This was a happy holiday here. We spread out the family gatherings enough, so we enjoyed them all without a lot of stress. We saw family members who live far away physically, although we hold them close in our hearts. A family members’ funeral gave us a chance to see siblings we seldom meet with, and though it was sad, we renewed our feelings of sharing a family. We had a chance to do a kind act, and be reminded of times we needed help.
Although a family starts out at the same place, in time we take our own directions. We face different trials, and learn as we go to cope with victory and defeat. We learn how little we know, what we should have done, which choices were lucky, and how to be happy.
So, my wish for you is that you come together with family, by birth or choice. That you learn to see from the eyes of others, to care with the heart of a mother, to give as freely as a child, and to smile in wonder at every day.

Like this, two of my grand dogs. They make a home happy.

The past few days were busy with my return from the baby visit, a funeral for a relative, and 2 days of family reunion. It was all wonderful, even the one sad occasion. We forget the close connections we have with family, until we are together again. Tears of sadness and laughter are very close to the same, when our dear ones share them.
Since then I’ve been soooo busy! Party time tonight! TwoTwelve Fiberartists will come to celebrate. I intend to make them a memorable occasion, lots of wiggling included.
And tomorrow, the friends of my heart, Baguettes, will be here. These dear women have been meeting for more than 10 years, every 2 weeks or so. We have witnessed ourselves grow into new life roles, from a bride, to some grandmothers, intentional artists, retirees, caregivers, and companions. Friends over all.
I will feed them food, and something for their busy minds and fingers to make. We ‘ll play a silly game, and laugh loudly. I hope we remember to take pictures. And we’ll share pictures of our loved ones. It feeds your soul to have a friend. The best way to get one, is to invite someone in.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.

This is a happy occasion, a good reason to smile.

As I take out the Christmas decorations, and put away the Autumn things, I am trying to make decisions. The little china pumpkin with a gold stem is a favorite of mine. The hollow ceramic ones with cut out faces, not so much. In one swoop, I clean out 24″ of shelf space!
The Christmas trees with buttons on the tips I like, but they have been around a long time. This will be the last year for 3 or 4 of them. ( I have 5). And the very large stockings I made for 14 family members don’t all get filled anymore. So I’ll offer them to my kids. They will be cute hung on a door.
Do you weed out things regularly? Or do you keep everything that has a sentimental history? Does everything feel like that? My friends would tell you I am the queen of getting rid of stuff. But if that were so, I’d have a lot less piled in the basement. I’m working on it. I did give away some lamps and tables and antique sewing cabinets. But there is no empty space to show.