Saturday, December 19, 2009

Ornament Exchange

Four years ago I was invited to be a part of a ladies' ornament exchange. The other evening we got together and with a little hoopla, exchanged the ornaments we had made for one another in true Christmas spirit. What stories were shared of the seventeen years some of them have been getting together. Precious, godly ladies sharing ornaments, Christmas, laughter and even sorrow this year, as a mother and daughter had very recently lost a husband/ father.

D_ is eighty years old and her painted creations are some of the most favored. She paints them on brown paper grocery bags. Last year she delighted us with Raggedy Ann. Andy completed the pair this year.

C_ knits little things on tiny needles.

M_ forms holly leaves with wire.


Of course, my favorite ornaments do not come from the exchange at all, but from the hands of my children.
Charlotte made this and hung it on the tree. I loved finding it there,
hanging amidst the green boughs.





dumplings and cookies

" We'll all have chicken 'n dumplings when  she comes...." ( 4th stanza , She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountains,  ...