hump day

Whether we watch the moon change shape, notice the length of a shadow, look at a numbered grid or remove clothespins from a line (a countdown to Christmas I remember from childhood), each of us observes the movement of time.

Winter solstice is a “hump day” for me.  Even though the coldest weather is yet to come, long winter nights begin to shorten as daylight arrives a minute or so earlier. 

Another hump day comes at the end of January when the tips of crocus leaves break through the ground.  (Years ago I planted the super early variety by the front door.)  Last year I missed it.  By the time the unusually deep snow disappeared, the crocus leaves were two inches tall! 

Happy Solstice.  Wishing you a joyous celebration of the season.

present day

My son has blessed me with three fabulous grandchildren and a wonderful daughter-in-law.  His original stocking was deconstructed and parts were used in the new set.  The latest additions are now complete, delivered and will be hung with care this holiday season.

What traditions have you been a part of passing from generation to generation?

fast-forward twenty years

When I became a new mother, the box of “stocking stuff” was bequeathed to me.  Sequins, bugle beads, odd earrings, plastic charms stored in metal tins and a bag of felt bits became the palette as this family tradition was passed to the next generation.

As a little girl, I enjoyed the rituals and traditions of the holidays, but didn’t realize the love that had been stitched into these heirlooms until I became the stocking maker. 

creating an heirloom

In the middle of the last century, my grandmother began a family tradition when she made her grandchildren felt Christmas stockings to hang on her mantle.  Our house didn’t have a fireplace, but not to worry, Santa would come down the chimney at Grandmother’s house filling stockings and leaving treasures under the tree.  (He would also stop by Christmas afternoon for a cup of hot chocolate and bring a package or two he’d “forgotten” the night before, but that is another story.)

Felt reindeer, Santas, angels, wreathes and sleighs bejeweled with beads, gum ball machine charms, jingle bells made each stocking unique.