Lovely World

December Thaw

Sunday brought us a day of wet, muddy, overcast conditions. We were so sad to see the wonderful snow of a week ago melt so suddenly. Yet, there was fun to be had as we headed outdoors in the 50+ degree temperature. The kids were simply excited to find that they did not have to wear a coat.

Elsa Beskow, one of my all-time very favorite writers and illustrators of children's books, wrote a book titled Ollie's Ski Trip, published in 1907. Ollie is 6 years old and has received his first real pair of skis. The story details his adventures on skis out in the snowy world of winter. One character in the book is Mrs. Thaw. She is much-maligned by everyone, until spring when she clears away the remnants of winter to make way for the warmth, light, and blossom of that time of year. I couldn't help but think of her on Sunday. She had arrived here much too early, as we haven't even made it out of 2008! We are waiting for another nice snow storm, and Mrs. Thaw should mind her own business for a few more months.

Homemade Doughnuts

In honor of Hanukkah, and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days, we made jelly doughnuts today. This is not a cooking project for the weak at heart. It involves making a yeasted dough, frying in very hot oil, and (the true miracle) injecting the jelly neatly into the doughnut. We did not have the appropriate kitchen implement for that last step (there must be a nice pastry tool out there somewhere) but David improvised by making his own. Interestingly, this involved a fair amount of duct tape, his material of choice for many projects. There are countless recipes for doughnuts, but we found this one from the blog East Meets West Kitchen (based on a recipe from Gourmet) to be just right. If you are brave enough to make these, you'll definitely enjoy them. And they are much, much better than Dunkin' Doughnuts.

Hanukkah

We are more than half way through the 8 days of candle lighting, gift giving, and gelt eating that is Hanukkah here at our house. I'm enjoying the lights and the time spent with friends and family. We also celebrated Christmas last weekend at my mother's house, and yesterday friends kindly invited us to join them for Christmas lunch. Tomorrow we'll have another Hanukkah dinner (more latkes!) with some dear friends.

There is a part of me that is already looking toward the post-holiday new year. I find my mind working on a list of resolutions and imagining cleaning projects I want to accomplish. Although it can be a bit cold and dark around here in January, I actually like the first month of the year. It usually brings quiet and calm, a true time for contemplation that is just not available during December.

I went a little crazy making dolls right before our Hanukkah party. I wanted to give one to each little girl that was here for our celebration. I enlarged the pattern I had used for the smaller dolls and really like how they turned out in the larger size.

Winter Break

Today was the last day of school before winter break for the holidays. To kick things off early, the kids were released from classes at mid-day due to our first big snow storm of the season. Right on cue, the snow started as I picked them up. We have been home barely 3 hours and we already have enough snow for skiing and sledding. The kids are in heaven!

On the way home from town we stopped at the library to pick up some movies to watch while waiting out the storm. I felt lucky to score Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, but all of the copies of A Christmas Carol were checked out. I'm sure I can catch that on T.V. at some point this week. Even though we celebrate Hanukkah as a family, I find that my memories of celebrating Christmas while growing up are powerful. I have a need to watch these movies, as well as the Rankin-Bass animated holiday movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (I love Burl Ives's voice). I also have a small stash of Christmas music that I listen to obsessively for about two weeks. My family, kids included, roll their eyes at me, but agree that there is really no good Hanukkah music. Whatever you are celebrating this week, many blessings to you and your family.

More Sewing

I've been busily finishing some projects for holiday and birthday gifts. Above you can see some of the dolls I've been making. I am quite focused on the idea of dolls right now and have some ideas for different designs. I love the faces. I think I'll make some dolls with open eyes next.

Here are two more bags. I made a third of the same design but gave it to my dear friend Elizabeth as a birthday gift before taking a photo of it. These bags are also gifts. I put treats (chocolate, bath products, etc.) inside before wrapping.

Here are the finished quilts I made for the new twin babies, Billy and Addie (love, love, love those names). I am really happy with how they turned out. I backed them with flannel patterned with tiny dots. So sweet.

This quilt and the one below are for my kids. They are made with the Minky fabric which features sock monkeys. Remember those? I had a sock monkey I bought at a church bazaar when I was a kid. The quilt top fabric is flannel, and the back is the oh-so-soft Minky "fur" fabric. The whole reason I made the quilts is because my kids are in love with that fur fabric. Miriam sits and pets it every time we go to Tala's Quilt Shop.

New York

We just returned home from 4 days in New York City. I don't think I have ever been in the city so close to Christmas. The holiday lights and window dressings were amazing. Some were truly works of art, like those of Bergdorf Goodman on 5th Avenue. Each window was an assemblage, all in white, representing a month or season. Below are some photos from Summer and September. My photos are just a small part of the whole. To see some other examples, go to the store's website here and touch on the thumbnail images.

We were in New York because David was attending a professional conference. I had the kids on my own each day. I found, with great pleasure and relief, that my kids have gotten to an age where they have the stamina and (sort-of) independence to make it through a day of museum-going, park-walking, and eating out in restaurants without melting down.

It is also striking to find your children at an age where they know things that either (1) you don't know or (2) that you never imagined they would know at their age. For example, at the American Museum of Natural History I was put to shame by both of my children in the Cullman Hall of the Universe. And, at the Museum of Modern Art we saw the Van Gogh exhibit Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night. As we walked into the exhibit, Adam said, "I know that painting of the Potato Eaters." The Potato Eaters? How does a 5-year-old boy know about the Potato Eaters? Maybe The Starry Night, but not these poor peasants sitting around a dimly lit table eating potatoes and drinking tea. It is surprising moments like this that remind me what a joy it is to be a mother.

Dolls

Our community art school, Northern Berkshire Creative Arts, held a fundraiser over the weekend that featured items made by Tibetan artisans. The items offered at the sale were stunning, and the profits from the sale went to the Tibetan Artisan Initiative as well as to the art school. We were told that many imitations of traditional Tibetan crafts are offered in the marketplace, and that the Tibetan Artisan Initiative is working to raise awareness and promote sales of true Tibetan-made crafts. The artisans work through Dropenling, a handicraft development center in Lhasa. Dropenling is a Tibetan word meaning "giving back for the betterment of all mankind." We purchased these dolls. They are about 18 inches tall and have jointed limbs. The clothing (and incredibly sweet shoes) are made with traditional textiles. These are not for the kids to play with. We are displaying them in our living room for all to enjoy. I love the faces, especially the man's.

I am also experimenting with doll making myself. I made the little darling below this afternoon. She is based on a pattern I found on One Red Robin. She's called the "Ruby Doll." I love the pink cheeks and the floppy legs. I've already got the fabric cut out for another one. I can imagine getting carried away with doll making - a chance to express a unique personality with each one.

Freedom

In my last post I wrote about how doctors' appointments can raise my anxiety, serving as a reminder of the breast cancer I have been dealing with this year. Yet, after writing that, I found myself thinking about how being diagnosed with breast cancer has FREED me to a certain extent from angst about sickness and death. No, I don't want to be sick, and I don't want to die right now. But, I have a very clear awareness that indeed I will suffer illness, and I will die some day. And I do not run from that truth. I find my freedom in not running, not evading, not denying. Running away takes far too much energy, energy that is better suited to being present right now for my life, imperfect as it might be.

I just read an article about Michael J. Fox, the actor who was diagnosed with Parkinsons' Disease about ten years ago. Of course, his symptoms are painful and often difficult to manage. But, he said a remarkable thing: that he lives a wonderful, happy life WITH Parkinsons' Disease, not EXCEPT FOR the disease. That is a vital distinction. Accepting the whole experience we are given in life, rather than trying to bargain, or close off various parts of ourselves, provides the most peace. And isn't that ultimately what we all want?

A Little Sewing

Going down to NYC for my appointments at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center can be anxiety producing. These visits remind me that I had breast cancer. Even though I am theoretically disease-free at this point, sitting in the doctor's waiting room I am reminded that by the grace of God go I. I see other women sick from disease and treatments. I hear stories that would break your heart.

So, I always make sure that I see something beautiful in the city as well. During my trip this week I made a point of venturing downtown to purl (yarn) and purl patchwork (fabric). The stores, both painted this lovely robin's egg blue, are just a few doors down from each other on Sullivan Street in Soho. Although I spent a long time looking at, and touching (so soft!), a lot of yarn, I didn't buy any. I am trying really hard not to buy yarn impulsively (a challenge).

I did buy these fabrics. I guess there was a bit of impulse shopping going on as I explored the shelves full of gorgeous bolts of fabric. I do have some projects in mind for these, though. And, more significantly, these are all Japanese fabrics. I love the Japanese design sensibility. I have yet to find a shop in the Berkshires that sells Japanese fabrics, so I felt ample excuse to splurge on these. Japanese fabrics are available online for perusing and purchasing. I really like the sites Fabric Tales and  Super Buzzy. Some of the fabric can be expensive, but using even just a little bit in whatever you are making can make a big difference because the designs are so unique.

And to finish with a little more about sewing, I just finished these quilt tops and am about to head upstairs to my sewing space to back and quilt them. The designs are my own. They are for two dear little twin babies who were born to my cousin just this week! The darker quilt is for the boy, the lighter for the girl. These are happy projects to work on.

Giving

The December holidays hold a fair share of ambivalence for me. We celebrate Hanukkah, lighting candles and giving the kids a gift each night of the holiday. Because I grew up Christian, we are also quite aware of the Christmas preparations and celebrations of my side of the family. In and of themselves, these holidays are lovely. Family, lights, moving through the darkness, the anticipation of a special baby's birth. But then, in comes the commercialism and materialism. I was so upset to hear about the WalMart worker who was trampled and killed by the mad rush of shoppers this past Friday (a black Friday indeed). I guess the question for me is how to disentangle from the spiritually void material pursuits, and honor this time of year for all its positive aspects. This can be particularly tricky with kids, as gifts are a central expectation.

Here are some ideas that I have:

1. Give handmade or recycled gifts. 2. Make special foods. 3. Spend time with family and friends. 4. Join in community activities that focus on the true meaning of the season. 5. Make handmade decorations for our home. 6. Read stories and listen to music that reflect the season's spirit. 7. Give to those truly in need.

That last idea has been rolling around in my head for a while. I've donated money to food pantries, given to the Toys for Tots program, and supported local charities with year-end donations. I have been talking with the kids about the difference between wants and needs, and asking them how they might help others.

These infant hats represent a unique way of giving that I find quite interesting. I made them to donate to The Caps to Cap-Haitien Project: A Partnership with Konbit Sante. They will be distributed as part of Safe Birthing Kits in North Haiti. The project is organized by Amanda Blake Soule. Check out her Mama-to-Mama web site. She created this site to organize handcrafters to make much needed items for folks (particularly mamas and babies) around the world. This idea has a formal name - craftivism. Betsy Greer, who you can find at her nifty web site, describes craftivism this way: "Each time you participate in crafting you are making a difference, whether it is fighting against useless materialism or making items for charity or something betwixt and between." Let's hope more of us begin thinking (and acting) outside of the box, as these women have. It can really make a difference.