For the Birds.

(Last post before we leave for DisneyWorld :)

We used to keep the after-Christmas tradition of burning our beloved Christmas tree ... outdoors ... on New Years Day. It was our way of setting fire to the "old", and welcoming in the "new". We always had quite the fire-pit in our backyard, and would gather around the burning tree for warmth as we took in the sights, sounds and smells of the new year.

But in our new home, we have yet to build a fire pit, so we had to come up with another idea. And frankly, I like this one a whole lot better, as it totally jives with my "giving" theme. It is not a new idea - to be sure - but it is new to us ...

... we found a way to give to the birds ... furthering the functionality of our well loved Christmas tree. We dipped pinecones (collected in the fall) into a pasty mix of flour, water and corn syrup. Then we rolled the dipped pinecones in some bird seed ... let them dry overnight ... then strung them on rope. Voila ... gorgeous birdseed garland!

We then took our tree outside ... wrapping the homemade garland all around it ... and placed it right in front of our kitchen window so we can admire the feathered friends who will eventually flock to it.

Good for the birds ... and fun for us. A new tradition is born.

So, what did you do with your tree? There are so many after-Christmas traditions out there ... and I would love to learn more of them.

Well - we are off to DisneyWorld, provided the Maine weather allows for it. There may be a snow storm during our scheduled flight, so please pray that we get there safely. Thanks!

We will be staying at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort inside the Magic Kingdom. What a great place for taking photographs! I look forward to showing you some :)

Enjoy your week!

Love,

Jodi

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Wreath Making 101.

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine invited me over to his garage to teach me the art of making evergreen wreaths. He has been making them almost his entire life ... since before he was even school age. He told me stories of how during the holiday season he and his siblings were required to make 100 wreaths each before they could come in from school. His parents would sell them for 50 cents each by the side of the road, in order to help make ends meet. So, when this friend makes a wreath ... my oh my ... his hands work fast and furious ... and his wreaths look amazing. He makes it look WAY easier than it actually is (although truth be told, with a little practice, it is not a hard craft).

We gathered around a make shift table ... filled with hoops, evergreens and bundles of wire ... and went to work making wreaths ... while telling jokes ... gossiping ... and complimenting one another's work. Good Times.

I love the way my wreath came out, but had no plans to make another this season ... as what took my friend less than 10 minutes to make ... took me over an hour. But I think I have found a new holiday tradition ... and look forward to possibly making 2 next year :)


The top of the wreath got a little squashed in our last snow storm, but you get the idea ;) Of course it was absolutely glorious when it was freshly made.

Enjoy your holiday traditions ...

Love,

Jodi

P.S. I found this great book for those of you who want to try your hand at wreath making as well. I think I am going to pick up this book too, so that I can make wreaths year round.

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The Nutcracker: Our Christmas Tradition.

Every year that I attend the Nutcracker, I come home with a fancy that I too can fly across a stage in a single delicate and utterly gorgeous leap ... landing into the arms of a powerful and handsome young man ... while a crowd of appreciative onlookers are awed and inspired by my gracious and seemingly impossible ballet moves. Ahhhh... what a lovely thought. Silly perhaps, but lovely all the same.

Tonight's performance was a collaboration between the Robinson Ballet Company and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. It was gorgeous and magical ... as always. It was also Isaac's first Nutcracker performance. I was hoping to imspire him to take those ballet lessons I have been begging Daddy to approve of ... but it seems that Isaac was most interested in where the dancing sheep and wolf went off to. Oh, and the sweets during intermission. Then, just 20 minutes shy of the ending, Isaac declared that he wanted to leave because "Mama, I don't want to watch this anymore." ... which then became "Mama, I don't want to see that again." as we were walking out of the auditorium. Perhaps my dreams of watching my son entrechat and pas jetés across a stage have been dashed. Or maybe I can bribe him with sweets.

All in all it was a great beginning to what I hope will be a wonderful Christmas week.

Enjoy your holiday traditions.

Love,

Jodi

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