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.

and this season...

give of yourself. there are so many people less fortunate...

jingle all the way ....

i love the gap commercials... in case you need dance lessons - you know who you are... xo

december...

you already taste so sweet.... we arrived home from north carolina to a blanket of beautiful snow. snow makes all the cold worthwhile. it looks really beautiful covering all the trees. makes you want to stay nice and cozy in your house. but truly there is no time for that. there is much to much to do. make time for what you love. the weekend was filled with lots of love and lots of shopping, chatting, hugging, laughing, crying, and sharing of eachother. that's what life is all about.

heading south...

off to my bff's for the weekend. lots of much needed girl time... sure to find lots of christmas inspiration... love this idea...

have a great weekend ! xoxo

less is more...

that is the theme for this christmas season. so each day of december there should be a christmas related event. a simple idea. a simple touch to make the ordinary - extraordinary. little + happy = the best of today. sort of like an advent calendar. each day do something fun. my ideas to start are- make a yummy holiday drink - enjoy it by the fireplace. decorate the house. watch a christmas movie. (on tonight)


















bake christmas cookies. write a note to a friend. go to the local tree farm to get your tree - even better, cut one down. make homemade cocoa. drink egg nog in wine glasses. light pine scented candles. spread joy. xo

december...

embrace it joyfully
i had made a deal with myself that there would be no christmas music before thanksgiving. basically enjoy one season at a time. so now it's officially the christmas season, - yes, december 1st has arrived so turn up the tunes. ( i can hardly believe it) the weather has been so cooperative (really you should be here) it hardly feels like december. today is the day i crack open the christmas catalogs - ok, you are right i did peek - but i did try to hold off. my motto for the season is going to be... slow down and know when to quit. some of us have trouble setting limits (me) you don't have to do anything. seriously. if you are stressed out at the thought of making dinner or making cookies or ornaments, cards etc... order the stuff. i give you permission ( i am talking to myself here) i have purchased things recently from trader joes and sams club and you know what? the world didn't collapse. no one even blinked. and i got more sleep. and if you don't want to face the mall - order everything on line. there is free shipping everywhere these days. do things that work for you and that make you happy.
(even forgoing celebrations all together if it gets to hectic) whatever you do remember to try and enjoy the moment. cuddle up with a cozy blanket and a cup of cocoa and start checking your lists. remember this month should be magical. today on the first day of december i leave you this awesome little cookie gift your favorite cookies love and kisses and happy holidays. xo