Tuesday, January 18, 2011

blessing the way...

we crowned her with flowers...



we decorated her belly...



(and ourselves...)



we made a necklace... with bead from each of us, to have during the birth so she can be supported by her village of women...


we sent her a blessing, and wrapped a string on our wrist, to be worn until baby arrives...


and we will light candles when labor begins.


 and with each ritual... my sister's way was blessed in my mind, as well. 

Friday, January 14, 2011

a warm snowflake...


my grandma made that snowflake.

along with at least a hundred others.  she crocheted them.  and then stiffened them.  and made them into ornaments, that have decorated our tree since as long as i've known.

now that we have our own home, some of them decorated our tree.  and they decorated my sister's tree.  and my mom & dad's.  and when we went to my aunt & uncle's who we haven't seen for years, we walked in, and there they were, on their christmas tree as well.

it's such a warm feeling, having that connection.  knowing there is family.  and grandma's little place in all of our homes.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

creative holidays...

in just about one month... we had five birthdays plus christmas.  my husband, my sister-in-law, both nieces, and my mom.  all in a month.  i made as much as i could.  although there are still many presents in the making, and even more in my head.  i won't let them go...

but i did make a lot...

a placemat for naia...



and an owl shirt for naia, too...


a freezer paper printed skull shirt for my brother...


leo made some "hand towels" for his grandmas... ("hand towels!"  love it!!!)...



an apron for monica...



some barrettes for my nieces...


and a little holder for each of them so they won't get lost...



some rhubarb jam for my aunt... (that was the first time i a) made jam and b) ever saw rhubarb!)


a hat for my hubby.  still no sweater.  we're going on the fourth year for the sweater in the making.  for now, a hat.


and a star ornament for leo.  as a child, we got an ornament each year, and that's now what our tree is decorated with.  we're continuing on with the tradition, but i thought it would be nice to make them.  he chose a green and blue star, so we got to it.


it was so nice to be in our own home for christmas, even though we very much missed our families back east.  but to have our own tree, wake up in our own beds... read "the night before christmas" to leo all snuggled up... it was priceless.