OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE IN A SLED PULLED BY DADDY
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I’ve been talking about how it feels good to be home and back into our routine, but I also have this nagging feeling of being a little lost and blue. It’s just the season – I think I have this feeling every year. I was in the holiday mode for so long with big things to look forward to and now there is just a big swath of cold gray weather before me. I hate to wish away the winter and start pining away for spring so soon. After all I really do love winter. I kinda want to start a sewing project or get back into knitting but I’ve been procrastinating a couple other important projects.
I think I should revisit a post by Jora at Domestic Reflections. She made a great list of small things that make everyday special and pleasurable. Here are my favorites from her list with some comments and additions from me.• Making my bed everyday. I don’t care what you say….getting into a made bed just feels better.
• Having some sort of home baked treat ready for an afternoon snack. Sooo much tastier (and usually healthier) than a store bought one. And in the family I grew up, food is love. And something sweet and hot out of the oven is as much love as one will ever need.
• Opening as many doors and windows as possible. The fresh air does wonders for my mood. (Jora lives in southern California so she is able to do this year round)
• Using cloth napkins…when you’re done, just toss them in with one of your loads of laundry. It’s really no work at all, but it makes a meal fell more, well, civilized.
• Fresh flowers — this goes without saying. I like to put them in unexpected places, like the bathrooms. Whenever my mother-in-law comes to visit, she always finds flowers and other things in the yard to put in vases. I want to do more of this rather than always buying them at the market. (I look forward to having a garden again in the future. I was able to pick so many flowers from our small garden back in Midland. Someday, someday)
• Not saving the special wine (and bath products and food and the like) for “special” occasions. Today is special. Open that bottle that means something to you and enjoy it rather than letting it decorate your shelf.
• Putting the toys away. Everyday. All. Of. Them.
• Candles….they don’t have to be fancy, just plain white tea lights and the plain white ones you can get in the Latino section of your supermarket. (I like having tapers lit for diner. It creates a relaxing mood and in the candle light I can’t see the messy kitchen so much)
• My addition – Looking outside first thing in the morning makes me happy.
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I just finished packing away my Christmas decorations and I’ve been slowly putting away all the lovely gifts I received. It feels good to get back to our routine. Bea is taking a long nap in my bed – not sure how that happened? And I’ve been taking photos of my favorite gift – a set of figgjo salt and pepper shakers from Brian. Thanks honey!
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Oh yes we did have a very, very enjoyable Christmas. Unlike last year, Bea had an idea that Christmas means something exciting and out of the ordinary. I had so much fun watching her with her cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents. Here are some of my favorite photos.
Daddy bought this gal for Bea – He picked it out all by himself. I just noticed that someone else also got a dolly like this. We’ve named her Svetlana.
Bea got a great book from Aunt Sandy. It’s about a little piglet who can’t find her mama and she goes around calling out “mama”. So of course Bea has taken to calling out “mama” in the same voice that I use when I read the book.
Here’s Bea checking out mom’s terrific collection of ornaments.
Jennifer and I sure have fun dressing up our little girls. Here’s Jenna getting her hair curled for the first time.
Time to open presents.
Wooo hooooo – I’m high on cookies and new toys.
Brian calls this the ugly consumerism photo – but I like it.
Now she’s really getting good at this gift opening thing.
In this photo I’m wondering how we’ll fit all our loot in our MINI?
If you think this shot of Phillip and Bea is cute you should see the bathtub shots.
Thanks family for making our Christmas so memorable.
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Yes we did!
Here’s Bea having her fun on Christmas eve and Christmas morning:
Here’s me having my fun at the beach in Puerto Rico:
Laowai 