Slow But Sure

*

*

*

I'm creeping up the hill. Here are the first two weeks of December 2020. Just think of it-- soon I'll reach our current year! I don't have it in me for commentary right now, so here you go.

(*taken by Mildred Elise)

Sweetest

My friend Rebecca made this sweet, little set for Ransom, and I took these pictures the first time he wore it. I took nicer pictures later, but I just discovered that a large chunk of Ransom pictures were deleted, with those among them (and also the ones of him wearing the bandannas you made, Corynn!). Sob. I feel terrible and am again ready to forswear camera use.

It's a good thing Ransom can't be carelessly deleted.

What a relief.

 

Squeaky Clean

Warm water. Cold air.  A winning combination.

He kept craning his neck to look out the window. There's an entire interesting world out there!

My face was a poor substitute.

Charlie Brown

 

Only not quite as bald...and cuter.

Half of my children have received a handmade sweater from Grandma Johnson. Ransom ended up being one of the lucky ones, though he just barely squeaked in under the wire! I had him wear it for two straight weeks until I could no longer stuff him inside it and packed it away in the memory bin.

Pictures for posterity.

First-time Saint Lucia

This year it was Pip's turn to play Saint Lucia, and we just narrowly remembered in time! St. Lucia Day was on a Sunday, and we arrived home late Saturday night from a long day. After I tucked people into bed, Susannah gave me a whispered reminder, and I had to go and get Pip out of bed to cut pine branches, make rolls, and prepare for an early morning. 

Bright and early the next morning, Pip beat the dawn and carried the lussekatter upstairs. 

I followed in her heels with hot coffee and sugar. 

It took Aidan 0.2 seconds to go from a sound sleep on the bottom bunk to jumping out of bed shouting for everyone else to wake up.

Annika was still sound asleep.

So was Mildred.

As tired as Piper and I were that day, we both thought it was worth it. One of my favorite times each year is found here-- sitting in the dark with the children, eating rolls and drinking coffee while dawn breaks.

 

Sweet Sugarplum(s)

 

Debbie was due with a little girlchild not long after Ransom arrived, so we hosted a celebratory shower here on Mount Hunger.

Our little Sugarplum made sugarplums for the Sugarplum-to-come. (Confused yet?)

Millie made a bunch of sweet food while I made savory food, and guests pitched in with a veritable feast for eye and belly.

Purple is not one of Deborah's favorite colors. Sorry, Deborah.  (It was the easiest way to decorate with a little Ransom in the mix.)

Millie took all these pictures during the shower. The lighting was a bear to work with-- a mixture of golden twinkle lights and natural window light, so I was glad she was able to get what she did.

Tadhg helped with the first few frilly packages. (Judging by the amount of adorable clothes Maranatha received, girls are WAY more fun to shop for.)

Everyone was extremely generous and displayed good taste in both vintage and new clothing! Oohs and ahs accompanied each unwrapping, and in addition to all their other gifts, relatives on the Purdy side gave Deborah and Marnie treasured, handmade clothes handed down from Deirdre. Kathy even gave Marnie the darling outfit that SHE wore home from the hospital many years ago! It was really special to see these heirlooms passed along (for heirlooms they are).

Pippin pitched in, too.

(I was probably wondering how I could get away with stealing this little sweater here...)

Rounding out the bunch were some beautiful, handmade sweater sets from Mopsy. 

What a true joy it was to gather around Debbie to celebrate the life within her. In the midst of the harder things earthly life contains, new life is a faithful reminder of God's goodness!

And that's a wrap. (No pun intended.)

Pictures of Marnie to come later, but if you want to take a peek, go here.