today is our 13th wedding anniversary. its been a wild ride and one i can happily say has only just begun.  we had a lovely afternoon browsing my favorite antique mall and came home with some vintage ornaments and other goodies. i have as much fun watching what captures david's attention as i do finding little treasures.

now i'm off to cook his favorite meal, chicken and dumplings.  happy monday. 

our advent calendar includes candy and a simple gift for our spirit.

Balance is the hardest part of the holidays for me.  I have this struggle every year about how to handle Christmas with the girls.  I want them to have magical memories of the holidays as a child as well as a deep connection to Christmas that goes well beyond the decorations, gifts and dreams of Santa.  I want them to understand not only the power of Christ but the great gifts of family, love, forgiveness, peace, joy, and the wonders of nature.

black friday here so i am offering 10% off in my etsy shop

enter "holidaylove" at checkout

happy shopping!!!

today was the perfect holiday. casual, good food, lots of wine, tender moments, laughter and a trip to the park.

today i am thankful for

family and friends,

my girls,

my husband,

complete nourishment,

warmth and shelter,

this country and her opportunities,

those who fight for my freedom,

nature and the way it touches my soul,

and the possibility that things will only get better.

i hope you have a beautiful day full of perfect pies, countless conversations and magical moments.

happy thanksgiving.

I'm not really feeling the holiday spirit this year but I am going through the motions with the best of intentions and hoping the excitement will strike at any moment. I am hopeful that the expected drop in temperature just in time for Thanksgiving, including a possible frost, will help fuel my holiday enthusiasm. But in the meantime I have been savoring the last of the growing season and the warm weather.

today i am thankful for

the slight change in the seasons,

familiar signs of fall,

ideal temperatures,

new creatures discovered,

the remaining blooms,

glorious colors,

and the opportunity to experience it all.

Welcome to my online space where I hope to share ideas, inspiration and narrate the happenings around me from my small space in this immense world.