snowflakes

We had a luverly day yesterday. We went out to get our Xmas tree. First time I've ever been to an American Xmas tree place to choose the tree. When we lived in Queens we were in a very Jewish area so I had to get my tree from a tiny florest who only ever had 3 or 4 out the back.

I must say the cost of this lovely tree here was OUTRAGEOUS! I had wondered why so many people had trees on their cars coming back from Vermont. We had see those for $15, and now I know why! Never mind, it is a beautiful tree and we couldn't have fit one any taller in. The Angel's head is actually wedged against the ceiling!


Then while Matt coooked us a yummy roast, the kids and I sat by a warm fire, listening to Xmas music and made snowflakes. I LOVE making snowflakes and was enjoying doing it quietly on my own until the kids discovered what I was doing and wanted to join in. I then spent most of the time folding the paper for them. But Ella's comment "this is so nice doing a family activity like this" really hit home for me, and I was happy to help them. Between the 5 of us (Matt didn't want to join in) we made 45 snowflakes.

And I love the fact that the kids enjoy doing it as much as me. I love how mine almost look American Indian until I unfold them into their designs. I have spent many hours studying snowflakes and tend to cut more from behind the fold than into the fold these days. I like trying to control how they will turn out, but I find this easier to do with an 8 pointed fold than a 6 pointed (although I am well aware that real snowflakes only have multiples of 6 points).














I love how Ella is applausing my efforts!




Remi likes to make lots of curvy lines.

And here's the tree this morning after being decorated.


I love decorating the Xmas tree. We have moved around so much, yet our decorations are like old friends that come out once a year. It makes everything feel much more like home. And the accumulation of decorations reads like a history of our lives over the last few years. I can remember where each one comes from.

Oh and the snowflakes on the window. I discovered this afternoon that I get the shadow of the snowflakes on the back of the curtains when the low sun shines through. I wish I could leave them up all year. If our ceiling wasn't so low I'd hang them up everywhere like this. AND we may get real snow tonight and tomorrow morning. The first for the year. I am so excited as "snow is my favourite and my best".

And since we are talking of Xmas and angels I thought I'd share my collection of angels that I have on display all year round. Actually the big head is not an angel as such (I bought her in Spain and she is Papier mache) but she is angelic.