Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A Mantra and a Quilt and a Christmas



After months of working on this quilt, it is finally complete! Unfortunately, instead of feeling elated about creating a masterpiece, an heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation, I find myself picking my work apart. I can't stop seeing the mistakes! Perhaps all quilters do this. For the past 3+ months, the part of me that wanted to "jump in" and learn as I worked was at odds with the part of me that wanted this quilt to be a perfect work of art. After all, the fabrics were perfect so the quilt should be, too.

On a positive note, I learned a ton! Countless sewing lessons have been burned into my memory. As I mentioned before, I used the "loopy" quilting method and love the texture that the quilting creates.

The title of the quilt and my new mantra is Bloom Where You Are Planted. It seems appropriate and I am trying to live it out!

While we completely missed our friends and family back home, we had a great Christmas in Copenhagen. The fun began on Christmas Eve at Henrik and Ulla's house where we enjoyed the most delicious traditional Danish Christmas dinner. Henrik is a gourmet cook, so we were spoiled rotten. We ate yams, caramelized potatoes, herb roasted potatoes, roasted duck, sauteed red cabbage, and pork roast with a rich wine reduction gravy.



After dinner we ate the traditional "risalamande" which is a whipped rice pudding full of chopped almonds and topped with cherry sauce. In this dish there were three whole almonds that guests were supposed to find and conceal in mouths (if found) while eating this dessert. There were many false accusations and second and third helpings that were had. The winners revealed who they were after the serving bowl was empty and the last portion was eaten. The winners even got prizes! We also sang songs and danced around the Christmas tree. Aaron and I will take these traditions home with us.

Keeping with my family's tradition, we made the bread ring again this year. We used marzipan instead of almond paste and it tasted great!



Hope you all had memorable Christmases.

14 comments:

Lindsay said...

Emily Your Quilt it ABSOLUTELY Beautiful!!! Love it!
Wish I could admire it in person. Looks like Ethan loves hism mommy's work too : )

Sarah Seitz said...

Emily, THIS IS GORGEOUS!!! It looks so incredibly perfect and beautiful!! I can't wait to see it in person in May!! You are so so talented!

bekah said...

I love the mantra, "Bloom where you are planted." What a challenge in the midst of change and new community. I have continually been inspired by you and Aaron this year as you have risked so much for what has been quite an adventure! I love you and believe the quilt will always be a reminder of this last year and the life of change you lived!

Kevin said...

Nice quilt, cute baby. Hope you have a wonderful 2010, Emily!

Susan Nudelman said...

Emily, the quilt is lovely and it IS an instant heirloom! Chase won't eat it will he? Ethan and Chase look so cute lying on it! The quilting looks like a nightmare to do. It must have taken forever!

We missed you at Christmas, but I'm glad that yours was so nice!

enudelman said...

This is an awesome post, I love, in this order:
1) ethan
2) quilt
3) your blog publishing prowess
4) the duck on that plate

much love, pops

Unknown said...

Em -
The photos of Ethan are wonderful. Your quilt is amazing! What a great heirloom. It is hard to imagine how much work you put into it. Great job, Honey.
I love you. Dad

Unknown said...

Looks amazing, Emmy Doh! You make me want to blog:)

Unknown said...

Sounds like such a fun, memorable Christmas! Your family is adorable!

Kate said...

Ethan is so cute! I can't wait for the boys to meet! Love the quilt, you are truly talented.

Anonymous said...

Love the quilt! It's so beautiful and so so warm! Keep it up!
A

Unknown said...

You are such an amazing inspiration, Em! Thank you for always sharing such positive attitudes in your life adventures!
love,
~kelly

Jenny said...

Your quilt, and Ethan, are GORGEOUS!

Merry (belated) Christmas and happy new year! Miss you too!

MOM said...

I WAS GLAD TO LEARN THAT YOU MADE SOME NEW CHRISTMAS MEMORIES! YOUR QUILT IS AMAZING, AND MR. GIGGLES IS TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!!!