them because I was feeling bad about some of the last minute handmade gifts that weren't finished.  

Thanks Marie' for the inspiration for this project - it was fun, quick, and the finished product is very useful.  

The kids can now check out as many books they can carry and Henry will not be lost under all the books they pile on top him in the stroller.  I'll make one for him next year when he is ready to carry his own.

       

 

"Only 364 more days until next Christmas!"

We had a great Christmas and the kids are already counting down until next year's. 

Christmas eve was spent with  25  of the  cousins at Oma & Opa's house.   To add to the chaos William brought along Cookie Dough,  and Suz brought her pet parrot.  The kids dressed up and played the parts of the Nativity, we sang songs, exchanged gifts and devoured food just like we do every Christmas eve.  

The great thing about Christmas eve is there's never a problem putting the kids to bed.  In fact, at 7 pm we had a few kids tugging at our sleeves saying "please can we go home and go to bed now.....we don't want to miss Santa".  

The hard part about Christmas eve is pulling it all together.  I was at the sewing machine finishing some gifts while Paul was busy with the drill assembling a a few more.  We didn't get to bed until 2 am.  

Christmas morning began early but it was a slow and relaxing day.  The kids played all day in their pajamas and I didn't worry about cleaning up or even cooking.  We had the fridge stocked with plenty of leftover baked goods and  also tamales for Christmas dinner. 

All I wanted for Christmas was a nap.....I'm still wishing for that one.  But I got more than I could have wished for with a home full of happy and playful children.  I will blog about some of the finished projects later - first I need some rest.    

Christmas Tree Sleep-over

Last night was our annual Christmas Tree Sleep-over.  There really wasn't much sleeping though.  The older boys read by flashlights while the girls re-decorated the tree.  This was the scene I found when I got up to nurse Henry at 5:00 am.  

After I took the picture I sealed up the rest of my Christmas cards and instead of finishing up my sewing, I decided to go back to bed.  So don't get too excited about those projects I mentioned - they may be put on the back burner until the slower days after the holidays.  A wise friend reminded me that my kids would be better off with a happy well-rested mother than a last minute handmade gift.

Meanwhile Maryanna has been working on her own projects.  cutting up pictures (she said she was making puzzles), and cutting up her pants "because I don't like the purple hearts on them - I just want pink hearts".    

It's Crunch Time

There is little time for blogging.  While most folks are busy wrapping presents I'm still in the process of making them.  I've got 1 knitting project to finish, 5 sewing projects (three of which have yet to be cut out or even drafted), 1 art project, Christmas cards to send off, and treats to get off to the neighbors. It feels like the week of college finals where I'd lose hours of sleep to fit it all in.  

I always tell myself to start in July but I never do.  I just hope I don't make too many careless mistakes in the frenzy of it all.  But I'll be sure to blog a few of them if they do turn out.  It is hard for me to imagine or recall a Christmas eve where after all the festivities I am not alone buzzing away on the sewing machine while the rest of the family is fast asleep.  Perhaps I should write my own version of "T'was the night before Chirstmas"......   

Hand Bells

One of our favorite Christmas activities is playing these hand bells.   Yesterday the boys worked hard on copying the notes on to a large free standing note pad - this made it easier for all to follow along. 

Here they are performing "Away in a manger" for me as I finished up the morning dishes.   Maryanna enjoyed the front row seat and when I asked what she was doing she said "I just recording my dream".  

It's been a snowy slow moving morning and the sound of bells accompanied by the funny things a 3 year says have made it all the more enjoyable.

The Christmas Ornament Dr.

It sure is hard to keep the kids from playing with, re-decorating, and grabbing at the Christmas tree. Even Henry is at and is constantly crawling over to the Michigan football ornament that is within his reach.

But we have only suffered 2 casualties this year so far, the hand painted eggshell from Prague (actually I'm surprised it survived as long as it did) and Boba Fett (fell to the ground and lost his legs which are no where to be found). The rest of the overly loved and handled ornaments were sent to the ornament hospital where James carefully revived them with a glue gun.

The funny thing is, as James was telling me who was responsible for each of the damages, I was counting back to how many ornaments were broken by his own toddler hands. In fact, he blamed Clara for the Green Bay Packer Nutcracker's arm coming off but he was the first to pull it apart about 7 years ago. That particular ornament gets fixed about every other year. He did a fine job of fixing so I suppose it makes up for all he broke in the past.

One of our favorite Christmas tree games is laying on the couch and playing "I Spy" with particular ornaments. The girls however, still like more of the hands on Christmas tree activities like "take the ornaments off and stash them in the bathroom or under their pillows and into purses". Either way, the Christmas tree with all its random ornaments is fun. Thanks James for fixing our favorites and keeping our tradition of silly ornaments alive.

Speaking of silly ornaments, tonight Clara grabbed our Yoda ornament and asked "Is this Henry"?  We all laughed and she asked us the same thing over and over again.  I suppose Henry does kind of look like Yoda or maybe Yoda just looks like a baby.

Practical Christmas Gifts

I am often asked how gift exchange is executed with so many siblings. It has been our tradition to rotate who we give to each year. We are all grown with our own families but the tradition continues. It is not so much the gifts that make it fun but the weeks and months leading up to the exchange and thinking about the individual and what special thing you can do for them.

This year I give to Emily. There were too many fun ideas but in the end I chose something quite practical. I got her this pro mop from the Don Asslett Cleaning Center. We have two of them and use them for dry and wet mopping. My boys have invented a game called "mopckey" and will clean my floors while passing around a soft ball. In the end the floors aren't spotless but at least it adds a little fun to their work.

I hope Emily (and the rest of her helpful family) like it. Good tools really do make a difference - Happy Mopping!

Wordfull Wednesday: Favorite Chirstmas song

Okay - don't laugh but I love this song the Muppets sing in the Muppet's Christmas Carol.  It's not a hymn or a carol but it makes me cry each time I watch the movie or listen to the sound track.

Bless Us All

Life is full of sweet surprises, everyday's a gift
The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my spirit
It fills me up with laughter, it fills me up with song
I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong
Bless us all, who gather here
The loving family I hold dear
No place on Earth, compares with home
And every path will bring me back from where I roam

Bless us all, that as we live
We always comfort and forgive
We have so much that we can share

With those in need we see around us everywhere
Let us always love each other
Lead us toward the light
Let us hear the voice of reason
Singing in the night

Let us run from anger
And catch when we fall
Teach us in our dreams and please, yes, please
Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years
With noisy games and joyous tears
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all

Here the Muppets, posing as the humble Cratchet family, ask for these simplest of blessings when there are clearly many material needs.  This is the scene that finally cracks Scrooge (and also viewers like me) into tears.  There is no mention of the birth of Christ or even Christmas itself but the words plea for actions that would bring one closer to a Christ-like life.  I believe that is what makes this song so tender for me, I too wish for these things for my family not just for Christmas but everyday of the year. 

Happy Homemade Christmas stuff

These funny little guys  (and their dog) were suppose to be ornaments but they have yet to make it to the tree.  Instead I have found them posed in all sorts of funny positions dancing around my paper whites.  The kids even built a castle out of blocks for them.  They were fun to make and I suppose even more fun to play with.  Kids will play with anything whether it be boxed and packaged from a store, used, or homemade.  After this activity I'm thinking I may fill half their stockings with pipe cleaners.

The idea for this quick project came from one of our favorite art books.  In this book there are over 20 projects that are inspired by the works of famous artists from around the world.  This particular project was inspired by Alberto Giacometti's "The Square".  It uses just a few pipe cleaners and thin strips of foil and is simple enough for even a 3 year old to do.  I thought they would also make good ornaments so if our little guys don't lose all their foil they may end up front and center on our tree right next to the puff-ball soda.     

Everyone's favorite ornament

So we pulled the boxes out today and with great excitment the kids helped me unwrap the decorations. We really don't have much, I have wittled it down to just two boxes, but what we have saved I hope lasts for years because of the traditions they carry.

One tradition that we have adopted from Paul's family is giving each child their own unique ornament each year. The one that is pictured here was Paul's from 1982 and it has always been everyone's favorite. It is really quite random, just three old puff balls in a small plastic cup with a small straw and tiny red puff ball on top. Paul said he loved it as a child because it always made him thirsty and admits to trying to drink out of it just like our our kids often do. But when we first got married I planned for a really classy tree and kept moving that little puff-ball soda to the back where it could not disrupt my carefully staged Christmas presentation.

Since then I have experienced a complete change of heart. Instead of style, I have submitted to history and character. This puff-ball soda is now front and center along with the 1979 puff-ball Big Bird, the 1988 Green Bay Packers football player nutcracker, and all the homemade scribbled then laminated construction paper ones our kids have made. I guess it fits with the mis-matched stockings we collect as well.

Now all we need is a tree and that will be soon enough. When it is being set up the children will be sent on a scavenger hunt to find this year's ornaments that were selected specially for them. And I can't wait to blog about that because they were all picked up from yard sales and match the randomness/uniqueness of our favorite little puff-ball soda.

A Happy Sad

Today feels bittersweet.  It is the twins John & Julie's birthday.  John is celebrating with his wife and baby in FL, he is 27 today.  In my mind Julie is still 18 though.  I miss her dearly but I smile in her memory and know she is not far from us.

Yesterday my Dad's younger brother Uncle Ralph passed away and less than 12 hours earlier my Dad's cousin Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin passed away as well.  My heart goes out in comfort to my Dad today as he will miss both of these relatives on a very personal level.  My heart goes out to all of us as we also remember my sister Julie today.

My eyes tear up but I'm not sad.  It is joy that brings these tears as I reflect on the many ways these individuals have blessed the lives of others.  I was especially touched by Elder Wirthlin's last conference address.  Even my children were impacted by his great message and are the first to shout out "laugh" anytime someone bonks their head or breaks a dish.

In the midst of my Christmas decorating and as I reflect on the passing of loved ones, I am reminded of the Savior, His great love and sacrifice for each of us.  His gift of eternal life is the greatest of all gifts. Elder Wirthlin reminded us just over a year ago "Because the Savior laid down His life for us,23 we have a brightness of hope, a confidence and security that when we pass from this worldly existence, we will live again with Him."  I am most grateful for this message on this particular day and hope it remains in my heart not just throughout this Christmas season but each day that I live.   

  

  

I needed another stocking

When we first got married someone was kind enough to give us two knit stockings for our first Christmas together. By our second Christmas we were in need of another stocking so I purchased two more just in case I would need even another one in the short years to follow. It seems I have added another stocking at least every other Christmas since then.

The problem was the original 4 stockings were purchased from a retailer who has since stopped making stockings so unless I knitted my own, our stockings would not match.  I actually did buy several knit stocking kits and even started one, but that was the year I had babies 14 months apart and was the general contractor of our home remodel.  I dropped too many stitches and the tension was too tight, I'm not a very good knitter under stress.  I still have a few stocking kits if anyone wants them though.

So I have resorted to mismatched stockings both knit and woven in all different sizes and colors.  Each year the children pick a different stocking to hang as their own.  Even the dog has a stocking and I just may make another little one for Cookie Dough the rat. 

The one I just finished was made from some red chambray and vintage trim picked up from a yard sale.  It is a little girly but will add to the variety we have collected so far.  

A different kind of salad

I know I haven't been posting very festive foods but to be honest with you too many treats around the holidays makes me feel too sick to enjoy the actual holiday.  I'm trying to stay "wholesome for the holidays" this year.

My neighbor from Bulgaria gave me the idea for this salad.  She pointed out to me that a salad doesn't always need lettuce, dressing, croutons, etc.  A salad can be any combination of fresh veggies.  

Here I shredded 1 turnip and  3 carrots then tossed them with fresh parsley, olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and salt& pepper.  It was a refreshing change and added a colorful enhancement to our standard lunch quesadillas.