Take time....

This time of year it's easy to slip into the madness and rush of the holiday season, and super easy to loose sight of what's important. 

I'm completely guilty of it.

I wake up at 4:00 am in a panic and go to my phone to plug in an alert on my calender, or jot down a note. I'll pass on a party invite because I'm too overwhelmed to go etc. etc.

 you know the deal.

 But every once in awhile I'm able to reel myself back in and focus on what matters. And that's family and friends.

All the other stuff can wait.

So this past weekend I spent time with my daughter and a friend. We pet alpaca, goats, and a sheep at downtown home and garden. bought a Christmas ornament, and some Christmas crackers---(those fun explosive little paper things that reveal a tiny treasure or treat.)

My friend Andy got a pair of toenail clippers in his, no joke. Most hilarious thing.

 I love that that place carries on old world traditions like selling oranges for stocking stuffers.

 Remember when life was so simple like that?

My mom used to get one in her stocking when she was a kid growing up in Texas. As a child I remembered thinking 'really? An orange?'  But now I see the value and charm in something so simple.

After our trip down the street We came home and decorated my tiny apt. For Christmas and ate tacos, Andy and Fiona played video games.

It was a really great night just doing nothing but being with people.

 I work every day all day long...and most days into the night. so these times are truly a treat.

 I'm back to work today finishing up a special project. And working on more things. I also have some exciting news to reveal in the future.

 But for now I'm just savoring the season as best as I can and keeping myself busy, but not too busy I can't take a second.

I highly recommend it. It's good for your soul, and the souls around you :)

Xoxoxo

The work was done, orders packed and shipped, quiches and casseroles baked,   cocktails flowing, presents opened and the snow fell.  in a blink of an eye it was over......Christmas 2012 all wrapped up.

                         what a nice holiday season. 

Even in the blur of it all,  I was still able to enjoy and savor the season.  I hope you did too.     It was a lovely Christmas eve downtown with my family, watching the snow fall,  and opening tiny presents in my little apartment.

                                Just My mom,  Ian, Jackson, Fiona, the dogs and myself........

  Who says teens are too old for stuffed toys..   :)   I'm so happy he liked it....sweet boy of 

mine

 

it was nice and quiet down here....

                                                   with my little fake tree....

                                            and treasured ornaments,  both vintage and new.....

    just the dogs and me after everyone left.....I cooked into the wee hours for the Christmas day feast at Ian's house the following day.....my jeans were tight just looking at the food.  good grief.

 

I came home afterwards and took a long and much needed nap.  I woke up and decided to go to the movies by myself since Ian was taking the kids to his folks house.  I have never done that before,  so it was kind of exciting,  especially to go alone on Christmas day.   I saw the Silver lining playbook movie.  oh my word.   excellent!

It was definitely full of things to think about.

I came home had a glass of wine,  turned up some vintage Frank Sinatra, with dogs curled up by my side,  what a perfect ending to the Christmas day.

  So on that note,  I am off to drink my tea and think cozy thoughts about the coming year.

I have lots of ideas and can't wait to get them out......but for now I need more rejuvenating sleep.  I sure can use it.   I bet you can too. 

peace to all of you,  I hope you had a wonderful day,

goodnight.

XOXOXO