Epiphany Sunday meant it was time to take down the Christmas tree and return to a more bland routine.  We've still left up some Wintry decorations, which we'll keep until February.  But, for now, Goodnight Tree.

Whew!!  Isn't that what everyone says when Christmas is past?  We still have more visiting to do over the weekend, but the main event is over.  We're better for it and a little tired for it over at the Nichols' Homestead.

Monday, I made yet another batch of Tammy's Apple Ladder Loaves, some baked macaroni, sliced a pineapple and we headed off to Granddad's for Christmas Eve.  Everything went pretty well there and Craig gave me lots of yarn from Fiber 4 Ewe, which has really inspired me.  I might even take a swing at sweater #2 in the coming weeks.  Afterward, we went to church for an organ recital, only to find that the organ had broken during practice.  So David, our pastor, sang a funny version of "Silent Night," which was, of course, written a long time ago when another church's organ had bit the dust.  After church, we returned sleepily home, hung our stockings and set the alarm for Christmas. 

Christmas was a pretty excited amalgam of emotions and food.  Mike gave me a lovely acorn bracelet made by a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and a 45 of my song--"Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)."  From all accounts by my parents, they named me after that song.  Mike sought it out on the internet and bought it on ebay.  It was so fun to listen to it and I must say that it's likely my favorite gift.

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast at Grandy's and then came home for my first bit of free time in weeks.  I fell asleep about the time Grandy and Denny showed up to see our tree.  They hardly ever come to our house, so this was quite an occasion.  After their short visit, I lazed around a bit more and then set to work making Moosewood's Buttermilk Rolls, which are heavenly.  A little whole wheat and a lot good for you, they were among the hits of our Christmas dinner with mom and dad.  Dinner was very good and even doing the dishes was pleasurable.  :-)

Mom and dad were very generous with us and accepted our humble gifts with great delight.  They were thrilled with the Swedish meatballs, Fluffy Flowers stuffed mouse, handcarved wooden pocket knife, soft his-and-hers flannel pillows and the other kitschy items we gave them.  The big surprise was that they bought me a new (as in from this very year!) sewing machine.  It does all sorts of fancy stitches and lettering and invisible hems and I'm so amazed.  It's also lightweight, so I'm less likely to hurt myself with it as I have done twice before.  So, my 1971 and 1946 machines have been retired for now, but maybe they shall have there day once more. . .

I'm still trying to keep Christmas a little longer and find ways to make it magical beyond gifts.  The twelve days of Christmas idea really appeals to me and maybe I'll make that next year's goal and plan fun things to do to help Christmas last a little longer and be more reflective.  After all, it seems to me that upon receiving the Christmas Gift that we should really have our work set before us, that the real jubilation begin after Christmas.  So much of a build up for a forty-eight hour period seems to carry such a letdown for so many people.  Hmmm. . . those tiny elves are turning the gingerbread wheels of thought once more. . .

Seems like there's an awful lot of "once more's" round these parts. ;-)

The first days of Winter brought thick fog and heavy rains to the ridge where the cabin sits.  I had hoped to be able to go out and find Winter on a leaf-littered hillside, but I was thankful for the much-needed rains instead.  As Mike and I returned home, strong winds blew away the rain clouds and we were given the one of the most spectacular moons we've seen in awhile.  The bright moon lit the cold, blustery night as we traveled house to house serenading our neighbors.  Mrs. Houck offered us homemade candies, Roger gave us cake and milk and the Ferrell's presented us with wassail and cookies.  Really though, it was just wonderful to share our song, "Wondrous Love," and offer a simple reminder of the most wonderful gift given.  Tomorrow's the full moon and I can't wait to see it.

'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

~"The Huron Carol" :: Translated from Jean de Brebeuf's original text by Jesse Edgar Middleton

I was born wanting more snow, so it only makes sense that the start of Winter is a major occasion here at the Nichols Homestead.  Mike has planned a bonfire in the backyard, but the day dawned rainy, so a fire would have been quite a challenge.  Instead, we drew in around the candlelight and snuggled up to bowls of Monastery Lentils with krusig.  I made bread in the afternoon and Rebecca brought a seasonal salad of carrots and oranges with cinnamon.  The perfect meal for a chilly night. 

Rebecca came bearing gifts of more gingerbread, one being especially detailed.  She made a gingerbread replica of the Blackberry Bungalow!  I was absolutely thrilled and I'm sure that Mike and I will keep it until it crumbles away.  The other cookies she brought, we will gladly eat.  The little house seemed quite suited to the korknisse and I imagine they're looking for a place to take shelter in all this cold and wind, anyway. 

I gave Rebecca a candle made using a hollowed acorn squash and recycled wax bits from the past year.  Making the candle went much better than last year, especially considering I didn't stab myself in the hand with a butter knife like the last time. :-( 

We took a walk around the neighborhood to see Christmas lights and I brought along the Winter fairy for good measure.  Rebecca showed me her knitting progress and she's practically finished with her first mitten.  The gauge is perfect and the pink yarn lives yet again (thanks wetkneefarm)!  I think she's the only student of mine who's managed to keep up the knitting.  I'm so glad for her.    It was a great night, with still a long chilly while to go.  I think I'll spend the rest of it thoroughly flannel-ized and tucked into bed.


Tomorrow's the first day of Winter and we're headed to the cabin to face it hat-covered head on!

Alicia Paulson has written a thoughtful post about her Christmas wish over at Posie Gets Cozy and it's got me to thinking about my everyday wish.  Each morning, before I settle into my granola, I pray that God will help me to do good things today.  It reminds me that I am here to show His love and spread His peace, the kind of love and peace that we will never find in stores or in wealth or in trying to make everything perfect all the time.

Sometimes I find myself feeling quite chaotic, like how are we going to go the store and get buttermilk and get to the bank to put in money and get to the library to take back books and . . .  Then I get a little nudging that helps me recall that all those things are such nonsense and don't merit my worries.  What will be done will be done.  Other times I sense this same chaos growing in others and wonder what I can do to ease their stresses.  How can I tell Catrina not to fret over the stuffed mushrooms or ease Dawn's worries we won't like her?

Telling people not to worry won't work.  Sometimes, most of the time, I'm not sure what will.  I guess that's why I start most every day with asking God to help me to do good things.  I never know what those things will be, but I must be mindful of being the change that the world needs.  I must work to be open to doing the good that needs so desperately to be done.

Because, yes, war is over, if you want it.

Anna loves Christmas carols, so today I'm listening to festive music to send holiday vibes across the mountains to her backwoods hideaway. . .

Snow
It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

Snow
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh

Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow

I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep
And dream
Of snow

"Snow" ~ Bing Crosby in White Christmas

*Wait, they don't think!  Oh, no.  Well, Mike and I will do that for them.  Have a happy, healthier birthday!

Saturday's howling winds brought a pronounced, more seasonable, change in the weather.  I finished the elf hat on Sunday morning was thrilled with my modifications.  I'm excited to hear how it fits Megan.

The weather was extreme, to say the least, on Sunday.  All told, I had the shades up and curtains open for about two hours yesterday--the wind was just too much for 76 year old windows!  Mike and I piled on our festive-est and best and drove to church for Advent and then quickly headed home.  There was much to prepare--we had a guest!

Rebecca (krusig) came over for lunch and knitting lesson and gingerbread decorating.  Lunch went well--we had the Apple Onion Cheese Gratin again.  Then we settled into our knitting.  Rebecca did very well, perhaps the best of any of my students.  Her first project will be the same as mine--a pair of mittens knitted on two needles.  There was a break for decorating the gingerbread and having a little Apple Ladder Loaf.  I might add that topieces recipe for gingerbread turned out great!  I've got some for a snack today.

About that time, a knock came at the door and my uncle Craig was ushered in from the cold and snow.  He was just in time for a little snack!  He and Mike talked computers while Rebecca and I returned to our studies.  We finished up knitting and went through the driving winds to Voldemart to pick up the right sizes of needles for her project.  It had snowed all day and the roads had become icy, so walking was a fine art. 

Upon arriving home, it was decided that Rebecca should stay at our house since the weather was so extreme.  So after supper we listened to A Winter's Solstice and played Jumping Pixies in the candlelight.  I finished a mobile of gingerbread ornaments and hung it in the dining room to cheer us in these dark days of Winter and then we went to sleep.

Ahhhh . . . snow. :-)

There was a good deal of cold and merry making today, 'round these parts.  I woke up early to bake apple ladder loaves for our ladies Christmas party for work.  You make the dough ahead of time, so the forming and baking only takes about two hours.  It's always a hit and last year it was decided that it should be a part of every Christmas here at the Nichols' Homestead.

After driving over rain-soaked dirt roads and returning home, Mike and I made up a double batch of Swedish meatballs for Christmas (act surprised later, Dad).  We used Tammy's oven technique and it was great!  I was amazed at how fast I could make a large batch of meatballs and even more amazed that there was no frying or grease.  Tammy's got great tips and I always seem to learn something from the Kitchen Tip Tuesdays she hosts.  The meatballs are packed away in big freezer boxes to be wrapped in paper at the last minute.

Remember the Tree Incident?  Well, this afternoon as I was tidying up, Mike asked if the tree appeared to be leaning.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Well, yes.  So, we set to work trying to straighten it and prevent another fall.  As we were working on this, the tree took a dive and we caught in just in time. 

Well, in time for another ornament to fall and break.

Mike worked to right the tree, but to no avail.  So, we took off all the ornaments and all the lights.  Mike hauled the tree out to the porch and trimmed the end and put the tree in our old metal stand.  It had originally been too big to fit, so we'd bought a new "fancy" one from Voldemart that claimed flexibility and a level tree every year.  It's only level if your floors are level and you haven't picked up the tree from the floor yet.  The holdy-in screw thingys kept bending under the pressure and our tree is by no means huge.

So, with a few more inches off the bottom, the tree was properly in our old, FREE stand from Grandy's basement.  Sure, it doesn't hold a gallon of water.  Sure it doesn't have foot petal adjustment.  But, it does have one important feature--it does actually hold a tree upright--as in, perpendicular to your floor.  We took the fancy stand back and got a refund.

If decorating the tree is your favorite Christmas tradition, buy one of these new-fangled stands and go to town.  You'll be doing it all over again in a few days.  Emily was right, stuff demands attention and the less we've got the better off we are.  Leaves me yearning for the first Christmas tree in the Ritchie family. . .

"Down by the branch across from our house were growing some little sycamore saplings, and Mom took the hatchet and cut down one of them. It didn't have any leaves, but the little woolly winter tags were hanging right pretty all through the limbs of it.

We took that tree home and propped it up in the front room, and that night after supper we decorated it.  Let's see, we cut colored paper out of old catalogues and tied them here and there with bright wool threads and we strung popcorn around. . .

As I look back on it now, it was kind of a quare Christmas tree, but to us all then it was the prettiest thing we'd ever laid eyes on.  We just couldn't get away from it. . .  That was the happiest Christmas!"

~ "The Ritchies Take Christmas" :: Singing Family of the Cumberlands

Another lesson about materialism.

Okay, so I'm not up early baking saffron buns and brewing coffee, but I am up early to wish you the happiest of St. Lucia Days.  Originally falling on the Winter solstice, many Scandinavians use this holiday to make merry in a very dark time of year, before the Winter days slowly grow longer.  Others celebrate it as the start of Advent.

 

"We stepped out into the shivery still morning.  The snow was ankle deep and the world was shining like silver beneath the wispy circle of a moon and the big Christmas star, the 'brightest and best sons of the morning.'  The old earth was like it was holding its breath and waiting for a holy thing to happen. 

We went around to Granny's window, keeping very still so as not to waken her too soon, and we sang 'Brightest and Best' for her.  Then for Mom and Dad came 'Good Christian Men Rejoice,' and then 'Wondrous Love' that Grandpa Hall loved so well.  As we sang, it seemed that thousands of people and a thousand years sang with us the simple words that know no time, that never fail to make me chill and tremble to my heart. . .

What wondrous love is this
O my soul!  O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear this dreadful curse
For my soul?

To God and to the Lamb
I will sing, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb
I will sing!
To God and to the Lamb
Who is the Great I Am
While millions join the them,
I will sing!

Ye winged seraphs fly,
Bear the news, Bear the news!
Ye winged seraphs fly,
Bear the news!
Ye winged seraphs fly
Like angels in the sky,
Fill vast eternity
With the news. . ."

Jean Ritchie ~ Singing Family of the Cumberlands

The St. Lucia dolls are done, practically all the gifts are wrapped and I'm off for a day of gift-hunting with and for Mike in Boone.  I'm feeling extra festive.  The Christmas tree is glowing in the window and I've got some great links guaranteed to help you feel the love, kindness, benevolence, hope and festivity of the Advent season. 

Click away!  They're all family friendly and sure to inspire!

• Bella Dia's Christmas Book & Activities Advent :: A new book to share for each day of Advent and a craft to help the lessons stick (with glue!).  :-)  Super cute and great for those with little ones!
• The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things :: An online advent calendar styled in the old-time ways of Tasha Tudor.  Complete with adorable miniature baked goods and sweet corgis.  This is my second year following this calendar.
• AllSorts Home (really) Sweet Home :: A decorate it yourself gingerbread house totally absent of sticky fingers and royal icing cemented to the counter.  Full of fun candies to stick to the online gingerbread house and easy for children to do.  For festivity from last year, dress Zoe in the Christmas outfit of your choosing with a simple click of the mouse here.
• Fluffy Flowers Christmas Spirit Banner :: A great tutorial for incorporating A Christmas Carol into your crafting in an innovative and adorable way!  Please do note the lovely new friend from Felicia, Mr. Candy Cane Stripe, warming himself by the fire, below.  He magically appeared on my porch this week, along with a gift for Mike (to be seen soon).  I'm so thrilled to have him and his little jingly hat!
  
• Soule Mama's Winter Reading Favorites :: I love, love, love children's books for their illustrations and simple lessons.  This list prompted me to write down every book and dash to the library seeking them.  Along the way, I picked up every single Elsa Beskow book I could find.  Her whimsical images and forest themes left me salivating and loving every page.  But, that's another post on another day. . . Just click, write it all down and run!

The Advent season finally began at the Nichols' Homestead.  Whew!  What a weekend!

Saturday morning I set to work on my panettone for my secret pal.  Seeing as it was a Martha Stewart recipe, I was certain I was in for bizarre challenges.  Turned out, it wasn't so bad after all.  The dough was sticky, so I was very thankful for my stand mixer.  I hardly use it, but when I do, it earns its keep.  The bread involved setting a sponge, mixing up lots of eggs and 1 1/2 sticks of butter, lots of lemon and orange zest, and two very long proofing periods.  I ended up using paper bags that were larger than those requested in the recipe and think that fate was on my side.  Clearly my yeast (which I have now bought in bulk) was rather perky.

I do believe I had a little thing called success, which is much better than I can say for last year's Buche de Noel.

Once the bread was out of the oven to cool and I had taken the proper time to take in its absolutely wonderful aroma, Mike and I headed off to get the Christmas tree.  As we drove up to Whitetop, I had every plan of doing a Forgotten Virginia post about all the tree farms we have in this area, but that soon fell by the wayside.

We found our trusty tree farm proprietor asleep in his pick-up truck in the warm sun.  We hopped out ready for fun and he told us we'd come at the wrong time and interrupted his nap.  ;-)  He told us we could have any tree we wanted for $25 and asked that we leave some stump in hopes of sprouting more trees.  He said he needed to clear out the big trees and handed us a saw.

Well, bleeding heart that I am, and seeing all his overgrown trees (10'-12') I felt compelled to help him out.  So, I grabbed another saw and set to work picking a "spare" tree.  During this time, serendipitously, more families showed up to pick their trees.  A cartoony sort of man wearing plaid came with his wife and daughter and borrowed our wood-cutting saw (that we keep in the car for cutting wood).  I could hear his overwhelming jolliness as Mike and dragged our two trees down to the tree baler.

Mike packed Tree 1.0 in the car while I worked with the old man to bale the other.  No such luck.  I managed to start the baler and he managed to break it.  So, the old man gave us some twine and we tied Tree 2.0 to the roof.  After chasing his money in the wind, we got the change for our trees and took off down the mountain.  I was crammed in the car on the passenger side, vying for space with Tree 1.0 while Mike was carefully watching the shadow of the car to ensure that Tree 2.0 didn't blow off.  The whole time I fretted about what we would do with two trees and who we could give Tree 2.0 to.

Well, my worries were soon put to rest.  Mike insisted on stopping at a craft center along the way that we have never seen open.  I thought it was run by lazy hippies, but that's another story.  Going inside, it was snug and warm, as the friendly non-lazy hippies had a fire going in the wood cookstove.  Inside, there were beautiful turned wood bowls, candle holders, goblets, lazy susans, and cutting boards everywhere.  The people were engaging and seemed to be more interested in conversation than sales.  I found some gorgeous note cards with native wildflowers (sorry, Anna) for Mike's sister Mandy and we bought those. 

They noticed the tree on our car and we told them we had another one stuffed inside.  One thing led to another and we sold them Tree 2.0 for the wife's mother.  Fabulous!  They wouldn't have to make the trip and we wouldn't have to worry about dealing with two trees.  The shop we visited is part of the 'Round the Mountain network of artisans, but I cannot remember the name.  Maybe Mike will help me. . .

So, after 5 hours of tree selection and transit (the selection took about 2 minutes) and another hour of finding the right stand, we had a tree.  Just one.  And it was beautiful.

Sunday, I set to work on non pareils, also a Martha Stewart recipe from Handmade Christmas.  The little round discs of chocolate with purple sugar balls on top were super easy and fun to make.  They didn't require much and I'll be sure to include at least one more session making them before Christmas.  They'll be a hit with the dark chocolate lovers in our lives.  They do melt a little easier, so I'm keeping them in the fridge until I'm ready to give them out.

At church, we found out that our church was hosting the parish choir that very night and that I would need to be on hand to light the Advent candle.  Since I was planning to bake snickerdoodles for tonight's Friends of Mount Rogers meeting, I had the snacks afterwards covered.  Instead of plain white sugar and cinnamon, I used red and green sanding sugar with the cinnamon for a festive touch.  It was a very busy day of rushing around, to say the least

The house is all decorated, most of the greens have been hung, and I've got leftovers to make up for our busy schedule.  Now, I just have to work on my St. Lucia kit from Posie Gets Cosy that came on Saturday.  I'm so excited to make her and her attendants!

This Christmas in July was a lot like last year's--wet and chilly.  I'm going to have to keep note of this, in case there is a pattern.  I spent most of the day wearing a sweater and listening to Frank Sinatra.  Aaaahh. . .

After applying for a library card at yet another library (Wythe-Grayson), I was able to obtain another copy of When Harry Met Sally. . .  When I put the other copy in on Saturday, our decrepit old VCR ate it immediately.  I have yet to call the Smyth-Bland Library to see what the replacement fee will be.  So frustrating!  We thought we would just get a new VCR, since it was in the plan anyway.  However, good ole Voldemart was out of stock.  Neighbors being what they are, we borrowed a VCR from the Ferrells to play the video.

Mike and I settled in to a pleasant supper of homemade biscuits with peach jam and other food.  After biscuits, though, the other things are just mere distractions.  I was pleased by everyone's enthusiasm about the jam.  I figured all my antics were getting boring by now.  Such a pleasant surprise to find out that was not the case. :-)

I  think now, after all this reward weather and plentiful rain, and since I have my mini Weasley sweater and Harry Potter goodies, I can likely survive until Autumn.  Then, I will be able to walk around speaking in peculiar accents just like Harry and Sally.

Long about July,  my cold weather-loving mind shifts to thoughts of Halloween and Christmas.   And I start planning and dreaming of the contemplative days to come.

When I worked in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area as an interpreter, we always celebrated Christmas in July.  We would make beaded ornaments at the picnic table in the shade.  We played water games, because you'd never do that on Christmas--the campground would be under a blanket of snow and the creek likely iced over!  We'd do lots of festive activities and then finish off the day with a tree trimming.

I'd haul out my artificial tree and test all my lights.  I'd round up extension cords and collect pine cones.  One year I even made a garland out of some fir branches that had been pruned from a tree.  I baked sugar cookies and we had cider and popcorn.  The kids and adults all made ornaments out of re-purposed dot matrix printer paper and we hung them on the tree.  I hung the older ones in the trees surrounding the amphitheater.  Over the years, I accumulated quite a collection of paper ornaments, most of which I still have. 

It's nearing that time again and the dark, rainy weather is prompting me to stir up some egg nog and watch A Christmas Story.

We're traveling to Lilburn, the vast suburban Mecca, tomorrow.



I hope that things will go better than they did for Thanksgiving.  I'll just think of my little snowmen and knit Mike's mittens.

This year's Christmas has brought many changes from the last.

Last year Mike and I were living on about $150 a week.  We gave out lots of apple butter and blackberry jam as gifts.  Last year my great-grandmother, Virgie, was very sick and I gave her a fried apple butter pie.  She gave me her wedding and engagement rings.  Last year Mike and I had a very tiny tree because of our tiny Bohemian flat.  Last year we had our final Christmas eve at Grandad's house.  Last year we had a very happy Christmas and saw the improved joy of less materialism.  Last year we serenaded Wallace and Sherri and found out about her colon cancer.

This year, we make living wages and have our own house.  We still are giving out apple butter and jams and jellies as gifts.  Virgie is better this year and approaching the big 1-0-0, and she still wants fried apple butter pies.  We had a very big tree this year and some of Grandma Lois's ornaments to decorate it.  We had our first Christmas at home and our first Christmas eve at Craig's house, where Grandad lives now.  This year my mother's father gave her a Christmas gift for the first time in many years.  This year we serenaded our neighbors here on Lynn Street.  This summer we found out that Sherri's cancer is in remission now.

Both Christmases have been very blessed.  Last year we learned about Christmas with less and this year I'm trying to learn to prolong Christmas beyond the 25th.  It helps a little that we are going to visit Mike's family at the end of the week and will have a second Christmas there.  So much of Christmas is the build up and then after the big day, it's almost like it was never there at all.  I want Christmas to be longer, like the twelve days to Epiphany people used to celebrate.

Nonetheless, Christmas this year has been wonderful.  I am finally feeling really at home at home.  Mike and I haven't forgotten the lessons of giving minimally and giving local and handmade gifts.

Now I just have to make it through this weekend.

Yay! ! !  Downstairs Martha gave me, Upstairs apparently Commie Brandy, flowers!

Red carnations and white mums.  And little green berries and juniper and real fake mistletoe!

"For all the 'stuff' you didn't get this Christmas!"