Funny little things going on around here as Christmas approaches. The work-shop becomes a magical and off-limits place.
I can hear the table-saw and, if I do venture close, smell the sawdust. Yesterday I stepped outside the back door to let the boys know there was a pot of tea on the table and I saw Jesse and Heather standing with their hands over their hearts facing Byron and Colin. I wondered, as well I might, what on earth was up.
Well, Byron had been helping Colin with a project and they all turned and looked at me like I was breaching some international boundary by even looking toward them all. I informed them about the tea and asked, very innocently, what they were doing.
"We're being sworn to secrecy before we enter!" Jesse called back "Now go away!" Apparantly they were not allowed to set foot inside the Hallowed Hall of Creative Efforts in Wood until they had sworn not to tell what they saw there.
They did finally come in for their cup of tea, satisfied with their secret knowledge.
Heather hasn't been working in the wood-shop. She has been knitting with her Grandma and her little scarf is about 10 inches long now. And that's a very sweet sight, I must say, a little girl knitting with her Grandmother. Speaking of Grandma, Heather and I took her to see The Nutcracker the other night. That makes everything feel like Christmas!
But of all the creative efforts going on I think that maybe the one that makes the most interesting impression is catching a glimpse of Jesse. Jesse with his blond dreads and his strong arms and hands. Yes, that Jesse. He's sitting here next to me by the fire ... knitting.
We have eggnog and Christmas lights and a documentary about Africa. And a slightly bohemian uni student who knits.
How great is that?
(PS Beatiful snowman and evergreen in pastels by my 9 year-old niece, Alex.)
