Since Wednesday is Christmas Eve, let’s skip Yarn Along this week. Next week, why don’t we do something different? If you would like, share a post featuring photos of your finished knitted gifts from this holiday season in the Yarn Along link up. Of course, regular Yarn Along posts are welcome too, but I thought it might be fun to share a collective bunch of finished objects!
I’ve been a little slow to get with the program this Advent. I spent the first half sick along with various other members of the family. I’ve had such a bad cough that I couldn’t read aloud until last week. We weren’t well enough to even attend Mass until the third Sunday of Advent. But, right this second we’re all healthy, and I’m grateful.
The kitchen has been very busy. I started by recovering the little bit of beeswax from this year’s honey harvest. (I followed advice from this post.) The girls and I went on to make some simple beeswax ornaments using candy molds, though not with our own beeswax. I’m saving that to make a few small candles.
I also made Moosewood
Jonny picked up another van load of bagged leaves from the same house as the last ones. I’m gearing up for next year’s garden, feeling very ambitious. The boys worked to remove the fence between our original property and the lot we just purchased next door. I am making plans to extend my garden there.
The most fun this week was creating ornaments from Sculpey
Today I did my last before Christmas grocery shopping trip. We are doing all homemade candy in the stockings this year and while I thought that this would be not only special, but less expensive, I realize now that only the special part is true.
I also stopped and reserved a Christmas tree at the farm stand, thinking that I chose a smaller tree than usual, though one with character. Later, when Jonny brought it home, I exclaimed, “You got the wrong one!” because the tree he carried from the van is huge. Given the giant flag wrapped around it with our name on it, it would have been hard to mess it up. I guess I’m not good at gauging size. Jonny says that he’ll have to cut a foot off the top and the bottom to fit it in the house. I was afraid that the kids were going to be upset with me for choosing a tiny tree. I guess not!
We’ve been having a little treat each evening of the O Antiphons. Tonight I’m making eggnog!
p.s. I became friends with a former Lost Boy of Sudan this year and read at least four books on South Sudan and what he and thousands of others suffered (My favorite was What is the What.) A mutual friend took him to the theater last fall to see The Good Lie
If you would like me to mail you a copy of The Good Lie, just leave me a comment and I will randomly select someone this week. I used random.org, and the winner is Tracey.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Thanks for the chance to win the movie. I’m a fan of Reese Witherspoon and also can’t wait to see her “Wild” movie.
So glad you are all feeling better! Please enter my name for the dvd. I’d love to see your homemade candy when it’s completed . Your Christmas projects are truly inspiring! Blessings to you and your family.
Oops! Just realized I misspelled my email address. Goodness gracious…
We just made some fire starters with beeswax and I can just smell that lovely scent looking at your photos.
The movie looks really interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
I will watch it and then donate it to the library. We need more DVDs at the library where I work 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!!
I would love to see the movie, although I don’t know that I would want to keep it. Maybe I could pass it along to another person afterwards?
I would love to see the movie! 🙂
I’d love to see the movie!
We would love a copy of this movie! My son is almost three and I’ve only seen 2 theater movies since he was born, lol, and new ones molt when they reach tv…so I’ve not seen this yet!
How sweet and generous of you, Ginny. I have not yet seen “The Good Lie”. However, my husband and I just returned from seeing “Wild” tonight. It was different than I anticipated and left me feeling a little blue. But, Reese Witherspoon did a beautiful job acting in the film and I expect her to receive much praise for this role.
How beautiful, Ginny. I would love that movie!
Sounds like an interesting movie.
Would love it! Also, now I need sculpey. Love those ornaments and they put my cardboard birds to shame!
Merry Christmas to you and your family….and your new friend from Sudan! The movie sounds like something I would watch….I don’t go to theaters. 🙂
would love to watch this. thanks for the chance to win! also, beautiful ornaments, I think I will have to try those next year.
Love the ornaments and your knits blocking! I would love to see that movie! I had no idea it was coming available. Have a very Merry Christmas!
I love watching what kinds of things you and your family come up with for Christmas and other feasts. Lovely to see the homemade, handmade sort taking centre stage. 🙂 Our family has spent very little time outside our home in preparing for the Nativity. Most of our gifts are handmade. 🙂 That makes me happy. I hate shopping malls and stores during this time. So distracting from the real focus…
Merry Christmas!
I always enjoy reading your blog. I would also like a chance to receive a copy of the movie. Thank-you.
I’m not commenting for the the movie, but about the Christmas tree. It’s hard to judge the size of something out in the open. When picking out a tree, we always bring one of our older sons along who are both well over 6′ 2″ and have them stand next to the tree. If it’s taller than one of them, the rest of the kids are satisfied.
Thanks for mentioning the calzones. My kids love them too, but I haven’t made them for a long time. One of my favorite recipes in Moosewood is the “Gypsy Soup” and I used to make it regularly until my husband revealed to me that he doesn’t really like chickpeas. Poo. I make the “Montana Mom’s Dynamite Cheesecake” for special occasions. I love that cookbook.
I love the ornaments your family made with the leaf impressions!
I haven’t even begun half of what I had hoped to this Christmas season. The one consistent thing we have been doing is reading Ann Voskamp’s book “Unwrapping the Greatest Gift”.
I would love to see the movie you’ve mentioned! Please enter me in the draw. Thanks!
Merry Christmas to you and your precious family!
How is Sarah’s family doing? I ask because I have a friend whose son died a few months back, and she is struggling with the holidays.
p.s. I would be interested in the DVD. Thanks!
Would you please put my name in the hat for the movie? Merry Christmas Ginny!
The sculpey ornaments are beautiful! I know we have some of that clay around our house. We will have to give that a try. Thanks for the opportunity for the movie give away – and have a blessed Christmas.
I don’t usually watch Hollywood movies either but this one sounds interesting!
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I would love to see The Good Lie!
The ornaments are beautiful.
We had similar tree adventures in our early married years. “The tree looks like it will fit.”
Thanks for the opportunity to receive a copy.
Haven’t sat down for a movie in years, pick me 😉
I would also love to see the movie!!
ME!
I would love a copy. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for giving us a peek into your holiday happenings. I’d like to watch The Good Lie. If I don’t win this copy, I’ll look into buying one. Thank you!
We’d love to watch the movie! Also, thanks for linking to the sculpey ornament idea! Saving for next year with our littles.
The ornaments are gorgeous!
I would love to win a copy of The Good Lie! The ornaments are beautiful. I especially love the white and gold one. I’m definitely going to remember this as a craft for me and my nieces! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Those sculptey clay ornaments are beautiful! What a great craft. And the calzones look delicious. I may have to try that recipe.
Awesome,this would be amazing!!!Merry Christmas!!Also Ginny was wondering if you had any of those awesome dishclothes left!!!I love them and would like to bu some more if you do!!!Thanks!!Holly 🙂
I am not one for ‘new’ movies, much preferring to watch old black & whites, but I would love a chance to see this. Thank you Ginny. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Did you read Mary Pipher’s book, when you were reading about the Lost Boys? I love her and her insights into American culture and have long remembered what she shared about her experiences with the Lost Boys in her area. Please consider me for the dvd.
I’d love to see this movie! Thank you!
I’d love to see the movie!
The ornaments are beautiful. I would like to see the movie. I have really enjoyed your blog and have started knitting again. I am making a sweater and so far I like the way it is turning out.
My husband and I missed seeing this in theaters by a day! We would like to be able to have a copy of this! Hope you pick us 🙂
I would love to see it!
I have not heard of the movie….would love to see it! I agree about the expensive homemade stuff 🙂 Butter prices have been pretty high 🙂
I would like to see this movie. I love your blog.
Beautiful, beautiful ornaments, Ginny! And your tree is gorgeous.
Looks like Bea’s hair is turning brown? Or maybe just the light. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
Merry Christmas! The movie looks good!
Happy Advent Ginny! The ornaments are really lovely.
Please do enter my name for the dvd. That’s a movie i’d like to own. Thanks for the chance 🙂
I would love to see that movie.