Saturday, December 18, 2010

The work of their hands

by June
Elves are busy here. Our daughters enter into the merrymaking with verve, and that's a very good thing. They have taken over most of the cookie baking (and the washing up). They untangle the lights and feed them up to me as I circle the tree on the stepladder. They wrap packages, pack them into boxes, and weigh the boxes for shipping. They sew gifts for one another.


I cherish watching them work. Their hands are beautiful in this mother's eyes. Their fingers are graceful and careful. I remember when those fingers first gripped a fat crayon; now they can maneuver through delicate stitches. It is this season that provides important markers of their passage through childhood. Each year they manage more on their own.





Homeschooling is especially dear to me in these crazy-busy weeks, not just because it gives us the flexibility to stop the crazy-busy and go sing-along with "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" at Longfellow's home church. The tree is twinkling as we do math, and I get to hear their first impressions of Truman Capote's exquisite prose as each of them wraps up her first read of A Christmas Memory.

Fern's gift for mama last year
Blossom's gift for mama last year

 This is the season when I feel how far they've come in the last year. We take the official, state-required measure of their progress each spring, but it's when the girls are planning and executing their Christmas surprises that the progress makes itself felt.



Fern's surprise from Blossom, Christmas 2009: Doozie the Hen
They are growing up, our Blossom and Fern. But on Christmas morning they still have the giddy delight of the littlest children. It is delight not only in receiving but especially in giving what they have made with their own hands. I love to watch their hands do the work, but, on Christmas morning, it's their faces I watch. Oh, the joy.


Blossom loves Pickles the Polar Bear, made by Fern
Christmas 2009; hat also by Fern

32 comments:

Catherine said...

I love that last photo and the photos of their hands. They are radiating love and joy! Have a wonderful holiday!

I also cherish homeschooling even more (as if this is possible!) at this time of year!

The Cutting Edge of Ordinary said...

Love that last photo. Just love it. The girls are so talented. I know you are so proud.

Like you I cherish watching my children growing up. I'm savoring every minute.

Warmest wishes and love to you all.

Kelli said...

Precious memories. I'm making sugar cookies today with my nephews and we're going to decorate them with icing sugar and sweets/candies. Delicious.

sarah in the woods said...

Wow - talented little girls! Love those happy faces!

betsy said...

Your girls are such a delight. You and Birch too. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. xoxo

anna said...

I am a new reader of your blog and what a lovely time to discover it and see your daughters' beautiful work. I love that they make these beautiful gifts for each other! Thank you for such a lovely post.

JGH said...

What a beautiful post -- I feel the Christmas memories being made at your house. BTW, I read Capote story for the first time this week and was completely blown away. What a wonderful thing to share with your girls! Hope your days continue to be merry and bright xox

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

They make my heart smile every time I see them - yous must be bursting at the seams all.the.time. !! :-)

Merry Christmas to you and all of your darling family and the chicks and the goats and and and and .. and

Happy Happy New Year!

Missouri Gal said...

Very heart warming! I wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas! Nicole

Nan said...

A truly wonderful life you live! And the expressions on the girls' faces show you made the right choice to homeschool. Oh, Longfellow's church. I ache to have been there.

J.G. said...

The perfect combination of carefulness and enthusiasm . . . lovely.

Hope your holidays are wonderful in every way!

oakleyses said...

prada outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, michael kors outlet online, jordan shoes, ray ban sunglasses, nike air max, nike air max, ray ban sunglasses, tiffany and co, polo ralph lauren outlet online, oakley sunglasses wholesale, michael kors outlet online, kate spade outlet, louis vuitton outlet, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton, longchamp outlet, longchamp outlet, polo outlet, nike free, chanel handbags, burberry handbags, uggs outlet, longchamp outlet, christian louboutin outlet, louis vuitton outlet, michael kors outlet online, tiffany jewelry, nike outlet, ugg boots, prada handbags, tory burch outlet, louis vuitton outlet, michael kors outlet online, oakley sunglasses, replica watches, christian louboutin, replica watches, uggs on sale, christian louboutin shoes, michael kors outlet, burberry outlet, gucci handbags, uggs outlet

oakleyses said...

kate spade, louboutin pas cher, north face, timberland pas cher, nike air max, michael kors, nike air force, oakley pas cher, michael kors, michael kors pas cher, air max, vans pas cher, sac longchamp pas cher, ray ban uk, coach outlet, north face uk, coach outlet store online, guess pas cher, coach purses, ray ban pas cher, nike air max uk, polo lacoste, nike free uk, abercrombie and fitch uk, hollister pas cher, true religion outlet, burberry pas cher, nike roshe run uk, nike free run, jordan pas cher, ralph lauren uk, new balance, mulberry uk, true religion outlet, converse pas cher, nike air max uk, replica handbags, hollister uk, michael kors outlet, true religion jeans, polo ralph lauren, nike blazer pas cher, nike roshe, longchamp pas cher, lululemon canada, hogan outlet, nike tn, sac hermes, sac vanessa bruno, true religion outlet

oakleyses said...

coach outlet, barbour, canada goose jackets, juicy couture outlet, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, louis vuitton, swarovski, marc jacobs, pandora charms, moncler, canada goose uk, juicy couture outlet, links of london, karen millen uk, moncler uk, louis vuitton, hollister, gucci, pandora jewelry, vans, replica watches, doudoune moncler, canada goose, pandora uk, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, ray ban, moncler, ugg, lancel, thomas sabo, supra shoes, moncler outlet, montre pas cher, louis vuitton, moncler, converse outlet, toms shoes, canada goose outlet, moncler, louis vuitton, canada goose, louis vuitton, pandora jewelry, converse, ugg uk, canada goose outlet, nike air max, ugg pas cher, hollister, moncler outlet, canada goose, wedding dresses

Digital Marketing Agency said...


Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Number
Quicken Technical Support Phone Number
Quicken Technical Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Phone Number
Quicken Tech Support Number
Customer Service Phone Number
Customer Service Number

Unknown said...

kevin durant shoes
ghd hair straighteners
gucci outlet
cheap nike shoes
coach outlet
air jordan retro
nike air max 90
birkenstock shoes
ralph lauren outlet
gucci outlet
20170119caiyan

Unknown said...

air force 1 shoes
michael kors outlet
pittsburgh steelers jersey
nike free 5
nike blazer
tiffany and co
jaguars jersey
ray ban sunglasses
ed hardy
michael kors

Unknown said...

QuickBooks Technician
Quickbooks Support Phone Number
Quickbooks Tech Support Number
Quickbooks Support Number
Quickbooks Technical Support Number
Quickbooks Tech Support Phone Number
Quickbooks Technical Support Phone Number
Quickbooks Customer Service Number
Quickbooks Customer Service Phone Number
Quickbooks Customer Support Number
Quickbooks Customer Support Phone Number
Quickbooks Help Desk Phone Number
Quickbooks Help Desk Number

Unknown said...

Quicken Tech Support Number
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Tech Support Number
Quicken Support Number
Quicken Technical Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Phone Number
Quicken Customer Service Number
Quicken Customer Service Phone Number
Quicken Customer Support Number
Quicken Customer Support Phone Number
Quicken Help Desk Phone Number
Quicken Help Desk Number

Unknown said...

Sage Support Phone Number
Sage 50 Tech Support Phone Number
Sage 50 Support Number
Sage 50 Technical Support Phone Number
Sage 50 Technical Support Phone Number
Sage 50 Customer Service Number
Sage 50 Technical Support Phone Number
Sage 50 Tech Support Number

raybanoutlet001 said...

ecco shoes
seattle seahawks jerseys
baltimore ravens jerseys
converse trainers
cheap jordans
true religion jeans
san antonio spurs jerseys
oakley sunglasses
cheap oakley sunglasses
nike trainers uk

Unknown said...

clarks outlet
michael kors
oakley sunglasses sale
nike air force 1 high
fitflops sale clearance
longchamp outlet
ralph lauren shirts
air max 2017
cheap jordans
pandora outlet store
2017.5.15chenlixiang

raybanoutlet001 said...

pandora jewelry
indianapolis colts jerseys
green bay packers jerseys
mbt shoes online
ugg boots
dolce and gabbana shoes
ray ban sunglasses
nike blazer
montblanc pens
minnesota vikings jerseys

Digital Marketing Agency said...

Quicken Support Phone Number

Quicken Support Number
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Tech Support Number
Quicken Technical Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Phone Number
Quicken Technical Support Phone Number
Quicken Helpdesk Phone Number
Quicken Customer Service Phone Number
Quicken Customer Service Number
Quicken Customer Support Number

Digital Marketing Agency said...

Sage Support Phone Number

Sage Support Number
Sage Support Phone Number
SageTech Support Number
Sage Technical Support Number
Sage Tech Support Phone Number
Sage Technical Support Phone Number
Sage Helpdesk Phone Number
Sage Customer Service Phone Number
Sage Customer Service Number
Sage Customer Support Number

Unknown said...

AVG Antivirus Support Phone Number
AVG Antivirus Tech Support Number
AVG Antivirus Technical Support Number
AVG Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
AVG Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number
Avast Antivirus Support Phone Number
Avast Antivirus Tech Support Number
Avast Antivirus Technical Support Number
Avast Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
Avast Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number
Norton Antivirus Support Phone Number
Norton Antivirus Tech Support Number
Norton Antivirus Technical Support Number
Norton Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
Norton Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number
Panda Antivirus Support Phone Number
Panda Antivirus Tech Support Number
Panda Antivirus Technical Support Number
Panda Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
Panda Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number

Unknown said...

Mcafee Antivirus Support Phone Number
Mcafee Antivirus Tech Support Number
Mcafee Antivirus Technical Support Number
Mcafee Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
Mcafee Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number
Webroot Antivirus Support Phone Number
Webroot Antivirus Tech Support Number
Webroot Antivirus Technical Support Number
Webroot Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
Webroot Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number
Kaspersky Antivirus Support Phone Number
Kaspersky Antivirus Tech Support Number
Kaspersky Antivirus Technical Support Number
Kaspersky Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
Kaspersky Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number
Bitdefender Antivirus Support Phone Number
Bitdefender Antivirus Tech Support Number
Bitdefender Antivirus Technical Support Number
Bitdefender Antivirus Tech Support Phone Number
Bitdefender Antivirus Technical Support Phone Number

Unknown said...

Windows Support Number
Windows Support Phone Number
Windows Tech Support Number
Windows Technical Support Number
Windows Tech Support Phone Number
Windows Technical Support Phone Number
Office 365 Support Number
Office 365 Support Phone Number
Office 365 Tech Support Number
Office 365 Tech Support Phone Number
Office 365 Technical Support Phone Number
Office 365 Technical Support Number
Ms Office Tech Support Number
Ms Office Tech Support Phone Number
Ms Office Technical Support Number
Ms Office Technical Support Phone Number
Ms Office Support Number
Ms Office Support Phone Number
Skype Tech Support Number
Skype Tech Support Phone Number
Skype Technical Support Number
Skype Technical Support Phone Number
Skype Support Phone Number
Skype Support Number

Unknown said...

Kindle Technical Support Phone Number
Kindle Support Phone Number
Kindle Tech Support Number
Kindle Technical Support Number
Kindle Support Number
Kindle Customer Support Phone Number
Kindle Customer Support Number
Kindle Tech Support Phone Number

Unknown said...

Pogo Technical Support Phone Number
Pogo Support Number
Pogo Tech Support Number
Pogo Technical Support Number
Pogo Support Phone Number
Pogo Tech Support Phone Number
Pogo Customer Support Phone Number
Pogo Customer Support Number

Jenny Wijaya said...

1
2 download s128
3
4 cbet hondablack
5 m.918kiss
6 daftar osg777
7
8 daftar game slot joker

دريم هاوس said...


شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياض https://u.to/fcbGFA  أفضل وأسهل الطرق التي تساعدهم في كيفية التخلص من الحشرات المزعجة وعلى رأسهم حشرة النمل الأبيض، من المعروف أن مكافحة الحشرة بالمبيد الحشري ليسهل عليكِ، يقوم فريق العمل به بكل سهولة كما يعتقد الكثير من الأشخاص، فلا يضرك الكثير أن الاستخدام الخاطئ للمبيد، قد ينتج عنه إصابة الإنسان بالعديد من الأمراض الوخيمة.

فشركتنا حريصة على أن توفر أجود أنواع المبيدات الحشرية المصرح بها من قبل وزاره الصحة والبيئة التي تملك الفعالية الكبيرة للقضاء نهائياً على هذه الحشرة دون أن تسبب أي ضرر على حياة الإنسان ولا الأيدي العاملة، وفريق عمل الشركة لديه خبرة كبيرة قد اكتسبها عبر السنين، مما أصبح من السهل عليه أن يتعامل مع هذه الحشرة المقززة مهما كانت تختبئ في أماكن دقيقة أو مهما كان عددها كثير، وفريق العمل الخاص بالشركة بعون الله قادر على إبادتها نهائياً فور وصوله إلى المنزل مع ضمان عدم العودة من مكان مرة أخرى، كما أن لدى الشركة فريق عمل خاص لتحصين منزلك من دخول حشرة النمل الأبيض قبل البناء من خلال الأرض قبل وضع الأساس بالمبيد الحشري من هنا عدم وصولها إلى منزلك في أي وقت. … اقرأ المزيد

المصدر: شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياض

شركة تنظيف خزانات بالرياض https://u.to/bcbGFA ان عملية تنظيف الخزانات بالرياض تحتاج الى مهندسين متخصصين فى مجال التنظيف الخاص بالمياه حيث أن المياه تعتبر من الأمور الهامة التى تتعلق بالأسرة كلها حيث أنها مورد يصل الى كل فرد من أفراد الأسرة لذلك عميلنا العزيز عليك بالأهتمام بها .
حيث يصلك مجموعة من المهندسين المختصين بعملية تنظيف الخزانات ويتم تفريغ الخزان نهائياً والقيام بعملية التنظيف باستخدام مجموعة مواد التنظيف التى تعمل على قتل الجراثيم والبكتريا بنسبة 100% ثم يتم ملىء الخزان مرة أخرى والقيام بعملية الاختبار لبيان مدى نظافة ونقاء المياه.… اقرأ المزيد

المصدر: شركة تنظيف خزانات بالرياض