a happy year

For last year's words belong to last year's language. 

~T.S. Eliot

Looking forward is one of my favorite things to do. Fresh starts, clean notebooks, and new beginnings, what's not to like? We're staying in and greeting the new year quietly, with our traditional 'pizza making' from scratch plan. My in-laws, the parents of six children, started doing it years ago. It's a nice way to keep everyone in, happy and safe for the night.

Wishing you and yours a very happy start to the new year. 

xo

Molly

the verdict on christmas

 

On Christmas Eve, we planned a festive dinner with the grandparents. The girls set a colorful table.

And were delighted when Santa paid us an unexpected visit. 

The Christmas cards, were finally mailed to friends near and dear.

The only gift my youngest requested, a desk.

Imagine her delight Christmas morning, when she discovered Santa had left one by our back door. 

(A little vintage desk/vanity found at a yard sale).

So pleased to say, that each of the girls was happy this year. 

As they get older and the gifts get more expensive, it's hard to maintain a 'simple' perspective.  But, this year... it worked. They each received one thing they really wanted, and them some small things they needed and/or could wear. They really had the most fun shopping for gifts for each other, wrapping them just right, and then enjoying the reaction received. Gracie in particular, loves Christmas. She had the most fun for weeks accumulating just the right thing, and making the most beautiful cards.

And, we had a wonderful Christmas dinner at my brother and sister-in-law's house with most of the cousins. We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of the rest from Williamsburg. Can't wait.

What was your favorite part of Christmas this year?

santa

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.

~Francis Pharcellus Church, The Sun, September 21, 1897

Merry Christmas to all...

And to all a good night.

to market, to market

On Tuesday, we were able to take a quick trip down to the Christkindlmarket. Sort of an outdoor German pop-up village, in the heart of Chicago's Loop. The girls enjoyed the different festive shops featuring handblown glass ornaments, clever wooden toys, candle pyramids, cuckoo clocks, and all kinds of authentic German food. 

We picked up a few ornaments. And let me tell you, that wasn't an easy task. Too many beautiful ones to choose from, we settled on a toadstool house, a sweet marguerite daisy, a polka dotted toadstool, a glittery strawberry, and a green pickle. 

Are you familiar with the German tradition of the Christmas pickle? It seems to be something of an urban myth, as many people in Germany have never heard of it. The first child who finds the hidden pickle on the tree Christmas morning receives a special gift from St. Nicholas.

I've an idea. The first person that helps Mom clean everything up after Christmas receives a special gift. Think it will work?

merry, merry

 Gently, it started snowing. Tiny little flakes. Not enough to form a snowball, let alone a snowman. Just enough to add a little sparkle. 

Somehow, it doesn't feel like Christmas without it. 

 With the addition of a few simple pinecones, merry little lights, and a few brightly colored ribbons, Christmas has arrived.

A wreath for every window.

And a little sparkle for every leaf.

Somehow, not only for Christmas
    But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
    Is the joy that comes back to you.
~John Greenleaf Whittier


May you be blessed with the merriest of holidays. And maybe a little sparkle, too.
xo
Molly

christmas cheer

The doorbell rang. There stood Rosie's teacher from last year, Mrs. Small. Holding a beautifully wrapped gift, peeking out of it, an adorable little mouse wearing a vintage-style santa suit. 

Unwrapping the present, revealed the sweetest book ever, 'Santa Mouse Stories', by Michael Brown. A fortieth-anniversary re-print about a shy little mouse. She enclosed a handwritten note, explaining she'd heard Rosie wasn't feeling well and letting her know she missed seeing her in the hallways at school.

People have been so kind. Our little mouse is getting a little better each day. I'm so thankful everything is heading in the right direction. We're lucky. It easily could've gone the other way. 

 Pictured is the little tree Rosie decorated for her room. 

This Christmas, enjoy every minute with those you love. For you really never know, what tomorrow might bring.

felt flowers

Keeping busy is a full time job, my friends. With a four year-old on virtual house arrest (due to an extended illness), we've been up to our eyeballs in crafty, felty projects. 

'Forget-me-nots' are probably one of my favorite flowers. Growing up, our back garden was a wonder. All kinds of things, blooming in happy profusion. Some reliably, some reluctantly. The patch of periwinkle blue, teeny-tiny, forget-me-nots never failed. Much like this felt version.

Cut your petals and slip stitch them together with several lengths of sturdy thread. Pull the thread, and when all of the petals are tightly gathered to your liking, knot it. Glue on your 'flower shaped' middle piece of felt. Add several seed beads of your choice. If you're using a barrette, bobby pin, ring back, or brooch fitting, attach a piece of green felt as a base for better adhesion. Finally, glue the completed flower to  the fitting. 

Assembling the flowers, she had the biggest smile on her face.  Planning on bedecking everyone in flowers this Christmas, even our postman.

 Are you making anything crafty for Christmas?

the winner is...

Loved reading about all of your sweet holiday traditions, lots of great ideas. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, you gals are the best.

 The winner (selected at random) of the jingle bell give-away is...

notes of sincerity said...

You are so sweet to share with us. :0)

I love Christmas morning with my husband and children. :0)

Please contact me with your address, and I will send off your bracelets,  quick as a wink.

jingle, jingle

Out and about, I jingle as I go about my business. A few years ago, I spotted some jingle bell bracelets. As I'm a bracelet lover, I picked up a few. After Christmas, I went back and bought the rest on clearance, and did it again the following year. I've a little holiday suitcase filled with them.

Usually I wear two or three, accompanied by several charm bracelets in silver. If someone comments on the jingle bells, and genuinely seems to like them...

I give them one (or two). 

I've given away more than I can count to friends, nieces, bank tellers, librarians, store clerks, teachers, nurses, dry cleaners and random ladies at the beauty shop.

Love seeing the smile at an unexpected gift. 

Comment below with one of your favorite holiday traditions, and you just might receive a couple of bracelets in the mail.  I'll select someone on Wednesday, December 14 (so you'll have in time for your date with Mr. Kris Kringle).

getting gifty girlfriend style

It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving

~Mother Teresa

Rushing around, buying last minute gifts isn't my idea of a good time. I prefer to think ahead, and have something in mind way in advance. There's such joy in giving. It's one of my favorite parts of the holiday. Wishing you had a little something for your girlfriends, a sister, or your mom? As my time in stores is limited these days, it's all mail order, baby...

___

Vintage inspired kitchenware is always one of my favorite things. Everyone could use a little something fun and unusual, especially in the way of storage.

From fishs eddy...

vintage flower storage bowl gift pack

___

Who doesn't like smelling sweet? Especially if it comes in the prettiest of packages?

From nostalgia organics...

darling soap, hand cream, body wash, and now vintage-inspired fabric

___

She'll never be late again.

From little larry bean, also known as l.l.bean....

vintage-style moonbeam alarm clock

___

Sweet & lovely, and most likely to match any decor.

From crate & barrel...

snowflake hurricane candleholders & votives

___

Whose kitchen couldn't use a little color?

From martha stewart...

color coded cutlery and color coded cutting mats


___


And, if all else fails, there's always...

a little like christmas

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas.

One of the joys of pulling the Christmas things out of storage, reacquainting yourself with past projects. A white button wreath put together last year, happily sporting a red polka dotted bow. Thinking back to how much fun I had making it...

With Rosie sick, I'm a little behind in my usual holiday prep. Things aren't happening the way they usually do, and that's ok. At least, that's what I keep reminding myself. I'm concentrating on simplifying and focusing on what's really important this year. How about you?