I realize that many a Christmas tree has already been undressed, dismantled, and tossed to the curb or back of the property...or up to the attic (in the case of those who refuse to deal with incessant falling needles). Not so, in this abode...and I'm always heartened to see twinkle lights and wreaths with red bows still bedecking many a home and shop front up in our neck of the woods for many weeks to come.
I didn't want the Season to entirely slip away, though, without sharing our favorite homemade ornaments from this year. We happened onto an Open House at an Eco-Village/Co-Housing development that's evolving down in Belfast (which is another wonderful topic of its own!) and what we found was a group of warm friendly people in a renovated farm house offering an array of yester-year homemade Christmas ideas.
Three men were playing instruments in the background while the children were immediately swept into the fray. They engrossed themselves in decorating gingerbread men (some of which were gobbled up and never made it to the tree!) and popping beeswax out of molds and tying strings for these lovely sweet smelling creations...
They also poked loads of cloves into oranges to be then wrapped with lace and ribbons...
And with all these whimsical natural touches...we added our assortment of abandoned nests to our tree as well! This group at the Open House also provided old antique canning jars that the children filled with stones and water to force their very own paperwhite bulb...that are still blooming beautifully!
Of course all this does is only spur me on...into an even more frenetic feverish pitch! I really have to ask myself...how can I possibly wait an entire 365 days until it all comes 'round again next year?? Mmmmm...but isn't it simply delicious while it lasts! : D