Hearts a-flutter

In the cold, gray days of winter, it's fun to have a little holiday like Valentine's Day to look forward to. Heart garlands, pink-iced sugar cookies, and a vase of pink and white tulips all bring a little smile to my face.

It's not too late to spread a little love around your house, too. Serve a warm drink, string up a garland or paper chain, or make a special card for someone you love. Have fun, keep it simple, and remember to say "I love you!"

P.S. The sugar cookie recipe is from Joy of Cooking and has been a long-time favorite.

Kicking off the holidays

The holiday season has officially arrived, now that we've said good-bye to Thanksgiving and November is at an end. Today the first snowflakes are flying here, and tomorrow we turn the calendar to the last month of the year.

To help you get into the holiday spirit, I'm offering a limited number of postcard sets for sale. These would be great for your inspiration board, as thank-you notes after the holidays, or maybe even a small gift for a friend. They are printed on heavy card stock and are blank on the back for your personal message. A set of four cards is $8, which includes shipping in the U.S. If you're interested, just send an email to me (the address is in my profile) and I'll be in touch!

In the meantime, take time to bake some cookies, watch a favorite holiday movie, or just enjoy the beauty of the twinkling lights. The holiday traditions are worth savoring!

P.S. You can see more photos of the cards here.

Flying by

I am shocked at how quickly October has come and (almost) gone. How can today be Halloween? As all Moms know, the end of October brings the looming holidays that much closer. And as much as I've thought about gifts to buy or make, I haven't put any of my plans into action. Ack! I have yarn and knitting needles patiently waiting for me, and an Amazon list full of ideas. I always love to bake gifts, too, but that usually happens at the last minute.

On top of all this, I'm seriously thinking of opening an etsy shop with prints of my photos for sale. I have a Polaroid calendar in the works as well that I'm really excited about. And possibly notecards, too! It's all the little details of getting a shop open that are slowing me down now.

How about you? What's on your "to-do" list for the upcoming holidays? I'd love to hear your ideas and plans. We're all in this together, aren't we?

Sugar high

Happy Easter, peeps! Hope your day was sweet.

Goodies

The gifts are wrapped and under the tree. The errands are done. We'll be packing today for travel tomorrow. It's so nice to be relaxed and just enjoying time at home! The last few days have been spent baking treats to enjoy over the next few days. No new recipes this year, just a few old favorites. If you're looking for some goodies for your family, give one of these a try.

No matter where you are or how you celebrate, I hope you have a relaxed and blessed Christmas! I'll be back after the celebrating to wrap up my 365 project, so check back for the big finish...

Counting down

Oh, my. One look at the calendar and my heart starts to beat a little faster. How can it be that Christmas is just eight days away? I've made tons of progress yet I never feel completely ready. Does that happen to you?

Starting this weekend it will be time to wrap all the gifts, do some serious baking, and prepare to travel. It will all come together--it always does--but time just seems to speed up during the holiday season. My biggest regret is not making more time for crafting. Sigh. Maybe after Christmas I'll choose a project and devote some time to it.

By the way, I have just 15 days left in my 365 project. Woo-hoo! I'm thinking hard about how to wrap it up. Any ideas for a big finish photo?

P.S. If you're looking for a new cookie recipe, try this one. You won't be sorry.

Preparing

Just popping in to share some images from the week. I've been hauling out the holly (so to speak) and I think I'm about finished with the decorating. Time to move on to gifts! I need to order prints of some photos, do a little online shopping, and generally organize my plan for gift-giving. We're trying to scale back a bit but still give something meaningful to our family members. Can you relate? I'm also on the hunt for cookie recipes. I'd love to try some new ones this year, along with the family favorites. Send me your ideas!

Sparkle all the way

So here we are--the first day of the last month of 2009. It always amazes me how fast the year flies by. Today was sunny and balmy, not at all like the winter days that lie ahead. It's time for me to start digging out the decorations, to set up the tree, to adorn the mantle with the fresh greens I bought today. The Christmas lights have sprung up all around town, bringing some sparkle to the dark evenings.

The holidays certainly make the transition to winter a little easier, don't you think? The brightly-colored wrappings, the warm cookies fresh from the oven, the special ornaments that we enjoy for just a short time each year. All such simple pleasures. What are the traditions that mean the most to you?

Gearing up and giving thanks

So Thanksgiving week is here and there's no denying that the holiday busyness is upon us. I'm hosting my family for the Thanksgiving meal and I've been busy in the kitchen already. Two loaves of pumpkin bread, one loaf of banana bread, one pumpkin cheesecake, and one flourless chocolate cake are now safely tucked away in my freezer. Whew! The turkey is thawing in the fridge, sweet potatoes and Yukon golds are in the pantry, and fresh green beans are chilling in the crisper. Wow, what a lot of food! I'm counting on getting at least two meals from the feast, so it seems good to prepare a lot.

My mind is also busy with the thought of Christmas presents. I'm trying to simplify this year, turning my photos into gifts, and making donations to charities like this one. I love shopping on Etsy, too, with so many great artists and affordable options. Something like this would be fun to give to family or friends.

In the midst of all this, I remind myself that the food and gifts don't matter nearly as much as the people for whom they're intended. I'm so grateful for my husband, children, parents, siblings, and close friends! They are what make my life full, give me a reason to smile, and keep me lifted up. They are life's real blessings, and for them I am truly thankful.

P.S. If you're interested, details on the hat can be found on Ravelry.

Goodbye, hello

Today signals a fresh start as a new month stretches before me. I can't believe October is gone! A whirlwind of change, with blustery days and bursts of color everywhere. And pumpkins, lots of pumpkins. Pumpkin patches, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies. Baked and carved, all behind me. The jack-o-lantern will soon shrivel, the leftover candy will be consumed. So what's ahead?

Right now I'm thinking about the holidays and how we can simplify. The ideas behind the Advent Conspiracy are compelling to me: spending less on gifts, more time with family, giving to those in need. I'm working on ideas to make this happen. I have some plans, but haven't finalized them all. Have you been thinking about this, too? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Let's share ideas so we can all enjoy the time more.

Got love?

Share a little today, O.K.?

Looking forward, looking back

Today's a great day for reflecting on the year that just ended, and planning for a great year ahead.



Happy New Year, all!

Eye Candy Friday

The countdown is on--just six days to go!



Hope you have a productive, fun, relaxing weekend.

Progress

The days are getting shorter and the time for Christmas celebrating is nearly here. Luckily my "to do" list is getting shorter, too. How are your preparations coming along? If you're looking for some ideas, try these:

Espresso chocolate shortbread cookies are filled with buttery goodness. (Be sure to make an extra batch to keep.)



Everyone can use a new calendar. Even if you *think* you're not artistic, these are fun and easy to make.



If your friends and family aren't coffee lovers, try baking these brown butter brown sugar shorties.



So there you have it! Some progress for me, and ideas for you. Knitting continues and there will be more baking, I'm sure. But before I get started, do you have any recipes you want to share? I'm always on the lookout for the next best thing!

Pause

I'm taking a break in the midst of my holiday preparations to remember why we celebrate. Gratitude for so many things, large and small. Appreciation of the many blessings of life, the greatest of which are my family, my faith, my friends. My cup really does overflow.



Here's wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving. And don't forget to eat a piece of pie for me!

Think of me

I can't remember where I purchased this little Valentine, but given the subject, I certainly couldn't pass it by! It's a great addition to my vintage Valentine collection.



Happy Valentine's Day to all my knitty-crafty-bloggy friends!

Counting down

These little elves know it's almost Christmas! The gifts are purchased and wrapped, goodies are baked, and we're ready to hit the road.



Merry Christmas to all! See you in the new year.

Thankful

Giving thanks for:
♥My family
♥My church
♥True friends
♥A safe, cozy home
♥Plenty to eat
♥Time to be creative
♥Freedom

The list goes on and on! Hope you have a safe, happy, Thanksgiving, wherever you are!

Yesterday

We had record-breaking cold temps yesterday, but at least no snow. After an early-morning church service, we were home relaxing and eating all day. I'm still on food overload.



Hope you had a wonderful day!

Happy Easter

Time to eat some chocolate!