hallelujah

Consider this amazing video my Christmas card to each of you

Funny how God drops unexpected and delightful gifts right in your lap when you're not even looking


{Come to think of it, God does seem to delight in the unexpected, doesn't He?}

This was made by a 5th grade teacher and his students in the remote Alaskan fishing village we call home every summer...

To see our friends' faces is a beautiful gift indeed!

Merry Christmas

XOXO

Cathy

creative {bOy} fun

attaching harness while little brother waits patiently...

taking off...

little bro can do it, too

no need for hot cocoa to warm me...watching this play is the best heart warmer around

*we live in an vintage neighborhood {kinda like Mayberry, actually} with very few driveways...our little detached garages line our alleyways. today is trash day and i love seeing the trash truck in these photos

let it snow

today is my stay-home day

cleaning and putzing...watching gentle snow fall outside

i hate to admit, but i've picked up a few goodies for me

as i shop for others

i mean after buying my uncle cashmere handwarmers....

this little beauty bag called my name from across the store

and this mirror reflects such beauty

and those Pottery Barn ornaments up there? oh, honey! look at that worn red one!

it seems someone has stocked the shelves with perfect "Cathy Gifts"...

at amazing little prices

but i am out of my mad money...and {thankfully} done with my Christmas shopping

do tell me

do you shop for YOU, too?

a great day

In December, Christmas awaits,

but birthdays come first

and you absolutely can't forget the bunch 

of presents that you'll get

and oh boy, most importantly

Jesus was born like me!

too bad December has to end*.

December 13, 1995...a beautiful gift indeed

boy, do i love this kid

*written December 16, 2004, age 8

simplifying

$3 wooden barn crate...perfect for organizing presents!

free stool and minno canteen...perfect stage for a little greenery and frosted house

estate sale finds...displayed just as they are {what charm those boxes have!}


pretty simple decorating around here this year


how about you?

gift from a stranger

alaska 2010

"The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered, we know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful."  -elizabeth edwards

evening soiree

tonight we host my in-laws and their friends

they swing by for a little dinner party before taking in an annual Christmas concert at the university

this year's theme is "remember"

i've tucked fresh rosemary in antique mustache cups

antique clocks and watch faces nestle in amidst candles

this group has lost some people over the years...but we will remember them

after all, rosemary is for remembrance

and we will remember a baby's birth, too

because with our remembering, the baby brings us 

HOPE, PEACE...JOY

there's rosemary for remembrance; pray, love, remember...

-william shakespeare