It seems like the weather changed gears overnight. Autumn was mild and lasted longer than usual.
But on Friday we began preparing for the first snow storm of the season, which started around midnight.
We went to bed anticipating the new world morning would bring and looking forward to being stranded
for the weekend. We weren’t disappointed.
This kind of weather heightens the nostalgia of the season, especially since we are “empty nesters” now. There are just a few decorations which have become necessities, among them are the Christmas stockings, even though we have never had a mantle to hang them on.
The stockings, no doubt, were inspired by this little tree that I made at our Brownies meeting in third grade. I can remember sitting around the big table at Cindy’s house and stitching it together. It was a gift for my mom and she kept it in her jewelry box for 50 years. I just loved this little tree made of pinked green felt, sequins and seed beads. I don’t really know why it still tickles me so much, but it does.
Also, my mother-in-law had made felt stockings for each of her seven children and my husband was very fond of his. So when my kids came along I got out the felt, beads and sequins to keep the tradition going. The things a mother will do for her kids!!
I will admit I had a great time sewing these goofy stockings. And the kids do take notice of them every year, probably hoping they will be filled with golden chocolate coins again. I wish we’d had access to all the great wool felt and beads that we have today. Perhaps I’ll have to make one for myself.
So the seasonal basics have come out of the closet and I plan to just enjoy these few weeks that slip by more quickly every year. We will celebrate the simple things this year.
Season’s greetings to all of you who check into this blog! Your friendship and support keep this quiet quilter in stitches all year long!
I love this–as empty nesters, we too get out a few less decorations every year, but really treasure those goold old ones that are filled with memories.
lovely stockings! I may have to make some new ones for us.
All those buttons and beads on the little tree are fantastic. It makes me think of the enthusiasm for the holidays that seems to be the special providence of children.
I love getting all the old stuff out- we have one decoration that my Husband had when he was a child,must be at least 40 years old now, various others we have got in places that bring back great memories- a Christmas Market in Germany,Stockholm,Berlin…some I made myself and others that my daughter made…getting them out is as much fun as putting them up and enjoying them. We have snow here too- makes it feel properly festive.
Oh, how I love those personal traditions like handmade stockings. Our traditions involve a squeaky angel on top of our tree. I've tried to replace her several times, but the kids come home and say, “Oh, no you don't! Where's Squeaky?”
What a beautiful story about your mom and the hand-made ornament, Jane. The stockings you made for your children hold such wonderful memories of Christmas traditions — I think we have to make certain that decorations like these never go out of style. They're irreplaceable and priceless.
Diane
This year we really down scaled the decorating due to just being tuckered out! But I did do some of the more important family things. The first thing my daughter said as she saw the tree was, “Where are the llamas?” referring to two soft wool llama ornaments given about the age of 3 that mean Christmas is complete! Merry Christmas Jane1 xo Pam in Chico