merry, merry

{a few more holiday photos on Flickr}

It's been such a 'full' week here with lots of Solstice and Christmas celebrating. The holidays go by so fast, don't they? So incredibly fast, and there have been many, many moments this month - despite keeping it all as simple and mellow as we can - where I've felt as though I'm running a marathon that might never end. Or one that ends, only to begin again. The lists, the food, the preparations, the making, the gifting, the wrapping, the driving, the cooking, the cleaning, the meltdowns (theirs and mine), the on and on and on.

But then - there are those little moments. These little oh-so-tiny moments that in reality amount to only minutes worth of time. But the weight of those little moments make them so much bigger - and fill up the whole of the holiday season with their essence. The marathon disappears and in it's place is the feeling of love, friendship, family and joy. The holidays. One little merry moment at a time.

On Solstice evening, as we all returned in from the setting sun and our little bonfire, we set about getting settled in front of the table of food and our tree with gifts. Calvin excitedly began scurrying about into all the corners of the house - under his mattress, in the basement, and everywhere in between - and returned with package after package of tucked away gifts he'd made for us. We knew nothing of these - each one was a surprise, and so perfectly suited for each of us - some he's had planned for months he told us later. Wrapped in cardboard, paper, and duct tape, with gift tags thumbtacked to to the package. They were - without a doubt - the most beautiful gifts I've ever seen. His joy in giving those gifts - and the love in which we were all showered with upon opening them...well, there really aren't words. It was one of those merry moments.

I know this is true of all of life - it goes by so fast and it really is always about the little moments. But I feel it to be particularly true at this time of year. Things are moving faster...and hand in hand with that, those little joys seem to be even more plentiful.

Wishing you many more merry moments as you continue celebrating...or as you move on to the wonder of the post-celebratory rest!

Comments

[jean]

true soulemama. beautiful.

[Amy T.]

How sweet that Calvin had those gifts for you! The best gift I ever received was from a kindergarten student. He knew I had a cat named Chloe, so he gave me a "cat collar." It was really some kind of country-looking necktie for a woman. He put it in a box, taped a piece of wrapping paper to it, and put it in his backpack without his mother's knowledge. When his mother found out, she apologized to me! I wish she could have known how much it made my heart swell.

[wendyz]

Oh! Your wee boy takes after his Mama - and delights in giving a handmade gift. So special.

[Jenny]

Beautifully written - I'm glad you had a wonderful holiday!

[jennifer]

lovely - how wonderful!

and i am most certain a few tears were shed as you wrote this, eh? the very warmest tears of love.
happy holidays to you and yours. xoxo

[bex]

Lovely. Happy Merry to ya! Xxx

[LeighAnne]

It's reading your memories in retrospect, that illustrate the true capacity of genuine love your home appears to be built upon. It is these unique retrospective writings, that make all of us (especially those of us with little ones) shake our heads and say "yeah, I get it...I really get it". I hope that you will look back years and years from with a vivid and poignant reminder of how many other homes you touch through sharing these very special and intimate moments. Happy Holidays, Mama!

[Ashley]

lovely post amanda! sounds like your celebration was a wonderful one this year. may the spirit of the holidays continue to bless you, the kidlets, and soulepapa well into the new year!!

[LeighAnne]

It's reading your memories in retrospect, that illustrate the true capacity of genuine love your home appears to be built upon. It is these unique retrospective writings, that make all of us (especially those of us with little ones) shake our heads and say "yeah, I get it...I really get it". I hope that you will look back years and years from with a vivid and poignant reminder of how many other homes you touch through sharing these very special and intimate moments. Happy Holidays, Mama!

[Amber]

So true. It seems as my kids get older, our lives just speed up even more. It can be so difficult to stop and reflect and just be in the moment.

Lovely pictures that seem to capture your family's joy so well. Enjoy your post holiday, as well!

[varenia]

soulemama~ i've been lurking around your blog for a little bit, but the sheer beauty of your holiday spoke to me and i knew i had to throw in my warmest wishes! thank you for sharing your family's sweet, touching, and tender moments with us. may the new year bring you much joy, peace, and laughter. :), varenia

[camerashymomma]

enjoy the quieting down. (and the bubbling excitement of the upcoming new year!) new starts abound, like freshly fallen snow!

[Kathy]

Soulemama, My sister just told me about your website yesterday ( as part of a Christmas gift), and I have already visited your site, as well as some of the links ( One Skein) several times. I especially enjoyed reading about your holiday and thank you for your inspiring words. SO TRUE!!

[Jennifer]

Oh, little girls in handmade robes! It suits her perfectly. Happy holidays.

[Lorien]

My daughter is an only child (for now), and I have worried a bit this year about her seeming lack of generosity. Then, on Christmas morning, there were three gifts wrapped in fabric from her to me. A knitted scarf, a heart shaped pin cushion, and a painted wooden needle case. One of her hand drawn cards said "To you, To you from your bugsydoodle." She continues to amaze me with her depth. It is too much to take in on just one day. Thank goodness we celebrate Solstice, Christmas and the 12 days of Christmas. I will be letting it all sink in for a while yet. Merry Merry to another Mama and her dear sweet wee ones. Take your time letting it all sink in and become a part of your heart.

[Ali]

Your sweet boy's sweetness gave me a lump in my throat. Hug those little ones tight. And be grateful you have a place to tuck away these special moments.

[melmo]

how true, it's the little moments that make the big memories.

[Katherine]

And lots more merry moments to you, what a lovely post. I love the photo of the three of them curled up.

[qalballah]

Ah, thoughtful, kind children. Worth all the colic they inflicted on us. Almost.

[ginny]

Your creativity and love of simplicity are both beautiful and inspirational. Your children's spirits such a joy.. those little moments so precious. Our children teach us well and remind us of the gift of life in both their actions and by their presence. Your blog is beautiful, your photographs always stunning, your pure spirit shines through. I wish you and your family peace, health, warmth and happiness and i thank you for sharing these moments of beauty with us.x

[eocj]

merry merry. lovely. are those matching pjs for a and baby? i finished one and am almost done with the other for babies "Mary and Erin"

[Ram in the Thicket]

It's so nice when the whirlwind ends and it's time to slow down for the Winter. I appreciate this time of the season. Time to nestle in with some knitting or whatever and not worry about all of the activity anymore ;o)

[Jessica Keith]

Your photos are gorgeous. We've never celebrated solstice, but you make it look so nice, I wonder if we're missing something. Hope you get lots of rest now the holidays are over!

[Tee Tee]

Beautiful-thank-you for sharing. I hope when everything has settled and there is a return to normal you post all your homemade gifts...specially interested in the dolls with matching outfits!!
A very Happy New Year to you and your family.

[claudia]

How lucky your children are to grow up in such a creative and magical household.

[wendy]

Oh...sweeter than sweet.

On a side note, I love how doll and person have matching pjs...brillant idea.

[mia]

Amanda, I saw this at the Kim family's store on Haight Street in San Francisco and totally thought of you!
http://www.doe-sf.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=643

There's a smaller one too, but holy cats, how cute is it?

[kay]

What a wonderful family you have. Merry Christmas.

[m]

So beautiful. We just had what I think was my favourite Christmas ever (as an adult, anyway). It was quiet, just the three of us, and it was brimming with peace and joy. Perfect.

Thank you, again, for sharing your special moments with all of us.

[Carrie]

You write so very beautifully,just a skip away from poetry.

[emily]

thank you for sharing your little moments with us. i have missed them (and You) these past days. you so perfectly capture the warmth and light in this season of cold and short days.

happy to new year to you and yours.

[karisma]

Happy Holidays Soule family. Your little ones never cease to amaze me with their sweet giving natures. I hope they never grow out of it.

Bless their little hearts.

[ellen]

What beautiful photos of treasured moments. Yours is the way Christmas should be shared....Wishing you a wonderful New Year ahead.

[joy]

Merry Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

May 2008 be even more blessed than 2007!

[Starashan]

That's so beautiful. Calvin sounds like a very special person.

I love your photo's too... it's a snapshot into another world as I swelter away in Australia's summer with my boys who may only have seen snow once or twice.

Happy celebrating to all of you!

[jan]

What an extraordinary mother you are. Truly. Calvin's generosity and creativity all spring from you and your loving way with your children.
I'd love to see some photos of those gifts--if that's something you're comfortable sharing.

[lisa s]

so glad you got to have those moments....

big hugs to you and yours....

[martha]

what an amazing kid! That has to be the best gift I've ever heard of -the idea that he would think of each of you and hide things away and then NOT give away his secrets. priceless.
happy new year.
co

[peanut]

That sounds like a truely beautiful Holiday celebration :)

I wanted to let you know that I made your ambrosia salad as my contribution for Christmas dinner this year and everyone really enjoyed it (I've never made it before so that part was really fun too).

Just for any other Canadians out there who aren't sure about proportions (we don't get 16 oz cans of fruit here): I used 14 oz/398 mL cans of fruit cocktail and crush pineapple, a 10 oz/284 mL can of mandarin oranges, the full 2 cups (500 mL) of sour cream, the full 1 cup (250 mL) of coconut stirred in and about 1/2 to 2/3 of a 400 g bag of miniature marshmallows (as much as I could add and still stir - I don't know what size marshmallow bags are in the US).

It's a really good recipe and I'll be making it again in the future (salad with marshmallows - what could be better).

Thanks :)

[Grace]

I really like the candle in the jar. We've made the snowball lanterns (like they do in Christmas in Noisy Village) many times, although it's a bit tricky to keep it from melting and dripping the candle out (it can be done, though). But this looks easier and is just as pretty!

[betz]

Sweet pics! Happy New Year, Amanda.
Betz

[rence]

Hope you had a blessed and merry Christmas.

[yishun]

Cute pictures you got there! Happy holidays!

[Amy]

Happy celebrating and many wishes for many happy moments in 2008.

[arb]

I really hope you will share a bit about those gifts. They sound amazing.

[suz]

you are so right...it's those "in-between" moments - they are the ones to savor. thank you for sharing. what a lovely holiday it seems you've had. wishing you and your family and bright at peaceful 2008. :)
ciao!

[suz]

you are so right...it's those "in-between" moments - they are the ones to savor. thank you for sharing, amanda. what a lovely holiday it seems you've had. wishing you and your family and bright and peaceful 2008. :)
ciao!

[erin]

happy new year amanda! sounds like you and your family had a wonderful celebration.

[Betsy]

Love the blurred shot of your children hovering around you. It really says so much. And, as tired as I often am of being hovered around by my children, it stirs the mother in me.

[jmbmommy]

So sweet...thanks for sharing.