Just came across this and it seemed a great way to end 2012--focusing on things I like....though I did not write these, I liked their simplicity and I agree with all of things she liked. 

Via: lajoiedespetiteschoses
Source: saltedskinandsexhair

What a Special Season

 Our Christmas can best be summed up by the expressions in these photos. We decorated cookies with cousins-Paisley was proud of her candy cane with clear and red stripes and sugar crunchies over the top; the kilts from Scotland and Timbo and Felicity are too cute(including jackets that were mommy and lolo's)...

 Leaving cookies and milk for Santa....and hanging stockings

 I love the simplicity of the tree at night with the teepee from Santa and the packages with the night lighting

 The excitement of receiving Caroline, the American Girl Doll...

 She curled right into her new sleeping bag with Caroline, and Harper celebrated getting her bathtime Ariel doll

 Balmer loved the teepee and sleeping bags, and Harper continued her daily activity of dressing in various costumes...."I'm a hockey player"

The joy of giving

 After making cookies, we headed out on the snowy morning before Christmas to deliver little, secret packages to some friends around campus. The girls climbed out of the car and into the snow, on their own and dropped the little bags, complete with homeade tags(written by the girls). We have done this a few times now and I continue to find it one of my favorite parts of the season. It is a nice reminder to us and the kids that the season is about giving more than receiving.

Loving giving to others

 In the wake of tragedy with the Newtown shooting, we pulled together to celebrate Brian and Jess's wedding on December 16. I made these gloves for them: her left hand and his right, so that they could remember how important it is to always hold hands...such a simple act, yet one that makes us feel so connected to those we love.

The very happy couple!

 

With all four of us in the wedding, unfortunately, we did not have a chance to take many pictures, but I love this one of Harper, one of the 8 children in the wedding(in a strict Catholic church!) and Brian. 

Searching for Christmas yummies to make, as if I don't have enough in my folder to explore, I came across these delicious and easy, kid friendly marshmallows for hot chocolate. 

The girls and I tackled this-and it proved messy, fun and a great holdiay treat...especially dipped in hot chocolate!

 

These seem like easy tools, right? Well, as it turns out, when you live where we do, it is not so easy! I am in the midst of a search for citric acid. CVS acted as if I asked if they carried drugs, the health food stores looked at me questionably, and then the "special" call that was made to their "susie homemaker" led me in the direction of a health food store an hour away. Apparently, though, she cautioned me that these simple bath fizzies were not so simple. In fact, they can easily erupt like volcanoes as you make them all over you, your kitchen, and any little hands that might be helping. 

Ah well, we are attempting a version of a homeade Christmas and it is turning out to be something ridiculous....though, I am sure in the end it will prove rewarding and special, regardless of whether the fizzies erupt or not!

  Tools and Materials               

• Baking soda
• Cornstarch
• Citric acid
• Spritzer bottles
• Food coloring
• Glass bowl
• Essential oil
• Baking molds

A sneak peek at a few more of the delights we are working on...
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Lavender bath salts

Although this is not a photo of ours, they do look markedly close to these posted on pinterest. So far, we tackled, three different types, but in order to keep the surprise for those who are reading and might be receiving these, I will just leave it that they are refreshing!

The absence of writing is not due to a lack of little moments to be absorbed, but rather to too many of them! I have found myself taking in Thanksgiving, and the excitement of the changing seasons and all that it brings. I think I will let the pictures speak for themselves....smiles, laughter, time with cousins, only, I didn't get enough pictures with all the other family members: Grandma, Uncle Brandon, Craig, Lolo, Kelsey, Ally, Chris....
it was very special to be in Grandmama's house together for the first Thanksgiving without her. We used familiar silver, cooked in her kitchen, made crafts, went for walks at East Beach, drove to see the erosion at Wasque, played football on the lawn, and enjoyed all of the little moments as a family with a lot for which to be thankful.

 Happy Thanksgiving....Paisley's array of hats that came from school.

 Paisley learned a lot about Pilgrims in school and she was thrilled with the idea that drove and were near where the Pilgrims had once been.

                                Snuggly moments among sisters out at East Beach

                            Who doesn't love making sand angels...and then giving them a face

                                           Peeking through Allyson's vest on the beach.

 Although the plates weren't really eaten, there were tons of smiles, laughs, and good memories

 The ferry boat was very exciting! We stayed outside on the deck, despite the chilly air--we soaked in the sun!

Today Paisley proclaimed, "I am thankful for my whole family and all that we've got" 

Granted, this could be seen as cliche, but it wasn't. It was delivered with such innocence, sincerity and clarity. It was one of those moments you want to stop time, rewind, and play it back again and again. Then, copy it and replay it again in 10 years when we ALL need some reminding! She is such an old soul and such a kind hearted one at that. 

So much more to write regarding Thanksgiving...but on another day...sleep beckons!

Giddy Up!

Shyanne® Women's 12" Embroidered Clover Flower Western Boots

Dave has asked me what I want for Christmas. I know that I am not alone when I admit that I prefer to think about what I can get others; it is the mom in me. It is much easier to come up with fun gifts for my kids and my husband. That is not to say that I don't have things I want, but often the first thought that goes through my mind right after I think what I want is, "I could spend that money on something better-do I really need the boots?" But, then again, Christmas isn't just about need. 
SO, I did a little research and I found these: a fun, sexy, and somewhat unique pair of cowboy boots that I just might have to add to my Christmas list! I started the search with Old Gringo and turquoise, but in the end, I could not rationale those prices...and these seemed to do the trick for what I was envisioning. 

I will have to think if this is where I want to invest my "gift" but if I do, I am bound to feel reconnected, just one more time, with my inner cowgirl: the inner cowgirl who longs to still work on a ranch and play in the mud staring at the Western sky. 

I had to include this video because it captures halloween for me...now and when I was a kid....the excitement, the cold, the energy(sugar rush), and the smile it always brings to my/people's faces...thank you Harper, for keeping Halloween so simple and so fun! Paisley and Harper trick or treated in a way that I might just always remember--that sweet year where they are innocent, polite, excited, "into it" and yet, not overstimulated, obsessed with what candy they get, and perhaps full of shaving cream....it is that small and wonderful window of childhood holiday fun. We were there with both of them this year, and it made it special...for all of us. 

When I think of Halloween, there are so many images and memories that come to mind. We lived in a house where NO ONE ever trick or treated, which was probably good, given that they would have had to drive 1/2 mile in the driveway and then, that would have been a little odd, especially 15 minutes outside of town! But, I loved the costumes, and I loved that Lauren was repeatedly Laura Ingles Wilder while I was a repeat witch.....and of course, there was the candy-who doesn't LOVE Halloween candy. 

 

 On our way to/from Neverland and loving it!!

 

 

 

I thought my mantle was good, then I found this one online...overachievers, I think!! Who sees the mantle on Halloween?! But, of course I included it because I like it!

 

Hurricane Sandy was about to hit, so we got our craft on! We had candles stocked, water stored, and warm clothes, despite the picture, ready at hand. 





The girls clearly chose their own wardrobe for cookie decorating....but below is the finished product! 

A successful and fun endeavor, despite the mounds of sprinkles that couldn't help but topple off the cookies and onto the counter. 

We did lose power, eventually, but only for just under 24 hours and we felt so lucky! The girls camped in our room and then life went on as usual....so fortunate given the masses  whose lives are still not back to normal and won't ever be the same again. 

Pink...the color of choice as tomorrow I will be in pink socks(tights), and a pink shirt in honor of breast cancer awareness. 

Yet, having just watched the most recent Parenthood, an episode filled with family caring and cancer struggles,  I can't head off to bed....yet. 
I am swirling and it is not just from the show. The show merely highlighted some of the emotions I have felt lately...
d   is  con   ne c  te     d 
                                                    pensive
                                                                                       longing.....

longing for the long conversations of friendship, but feeling like there is no time. After a week of Harper being sick and not sleeping well, it is taking its toll. Lucky for us, the antibiotics are kicking in and hopefully there will be sleep tonight, because how clear it is that sleep shades the brain. I have missed doctor appointments, been too easily frustrated, not spending enough time here in this moment....and although I imagined myself in bed by now(yes, it is only 9:50), I need to take this time to write, this time to read, this time to stop the laundry, cleaning, paperwork....all things that have been in halfway mode anyhow this past week, but put them on hold and read, think and write

Overwhelmed....overwhelmed by thoughts of how fast and furious cancer is, how sad it is, how much it dominates and decimates(even if temporarily) the lives of so many.

Amid the swirling...I am filled with pride. I had the fortunate opportunity to chaperone Paisley's first field trip today. She was great to watch...answering questions, playing with friends, soaking up the exhibits at the museum, asking questions, exploring new animals, people, cultures, crafts, and living in the moment. 

It began this morning. Paisley tried to tiptoe out of the bedroom and her sister cried for her. It was time to get up, yes, but Paisley was doing as we had asked and was sneaking out to let her sister get a few more minutes of rest. Instead of needing me, Harper needed her sister. She needed her for a hug, a snuggle, and the comfort of knowing she was there. How could a mom want anything more than that simple loving moment? Seeing them hug and smile in a sincere, true, and special hug, I felt unbelievably lucky. I felt I could tackle the larger challenges life presents, the loved ones we've lost to diseases, cancers,  age, distance and time, the difficulties of life choices, the frustrations of a mundane day, and so on....all of that seemed do-able and ok as I watched them hold onto each other, knowing they have each other. How lucky I am to have witnessed such a tender and special moment. 
Absorb the little things DAILY!

Reflection

 Although I will be adding many more pictures from our recent weekend away to NH, these two seemed to share what the weekend is about: nature, simple life, good friends, long and fulfilling conversations, and, as is clear below, reflection. Reflection as it is in nature, reflection on our lives, and loves. I can't wait to write more, but for now I am off to bed, where I will hopefully dream of the mist in the morning on the mountains, the steam rising from the lake, the history of the century old barn, the cairns that mark the miles upon miles of trails, the smiles on the girls' faces as they fed the chickens, and, well, you get the point....NH with the Phillips' restores the soul!

 What could be better than the simplicity of rolling in leaves in the fall?!

 I love thinking back to raking the leaves on our driveway, jumping in them and then burning them...the smell takes me back to a family ritual each year to keep the sides of the driveway(the grass) free of decaying leaves. Now, although I don't have to worry about my own boarding school lawn, my girls get to go to Janee's each year and roll, laugh, play, and HUG in the leaves...what could be a better reminder of the little things?

Fall inspirations

http://www.celebrations.com/content/halloween-pumpkin-crafts-decorations?g=0

Doesn't this seem to be one of the cleverest things you have seen in awhile? I love the originality of it-I have never had one, nor have I seen it, but I might have to have a halloween get together just to try this! 


Some years, I think I hit the nail on the head and our mantle looks country, fun, and festive to whatever that season might be--however, then there are times, I just don't make the time. The reality is, I am not going to make this harvest wreath, but I love the berries and pumpkin/gourd mix below.
Just leave it to Martha Stewart to have these next two rustic, pretty, and simple pictures that make me want to craft and celebrate fall.