Saturday, December 22, 2007

11th Hour Christmas


I finished knitting these stockings on Christmas Eve 2003. The winter was so cold, we all moved into our Avion Trailer, the big sister to the Airstream. We had a crazy silver glitter tree with flashing disco lights, a gift from dear friends.

Though our house had burned down in January, the fog in my head still hadn't cleared in regards to Christmas, especially the need for stockings. The kids each chose their favorite all-over patterns from "Knitting in the Nordic Tradition" by Vibeke Lind, one of my all-time favorite books. The yarn is Peace Fleece, which has the best red ever, and a green so dark it is almost black. My only mistake? Making the stockings so big, Santa has a hard time filling them. Lots of apples and oranges on Christmas morn.

We are all safe and happy in the house we built ourselves. Block by Durisol block, stacked like legos by the family, filled with cement. Not likely to burn anytime soon!

Out of adversity comes ingenuity and strength. Merry Christmas!

12 comments:

Eliza said...

i am so curious about your cement house. it look so cozy and perfect in that photo.

The stockings are perfect, and I imagine they remind you all of that unique Christmas every year.

magnusmog said...

And a Merry Christmas to you and yours. Jeni x

Donna said...

Merry Christmas - thanks for a lovely photo!

Berlinswhimsy said...

Beautiful stockings.
Wow, your post is so heartening for me as I go into the holidays after our own traumas this year... I can understand that foggy head feeling almost a year later AND I realized today that I have no idea where my kid's stockings are! They're probably lost somewhere in our horrid storage unit. Though I'll be finishing their stockings in the eleventh hour, alas, I'm going to sew mine...
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

cseneque said...

Such a stirring image. Here's to necessity being the mother of invention! Hope your Christmas this year is wonderful.

Jen said...

I'm trying to think of something clever to say,...I've got nothing :) It's a beautiful story. Here's to stength and ingenuity. Merry Christmas!

santos. said...

merry christmas and have a most wonderful and blessed holiday!

Beata said...

So cozy looking! Merry Christmas to you and I hope your holidays are filled with good cheer and love!

mary jane said...

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you all!

Connie said...

Those stockings are adorable. I'd love to knit some Christmas stockings for the mantle some day. I'm glad your new home is so fireproof! How distressing to lose your home, especially during the holidays.

Anonymous said...

That really is one of the best knitting books of all time.

Anne Marie said...

These Christmas stockings look beautiful! I am so sorry for you, having to loose your house in a fire. So happy for you that you were able to build a new house so soon and that it is made to feel safe.

Thank you for letting me discover your blog through the comment you left :-)