Snowflakes

We haven't had a lot of snow (yet?) this winter, so if it isn't going to snow outside, I decided to make it snow inside our lovely little Glanworth library. I put out coffee filters and cupcake liners (the quick and easy way to get circles!) and scissors, and let the kids do the rest.

Dads were allowed to help too.

They look so pretty hanging from the ceiling, don't they?

All the best,

Judy Ann

Christmas in review!

Today, the Monday after New Year's Day, and the day when schools are back in session, is traditionally the official end of the holiday season. I thought it was high time I sent out an updated blog entry to show a few holiday highlights.

Emily and Alex helped Jeff put lights on our shed and on a little blue spruce.

Carly, Klaus, Emily and Alex got totally engrossed in decorating gingerbread cookies that Carly baked and brought on Christmas Eve day.

I love how they turned out, and they tasted as good as they looked!

 All is calm, all is bright...

 

The Christmas brunch table all set and ready.

Yum!

 A few favourite gifts:

On Boxing Day, we all got together at the church hall for a long, lovely dinner!

 The grandkids provided comical (and very sweet!) entertainment.

 After all the festivities, we really needed a good,vigorous hike. It felt great to get out into the cold!

 It was another magical family Christmastime and, once again, I'm filled with gratitude.

Happy, healthy new year!

Judy Ann

Christmas Open House at the Glanworth Library

Last Saturday morning we had a lovely, celebratory Christmas Open House at the Glanworth Library. Jeff played seasonal songs on the portable piano, the kids made small beaded-wreath ornaments,  and I served warm mulled cider and baked goodies. Here are a few photo highlights:

It was so nice to see friends and neighbours socializing during the party.

A baby always becomes the centre of attention!

Jeff kept everyone entertained with his cheery music (and smile).

Even with so much activity in the little library, it was possible to find a quiet corner...

...or get totally engrossed in making a craft.

It was a special morning and I'm grateful to the community for making it so enjoyable!

All the best,

Judy Ann

Tiny Stitches, Lovely Memories

In our family, it is unusual to put up our (real) Christmas tree two weeks before the big day. We like having it up early, but never seem to get around to it. Well, this year we did it! The tree is up and decorated and, as usual, it is the best tree ever. While I was unwrapping tissue from around our many treasured ornaments, I took a trip down memory lane. I love seeing the funny little egg-carton bell, beaded candy canes and decorated baubles that our kids made when they were little; the hand-carved and painted Santas made by my father-in-law; and the many precious gift ornament from my sisters. I came across a small framed Teddy Bear that I cross-stitched for Carly for her first Christmas. As I read the loving message on the back, I realized it was high time I gave it to her so that she and Klaus could put it on their own tree. Jeff took a photo so I could post it here, then I wrapped it up and gave it to her.

I wish I could say that I stitched one for Denby and Emily too, and I'm sure I meant to, but just ran out of time in the busyness of raising three little kids. I'll have to figure out a way to make it up to them.

Enjoy your day,

Judy Ann

Some Things Just Go Together

I recently had fun putting together a gift for a fundraiser. If you've read this blog before, you'll know that I'm addicted to knitting baby caps. So, naturally, I included one in the gift. I combined this supper-soft ivory merino wool

with this super-fine pale pink cashmere/silk blend

to knit this wee cap.

Then I added this sweet baby book (no bias at all involved here;-)

which made for a lovely gift.

All the best,

Judy Ann

More Crafty Fun

We've had enthusiastic crafters these past couple of weeks at the little Glanworth library. I like it when I prepare a craft, and the kids have fun putting their own creative spin on my ideas. Isn't this a cute little snail? Almost as cute as the little crafter!

Even though it is mid-November, we were able to take a photo on the front porch!

One week earlier, I prepared an owl craft. Once again, my creative kids made the craft their own.

And sometimes, they want to make something completely different!

All the best,

Judy Ann

Funny Little Caterpillars

Sometimes when I just can't think of a fun craft to do at the Glanworth Library, I turn to one of my favourite crafty items, buttons. I took a pipe cleaner and bent it in half, and threaded a colourful wooden bead onto the bent end. I added a bit of white glue to hold the bead in place, leaving a little bit of pipe cleaner  sticking out of the bead to look like a nose. (Hm-m, does a caterpillar have a nose??) Then I threaded on buttons, in a pattern or not, for the body. I twisted the pipe-cleaner ends together to make a short tail. For antennae, I took a small piece of pipe cleaner, wound it behind the head bead and curved up the ends. I love googly eyes so I glued them in place, then used a permanent marker to add a small smile. The kids who made button caterpillars loved them!

Aren't they adorable?

All the best,

Judy Ann