Saturday, January 28, 2012

a light winter's day

Winter finally made her presence known over the weekend when she caught us in a good sized ice storm. The children were able to enjoy a full afternoon of skating on the ice, all bundled up in their cold weather gear. I finished knitting a pair of wool mittens for Evelyn just in time for her to wear them into the cold. She took off with them before I could even capture a photo. Here are a couple post-worn-in photos:



Monday turned out to be a nice relief from the harsh cold with a surprise day of sunshine! As it turned out, the ice did not last long. The muck from the ice storm over the weekend melted before morning was over. All three of our cats curled up in the windows and enjoyed the bright winter sunshine that has been almost rare these last few weeks. Nova claimed the sunny spot on the window seat in the dining room garden, a perfect place to keep guard over the yard as well as indoors.


Tea, hot chocolate, and freshly baked cookies were absolute musts for the girls, even though the sun was shining. Esme proudly made her very own cup of tea in the Japanese butterfly mug she picked up for a whopping 15 cents at the thrift shop.



Snow-covered, sunny winter days spent curled up with a blanket and a good book next to the fire -- there really is not much better than that. Hopefully we will find ourselves snow-covered again soon.

Monday, January 23, 2012

the wedding

My brother tied the knot last month. Congratulations to Austen and Jennifer! The wedding itself was a lovely traditional ceremony in Columbus, Ohio, and the reception was in a nearby Italian restaurant's ballroom--and a total blast! Mother Nature attributed cold, blustery weather for the affair, but the food and guests added a cozy feeling to the whole thing.

Both of my girls were flower girls in the ceremony. It was such an honor for them. Clad in lovely green dresses with hand-knit wraps to match, they looked gorgeous. We do not yet have pictures of the ceremony, but the following are a collection of various candid shots of family and friends having a great time at the party!


The girls, from right to left -- top row: my mother, me, my cousin; bottom row: my mother's sisters.


My cousin and me.


My new sister-in-law and me! -- Self-portraits are my favorite!


Me and the groom -- my bitty baby brother, all grown up!


Little Esme, the younger daughter.


Evelyn, the elder daughter, in motion.


The party!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

retreat

It seems with every season change, I am ever more aware of the ticking of the clock, the passing of another year. With each holiday, I get caught up in the joy and celebration and love of our family and friends. But once the holiday is gone, I need time to stop and reflect, to remember, to share. I want to linger in the memories and embrace the traditions we cherish. 

What sweet memories do I carry away from this holiday season?

  * Exchanging cookies with family and friends

  * Classic carols sung and favorite books  read over and over

  * Cold, quiet nights spent sitting around the fire while sipping cups of tasty hot things

  * The handmades -- dyed yarn, ornaments, hats and scarves and gloves, clothes and bags

  * Snow in time for our celebration with my in-laws -- a white Christmas

The holidays are over. Tomorrow, we all go back to the normal grind. I will miss the coziness of the house decorated for the Yuletide season. And, again, 2012, I welcome you and the wonder of the new beginning you promise us.








 
 


Sunday, January 1, 2012

welcome 2012

Happy New Year and welcome to 2012!


We had a lovely end to 2011, but it went altogether much too fast. The holiday season came and went so quickly, as it always seems too.

Our family spent New Year's Eve playing Scrabble and listening to holiday music by the Christmas tree. As for calling in the new year, the children crashed out early on the couch, but at midnight, my husband and I shared a clink and a kiss. Neighbors rang bells, clanked pots and pans with spoons, and shot off a few fire crackers. It was a sweet and romantic start to 2012.

I am hoping 2012 will generously give all of us much joy and happiness! Happy New Year to you and yours!