BLANKETS-AN UNIVERSAL MEANING

A blanket can be soft or rough. Handmade or from a factory. Blankets keep us warm, shade us from the sun and can make a tent in the dining room with chairs. A baby is wrapped in a blanket shortly after birth. We make love under blankets or on top!

Any colour and a variety of textures. Crocheting, knitting, sewing- by hand or machine!

Trips to the yarn and quilt store are opportunities to add supplies to a stash.

Christmas blankets or the colours of the Italian flag!

Of course quilts from across Canada or the United States can be reflective of the culture or background of a region. Pictured is  a log cabin quilt- my favourite design. This one seems a little rustic, doesn't it! Quilts can go on a bed or be hung on the wall as art!

For all of us, what is more loving or meaningful then a loved one covering us with a blanket. To keep us warm, to keep us safe! It is such a symbolic gesture- here let me cover you up, let's get those feet under wraps. A blanket is such a symbol of love and family. How many of us have one or two passed down from another generation?

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THE LAST MERRY CHRISTMAS SIGN

I bought this sign at a craft sale at a local retirement home several years ago. Liked it as it would be good to have by the front door in my garden by the window. The lady who sold it to me said it was the last sign she had. Her husband had died that year. He had made signs as well as other woodworking items as a post retirement hobby and some additional income. She was selling the reminder of his items. I told her it would have a good home and would be cherished. I took the sign home and realized it actually was quite special. When I pull it out each year now to put by the front door, it is a reminder for all of us there will be the last one of whatever it is ! Each Christmas I am vigilant of the fact it could be the last one for many people I love. So I always try to make it the best Christmas and not just another one. I like to think there may be something special to do. Last Christmas it was the Olympic theme. I knit red hats for the family to wear when the Olympics started and had included several items to use in our celebrations. 1997 was a special Christmas too as I knew it would be the last one for my mother-in-law Concetta as her cancer had advanced. I took a special Christmas video with her doing, talking and being so the memory would be there for us to this day. She died July 1998. There are many reasons for all of us to enjoy to the fullest. This year there is a new member in our family and my son-in-law's family has two new members. We lose some along the way but life is beautiful and we gain some new people. Are there special memories of the "lasts" in your life? Are you the person that just makes it special as if it is the last Christmas you would be together with someone you love? If we do not make the holidays special then what is it all about? Are there some firsts in your life? You have added some new ones!Tell me your special Christmas stories.