Thinking of the Year

 When you put it this way, maybe 2016 wasn't as bad as everyone has been saying... happy NYE to all and to all a good night!

What We Made

Beeswax-based leather/shoe conditioner and polish

Lots of lip balm from the base recipe found here

White-dough ornaments and garlands

Fabric dye-stick sweatshirts

Sweet/salty peanut butter treats and lots and lots of cookies!

 For us this year, the balance between finding time for handmades and finding time for work and chores parred down our usual list, but what did make the cut was so much fun and (I think) so appreciated! A few didn't get photo-documented (we did a little wood burning, some sewing, and there were several gifts of honey which don't really count, right?), but now that everything is distributed throughout our families and working to remind them of how much they're loved, we're feeling pretty good about our little projects. After all, that is what makes something handmade special, right? All that love!

When It's Warm...

When it's warm at the end of December, we get up in the morning and open all the windows.

We dress in short-sleeves and run around bare-footed.

We make plans to work outside, play outside, and eat outside as much as possible.

We talk about Spring because we can't help it.

When it's warm, it doesn't seem to matter that we only have one stick of firewood left, or that we haven't made hot chocolate yet, or that Mama has taken down all the Christmas decorations.

It'll get cold again- and soon- so when it's warm like this, we soak it up.

For Christmas...

First, we...

 ...and then we...

 ...then, the next morning, we...

...and then we...

...and finally, we...