Let It Snow

The last two weeks have been a little crazy! I know getting ready for Christmas can be a little chaotic some years, for some people every year, but this was crazy. It started snowing. I know for most of the country that is normal. Well, a flake or two here would be normal too. I live in a part of the country where at the first flake of snow everyone rushes down to the store to stock up on things in case they get snowed in. Here, I think most people think if the ground is white, then you are snowed in. 1/2" of snow fall is on the high side of normal. Well, we had 22" piled up here. Not so normal for here. It was beautiful!
I took these pictures when we had about 4 inches.

The icicles were amazing. This was the view from my studio. But the snow didn't keep me down. The first day of snow, the brakes went out on my van. They were gone, suddenly, peddle to the metal, gone. That's what kept me down. Tow trucks were so overwhelmed with work they were only towing if you were stuck in the road. Thankfully, I was able to get the van home. So I walked to places close to me or took the bus. All that took a lot more time, time I wanted to devote to Christmas preparations. So I made some choices. I stayed home more, bought some thinks on line, and had a more relaxing season. I kept saying "slow down". "Enjoy". "Remember what this is all about." I guess I needed to have a little push in practicing what I was saying. I didn't have to dig out my van like everyone else. I wasn't going anywhere. It was a good thing. Then.....some pipes froze. Just the pipes that go to the laundry room. Gerry was gone, so dealing with them was for me to do. The problem came several times during the last two weeks. Now the pipes wear a nice wrap of heat tape if it ever gets that cold here again.
Soon all the decoration will be put away until next year. I will miss several angels hang around. Each have different styles of copper wings, vintage cotton dresses with pin tucks and antique lace. Each, one of a kind.
Old St. Nick will visit well into January. Some things are just fun to have around longer than the other decorations.
When Christmas is over I kind of have a let down. I've been so busy making things and cooking - suddenly nothing, or very little - - - for a couple of days. There are three birthdays in our family before New Years. But, usually before I get into more gift stuff, I want to do something for no reason.....just for fun....just because. This time it's lavender filled linen laundry bags. Mmmm, the aroma of summer.I had some pieces of linen that I cut in rectangles 5"x 12". I folded the rectangle in half, and sewed two sides with 1/4" seams. Now it's a bag 4 1/2" x 6". I poured 1 cup of lavender in the bag. Then folded the top over twice, and sewed over the folds to close the bag.
Now they are ready to throw into the dryer. Everything smells so fresh and sweet. Mmmm. Love it. It's not too strong or overpowering. When I use to use laundry sheets, I would sneeze, no matter what kind. Now I just use lavender bags. I doesn't bother me The guys don't mind, it's such a light scent. Each bag is used many times.

The first birthday gift is a taggie for a first birthday. The body is a light green micro fleese for babies. It's edged with triangles, forming a sawtooth edging in two colors of satin.
Little ones love to hold them when they don't have their big blanket with them.

Hope you have had a wonderful Christmas, taking time to show more love to family and friends. Building memories. Giving some of the abundance we have been so blessed to receive.