I think it's the lack of snow around these parts, or maybe it's our absence from the Nutcracker this year - swinging us into the holiday season in September as it does. I'm not certain the reason, but it's hard for me to believe that it's December 11th! And I may be foolish for saying so, but I don't have a bit of stress about the holidays or all the making I'd like to do, given the date that the calendar tells me it actually is. Usually by now, something has emerged as our one 'thing' that we gift to friends and family for the year - some of my favorites have been the Bird Calendar, or the Soule Family Soap Sampler, or those sweet mugs and hair pieces for nieces and nephews. Instead though, this year, my holiday making is all over the map. There's a little bit of this going on and a little bit of that, and not a whole lot of details nailed down. I took a trip to town yesterday to both the local yarn store (Knitwit) and my fabric store (Z Fabrics) - buying supplies as though there were all the time in the world to make all the many things I want to make. Arriving home, a package was on my doorstep from Mountain Rose Herbs full of all the ingredients I need to make a great many more things I have planned. And then there is the pile of clothesline, waiting to be turned into vessels for nearly everyone on my list, and the roving being made into balls again and again. It's a mystery to me why I'm being especially leisurely about it all this year - perhaps because I've chosen simple projects that are realistic, fun and enjoyable for me to create in multiples (Moon Pants and Drop Stitch Cowl, I'm looking at you!). Or maybe it's because I have SO many helpers who have been busy making a whole slew of things on their own, for everyone on their list and mine, that I could do nothing between now and the end of the year, and I'm certain everyone we know would have a gift from my littles. Or maybe it's because I feel extra intentional this year about enjoying it all and about slowing it all down to a crawl - or at least, a cozy fireside making session with the ones I love, some good food and a bit of music. Yes, that would be just right.
A tree is on the agenda for the weekend, and decorating it. Though, the kids already did that too. Fed up with Steve and I for not getting one right after Thanksgiving (they didn't believe us when we told them it would have dried out by Solstice), they took matters into their own hands and cut down small 'trees' for each of their bedrooms weeks ago now. And all the making they've been doing - secretly behind closed doors - gets rushed to Gram's room, where there's a full wrapping operation in progress at all times. Fancy ribbons and bows and lots of excitement.
So we'll get the tree, and I'll write a list and maybe get serious about some of that making this weekend. But hopefully not too serious. Hopefully just serious enough to make some yummy food, put on some holiday music, sit down in front of the fire, and pick up that big bulky yarn for easy knitting alongside the kids while they keep on making too, whatever it is they dream up this weekend to make. That's precisely the spirit I'd like to carry with me right on through to the end of this year, amidst all the parties and gatherings and making and doing. And friends, I wish you the same in your coming days....merry making.
