Oh my goodness, it’s over, it’s over. It was great, and we had fun, but I will enjoy taking down the tree at the first reasonable opportunity and cleaning out the house, and sitting down and reading a book. As a kid/young person, I hated January and saw no use for it. Nowadays, I LOVE it. The calm after the storm. There are things about Christmas I love, celebrating the coming of Christ, the happiness and excitement of my children, being with my wonderful family, and so on, but there’s so much that I don’t love. And all that makes it hard to be present for the good stuff.
Last Saturday night, I got to be present for the joy, for a little while. My brother, his wife and their friend have a folk group in Pittsboro, NC. Every year they do a Christmas show, and we made it this year. The time in the car (six hours round trip) was well worth the 1.5 hours we got to spend there.
My brother is the one with the guitar whispering the words into the ear of the guy with the balloon. You can’t hear it well on the video, of course, but the entire audience had been given kazoos, and the sound of everyone playing them filled the restaurant and was gorgeous!
I also enjoyed making a few gifts this year. I got the idea for mosaic trays from Kim at Sand & Sisal. The round tray is a bamboo tray from Target – the rectangular one was from TJ Maxx. I’m not sure that I really improved them, but the recipients didn’t know what they looked like before, so they seemed pleased. 
Chip also made a present this year, for our nephew. William got a homemade guitar amp, which Chip made (mostly) from parts he had in his stereo room. William was thrilled. I mean stoked.
It’s an “O’Fender Cramp”!
I hope you had a Merry Christmas! Here’s wishing us all a boring, peaceful January.
Woo! Hoo! I looooovve my round mosaic original Tracy Edwards! And the amp is amazing!!! William is gaga over it! I’m not sure he would use that word, but really he can’t believe it!! A huge thank you to the incredible creative duo at prettysaroshome!
You’re so welcome, Jen!