i’ve posted a number of out door snowy December shots which are now beginning to all look the same but no, i just couldn’t resist little A’s red coat in white snow and his big fat smile playing out there. We have spent just as much time in our coop, busying ourselves with playful projects… This little tomten’s cottage was part of a trade that i made with Sandra of WinterwoodToys some time ago ( over a year at least). it took me a long long while to find a fabric stiffener to turn this flattened woolen home into a standing structure, which, alas, we are more than pleased with.  i love it. it was intended to be a gingerbread home to decorate. Instead i chose to keep it plain and simple so that we may use it less seasonally but rather throughout the year in our puppet shows.

At various times my sitting space has been invaded to build a nest or den or cozy reading space (of course now it is occupied by our lovely tree). i do indeed have plans to sew a teepee for this sort of play but no pressure this New Year…right? i’ve been puttering about, painting wee tomtens and a wee family for a friend with a new wee one in a sling. Little A has been following suit with the painting, doing his own thing which makes me happy. He’s also becoming more interested in costume design and dressing up. Below is his sometimes witches hat that he is so very proud of (even though i mostly made it under his direction). We continue our collaborative “doe and fawn”project which we intended to gift away to many more of you readers than we’ve actually been able to. The intention was there but the follow through more challenging (and costly due to postage fees).

We rearranged the kitchen play space and it’s been getting a lot more action.  it’s amazing how a little mixing will stir up forgotten games and make them new again.

an old bus full of kids and a new bridge add to his game of “box car derby”

Last month we went to see Seussical the Musical and it proved to be an inspiring event for the little monkey who now puts on variations of his own interpretive performances. “Rainbow fun” “Scissor Sky” “Baby Bear’s Birthday” … some of these are highly entertaining but i’m beginning to get my fill as i am usually on stage clean up duty.

From our coop a short distance to the library…we have spent some time here, reading and borrowing;

it’s been fun. we’re looking forward to a new month and a new year.

i better catch up on posting these snow shots before the sun melts it all away. it has been a true Winter Wonderland and Little A is truly a snow kid as is his papa - those two have been having a blast out there. Aside from having some essential tools (shovel & sled), proper attire is key to enjoying snow to the fullest. Finally, this year, we are prepared. His first layer of silk and wool arrived in the mail the same day it snowed and snowed. The right size snow pants hung in the closet, waiting, 1 month in advance. Little A could wash dishes with his mitts and still have warm dry hand. His locally designed, fleece lined rain coat has worked well to keep him toasty and again, dry. i was bummed not to find Sorels in youth sizes and found myself scrambling to find something suitable…and then i remembered that at the end of last year i purchased some 2nd hand Naturino boots and they have been perfect (and warm with his Wigwams). Guaranteed to be warm and dry, my bundled boy heads out the door where he could, and has, played for hours in the deep deep snow.

papa built an igloo/turtle…

which also makes a great slope for sliding bilibo style;

almost as good as the neighborhood slopes where these 2 have hiked up and slid down dozens of times before returning home after dark with rosy cheeks, shiny eyes and great big grins;

yes. it is a Wonderland for children big and small;

a big white playground;

for imaginative friends and playful tricks;

While we have kept close to home and ventured out only on foot or by sled, others have been more brave to venture further for a visit.  it’s always nice to see you grandma (and grandpa) D. We hope you didn’t get stuck in the snow again.

full and cozy and delicious…

edit to add a couple of Auntie’s shots;

i hope you all enjoyed your Christmas gatherings. if only i could be in 5 places at 1 time i wouldn’t have missed anyone but no complaints about our own nest in. i haven’t left the hood for days and i’m quite happy here.

So early yesterday morning the elves (or Santa - we’re unclear) delivered. it was a quiet, happy opening before breakfast, coffee, more coffee….

1 gift from papa and 1 from mama and a few stocking items from the elves (or Santa - geez i just don’t know how to play that game).

Caleb & Elijah were gifted some new and adorable little seedlings clothes and a mama made crown (there may be more of these in the works). In the stocking i felted a pear, painted some lookalike wee folk and tucked in some other treasures. The elves gifted me a knight in shining armor. i just love Anna’s  stuffies - so original and well made with all natural textiles. i also bought a Peter Pan but felt that there were enough gifts given already so i’m stashing it for another day.

Auntie and Uncle James arrived in the afternoon whence the fun for little A truly began. He has been so excited about having everyone over and each time there was a knock on the door there was an accompanying squeal and dance. Our friends are all big kids themselves so it was a silly fun filled afternoon and evening.

more photos to come…i just need to figure out how to view raw images on our computer.

Enjoy the magic and the feasts my friends. it looks like we got another foot of snow overnight and  it’s still snowing so i’m sure the day will include some snowy adventures….

xo Ella.

There’s  not so much traffic on our quieter streets and the feeling of being snowed in is quite cozy but if one ventures off just a few blocks you’ll find some determined folk adamant to get out as they usually do. i could not believe the number of cars slipping and sliding and stuck in the snow as we wandered about with our sled. it’s almost dangerous to walk along side them. i was grateful not to have to go very far but rather enjoy the depths of snow closer to home.

i feel like i should be busy doing something. instead i putter about documenting  corners of my home. There has been lots of coffee, random crafting & projects and much oohing and aaahing  over our tree.

morning runs into afternoon with more toast and refills and more felt ball rolling;

Being a mom and also having the privilege of sitting in on the Waldorf preschool classes, i am often reminded how it is the small and natural treasures which bring the greatest delight, wonder and creativity to a small child. They appreciate the simple when the simple is offered with care and intention. More is not better. This is clear to me and especially so during these times of gift giving where there is a tendency to overdo it. The little ones can be overstimulated by the abundance and then left with feelings of irritability and disappointment rather than of magic, warmth, celebration… Little A has so much. i think too much at times. These past weeks, family and friends have been asking me what they can get for him and i really truly mean it when i say nothing or just a small token. He is not expecting a mass of gifts under the tree so as tempted as we feel to delight him and sugar him up, let’s not. instead let’s keep it focused on the gathering and the meal shared. i’m not saying that i want to deprive my son of the good feelings that come with giving and receiving (and he’s certainly had his share of receiving from the elves all month).  i absolutely love to gather and make special packages for people and little A sees this and wants to make things for people too. He’s been busy and content with all sorts of projects this month and these past few days we’ve been gathering things together, thinking of our family and friends and writing little notes. it’s been so much fun. We enjoyed a wee celebration at the preschool this past week with all the children and their parents, special snacks and circle time. Little A & i wanted to gift some small treasures to his classmates. Thank you Emma for this sweet idea and thank you grandma P for so carefully cracking the walnuts from your nut tree so that we could make plenty of these little lights.

Little A chose a special color felted acorn for each of his mates;

i just can’t stop wrapping and rolling and photographing these sweet things so it’s no secret what our token gifts will be for everyone;

Some of these little friends have also been delivered around the hood;

the puppet show table has been taken over with our Winter Wonderland.  it’s different in many ways this year - bigger, more elaborate and little A is a more active participant in what goes where. There haven’t been so many puppet shows - he just likes to set it  up. i think he’s got a knack for placement and fine details;

Outside is a real Winter wonderland. omg so much fun.

who needs a hill when papa can run very fast?

even the wipeouts are good fun.

he could ride in here all day. we were out late and on our way back home he just laid back and let the snow fall on his face. sigh. to be that full and content. having children is such a gift.

wishing you all Wintery wonderlands as well.

from now until December 22nd everything listed in my shop is 10% off. There is a slim chance that items shipped today will arrive in time for Christmas (depending where you live) but more likely in time to be a New Year’s gift. i’ve recently listed some sweet little scarves for wee folk.

blue echino;

red friends;

aviary;

and 1 more aviary for adults;

also i’ve updated some felt crowns.

so sweet;

little red  riding hood;

squirrels & matryoshka;

and we are enjoying it under a blue sky. i’m also enjoying the cozy indoor hours spent nibbling sugar cookies and visiting with friends. on our walk about one afternoon, little A spent hours throwing ice and snowballs at the road. he loved to see them smash.

stuffing his pockets with snowballs for later.

(new hat traded. Thank you Tava. love little gnomey. xo.)