Lighting the Quiet Moments

The last couple of months have been busy, wonderfully busy but busy.  Then came my two favourite days of the year -- the anticipation of Christmas Eve followed by a chaotic Christmas morning and a peaceful Christmas day and  evening.

Now the year is winding down.  As we prepare for a new year, I realize just how much I enjoy the last week of the old year.  I enjoy the lack of schedule to our days while at the same time returning to a slower rhythm.  Late, slow mornings spent enjoying an extra cup of coffee and another chapter in my book.  A mug of tea and knitting in the evening.  Moments of making throughout the day for no other reason than the making itself.

Several weeks ago, inspired by the shorter days and longer nights, the idea to make a simple beeswax candle popped into my head.  So while I prepared for the holidays, this idea was in the back of my mind.  What will I use for a mold?  How big should I make the candle?  A couple of days ago, armed with beeswax and an idea, I made myself a little candle.

 

A candle in a cup with which to light the winding down moments of my year.  I hope a little light is shining on you all as you say good bye to one year and welcome another.
  

A Wookie Christmas Wish

While the wookies wait impatiently for Christmas morning to meet the boys, we wanted to take this moment to wish you all the very best for the holiday season.   I will return later next week.  Until then, may you all find many peaceful, happy moments in the coming days.

An Old Tradition Continues

We managed to set aside some time a couple of weekends ago to decorate the tree.  We all felt it was time for the tree.  At the same time, the other boxes of decorations were taken out of storage, hopeful that they would soon decorate our home.  Alas, they have remained in boxes in the kitchen since then, a reminder of how little free time I seem to have.  Well, yesterday, on our way upstairs to read a book, I glimpsed the boxes.  As soon as I opened the first box, Quinn was hooked and we finished our decorating.

As I put away the last box, I looked around, thinking that something was missing.  I went back to the storage closet and found one last box.  Once this jolly little guy had made his appearance, then I knew everything was complete and the Christmas season had truly arrived.

I don't think I would be exaggerating if I said this Santa was at least 60 years old.  He originally belonged to my grandmother.  Each Christmas, when my grandmother was ready to decorate, my mother would climb up into the attic and carry down the boxes of decorations.  I would wait for him and for a few precious minutes, i was allowed to hold him gently and play with him before he went to his place.  Everything had a place, you know. His happened to be overlooking the living room and there he would stay until January 6, what is referred to as Old Christmas Day in Newfoundland.  On that day, all the decorations would come down and i would have a few more minutes to say good-bye to him until the next year.  When my grandmother passed away a few years ago, i asked my family if anyone would mind if I had the Santa.  No one did and he continues to be a part of my Christmas traditions.

And yes, he sits on a shelf overlooking our living room until January 6th.

Fleeting Moments

Alone in the house this afternoon, I decided to grab a coffee, my book and have a hot bath.  Because dishes and to-do lists will always be there.  A quiet house?  Now that is fleeting.

By the Light of a New Tradition

A new family tradition began yesterday.  It's funny how sometimes you know you have started a family tradition right from the first time it happens.

Before the boys were born, we made the decision to have a real tree each Christmas.  I love that each Christmas, even though the ornaments remain the same, the tree is unique.  We have since bought our trees from local tree lots.  Often the trip to get the tree has been squeezed in between other activities with some kind of dead line looming.  Often a little rushed.  One such trip found us out one cold, cold evening with me four months pregnant.  man, it was cold and when we arrived home, we realized that we had chosen an extremely small tree. I was taller than the tree by several inches.  We received more than a little friendly jibbing from family members that year.  Since men do not always take kindly to being associated with small things, our trees since that little one have not lacked in size.  This year's is no difference.  It's huge.  Anyways, back to yesterday.

Instead of our typical rushed tree trip, we decided to carve out a little more time in our weekend and do it properly.  Off we went for a drive out to a local tree farm to cut our own tree.  The boys loved it.  Walking to the field, choosing the perfect tree, helping daddy drag the tree to the car and hot chocolate.    By bedtime last night, our tree was fully decorated.  Some branches may be more fully decorated than others but that's what makes each Christmas tree unique.

 
I love the light of a Christmas tree.  From the moment I wake up in the morning to the moment I go to bed each night, our tree remains lit.

Clearing the Air

The above photo was taken on my way to my final craft show of the season last weekend.  I was running late.  I usually am but I wanted to stop and take this photo.  What can I say?  I love Canadian geese.  Anyways, it was a good craft show season.  I enjoyed it immensely and was able to see my little soap "thing" grow, just a little.  Let's just say that my soaps and I are strolling down a good path.  (Yes, that's right.  I'm referring to my soaps as if they are companions.)  Having said that, I am a little happy that the craft show season has come to an end.  It was busy and sometimes consuming.  I spent many Saturdays away from my family, something I'm not used to doing.  I am now ready to take a breather and enjoy the company of my little men even when it involves them hanging off a piece of furniture.   (It often does involve such monkey-ish  behaviour.)  I am ready to decorate for Christmas.  (First, I have to clean the house because the house doesn't clean itself.  heck, i don't clean the house but it's got to be done.)  I am ready to think about the making of things.  'Tis the season, after all.   

Don't get me wrong.  There is still soap activity happening --  orders to get ready and soap to make.  I love preparing each order -- wrapping the soap, choosing samples, visiting the post office.  I have a beer in the fridge that is waiting to be made into a shampoo bar and I fear it won't wait forever but it can wait until tomorrow.  Any soap I make now won't be ready until the new year and there is something satisfying about that thought.   It makes me think of what the new year may have in store for us.

I think I may be rambling now.  I haven't been as present in this space as I would like and I am looking forward to being more present.  Sometimes being more present means rambling a little first to clear the air.  Let's consider the air cleared.