bits of joy and cheer

pressing seed cakes for the hens and wild birds on the winter solstice

playing a bit of holiday catch-up here...  it was nice to step away from the computer for the most part over the last couple weeks, but there are things I know I'll want to have captured, have recorded.  I look back in this space often when I want a quick (or not) ride down memory lane.  I'll scroll through old posts to see what the garden was like at certain times in years past, or to gush over photos of a chubby-cheeked toddler girl that has grown so fast (as they do).  and so, a handful of photos from our holiday season:

the spiral all lit up for the winter solstice

my girl, throwing a bit of love my way

candlelight, tree light 

gifts for the grandparents and great-grands this year were photo books and personalized diner mugs by Claire

preparing to make loads of stuffed cabbage with my mom, as a gift for my pop.  nothing says 'Merry Christmas' like nine or so freezer containers full of the taste of your childhood.

annual caroling fun at a dear friend's house

'Good King Wenceslas' is a personal favorite, but these will do as well.  Claire got the refrain from 'We Three Kings' in her head and thus it was in all of our heads for a while...  'star of wonder, star of light....'

Christmas Eve, after the stockings were hung with care.... and I left her coat (her wish list was 'a coat, a cat, a candy cane' - I had to explain about Ollie probably not wanting another cat around, but the rest was doable) hanging on the door, unwrapped.  She got up before the lights were all out though, and saw it.  ah well.  

we woke in the dark and opened stockings (above are some goodies from mama's) before papa headed to work at the fire department.  then she and I snuggled back under the covers for a while.

Christmas morning pancakes (we saved our traditional cinnamon rolls for a couple days later, when we could enjoy them with nana and pipop)

watching the cars fly by on her new racetrack from grandpa 

a card that we were able to hand-deliver Christmas afternoon when we visited dear ones on our way to the FD

she wanted her outfit to match her new coat- (which is long and grey and black).  she looked like a ninja, I thought. 

the day after Christmas we opened presents with papa and she got her special new doll and mama-made doll carrier

she is a sweet little mama, and promptly named her doll Violet

better late than never, the peppermint bark was made.  not as pretty as it usually it, but so tasty all the same.