It is shocking how little I have gotten done on my quilting projects since last I posted...December has been full of activities...Seeing friends and family whom I have not seen for a year. Baking cookies with the nieces and nephews...including creating gingerbread houses...all of which were apparently built on a fault line as they suffered "major earthquake damage" and had to be eaten according to my five year old nephew...I applaud his creativity! Not to mention enthusiasm (he slammed a skillet on top of his decorated gingerbread house and crushed it to bits...then declared it was "a complete loss" and he would "have to eat the debris"). Sadly this occurred BEFORE I could take a picture of his masterpiece! His brother, sister, and cousin quickly followed suit. Of course, I wonder what he has been watching that he knows about Earthquakes (we don't live where they are prevalent) but, still...made me laugh for several days...considering how much icing insurance would cost me...and if I could insure my gumdrop shrubbery...
Of course, there was also the epic fudge failure...this is turning out to be my yearly tradition...I try to make fudge...it doesn't turn out...so I make candied walnuts instead...the walnuts are very tasty...but, I would really like some fudge to come out...However...until then...my sister manages to make delightful fudge nearly every time...so I will just beg her to make me some~!
And then...there is the deciding the Christmas Menu. I have spent hours pensively sifting through family recipes looking for something that sparks inspiration in me. This would probably have happened faster if I wasn't a dyed-in-the-wool "snacker" on Christmas. I don't particularly like to sit down to an involved family dinner Christmas day. I just want a variety of foods that I can attack at random. As a result I have decided to do a simple roasted tarragon chicken, some yummy sides, and then all the other things I like to snack on (including my candied walnuts) on Christmas!
As a crafter/artist I find that I not only enjoy making things for Christmas, but when I receive hand made gifts I treasure them far more than the newest store bought do-dad. This is shockingly not the case for several of my siblings. As I have been watching the tree at my parents house slowly become engulfed by the commercialism that Christmas has become I feel saddened. I worry that my nephews and nieces will not learn the true meaning of Christmas and its value. (at least what I find is the value of the holiday to me) I don't want them to grow up thinking Christmas is about what they get in gifts...I want them to grow up realizing that Christmas is about giving, not getting...And I also want them to realize that it isn't the only holiday happening at this time of year...there are so many wonderful world traditions that happen around this time.Of course, I may just want them to understand all of this so that they like the things I will inevitably make them every year better than if they didn't share my values. :] I suppose there is not much I can do about all of this at this point...I will just have to reinforce these beliefs throughout their lives and hope that they stick for them like they did for me.
Well, I see that it is now past midnight...and thus, it is officially Christmas! Happy Christmas and a Wondrous New Year! I wish all of you joyful creating and a year full of happiness!
Seckmea
