Hot-tubbing in the Snow

Holiday Bazaar

Yesterday my neighbour across the street had a holiday bazaar inside her home. She invited me to set up a table so I made up a display with some Avon and my Etsy stuff. I could have filled two huge tables, but I just picked out some of the best stuff to display and put the rest of my items in a bin under the table. 

The bazaar started off steady, but quickly died. A few people wandered in at around 4 pm. I had hoped that it would have been busier, but I can't complain. I made a little bit of pocket money and I met some neat people. 

This was in my living room. I spent two days trying to figure out the best way to display my stuff. I also had some packaging to do and last minute pricing. The bazaar was only five hours long. I suppose it was worth all the effort. 

Poll Results

Here are the results for what you chose as the meaning of collywobbles:

     2 votes for a Southern dish made with collard greens

     2 votes for a tummy ache

The real definition of  collywobbles is a tummy ache. It's an archaic word that is derived from cholera. 

Check out my new poll. 

The Pleated Poppy

Hey, everyone!

Want to enter a fun giveaway? I thought so! Check out this blog for a chance to win a set of three handmade posies. Just scroll down until you find the post and then follow the directions. Good luck! (but I hope I win!)

Convenience

Kyla, Liam and I had a rough night last night. Liam has a cold and he woke up at about 1 am crying. I went into his room a couple of times to soothe him, but as soon as I left the room he would cry again. I stayed awake each time hoping that he would eventually fall asleep. when he didn't I decided to take drastic measures. I changed his diaper and brought him into bed with me, something I haven't done since he was really tiny. He wasn't feeling well and sometimes all you want is to snuggle with your mummy. He settled down right away, but didn't go to sleep. Not long after that Kyla woke up crying. She eventually made it into our bedroom and was on my side of the bed. I couldn't help her because I already had Liam so I told her to go to Will's side of the bed so he could help her. She didn't want to do that and started crying even harder. Will was quiet this whole time so I nudged him with my foot to get his attention that he needed to do something. That's when I was surprised to find out that he was SLEEPING. I couldn't believe it. I had to wake him up through his children's crying. At least I was thankful that all I had to do was nudge him. Most of the time it's not that easy to wake him up. I have to yell in his ear and shake him hard. 

Will got up and got Kyla into our bed. Liam wasn't settling down to go to sleep and started "talking" to Kyla. I put him back into his own bed and listened to him cry for a few minutes before he finally fell asleep. Just as things were getting quiet and I was starting to fall asleep myself, Kyla started crying. Next thing I know she is throwing up. And Will is SLEEPING again! I got up and helped her and got her a glass of water. She finally settled down and fell asleep. 

It never ceases to amaze me how Will is able to sleep through all that craziness. He didn't hear either one of his kids crying and he didn't even notice when his daughter was puking right next to his head. How convenient! I would love to be able to sleep through all that. How can someone be so oblivious to his children?  I guess it's easy when you know that someone else will do the hearing and care taking for you. I wonder what that kind of freedom feels like. 

The History of the Christmas Tree

For millennia, people have revered evergreens. The ancient Egyptians used date palm leaves, Romans used evergreens and the Druids included evergreens, holly and mistletoe into their ancient rituals. The evergreens, while remaining green while the rest of the plant world lay bare in hibernation, were a symbol of life over death and were believed to have magical properties that could keep evil spirits away. 

There are many stories of how the evergreen tree became associated with the Christian holiday of Christmas. What the legends all have in common is that they were used to represent the Holy Trinity in some way. The tradition also has its roots in Germany where it remained for exclusive for centuries. The nobility slowly adopted this tradition, but it wasn't until Queen Victoria married her German cousin, Prince Albert, that it became more widespread. in the mid 1800's picture of them with a small Christmas tree on a table was widely circulated and their loyal subjects wanted to emulate this royal couple. 

European immigrants to the new world brought this tradition with them, but it wasn't until the 1920's that having a Christmas tree in your home became common place. 

Early trees were decorated with small fruits, paper flowers, candy and candles. Tinsel was invented in Germany about 1610 and, up until the mid 1900's, was made of real silver. An ordinary cloth was laid under the tree to catch falling wax from the candles and any pine needles that may come off. Today we have ornate tree skirts that serve not only as decoration, but to hide the tree stand. 

The Christmas tree was traditionally set up on December 24th and taken down January 6th. Today people put their tree up much earlier. 

In our home, I don't like to put the tree up much earlier than a week or so before Christmas, but this year we did get it up early. Every year the kids get a new decoration to put on the tree. Sometimes I make them, sometimes they pick it out themselves and once in a while I will surprise them with something. I like to take the tree down New Year's Eve. I don't like the new year to start with an old dead tree in the house. 

What are your Christmas tree traditions?

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Yesterday afternoon we decorated our Christmas tree. Morgan came over to help us. Moira put on some Christmas music and we pulled out all of the ornaments. 

You can tell where Kyla hung the ornaments. They are all in this one spot!