Well, I have had what I think was a proper holiday. This truth hit me hardest when I had to go dig through a bin in the basement to find a pair of pants that fit. Yesterday was Ephiphany. Today is day one of cleaning up my diet. It’s cold, raining, and dreary. My kids are “bored” and wild. I wish I had a slice of apple pie.
I turned 42 last week and minus the age, it was probably my favorite birthday ever. I attribute this to my decision to celebrate over a few days rather than just one. It’s hard to squeeze enough into just one day, especially considering how many other things (not so fun things) must happen on any given day, birthday or not. The day before my birthday I celebrated with a few friends and went a little crazy, going so far as to drink some sort of spiced Christmas wine. I never drink anymore. Just the smallest amount and I was almost tipsy, though I might have imagined that. (Jonny was driving. I really wasn’t crazy.) The day of my birthday Jonny made me a special breakfast and we went out to dinner that evening followed by seeing Little Women at the theater. It was so good! I loved it! You should go see it! The following day, it was noticed (I won’t say by whom) that my children had mostly neglected to acknowledge my birthday so celebrations rolled into a third day. Jonny sent the kids to Barnes & Noble with a credit card, a spending limit, and instructions to buy me a gift. They came back with two jigsaw puzzles and a bouquet of flowers and I was so happy.
The key to my relaxation has been a combination of making myself do it and jigsaw puzzles. I don’t know if you have ever picked up on it but I tend to get a little obsessive sometimes (either I hide it well here or you are totally laughing at me right now because it’s so obvious.) I am currently a little obsessed with puzzles. They really help calm my mind. I remember my stepmother having puzzles going when I was a child. She worked enormous ones. I may be exaggerating but I remember them having 5000 pieces or so. 500 piece puzzles are more my speed, though 1000s are nice as well because they last longer. I never considered working on puzzles myself because it seemed impossible with so many little ones around. The puzzle table I ordered before Christmas has changed this because I can put it out of reach when I need to. (We have this one. This one looks similar though larger by a couple of inches. Amazon links are affiliate links.) This table is currently my most prized possession. But it’s not only me working on puzzles. Frequently I sit down to work and I am quickly joined by so many other sets of hands that I have to sigh and put my own hands in my lap. Jigsaw puzzles have created more cozy family evenings in recent days than I can remember in a long time. Even little Mabel is able to work on them! The 500 piece puzzles are perfect for sharing with my younger kids.
(Here’s where I bought the shirt!)
Since finishing all the Christmas knits, I’ve been working on this hat for Silas. Beatrix wishes it were hers. I have to agree that it does suit her well. I knit this in a skein of Cestari wool that I dyed with indigo (and sumac berries I think) years ago and stashed rather than selling because I loved the color so much. I’m not ready to start any big knitting projects yet and have several more hats planned.
This feels like a messy, disorganized post, but that’s how it is after a break! I know I must have more to tell you, but maybe I’ll just keep it simple: remember the 3-day birthday strategy and jigsaw puzzles. If you haven’t already, you might want to try both.
p.s. I put links to most of the puzzles in this post in my sidebar along with a couple that I want to work soon!
p.p.s. Our Christmas tree is still up. I don’t want to take it down, but it looks terrible so I guess I will.
james M blanton says
Great movie…saw it on Christmas day……May this year hold many adventures….God Bless you…deb
Claudia Käthner says
Happy belated birthday, Ginny. Thank you so much for letting your readers have a glimpse into the richness of your life. Your way of looking at the world around you through your camera lense makes me smile so often and warms my heart.
Claudia from Germany
Dawn Harris says
We celebrate the entire birthday month in our house which allows us to be sure special friends and family members get to honor the birthday person(s) and we have the chance to do many special things (and eat all the birthday person’s favorite foods.) Makes for an enjoyable time with less pressure. Even better when more than one family member has a birthday in the same month. Hope your year continues to be a blessed one!
Emily says
Happiest of birthdays to you, Ginny. I had previously thought myself too impatient to do jigsaws but I might just give one a try x
Linda says
Happy Birthday Ginny 🙂 Your puzzles all looked beautiful. My favourite were the birds and the green house with snow. I’m glad your taking life a tad slower and making time for yourself, that’s also my goal for this year…either that, or burn out completely. Blessings to you ~ Linda
Kerry says
I thought puzzles were so fuddy Duddy. Then I started one over break and got obsessed!!!! But. Once piece missing. Oh the pain. Happy b day!
Catherine Holder says
Many blessings for your birthday! I literally just (like just tonight) started the feather puzzle with my grandparents and it is such a fun one! 🙂
Taryn@WoolyMossRoots says
Happy Birthday Ginny!
sonrie says
i love doing puzzles in the winter…I keep a few in the house but recently discovered I can also borrow them from the library!
Cindy says
And a happy birthday greeting from me, as well! Adore the t-shirt! That is me, too! Sorry to bug you when I DO realize that you are one busy woman, but the family is just returning to the “therapy” of puzzles, and I’m wondering if you dismantle your completed puzzles with plans to put them together again in the future – or if you glue them together and enjoy them as the “works of art” they become? Thank you so much for sharing your life with all of us! God bless you, Ginny!
Lorrie Fulton says
The older I get, the more days I add to the birthday ‘celebration’. I’ve always been a believer in ‘birthday weeks’, but being in my 60’s has brought a new awareness of what i gift it is to still be having birthdays.
I’m loving puzzles now too–they’re very calming. I’ve a puzzle mat arriving today and I’m looking forward to beginning Monarch Butterfly puzzle with my 3 1/2 year old grandson.
karen says
happy birthday! I have to confess that I have eaten one too many desserts over the holidays as well.
Larissa Howell says
Happy New Year of your life! I love how you took time to truly celebrate YOU! Thanks for all of the real love and life you share here! Grateful!
Nicola says
Happy birthday. Just wondering what the book with the twelfth night page is please. Colours in the photos are beautiful
Theresa Boedeker says
Puzzles are so relaxing. And you have some beauties there. Love the fat little bird one. I also fell in love with Little Women. I could hardly stop smiling when done. Happy belated birthday. And I love the three day celebration idea.
Judith says
Happy Belated Birthday Ginny. I love the t-shirt and the beautiful puzzles you got. I haven’t done puzzle in a long time. Your inspiration is making me plan a visit to the big B&N in my area — I’m hoping that they have the feather puzzle — it really is gorgeous.
Wishing you and your family a 2020 filled with many blessings.
Judith
PamB says
Happy belated birthday! I’m going to tell my kids I’ll be celebrating my February birthday several days so be prepared! Wish I was in my forties again as I’ll be 73! Thank you for sharing your jigsaws! I’ve worked jigsaws most of my adult life… when I put them back in the box I always put the outside edges in a ziplock to make it easier when working again as can’t start working until outside is done! Thank you for sharing all you do, your sweet family, and beautiful photos.
Nahuatl Vargas says
It’s a good strategy, I also hace found that 500 puzzles are the best for me, so far I only have a round dinning table that works terribly for this purpose. somehow they not easy to see or reach in a round table.
Congratulations, you look beautiful as always.
Joan says
Those puzzles look interesting. We took our tree down Sunday. The sanitation picked it up already. We still have a few decorations to pack up. Enjoy your puzzles. Have a great 2020.
Joan
Marilyn says
Glad you had a nice birthday. Puzzles can be challenging but relaxing, too. Have a blessed 2020.
Marilyn
Heidi says
Happy Belated Birthday!! Bought puzzles on Black Friday this year and looking forward to doing them. It’s probably been at least 20 years! Seemed like a nice calming thing to do. My anxiety has been off the charts lately!
I need your t-shirt!!! Can you provide a link please?
Happy 2020 also!!
Ginny says
Thank you!
Here’s a link to the shirt! https://www.etsy.com/listing/694617923/introverted-but-willing-to-discuss?ref=yr_purchases
Katie says
Always love and enjoy your posts, the realness and beautiful pictures 🙂
Bindy in Australia says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GINNY! (and I love the knitting T Shirt. Made me laugh out loud.) Also, hope you are going okay with the cold season; I know, from some posts in previous winters, that you find it physically and psychologically hard. Hugs and prayers for you.
Ginny says
Thank you Bindy! How are you? I have been praying for Australia! So far I’m doing okay this winter. It’s not been very cold yet, so maybe that helps?
Marion says
Happy that you had a wonderful celebration of your birthday. My mom loved doing jigsaw puzzles. HAPPY 2020.
Marion
Megan says
Happy Birthday! I too love puzzles. They are a great stress reliever, you are so focused on finding that one piece you can forget your worries for a little while. Love the t-shirt too!!
Susan Beck says
Love your post, where can I get the calendar that Mable is changing? also what book is the 12th night from? it’s beautiful and I would like to order it. Happy Birthday! Susan
Wendy says
Love your shirt! We’ve been getting into puzzles a little here, too. Always look forward to your posts!
Aria Hauser says
Such nice puzzels! I am glad to hear you had a wonderful birthday. Those hats are wonderful! I love the cable work. I have not tried that myself yet. Enjoy your week (and Christmas tree)!
Julie says
Happy birthday, Ginny! I love your shirt. I need that modified to say knitting and books. 😉
I’m so glad you’ve found a way to enjoy your birthday. I loved Little Women too. My sister and I used to play little women for years. I was always Meg. Such fond memories!
Leslie F says
I love that t-shirt! I saw one the other day that said “Yarnivore” and I could kick myself for not buying it! Happy birthday!
Kathleen says
Happy Belated Birthday from someone else who turned 42 last week! We also got back into puzzles over the holidays. We got a few as presents and when I was putting them away and cleaning out puzzles we’ve already done or that my kids have outgrown, I discovered we have 13 puzzles in our cabinet that we haven’t done yet. Time to get going! (Also, LOVE that tshirt…) 🙂
Lisa says
Such pretty puzzles! And my Grandpa always celebrated his birthday over three days- he was born during a snow storm, so the doctor came the next day and the day after that his birth certificate was signed. The nice thing was everyone always had a three day grace period to give him a call or see him.:)
Helena says
I love your T-shirt! And the blue on that hat. I got a puzzle for my bday back in October and haven’t done it bc I don’t have a spare table to leave it out on, but haven’t gotten around to making a puzzle mat or something yet, but it’s something I want to do this month as I do enjoy puzzles.