m u s i n g + m a k i n g

Untitled, a photo by urban.prairie.forest. on Flickr.

tis the season!
twinkle lights and paper snowflakes.
seasonal music and holiday parties, cookies, candles + more!

our family traditions have become very special over the years. it has taken time for a vision to become reality. time for hearts to shift and children to grow. time to figure out the balance between past traditions and new ones; traditions between two families coming together. the melting in, the swirling of two crayons (probably a red + a green one).

we celebrate this holiday season very different than most of our friends or family.

i adore advent, preparing each week for christmas by lighting a candle, saying a little prayer or poem, quietening the hearts. i've made in the past an advent garland out of felt. little pockets that the girls would find one little thing in each morning. it was always one sundrop for each with a little note that gave instructions for one holiday activity of some sort: read 'Trouble with Trolls' together or cut paper snowflakes , make wreath cookies or sip hot cocoa together. simple things with a few really exciting ones thrown in: go with your parents to the lighted boat parade at the harbor or today we're going ice skating!

we don't usually do stockings but if i remember (maybe i will this year!) we hang those up and throw a few little treats inside (like an orange and a 50 cent piece) on December 6th, jolly ol' St. Nick's day... a man to remember and emulate. thoughtful, caring, kind + compassionate. the girls have never wondered if santa was real or not or if he really comes down the chimney. they do love to visit 'santa' downtown, as that santa is our sweet friend + nature study teacher. all that to say, we don't 'do' stockings on Christmas day, we reserve that day for one gift, one gift alone.

but before that, we have winter solstice. the shortest day of the year. there are some really lovely ways to celebrate solstice...i'm particularly fond of the way the Soule family does it. we however, don't have bark to write on nor am i usually that prepared...so when it begins to get dark (around 3! ) we start building a fire. sometimes inside, sometimes outside. we talk + laugh + simply spend time together. we talk about the season, what we love + what we look forward to. we share what we're thankful for + dreams or goals for the near or distant future. it's sweet (we usually throw some marshmallow toasting in there too).

then comes Christmas...

this post is already long, i'm going to save our Christmas celebration for another day.

i'd love to hear how you celebrate this season.