Almost Advent Calendar

 

It's almost Advent! Time to start the countdown to Christmas! Which means, in addition to anxiously awaiting the return of Cubby the Elf, it's time for an Advent calendar!

Christmas JOY Mantel

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I used to think that, as a society, we rushed into Christmas. That we allotted a disproportionate amount of time and energy for it. That Thanksgiving got cut short, every year, by our eagerness to move on to Christmas.

It used to really bother me. So much so that I used to delay Christmas decorating as long as possible.

But this year? This year's different.

Chocolate-Orange Pretzels

 

The other day I had the unique experience of Ellia actually wanting to come grocery shopping with me. How nice, I thought. Some mommy/daughter bonding time! Until I realized the only reason she wanted to come with me was because she had seen our next door neighbors drive away a minute earlier and was somehow convinced we would run into them at the grocery store....

Framed Keepsake Art

Love: It's a beautiful thing. It supports. It protects. It nourishes. It grows. It heals. It creates.

Somewhere in the midst of planning my parents' 40th anniversary celebration, we honed in this last one and, as has become customary in my family, we came up with a list: "40 Things Your Love Has Created."

Thankfulness Turkey Wreath

 

Thanksgiving is in 3 days....can you even believe it? I suppose I should start pulling out some recipes! Ha! But before I do that, I just want to share one little tip with you: Save the feathers!!

Gratitude, Presence & Letting Go



This past weekend my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. 40 years!! That's a long time! My parents are, and always have been, a wonderful team. They love one another, encourage one another, help one another, take care of one another. After 40 years they still show great tenderness and affection toward one another. They make decisions only after consulting with one another. They play games and take trips and go for walks with one another. They truly enjoy one another's company. My parents are a great couple.

Easy Pumpkin Spice Waffles

I woke up this past Saturday and realized it had been a loooooooong time since I had made breakfast. It kind of goes in waves around here...sometimes the eatin' is good and other times we're just getting by. I guess the same could be said about most things around here - at times it feels like all we can do to keep from being overrun by sheer chaos (you know the feeling?)

Thankfulness Mantel

This is officially my first time decorating a mantel. We've lived in our Lemon Tree Dwelling for a year and a half, we've celebrated every holiday here once before, and we've decorated for most of those holidays in some way, shape or form. But we've never done the mante..

I blame it on Nora:

Friday's Find: Lemon Tree Redux

 

It's Friday.....! Time to show off my best recent Goodwill find.

 

Guess what it is..... that's right.... a twin for my little lemon tree (fraternal, of course :)  It's a tiny little orange tree!

Thanksgiving Table Setting

I have this image of Thanksgiving as everyone gathering what they have and bringing it to the table to share. The fruits of the harvest, brought together to build community, to nourish the body and soul. And, of course, we all know that when people come together and share what they have, there is always enough.

Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

One of our favorite dinner conversation topics is, "What was the best part of your day?"  The answers we hear always provide great insights into what matters most - in terms of school, activities, friendships, work - to each member of our family.

Straw Painting

Every now and then (very rarely) we have a weekend with no plans. This weekend is one of them. YAY!! Time to clean the house, make yummy food, catch up on laundry, stay in pajamas, and sip tea all the live-long day. If only it weren't for those darn kids... :)

Friday's Find: Dinner Table Caddy

Is dinner time at your house anything like dinner time at my house? Where you finish making the meal and the entire family comes and sits down at the empty table, waiting to be served? And you have to get out the plates and the forks and the knives and the butter and the drinks and the condiments and the serving tray.... and then you finally sit down and start eating.... and someone asks for a napkin?