On Christmas Eve, Beatrix asked if she could be the one to repair our baby Jesus doll. She was a toddler the year I made this simple doll and now she is old enough to sew.
The girls cut down a small tree on a friend’s property for their bedroom.
Giacomo, one of their cats settled in under the tree right next to his gifts and we all found that hilarious. Years ago, when Larkspur made the “CAT” stocking, she remarked that she was keeping the name generic so it could be used by whichever cat is her favorite each year.
Silas and Job also have their own little tree and they made paper ornaments to decorate it.
Larkspur sang with a small choir at the 8:30 vigil Mass at our church. With the exception of Seth and Gabe who went to midnight Mass, we all went to that service.
Keats played a couple of songs on the organ, but we missed the first one. He and Larkspur had to be there early, so we came later in a separate car. I forgot that the music starts a half-hour before Mass at Christmas Masses! When Keats walked down from the choir loft to play his second piece, I snuck out my camera. I explained to a questioning elderly man sitting next to where I stood that that was my son at the organ. He told me several times (loudly) that I should go over there and stand next to him while he played, finally asserting that if that was his son he’d be over there. “Go on! Go on!” he insisted. It was really a funny scene. Especially if you know Keats and know me. Keats would not have wanted me to do that and I didn’t want to stand next to him in that crowded church while he played either! I finally told the man that it would embarrass Keats if I stood next to him and he accepted that. This wasn’t really the truth (it would have distracted him terribly if I walked over there, but not necessarily embarrassed him-might have embarrassed me a bit) but I didn’t know what else to say. When I told Keats about it later that night he looked at me with horror at the mere thought and remarked that he wouldn’t have been able to play at all had I done that.
I take this photo every year. Mabel was asleep at this point and I don’t know where Silas and Job had gone!
Larkspur made these for me! Each one has a different Christmas themed fragrance. She used actual pine, cedar, dried oranges, etc.
Jonny made me a little bird key ring.
Larkspur and Beatrix’s “big gifts” this year were flannel nightgowns (The really nice ones from LL Bean). I wanted something similar for Mabel, so I sewed a gown using some flannel that I have had stashed away for many years. I can’t remember why I bought it-it must have been on sale! I don’t really like the print, but it is really nice quality flannel. I don’t do much garment sewing anymore and I put off sewing this until the last few days before Christmas. I was so happy when it was finished! Sadly, it swallows Mabel, but that will be a good thing in another year or two when it still fits her.
Larkspur has been asking for new fingerless mitts for months, so a few weeks before Christmas I cast on a pair of Skog mitts for her. They came together pretty quickly so I decided that I should knit some for Beatrix as well.
I chose a simpler pattern for Beatrix and those were so quick to knit that I decided to knit some for Silas, Job, and Mabel too!
And then I saw a simple project idea on Instagram: pocket warmers! These are just little pouches (about 4″ square when finished) filled with rice that the kids can warm in the microwave and put in their pockets before going out into the cold. These were quick to make and are great stocking stuffers!
We took a Christmas Day walk through the woods and now I have a stack of dirty fingerless mitts to wash!
This puzzle was my Christmas present to myself. Jonny and I were so absorbed in it that we finished it on Christmas Day!
Larkspur and Beatrix hosted their second annual Christmas party for the younger kids. They do extra chores to earn money and then I take them to buy their party supplies. They had egg nog and butterscotch soda, pomegranate, and chocolate truffles. An odd combination of things but they were happy!
I’m fighting my natural urge to stay busy and trying to relax! Time to start another puzzle? Or maybe a knitting project? The past few weeks have been so full of preparation that it’s a little disorienting to be in the midst of the Christmas season now with nothing pressing. I’m terrible at switching gears! I’m thankful for children who are far more flexible and enthusiastic than I am!
I hope that those of you who celebrate are enjoying your Christmas!
Rachel D. says
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I love the sachets that
Larkspur made for you! Did she have a pattern or come up with them on her own? I’d like to make some, too!
Lisa says
I always enjoy your blog posts – like sitting down with a friend to catch up on their week. happy new year to you and your family!
Katie says
Beautiful! Always love reading your posts 🙂
Emanuela Scuccato says
Grazie per avere condiviso il tuo Natale con noi, Ginny. Vedere le tue foto mi rende felice, mi incoraggia e mi stimola a fare di più, a fare meglio. Buon anno, Ginny, a te e a tutta la tua bellissima famiglia.
Nancy M says
Oh I’m so glad you shared the pocket warmers. I’ve used cornbags for years and often wish I could take them outside and never thought of making small ones to fit in a pocket. How wonderful! I actually like the flannel gown pattern/colors for Mabel but I understand if it may not be your favorite. Love Larkspurs homemade gift to you!!! Everything you do is beautiful. Love the kids had their own trees and decorations. So cute!! Wish I could knit. Love the gloves. That’s wonderful that Keats played the organ and Larkspur sang. Oh I have Take Joy!! My mom begin collecting Tasha Tudor books for me as a child. Special!! Happy New Year Ginny!!
Marilyn says
Thank You Ginny for sharing these lovely photos of your Christmas. The children all look so happy and enjoying their Christmas. God Bless .
Marilyn
Robin L HEIM says
I have found as my children and now grandchildren get older, even though I still work full-time, that I have started embracing the days of Christmas following Christmas Day. As Chrismtastide unfolds towards the Epiphany, I continue to write and send out Christmas greetings, read, and both listen to & watch holiday music & movies. I continue knitting, usually scarfs as they are easy and do not need as much of my attention should I become distracted. The lingering days are filled with the spirit of Christmas in a different way than those sometimes chaotic and hectic paced days from December 1 thru 24. Blessings!
Larissa says
Merry Christmas!
Marion says
Ginny it looks like you had a busy but wonderful Christmas. Keats is very talented. Beatrix and Larkspur are very pretty and such sweet daughters. Thank You for always sharing your family.
Marion
Joan says
Love the photos of your family celebrating Christmas. Your children are so beautiful.
Joan
Melissa says
I’ve just recently started following you. Thank you so much for sharing your photos and stories. What a lovely, intentional life you live. The presents from your children are wonderful! Pondering and keeping these ideas in my heart for our grandsons.
Lynette Pruett says
Ginny, I had to laugh when you said Mabel’s nightgown was oversized! It reminded me of a Christmas long ago. I made matching Christmas pajamas for our daughter and son all of the years they were at home growing up. One year, I used white flannel and cross stitched the instruments they were each playing at the time on them with waste canvas. They opened them on Christmas Eve, as was our tradition since that meant we had beautiful Christmas morning pictures in their new duds, and the nightgown was about 8” too long for our daughter! I told her I would take it up to my machine and correct my error, but she insisted that she LIKED it that way! And I guess she did, for that’s the way she wore it from then on…
And now we have twin toddler grandchildren, who are thoroughly enjoying the addition of the rainbow playsilks I purchased from you for their dress up corner in our home. Thank you for adding to our family’s Christmas! Blessings to you and yours…….
Tracy says
I LOVED this post !!Your words and pictures bring such joy and happiness into my day. Glad you all had a wonderful Christmas together.
Hope to see that bird keychain in your shop someday it’s lovely!!!!!
Sandra Richardson says
Your girls are just beautiful, and the boys so handsome! I really enjoy your posts.
Sandra in Maine
Connie says
Larkspur has her mother’s gift of creativity?
ELAINE says
Mabel’s flannel nightgown is exactly what I’m looking to make for my granddaughter. Can you recommend the pattern?
Ginny says
It is McCall’s M4646 🙂
Bianca says
I love Larkspur’s sachets. What a great gift. Please tell her. And, I love my order of soap and a playsilk. Perfect.
Bianca says
I want to thank you for my order of a bar of soap and a play silk. They are wonderful. How you ever find time to do that sort of thing is beyond me. And I am so taken by Larkspur’s sachets! They are beautiful. Please tell her how much I like them. Great present.
karen says
Merry Christmas Ginny! Lovely photos of your Christmas and I love all the mitts you knitted up so quickly for gifts. I made my adult kids hats (worsted weight). May your days be merry and bright!!
Missy says
Such lovely handmade gifts! Beautiful knitting. I enjoyed the organ story.
Mae Fleming says
Merry Christmas Ginny! I loved the narration along with the photos. I read your blog on my tablet and this made it so easy to follow. What pattern did you use for the easier fingerless mitts? I hope you have a joyous new year!
Andrea says
I was so pleased to see you have *proper* Advent calendars, not the ones filled with rubbishy chocolate or a gift for each day. Let’s teach the meaning of Christmas, not consumerism!
Chris says
I love your posts! Happy Holidays and a glorious New Year!
Cheryl Barron says
Ooh!Butterscotch soda-never saw it before. Sounds good. The crafts Larkspur and your son did are very good quality. Well done kids!
KAde says
What lovely gifts you made, especially those beauteous skog mitts, so lovely I don’t think I would be able to bring myself to wear them – except for very special occasions! I love the way you are so detached from the beautiful things you make. I mean, you actually make them knowing they will be worn and dirtied! I wish I could achieve that. What a very pretty jaw-line Beatrix has!
Emily DeArdo says
Oh, how precious is your family? 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Rita says
Well, I liked your flannel print! And I bet Mabel did too. An old-fashioned print for a sweet girl with an old-fashioned name. Merry Christmas!