Sunday, December 20, 2009

Snowman Slaughterhouse

Commander C has been reading A LOT of Calvin and Hobbes and plotting.
I found this in his suitcase:
(C.Z.G. Montana list for SNOW!)
(Build Snow Castle, Make a snowman with dad, Head butt it on the deck, Make a snowman with umbrella if it rains, make snow cannon with ammo, Make 2 armies of tiny snowman, Make a fort with 25 snowballs, Kill a snowman *evil face*, Snowfight with brother *cunning face*, Ambush Dad)

If only it would snow instead of rain!

Matching Stockings: A Cautionary Tale

In 1959 my mother and father in law started a family. 4 little girls arrived in quick succession and a matching set of Christmas stockings was purchased. Then Moose showed up in 1977 and a matching stocking could not be found and so a stocking was made at a department store. And he was scarred for life, every Christmas the toe pointing in the wrong direction and the glittered name reminded him that he was the caboose. Scarred for 30 years.
And then his fabulous wife made him a reproduction stocking. She also made matching stockings for herself and the children so no one would be left out.
So, let this be a lesson to all the mothers out there who have a set of matching stockings and haven't go around to getting one for the "baby" of the family. Either commit matching or let everyone have different stocking, because you can't guarantee that they will marry someone crafty.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

You Don't think I am the Kind of Girl That Would Throw Herself at a Man Do You?


Last Christmas, my Aunt Janie asked me what I wanted for Christmas I told her unhesitatingly that I wanted fabric to make a plaid Christmas skirt. I wouldn't have time to make it that year but definitely for Christmas 2009. She told me to go out and buy the fabric as gift from her. I did. Then at an after Christmas clearance sale I bought a little more of the same fabric to make a matching skirt for Nutmeg.
It is a plain tafetta circle skirt filled with all the joys and pains that go along with a circle skirt. Fantastic look but loads of fabric and nightmarish details. I love my ruffle foot. I need a crinoline.

I got the inspiration for this skirt while watching White Christmas and so I call it the "You don't think I am the Kind of girl that would throw herself at a man do you Skirt" after the scene where the frighteningly skinny Vera-Ellen crawls along a bankette in a checked circle skirt.

You know the one.
I will call Nutmeg's "Mandy" after the should have been cut out and useless to the movie number of the same name. The "Mandy" would probably have actually fit Vera-Ellen.

Thanks, Aunt Janie! I love you!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Knuckle Biting Nutcracker

Last night I took my daughter to the Nutcracker. It was her first time as well as mine. It was magical.We dressed to the nines.
Well, O.K., the elevens, those ARE seams.
It was so worth it too, at intermission we got my money's worth in compliments. Nutmeg was the darling, everyone adored her dress and our hairpieces. It almost made us feel as special as the ballerinas!
Let's go back to the beginning. La Kiera, Laura, Kristin and Bella picked us up just a few minutes late but we weren't worried (we had planned plenty of time) until we hit the freeway and saw 8 miles of tail lights ahead of us. I learned something about my best friend last night, she really doesn't like being late, almost as much as me. There was erratic, snippy behavior and cursing which Nutmeg echoed immediately.

We careened into the parking garage at 7:25 the ballet starting at 7:30. We bailed out of the hastily and poorly parked mini van and it was every woman for herself. Kristin and Bella were in the lead as we ran down 4 flights of stairs. Nutmeg and I brought up the tail as I hobbled down the stairs in 3 inch heels while carrying a 3 year old and not wanting to touch the gooey hand rail. I saw Keira glance back at us once as she crossed the street just to make sure I hadn't fallen down the stairwell. At least I like to think that she looked back because she was concerned about my welfare...
We ran across the 2 intersection crossings ignoring the signs and avoiding headlights. Kristin needed to buy tickets and we wished her luck at the box office and hustled in. Disoriented we found our seats which had someone in them. Thanks to the usher for bouncing him. Kristin and Bella did get seats after all and so we all watched The Nutcracker.And I cried a little as the curtain rose. I just knew it was one of those special moments I would remember forever, the night I took my daughter to The Nutcracker.
Nutmeg watched so carefully at the beginning her little head nodding and following each step. That is what I will remember.
The opening party scene drags...it could really be cut down in the interest of little patrons. Nutmeg asked when they would start dancing.
The Snowflake dance was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, just beautiful.
After intermission it was hard for Nutmeg to keep her interest she was thirsty, tired and hungry. She couldn't sit still but still she loved seeing the "princesses."
Afterward, we stopped for hot cocoa and in this picture you can see how at 10:30 pm the girls were a little bit strung out. Laura stared off into the distance her eyes glazed over, while Bella and Nutmeg were in a chocolate fueled spiral of hyperactivity feeding off of one another. This picture reminds me of 3 party girls, one is about to pass out while the other two are about ready to start dancing on the table and in the fountain, one with badly smeared make-up.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

There's No Place Like Cinderella's Ball

The light wasn't any better today so I went outside and tried to get shots in the sprinkling rain. They aren't much better but I offer them anyway.
Look out Little Red, there is a wolf behind you!

Coco sporting a Victorian Gown, Greta as Cinderella and Janie as Dorothy.

Cinderella was a bit of a headache and I wish I was happier with the result but the dress says "Cinderella" so I think the goal has been achieved.
Obviously, we need ruby red slippers so if anyone has some red Polly Pocket shoes you know where I live I will totally pay up to $2 for them.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

"Grandmother, What Big Teeth You Have!"

"The better to play with my dear!"
I can't wait until Christmas! This is another gift I made for Nutmeg: a Little Red Riding Hood hood, a dress, a wolf and a Granny disguise.

These pictures were taken at noon today in Portland. There was NO light. I will try to get better pictures another day but in the meantime can we squeal together? Dirndl, angry eyebrows, wire rim glasses!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Here We Come a Wassailing or a Rockin' Christmas List

(start at about 6 minutes)
One movie I love is Under The Greenwood Tree mostly because of the opening scenes of the "quire" caroling on Christmas Eve. Come to think of it I love Little Women too because of the scene where the girls are marching with their Christmas breakfast and singing "Here we Come a Wassailing" I love caroling and I love Christmas Carols but this year I have been wanting only rockin' music for my holiday tunes. Maybe I need high energy songs to keep up with the crafting fever there is nothign like dancing with a hot glue gun or an Exacto knife.
Here are some selections from my Rockin' Christmas list

(I don't know why Mariah Carey is on here twice I guess her Christmas songs are just better than the other versions.)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong
Christmas Baby Please Come Home- Mariah Carey
Last Christmas- Cascada
Run, Rudolph Run- Brian Setzer Orchestra (This link is good but the recording we bought on Amazon rocks HARDER)
I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - John Mellencamp
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - The Jackson 5
All I Want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Lucia Day

This year we decided to add some Christmas traditions from the countries of our ancestors. While discovering our Swedish heritage, we decided to adopt Lucia Day because Nutmeg is so very blonde and would make a great Lucia Maiden.It is also a tradition that involves breakfast in bed. I am looking forward to next year when Lucia Day is on a Monday and it won't have to be so early!
Our Lucia served us Kaloche which are Czech though we are not but they were so yummy!