Here's to...

My 40th post. A great year. And an even better one to come.

I started this year as a Mama Bear to one and with a cub in the oven. I barely knew a thing about sewing. My husband had a five minute commute. Things around here were pretty calm.

On this last day of the year I have three cubs. I have my blog. I've built my sewing skills, fulfilling my dream of sewing clothes for my cubs. My amazing, hardworking, wonderful husband commutes three hours a day to support us. The Bear Den is very much like the Caterpillar Room in Toy Story 3.

As I reflect on the past year I am very grateful for all we have.

Here's to a new year of growing cubs, lots of sewing and much more.

Merry Christmas

The children are nestled all snug in their beds while visions of Weebles and puzzles dance in their heads. While Mama and Daddy prepare tomorrows brunch feast. All of us from the Bear Den wish you all a Merry Christmas, to say the least.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Merry Christmas!

That is what Nephew Bear and Big Sister Bear reply when asked, "What does Santa say?"

The Music Box Jumpers were a huge hit this weekend. And so was Santa! I was exstatic that all three cubs went right to him, happily.



I am very pleased with Oliver and S patterns. I am still in shock at how easy Liesl makes it to create such adorable garments. I can't wait to get going on the cubs spring wardrobe after the holidays. I promise better shots of the dresses since they will be wearing them Friday and Saturday. For now back to my Christmas crafting.

A Bear Den Family Christmas

Christmas preparations are in full swing at our home. We've trimmed our tree. Our stockings and the mistletoe (which Big Sister Bear keeps calling a spider) are hung. Festive lights and various Santas bring holiday cheer to our living room. The cubs are totally on board with the whole Christmas concept. The more Christmas-y things we do, the more excited they get.

We made gingerbread cookies and they were so yummy. My secret??? Betty Crocker bag cookie mix and very simple confectioners sugar and milk frosting. That's it!

I've been staying positive and laughing at the silly things my Dad would do around the holidays. Like the way he would imitate the "No Dogs Allowed" from Snoopy, Come Home! during A Charlie Brown Christmas. Or the way he would laugh at Frosty when he came to life because he exclaims, "Happy Birthday!", instead of Merry Christmas.

We are also keeping with the tradition of making French doughnuts on Christmas morning like he would and I'll make some "munchkin" sized balls for the cubs just like Daddy would make me.

This weekend we went to a family holiday party of the season and the girls debuted their Music Box Jumpers. The next five days will most  likely bring frantic gift making since I have procrastinated and haven't made a thing except some felt donuts for Big Sister Bear.

Staying Positive

That is what I've been trying to do all day.

Today is the two year anniversary of my Dad's passing. As he would want (and as I usually do) I am trying to remember him and be happy for the time we had. This is hard today since I end up dwelling on what is being missed. Not so much by him but by me as I feel he is always with me. I can't help but think of things like that I never got to see him hold my girls or see my cub's faces light up when I say, "Pepere's coming over!" On this day I can't help but think like this.

I know that he wanted me to live my life and be happy. Which I do. I remember him for the great man he was and the full life (though short) that he had. I'm grateful for how much richer his life became in his last year of life. For all those little moments I had with him because I was back at home and out of work. Seeing how goofy happy he would get watching Big Sister Bear party in my tummy or the peace that would pass over him as he put his ear to my belly to "listen" to his growing granddaughter inside my womb. Priceless.

So on this day I will try to fulfill his wishes and stay positive.

Last night was the first night of four that Papa Bear is on a trip. Since he was not here to bother while he was sleeping I worked until the wee hours of the morning on the girl's Music Box Jumpers. So far I am breezing along on this O + S pattern. It is very clearly written and the directions are easy to follow. I am intimidated by making buttonholes but I plan on doing a few practice runs at it before attacking the actual garment. Both bodices are finished and tomorrow I'll be starting the skirts and Papa Bear's top secret Christmas present (which I'm hoping to complete before he gets home). I'll also be wrapping gifts in between to give myself a break from the machine.

More holiday happiness from the bear den to come...stay tuned.

Stuffed: A Thanksgiving Sequel

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday. The first half of the day was spent at Nana Bear's, where we had a delicious dinner. Then we headed to Nonni and Binky Bear's where Papa Bear had a second plate of turkey and such. I held out for the dessert which I shared with Big Sister Bear.

I was amazed (and somewhat disgusted) by the amount of food my cubs stuffed their faces with. I thought for sure someone was going to get sick, thankfully no one did.

Today I cooked a second dinner. There were 10 adults, 1 child, 2 toddlers and 2 infants total! Everything went off without a single snag.

It was a feast to say the least. And the food went so fast that I didn't even get a chance to take any photos of our spread.

I get much enjoyment from having the Bear Den be the hub of celebration and family. There is something so sublime about having the ones we love gathering in our home, eating and enjoying each other's company. This is why I delight when the holiday season finally arrives.

I did a bit of Thanksgiving sewing. I made myself a retro-style apron and Little Sister Bear got a turkey shirt hand sewn by her Mama.

Now the time has come to get in gear and start my Christmas sewing and decorating. Once this turkey coma wears off that is.

Christmas Wish List

Have you heard about Above All Fabrics fantastic giveaway? Melanie is giving away gift certificates to three lucky winners who blog about thier wish list at Above All Fabrics!

My wishlist has a few City Weekend prints by Liesl Gibson that I've been dying for like this one and this one. I plan to use these for backing a City Weekend HST charm square quilt I've got on my project list. I also want some to make Jump Rope Dresses for my cubettes.

I've also got some Anna Maria Horner voile and flannel on my list after being inspired by Ashley's lovely baby blankets, I want to make one (or two) of these for the cubs. Big Sister Bear models a certain Peanut and his trusty blanket, so one of these would be perfect for her.

For good measure I also put a Hopscotch Skirt and Knit Top Pattern from O + S. Some of Jennifer Paganelli's Queen Street made it on the list too, I just love these dots.

This wish list is perfect for informing Papa Bear about what I want for Christmas. Oh how lovely to open my gift and find these delicious goodies inside (hint, hint Papa Bear).

Because I feel that this post should have a pretty picture to go along with it, I'm going to share with you a totally unrelated photo. Papa Bear took this one of Little Sister Bear over the weekend. Just goes to show if you take the time to fiddle with the camera you get a pretty awesome shot.