deep concentration

Wow! Daytime pictures. The last couple of posts you would think I was taking pictures by candlelight as I am deeply opposed to using a flash unless absolutely necessary. I just think that natural light gives your photo dimension. I love to feel like I can reach into a photograph and touch its contents. A beautiful photo with shadows and irresistible, touchable texture.

Just after sunrise, when the brilliant light was inviting us into the art room, we began Jasper's gifts for his classmates. This is something that we had attempted before when Samantha and Jasper were much younger. As I remember, there was not much interest so when I thought of painting these little people again, I really didn't know what I was in for.

Boy, was I thrilled to see how excited the children were when they saw these little guys . Their concentration was intense as they painted one head of hair after another, each with their own unique hairstyle. Jasper was into the receding hairline look while Samantha painted sophisticated bobs with heavy bangs. As their masterpieces dried, we all picked out fabric and rick rack for clothes and scoured the house for acorn hats. Through the top of the acorn, I threaded golden floss so that each little person could be hung as an ornament. Jasper is beyond excited about his gifts. Oh, just think of the fun adventures these little people will have with their new families.

work in progress

This is what has kept me from the blog in last couple of days. Christmas present making is in full swing. Enough said; I must get back to work!! Happy Friday to you all and have a beautiful weekend.

A crown for Noah

How sad we all were to hear that Noah, Jasper's good friend from school, would be moving to Ireland for the remainder of the school year. Not only will we miss Noah, but also his amazing family. I personally have never met a woman as inspiring as Julie (Noah's mom) in my life. She has a way about her that people are drawn to; a playfulness that can ease an awkward situation, always an endearing story to tell, and a deep love for the people around her.

We will miss you friends...

lucky treasures

December 5 gave us a thrilling morning this year. When the children awoke (30 minutes earlier than normal- yawn...), they found that a special visitor had been at our house.

In anticipation of St. Nicholas' arrival, Samantha and Jasper carefully lined up all of our shoes in front of the fireplace. Tradition has it that if children leave their shoes out on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, that he will bless them with a lucky treasure. Well, Sam and Jasper where blessed with cookie cutters and John and I with cookie recipes. Who knew that this St. Nicholas guy was so creative and knew us so well!!

The children had quite the exciting day at school when they found that St. Nicholas had also blessed their school slippers with golden walnuts and clementine oranges and Samantha got to meet St. Nicholas in person. But the fun didn't stop there. When we got home from school, we began our work at "The Harrison Gingerbread Factory" where our cookie cutters and recipes really came in handy. After an afternoon of baking, eating and decorating, we all went to bed with the inviting smell of gingerbread lingering throughout the house.

the great "indoors"

A chill has finally hit Portland and as Samantha says, "Jack Frost has come for a visit". Each morning it seems we are frantically scraping the mischievous work of Mr. Frost off our car windows, hoping our little detour from our morning ritual will not make us too late for school. All the while, the house has become our warm nest; our retreat from the cold- did I say cold?- rather bone chilling world outside.

The weather is not my idea of a good time (being a California girl and all) and I feel that I will never get use to it but what I do love about this time of year is how it brings us all together. Not just emotionally and spiritually, but physically. We are physically forced to share a smaller space and in doing so, I feel more connected to my family.

With all of our new found "indoor time", guess what we have been up to? ....Crafting, crafting and more crafting. Last week we got our beautiful noble fir and began to adorn it with handmade goodness. The kids started with these star ornaments that they received in their Advent stocking. With a little tissue paper and some icy glaze (aka. watered down glue), they were able to make these completely on their own. Samantha enjoyed herself so much that when her ornament was finished, she began decorating paper plates.

advent arithmetic

A jar of yummy vintage buttons

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Yards of vintage trim and repurposed wool

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24 Advent stockings awaiting treasures for little ones.

*Have a joyous "5th day" of Advent *

simple gifts

This time of year gets us thinking about those people in our lives that we are truly grateful for. Sitting at the table today, we began our lists of gifts that we would like to make for our family, friends and teachers. The lists are long and a lot of work needs to be done but it feels so fulfilling to know we are putting our precious time into something that will be cherished and appreciated.

Our work began with candle making. This activity is so easy, open ended and is appropriate for children as young as 3. We started with sheets of beeswax that we found at the school store. Both Samantha and Jasper chose to cut their sheets in half to make shorter candles. After cutting a wick (also purchased at school), they placed the wick at one end of their sheet and carefully pushed it into the wax. Then using their fingertips, they rolled the sheet around itself. Voila.... a handmade, sweet smelling candle. But we were not done there; our favorite step was next....Embellish.

With a box of wax sheets and small clay cutters (found at Michael's in the Fimo isle), the children easily punched out shapes. Then they warmed the shapes in their hands and gently pressed them onto the candle.

These particular candles will be used as package decorations for Samantha and Jasper's teachers.