Gathering bits of happiness everywhere she goes

Gather the crumbs of happiness and they will make you a loaf of contentment.

The tree is up and decorated.

Jeff got tired of waiting and pulled out the Christmas boxes on Sunday evening.

Baby, it was cold outside, but we had a fire roaring in the wood stove and Johnny Mathis crooning Christmas songs on the stereo.

The tree is full of critters again.

And these lovelies.

Moravian stars.

I examined the tree closely and concluded that there could be more stars.

So some friends came over tonight. We ate two kinds of soup and homemade bread and shortbread. Then we were instructed again in the art of making them.

We folded and we cursed.

I tossed the first two attempts.

Third time's the charm, alright.

This little beauty is all of three centimetres across.

Dipped in hot wax and sprinkled with oodles of glitter, it is ready to be hung on the tree.

If you want to torture yourself, here are instructions.

They are free.

All it will cost you is some hair from your head and your placid disposition.

Better still, cozy up to someone who already knows how to make them, like I did.

Thank you Dorothy.

And thanks, Lori, for being the provider of materials. Always.

These little glittery stars make me happy.

I have discovered wall vinyl.

Well, not actually discovered.

It's been around for a while, but I am newly recruited.

My music room makes me happy.

My new vinyl quote makes me happy-to-the-power-of-three.

Now, I just need to find some more unused wall space.

Natalie came over a couple of weekends ago. She hasn't slept over as often as the older kids and was feeling neglected. We played Go Fish and read books and put together a new puzzle. 

I french-braided her hair after her evening bath and in the morning she looked like a princess. 

There is a poem, which I didn't know was by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow until I just looked it up. I used to tell people that it described Annie when she was little. It is also applicable to Miss Natalie.

There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very good indeed
But when she was bad, she was horrid.

I actually used to misquote it horribly, but we'll blame that on my Mum, who taught it to me.
I think I shall have to use pink lettering more often.
It makes me happy.