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 calzones, a favorite of many of my children, though not something I make often.
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 clay, inspired by dear Sarah, and this tutorial I came across on Pinterest. The tutorial suggested using rubber stamps to make imprints on the clay, but I because I don’t have many of those-and nothing Christmas-y, I opted to purchase some less expensive presses intended for making fondant. (I found them randomly while wandering Hobby Lobby in search of something suitable.) In the end, I shouldn’t have bought anything because the prettiest ornaments were made using cedar branches, fresh leaves, and even the edge of an old butter knife. I cut each block of clay into four pieces and then let the kids shape and make what they wished. Of course Silas and Beatrix needed some guidance, but they were still able to really enjoy this. After making the imprints we added holes for hanging with a knitting needle and then baked them. Once they were baked and cooled we painted them with metallic gold and silver paint and then rubbed most of it off to accentuate the impressions.
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, a movie about the Lost Boys, and he really enjoyed it. I rarely watch Hollywood movies myself anymore, they just aren’t my thing, but I did want to see The Good Lie. Coincidentally, Grace Hill Media emailed me asking if I would like a copy of it, along with a second to give away here. (It’s being released on DVD on the 23rd.) So, I said “Yes, please!” I enjoyed the movie, though there is just enough “inappropriateness” that we didn’t let our older boys watch it. As far as Hollywood goes though, it’s pretty tame, and it is a nice “feel good” story. I’m happy to see awareness being raised for South Sudan and the former Lost Boys. So many of them are still struggling. 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!
Kelly J. R. says
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.
Carol in PA says
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.
Carol in PA says
Oops! Just realized I misspelled my email address. Goodness gracious…
sara says
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!
Janet says
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!!
cirila says
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?
Jessica S. says
I would love to see the movie! 🙂
jamie says
I’d love to see the movie!
Alexis Hilgert says
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!
Jackie - Luna Grey Fiber Arts says
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.
Olivia says
How beautiful, Ginny. I would love that movie!
julie says
Sounds like an interesting movie.
Katie says
Would love it! Also, now I need sculpey. Love those ornaments and they put my cardboard birds to shame!
Sheila says
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. 🙂
Katie says
would love to watch this. thanks for the chance to win! also, beautiful ornaments, I think I will have to try those next year.
Angela says
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!
alexa says
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…
Christy says
Merry Christmas!
Sylvia says
I always enjoy reading your blog. I would also like a chance to receive a copy of the movie. Thank-you.
Kate says
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.
Jen says
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!
Tamra says
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!
Debbie says
Would you please put my name in the hat for the movie? Merry Christmas Ginny!
Jennifer A. says
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.
Willemijn Maljaars says
I don’t usually watch Hollywood movies either but this one sounds interesting!
cathy j says
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Shelly Cunningham says
I would love to see The Good Lie!
Becky G-C says
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.
Alyson says
Haven’t sat down for a movie in years, pick me 😉
Melissa Marie says
I would also love to see the movie!!
Marcia Mattern says
ME!
Nikki J says
I would love a copy. Merry Christmas!
Heather Spooner says
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!
Sarah says
We’d love to watch the movie! Also, thanks for linking to the sculpey ornament idea! Saving for next year with our littles.
Tamara says
The ornaments are gorgeous!
Tara says
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!
Heather says
Those sculptey clay ornaments are beautiful! What a great craft. And the calzones look delicious. I may have to try that recipe.
Holly says
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 🙂
Tracey says
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.
Beth T. says
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.
Tammy C says
I’d love to see this movie! Thank you!
Allison says
I’d love to see the movie!
Teresa B says
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.
Jenna says
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 🙂
patty bl says
I would love to see it!
Sarah says
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 🙂
Jodi says
I would like to see this movie. I love your blog.
Lisa G. says
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.
Wendy says
Merry Christmas! The movie looks good!
Ellie says
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 🙂
Mary says
I would love to see that movie.