Greetings! I just had to stop by and share this. Emily was given a Straight No Chaser cd this morning and we've been loving this song today.
Scrubs fans... crank up the Toto!
Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
Now back to the festivities...
holidays
handmade by others saves the day
I had such high hopes for this little guy. I imagined him to be finished, printed, and in the hands of Emily's teachers as we all parted for the holidays. The owl is their school symbol and I thought it would make an enjoyable and meaningful gift. It is nowhere near finished... I think I will finish it over Christmas break and tuck it away for end of the year gifts.
This holiday season has been the first in my adult life that I have worked outside of the home five days a week. Oh my, what a challenge. It has been such a relief to enlist the help of others for gift and goodie making. Instead of my owl print, Emily's teachers were given handmade soap. Made locally by a gal that my family has a rather important connection to so it seemed quite fitting. And her soap is truly amazing.
Tomorrow my girl turns twelve. In previous years I have been able to blog a few words on her special day, but honestly, this year I feel utterly speechless. Twelve seems so huge. At twelve years old I was babysitting, had a phone in my room, and was slow dancing with boys to Stairway to Heaven at school dances (geeez....). She is a very different twelve than I was, she is better. And that is all I've ever hoped for.
As you can imagine, we have a lot of merriment going on around here. I think I'll step away from the blog until next week. I hope your days ahead are filled with the abundant beauty and magic of the season. Many blessings to each of you!
because it's the holidays
I'm usually a Banana Split girl but this new to me flavor has me feeling down right festive. Do you have any special holiday sweets/treats that only come out once a year? When I was a kid we always looked forward to After Eight dinner mints. Remember those? Oh! And those really awful and cheap chocolate covered cherries. Those were so terrible but we were not the type of children to deny sugar, given the rare opportunity to indulge.
Last night we had some excellent pizza. Tonight we'll be home cozied up with the rest of that pint up there, watching A Christmas Story. I'm on day 4 of a 5 day weekend and am really, really enjoying the festive-mellow flow of things. Festive- mellow is good.
the day after
Yesterday was perfect. We had decided early in the fall to stay home as much as possible this holiday season as it will be our last in this house. It's also been a few years since I've cooked Thanksgiving so it was such a treat to do so. The turkey was the best we've ever had, I followed the suggestion in this month's Fine Cooking and made a rub with sea salt, pepper, fresh sage and orange zest... rubbed it all in under the skin and let it sit overnight. It was incredible and I will definitely repeat it. Gravy was perfect... green bean casserole with homemade cream of mushroom soup... stuffing from real bread... mashed potatoes with a stick of butter and 2 cups of cream (oh yeah...), it goes on and on. My dad came over (mom's keeping warm at her sister's house in Tennessee - she'll be back this weekend), and the whole day was just really mellow. I loved it and will be happy to recall it over the years as our last Thanksgiving here.
So, I never made it here yesterday. I hope your day was all that you needed it to be. I took just a few photos throughout the day, with none of the actual meal! It's turned out to be a good year around here, gratitude feels easy to come by right now but I somehow feel strange basking in that because one year ago we entered the holidays with the loss of my husband's job, which took six months to replace. I know how it feels when it's easier to make a list of all that is scary and uncertain than one that lists abundance and blessings.
I feel deeply for anyone going through difficult times through the holidays. It's extra hard, I know. I'm not even sure why I'm addressing this here, it's just what I'm feeling this morning. The only wisdom I can possibly share from our experience, is the truth that as hopeless as it can seem, you will know peace again. Also, as alone as we can feel during hard times... we are never alone. Let people in.
Wishing you all the most peaceful holiday season possible. We feel very much in the spirit of things around here this year.
There are just a few fabric bundles left in the shop from my destash sale this morning... thank you so much to those that have already stopped by! We are heading to Vermont for the day so if you need to convo me about anything I'll get back to you tomorrow. Take care.
eleven
Today we interrupt the holiday festivities - and celebrate instead, the birthday of a very special girl.
Eleven. Imagine that.
Emily - You always ask me to tell you stories about Mema, who you never had the grand adventure of knowing. So here is a tiny little 'story' (advice really) that I don't think I've ever told you before. Mema always told my mother that you know your doing a good job as a mom if you can look at your own children as they grow older and say "You know, I really like them." She wasn't talking about whether you love your children, of course a mother loves her children. But that you actually like them... as people, this was important to her. Well sweetie, I can say that I do, I honestly do. Sometimes I look at you and think how unaware you are of your own brilliance and goodness, I wonder where on earth the time has gone. And I treasure you - my god, do I treasure you. Happy Birthday.
I think I'll be signing off for a bit. I hope your days ahead are filled with peace and festive times with loved ones. And if you are still holding on to the hope of getting it all done, making it perfect and complete - take a breath, let it go, and settle in.
snowed in ~ baking cookies ~ feeling content
Too much snow, we stayed home. Our sitter (grandma) couldn't come to us, and we couldn't get to her... two towns away. Well, Adam would have gladly driven, he'll drive in any amount of snow. I suppose that's to be expected when your drivers ed experience takes place in the north woods of Vermont. But I'm kind of a wimp and my girl is irreplaceable and there are way too many people around here who did not learn to drive in the snowy hills and mountains of Vermont. They would be out on the roads too. We stayed home, my call. It's okay, I actually felt really badly for my friend. So much work and expense goes into that kind of entertaining... I hope many people (who had less driving involved in their evening) were able to go.
We spent the night walking around the neighborhood... watched Christmas in Connecticut... and worked on some remaining gifts that need finishing. Today, a little more of the same. More snow arrives tonight as well. I'm a big believer in if it's going to be winter, let it be white. So this is fine by me, it feels right for the cookie making that is about to take place this afternoon too. I've got two planned for today, one is new. The other, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark, I've made for a few years now. I've said it before, Cheryl's recipes are always excellent.
What are your top two or three cookies for the holidays? Would you mind giving us a little list in the comments... links to recipes would be great too, if you have them. A sort of virtual cookie swap, fabulous!
I hope the comments work for you today, many of you have emailed and said that you couldn't leave comments here over the last few days. I'm so sorry ( and I miss your messages!), it is a Typepad issue and they are working on it...?
How will you fill your holiday cookie jar?
major snow storm threatens party of the year
How could it be? Doesn't the universe realize the last time I got all dressed up, colored my hair, and wore sparkly jewelery was... oh, probably Becky's Christmas party last year? That even a barefooted, bellbottomed, treehugger needs a night out once in a while. It's in my DNA.
Becky's parties are legendary. Whether it's Christmas (sushi bar... heated tent with a dance floor on the front lawn...) Valentines Day (I've written twice about that), Fourth of July Barbecue (ice cream was flown in from across the country), or an office party to celebrate Ed's company's new location ("Heather, just so you know, aside from the chicken on a stick thing, I had the caterer prepare everything else vegan." eek!) - they are always out of this world. It's quite possible Martha could learn a thing or two from Becky, seriously.
Tonight's festivities are threatened by a gigantic snowstorm that is arriving any minute now... up to 12 inches of snow is predicted. I love a good snow storm, but tonight?
I have no clue how to play roulette, black jack, or craps (sad, I know) but I could learn! And I could be sparkly while doing it, right? And I could catch up with friends that I don't see nearly enough, yes?
Well, as far as I can tell the night holds two possibilities. Let's hope it's not me sitting at home crying in my el cheap-o gin and tonic. Safety first, right?
Fingers and toes crossed people, fingers and toes. Thank you.
i should bring my camera along more often
I'm not one of those bloggers who has their camera with them everywhere they go. I'd love to be, but my camera is not a high performer, and it has at times been responsible for putting me in a frustrated tizzy when I am out and about trying to enjoy life and it isn't capable of capturing the shot with it's 5.1 mega pixels and it's 3x optical zoom. Of course it is with me often, many pictures do wind up here afterall. It's just not automatic for me, and frankly, sometimes it's best if I leave the camera and the tantrum at home. Recently I've tried to get in the swing of flickr and have been enjoying the editing features they offer. It has helped to jazz things up a little, and in turn has bought me a bit of satisfaction until the day an SLR enters my life.
Yesterday we went to a Holiday Light Parade down by the shore. My mom's friend recently opened a candy shop right along the parade route, so we headed down to see Melinda's adorable, sugary shop, and to take in a really festive parade. I decided to bring my camera, and indeed there were moments of frustration, but there were a few really good moments too... I'm glad I brought it along.
Here is a little scrapbook of the day.
See, ten minutes out of our little city, driving through the country... we stumble upon a jolly old man in a warm red suit. See him at the back of the tractor... driving down the road? Complete with hay bales, and the smell of diesel in the air. We actually used to live in this town, right here on this green. There is a great deal of Revolutionary War history here, a battle was fought on the field you are looking at. George Washington slept in a house just to the right of this shot. Now part of the green is flooded in the winter by the local fire department for a very safe four inch thick pond hockey surface. Makes this mama not worry so much.
Then we picked up my dad (mom was already down there) and as the guys hung out in the front talking about hunting and drywall and blah blah blah...
Emily and I had a little photobooth-ish fun in the backseat. 
Then we arrived to Melinda's store, Gumdrop's and Lollipop's. She had it all sparkly and dressed for the occasion. 
A little corner inside the store.
A beautiful view behind the store. Doesn't it make you want to beg for a summer job? This would be a pretty sweet spot for a lunch break.
Then it was time for the parade. There were firetrucks...
And gingerbread houses...
And girls who danced in twirly skirts...
And there was this... before you click on it, maybe you should read below.
It was a really lovely time, so many local dance companies, churches, and other groups put in a lot of work dressing floats up with twinkly lights and Christmas music. But there was one float that left me pretty amazed. It's hard to get your mind around the idea that this is the local auto parts store and not some major commercial endeavor. I remembered last minute that my camera could take video, I hope you enjoy it. I know it's not the same as being there. But imagine being at your local parade and everything is lovely, creative and at times homespun which is wonderful. Then this rolls down the street, stopping every hundred feet or so to perform it's little number, seriously incredible. The creative energy that went into such a project was huge and felt by everyone. I wasn't able to capture too well the pirate ship and flag that rose out of the top, or the smoke guns that went off. Yes,a pirate ship.
I hope to be around this week, but I'm not sure how realistic that is. Things are getting rather busy around here. How about you? Are you checking things off you list? I think it's time to break out the clipboard, that always helps me stay focused and organised.
ps - There is a new post I wrote at Simple Green Frugal Co-op, stop on over!
still putting up those apples
It never fails to surprise me how little sauce results from pounds and pounds of apples. Every time I make applesauce there's a "no way, that's it?" moment. Never fails. But this is it, the very last of the apples (picked in the fall) have been put up to get us through until next apple season. Those apples in the basket don't count, they are from a friend... for snacking. Total apple-y goodness tallies for the season are:
6 quarts applesauce (freezer)
8 1/2 pints applesauce (canned)
12 apple pie fillings (freezer)
12 1/2 pints apple butter (canned)
And you know what? Crazy as it sounds, I bet it won't be enough. But it will make such a huge difference. Dare I say 200 pounds are in order for next year?
I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for your considerable support and generosity in my little shop lately. It has truly meant more than I can really convey at this time, but I am incredibly grateful, thank you. I do have an idea that I hope to share on Friday... hint... custom mantra quilts. Your mantra, maybe your child's name, you decide the word(s) then choose from 5 fabric combination options. I design and ship it out to you. Awesome! I suppose that was way more than a hint... if you think that might interest you, look for the details on Friday.
Now, how about some things I'm loving...
Holiday cards from blog friends.
Boho baby's arrival
Cathleen's knitted dishcloths. (oops... I just nabbed some. don't worry, there's more. and such a bargain!)
Rhonda Jean's latest post at Simple Green Frugal Co-op.
Rubarbsky- I love Carrie, she is so funny and always has rockstar recipes. I wish she lived closer.
And, what's a link list without a you tube contribution... my favorite Graham Parson's song, She, performed by Norah Jones, so pretty.
Hope you are enjoying holiday preparations and are making it top priority to keep it mellow and stress free. I am pretty deep into gift crafting myself, which explains why I am blogging about apples in December - can't show much else here right now! I love being a busy elf...
