Paint in My Hair

Completely Worth It

In the end, I'm glad we decided against using Luke for baby Jesus.  First of all, there's the that line "but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes."  Second of all, Joseph and one of the kings were having a tug of war over the baby Jesus.  I think this would've been harder on Luke than it was on the baby doll.  So Luke slept through the whole thing.  It was so sweet; and magically, the kids quieted down every time Dave started playing the guitar and we sang the Christmas hymns.   

As you can see, Christmas morning was a hit.  Santa provided a table-top easel for Lily and a hippo for Luke to ride.  Dave really captured their delight.  There is nothing better.

Bird Branches

Pattie P. had me come over and paint a bird branch on her cabinet.  It was loads of fun.  Pattie fed Luke and made me a grilled cheese sandwich and split pea soup, and I painted.  We chatted and watched bits of Emma over her 3-yr-old Olivia's shoulder (one of Olivia's favorite movies and mine too).  A very nice way to spend a cloudy morning.

I thought I'd share my little bird drawing with you.  Just click and print.  Trace it on something--a dresser, a Christmas card, a sleeping person.  Let me know how it turns out.
 
If you want to do a branch too they are a snap.  Just be liberal with the crags and narls.  And make sure it gets skinnier as it goes out.  Maybe grab a branch from your yard to look at.

I hope you are all clicking along with your Christmas crafting and shopping.  I got all the long distance stuff shipped out today.  Yee-ha.  That's always a big hurdle for me.  Now I can focus on folks here. Usually we watch the presents stack up under the tree, but this year we will hide them until Christmas Eve.  Can you guess why?

P.S. Patti Just emailed this picture.  Doors are on and everything.  if anyone else paints a bird.  email me the photo, I'd love to see it. --L

 

Trouble

Thank you "lurkers" for all the book ideas. It's so fun to hear from everyone. I promptly got on Amazon and ordered some books based on your recommendations. Lily will be so excited come Christmas. As we were reading one particularly moving passage in The Little Princess Lily said "Mom, I feel so happy." She paused, looked a bit confused, and said, "And sad." Ahhhh, the mark of good literature--that happy and sad feeling.

You can see from the above photo what I am up to. Who knew such a little guy could cause so much trouble. He is investigating every corner of my house. That little commando crawl looks so innocent. Ha!

Joy

I just got back from the Chicago Bernina Reunion.  Met some wonderful, warm people and learned some cool tricks.  I'll have to share some of them in the next few weeks. 

When I left for Chicago, Lily and I had 2 1/2 chapters of The Little Princess left.  Resolving that was definitely high on my list of things to do.  So last night we finished up.  Sara has a family again, Becky has a real home (no more cockroaches we presume), and the little starving beggar girl has a name (Anne) and is able to give bread to other hungry children.  I sobbed through it.  Lily sat enraptured.   Pure  delight.  I always sort of mourn each age passing with my kids, but then something like that happens and I think motherhood just gets better and better.  The only problem is that now we have read The Little Princess and The Secret Garden --the two best little girl books.  If you have any other gems, please share them!

I'm off to a little Christmas craft day at a friend's.  Better raid the fabric collection.