The Nutcracker from The Toymaker's Christmas. (Thanks to my awesome intern, Annie Ruygt for these fine toy photos.)
A splendid time being creative.
My artist buddy, the adorable Kim Dwinell drove me down and we met with the lovely Katie McDee who also is an amazing illustrator. We caught up on all the news over some delicious Thai food. and sauntered over to the book store where we made paper toys and simple stamps with both grownups and kids alike.
Boys too.
We stamped patterns and then made envelopes.
Also in the news, yesterday we bought our tree. In our family, Christmas tree acquiring is treated as a combination of the Indy 500 and the Olympic Pentathlon. We time how long it takes us to park, pick tree, pay, load and leave. We all are pretty much crowd averse so the whole concept of leisurely inspecting each tree, whilst sipping hot cocoa, humming carols and wearing mittens is completely lost on us as a family.
We were unable to beat last year's time of twelve minutes, due to going on a Saturday afternoon. Still, a lovely Nordman Fir is standing in our living room, smelling lovely and ready for decorating. And the Boy was so fierce in his tree carrying that one of the Home Depot guys offered him a job.
How about you? How is your December unfolding? Do you have any quirky holiday traditions?
Warm thoughts,
Marilyn.
---
Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal. ~ Lenore Hershey
