We are slowly getting into the Christmas spirit around here. Rob and Emma (plus a friend of Emma's) took off this weekend for one of Emma's Christmas experience-gifts: a two day concert festival in Milwaukee, WI. They stayed overnight in a very cool Art Deco hotel, and enjoyed about six different bands. The two headliners were Of Monsters and Men (
very cool video of one of their songs here), and Frank Turner (
Very fun video for this guy too :-).
While we probably won't have time to go get a tree until a week or so before Christmas, I did find a cute little tree-like plant with some glitter. Emma has a collection of small ornaments from back when she used to decorate her room, so she hung them on this little guy.
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| The glitter doesn't show up in this photo. I love glitter around the holidays. Rob, not so much :-) |
Emma and I also found a few minutes to make some colored sand and glitter ornaments. They'd be too heavy to hang on a tree, but they were fun to make and can be used in other places.
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| Emma's ornament in progress. |
Her ornament hangs nicely from the basket handle. This is the basket we collect our Christmas cards in. It's sadly empty at the moment. We
have received one card (Rob has a friend from high school whose card arrives on the day after Thanksgiving EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Not only is she incredibly efficient, but she always manages to write something funny and sweet inside. I aspire to be her) but we haven't had time as a family to open it yet.
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| Emma's ornament hanging, another in the basket. And that little snowman to the left? She made that several years ago from polymer clay and I take it out every year. She finds this embarrassing, I find it endearing. Or maybe enduring? |
Over the last few weeks I did manage to make one bracelet, commissioned by Melissa of
Green Girl in Wisconsin. I believe it will be going to a friend of hers who likes bats.
I am in the middle of making some other things to send out for Christmas, and I'm hoping to put more time into them after I grade the finals I give this week. I should have worked on them this weekend, while Emma and Rob were gone, but instead I watched about seven episodes of the Amazon series TransParent. Which was fascinating (really excellent acting), and will make anyone feel that they come from the most together, traditional, and successful, family ever.
It's looking festive by you! That bracelet is so wonderful. My friend is going to LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteMy cards are halfway done and I hope to mail them next weekend. First I have 14 more research essays to grade. Ugh.
I hear you! I hope none of them are plagiarized and all of them are inspiring :-)
DeleteI love that little tree! And not just because it has chocolate around its base.
ReplyDeleteI don't wear bracelets, but I have to say, that one looks very cool.
I keep having to replenish that chocolate . . .
DeleteThe sand ornaments are so cool! And I do love your little tree! My Christmas cards are mailed, the tree is up, and I have all but some late presents wrapped. I'm not rubbing it in--usually, I'm not this organized, but we're headed to Texas for a week, so I knew this year I had to get everything done early. Plus, I put up about half the usual decorations and opted for a lot of gift cards instead of searching for those "perfect" gifts. Next year, I'll probably be back to my usual self--shopping and wrapping at the last minute:)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it will be any warmer in Texas than it is here this year? I hope you have a great trip :-)
DeleteTerrific bracelet! You are also way ahead of me in the Christmas decorating and card/letter-writing department. The little glitter tree is a fine decoration, and I love that you put chocolates around the base. My husband kindly decked the halls on Saturday morning which is very cheering. I'll have to get the boys to bring in a bin or two for a few things I'm still missing (but most of it is just not going to get put out this year). What I ought to be doing while stuck on my back is writing the Christmas letter, but I haven't gotten very far.
ReplyDeleteCUTE Santa! Keep that one forever. Emma may not realize it now, but things like that are priceless.
This is SUCH a tough time to be laid up. I'm glad you're guys are taking care of you, but I understand how frustrating it still is!
DeleteI love that bracelet! (I bought myself a bat necklace at Halloween.) My mojo has been lacking this fall/month/notevenwinteryet but I might pick myself up! I'm afraid to put up a tree because of our kitten...but he is going to start going outside this weekend and that may calm him down.
ReplyDeleteWe have to wait until spring for that, but I've a feeling all three of these kittens will enjoy climbing trees!
DeleteI like the bat bracelet. And the experience gift sounds very cool. We are not getting a Christmas tree this year or presents as we (Judy and I and kids) are going to California for Christmas. Which I suppose is also an experience gift.
ReplyDeleteI think traveling once your kid(s) are adults could be a wonderful and relaxing way to enjoy the holidays without collecting more stuff :-) I hope you guys have a great time!
DeleteWe received a bunch of cards in the three days after Christmas, and I have very fond thoughts toward all those people right now, as I can just imagine them scrambling in the two days before Christmas, all rushed and maybe a little cranky. For some reason this makes me happy. I think the ornaments and the bracelet are pretty, albeit in different ways!
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