magic...

remember the magic. my sister and i are only 15 mos apart. we are so lucky to still be such good friends...






out my window this morning... snow makes everything magic...




around the house...

its's so much more than just

cookies...it's going back to memories of my childhood. i can remember sitting closely by my mom as she would decide on which christmas cookies were going to be made. once the planning had taken place, i remember seeing the ingredients piled up in the pantry and cookie tins waiting to be filled. afternoons coming home from school seeing all the cookies cooling on the racks or as I went to bed, listening to the timer go off as mom was finishing the last batch. i grew up tasting and knowing that there was a whole lot of love in every single cookie. she would plate these up so beautifully and deliver them to neighbors and friends. all the recipients loved receiving these yummy treats...

i learned that even though you can always have your favorites like chocolate crinkles, (i have never been able to duplicate these quite like moms) it's really fun to try out at least a couple new recipes. i also learned to always add a little variety to your cookie list because it just wouldn't be right if you ended up with everything being chocolate. (secretly most people wouldn't mind that tho)


many years ago i started having a cookie swap with my sisters, neighbors, and friends and it has turned into a annual event. it has evolved over the years into so much more than trading cookies. we share an evening filled with love, and laughter. i never realized when it started what it would really turn into. i hope this season you are making memories and traditions that will go on and bring you joy for many years to come. i think of christmases past and what will be in store this year. more memories are being made. on my cookie night i am always reminded of how things change, each year it's a little different, friends move on and away, but the love always remains in my heart, the memories stay with you and always will.


i suppose this is just one another area when i am just down right sentimental. i remember the familiar smells and knowing exactly how a cookie is going to taste even though it's been a year since I may have had it last.

love...

merry christmas...

Experience Mobile Mobile from James Théophane Jnr on Vimeo.

to drink fireside...

Ingredients:
4 cups cider
1/2 an orange, sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar, to taste
rum optional
combine ingredients in medium saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. bring to a boil then reduce heat a little and let simmer for about 20-30 minutes more, stirring occasionally. add rum to taste... xo strain before serving.

making a list and checking it twice...

holiday spirits can work magic, can’t they? i am very grateful for the cheer all around me. it seems as though my heart is quite filled up, it's overflowing. love who i see and talk to (near and far)everyday. christmas reminds me of everyone i care for, and to make good wishes for all. as i strolled through the mall last night, the thoughts of my friends and family on my shopping list kept a smile on my face. there’s still a lot to do, but I am enjoying this christmas!i hope you are too.

merry and bright...

santa's workshop is totally underway




















and there is always a celebrations or two - it just shouldn't last until 2 am... well at least
not on a week night. xo

in the lane snow is glistening...

my neighborhood is pretty close knit. once a month some of the women get together for what we call movie night. our friend kay (who was born and raised in london) is the host. she is a fabulous host at that. each months movie has a drink associated with the season and or movie itself - always makes things more fun. it has proven to be so much fun and has earned me the opportunity to watch movies i may not have seen. at the end of the evening we usually vote for what movie will be aired on the following month. last night our movie group got together for a movie /christmas evening. in the spirit of the season we even did a yankee swap. the movie being shown was it’s a wonderful life. a holiday classic for sure. one in the group had never seen it (she grew up in india) it was a treat. as we were watching the movie i remembered reading on martas blog about a grand ritual in her home, referred to as the george bailey award. they would buy a few copies of it's a wonderful life, wrap them in christmas paper, cast their vote for influential people who had made a difference in their lives that year. then during december, on blustery snowy nights, they’d hop in their van and drop by the home of the lucky (and most surprised) recipients. they would carol at their door before awarding them a video of their own with an explanation of the tradition. she says she has never forgotten the people who won the awards over the years and their random acts of (consistent) kindness that often went unrewarded throughout the other months. the best part about this ritual she says was sitting around the table each year, thinking of the george's in her life; i bet you could easily make a list of george's that have touched your life this year. i think this would be a fantastic christmas tradition and remind us what christmas is all about. love and kisses to you.