Traditions Old and New

So, what adult out there doesn't have some fond memory of some kind from when they were young. I was sitting in the living room last weekend and felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. My daughter. She had one of those looks where she thought she would know the answer before she even asked. I waited to hear what exactly it was that the big eyes and funny grin could mean. "Mom, can we paint these?" I look down to find her holding a pack of ceramic ornaments that were from several Christmas' ago. I couldn't help but get an overwhelming feeling of joy as I thought of all the fond memories that such a simple object could bring to me.  My Grandmother did ceramics for a living.  Any child of the Senn family can tell you of hours spent with Grandma in her shop marveling at the molds, the paint brushes and the walls of paint. I think we can all testify to hours of laughter and amazement as we watched our Grandmother turn these pieces of ceramic into pieces of art.  I was always amazed at the detail that her hands could create.  So, as I sat there that night and heard Paityn ask to do something that was so important to me, how could I resist.  We even made a spontaneous trip to Hobby Lobby to get the paint.  Once again memories of old times turned into memories of today as I sat and listened to Paityn laugh and talk about how she felt with the brush in her hand.  I decided that night to take a traditon of old and make it new.  For YEARS my Grandma painted an ornament each year for her children and grandchildren to enjoy.  I have been blessed to inherit many of these.  I believe that it will be a special thing as each year Paityn and I add to the collection that was started so many years ago by a woman who wanted nothing more then to share her art with those she loved.

Please enjoy these pictures of a few of my special memories.

 Santa on top: the last ornament I painted with my Grandma
Angel in tree: Ornament done by Grandma the year I was born
Balloon on far left: my favorite one I ever painted!
Middle: Paityn's 2011 Creation
Bottom: This years creation for me...Not quit done because it will say Schon 2011 when done

 As my cousin posted to me on Facebook, "Grandma Senn would of approved no matter how they turned out!"