A look Back...December 2010

It's been said a few times that a picture is worth a thousand words. But words, oh words! Words light my days, drive me and move me. I adore books; picture books, coffee table books, novels, children's books, old books, new books. Christmas stories we read in our home this past December shaped our traditions. Christmas songs played from old sheet music and new compendiums made our home festive and holy. Cookbooks and recipes followed filled our new home with fragrant memories.

My December was merry and bright for many reasons. Just a few follow:
~Snow...snowfalls, white snow blankets, sparkling snow, piled high snow...it made the backdrop for our December decidely very Christmas card.
~Birthdays...my middle guys birthday started the month and I happily followed on the 11th. My friend Kara threw a 30th birthday ball, she had a gorgeous cake, gave me a crown and I got to dance with my husband of 14 years. I love birthdays and birthday parties, presents, cake, "happy birthday to you"...it was all so, so good.
~Christmas Decorations...everywhere! My own were sparse this year since we just moved in, but I treasured the few I put out (and added to all month). The booths at the Two Women Country Christmas in early December really started to get me in the Christmas spirit. I loved the amazing decor at Chaps/Cake, the way my friends and family decorated their homes, the decorations I saw on blogs and Facebook, products and displays in stores...like I said, everywhere.
~Christmas Eve afternoon...this was the first time I really had people over and entertained. My whole immediate family was able to come and celebrate in my new home and we discovered how perfect of a home it is for gatherings. I loved it. And I was so inspired...I sent my husband and oldest boy out to our yard to gather fresh evergreens and holly for the centerpieces. I filled my vintage tin jello molds with cute cupcake liners from my friend Mermaid Shelley, and filled those with toppings for our ice cream. I took a cue from The Farm Chicks Serena and made my own version of her amazing Woodsy Cake by covering (gluten free) waffle cones with frosting, glittering up my cake and adding candy to make it a candy land cake...yummy and super cute! I loved my red and white striped theme (thanks to Martha Stewart 2009 after Christmas from Michaels!) and built from there...it was candy cane heaven.
~Family time...this is what really fueled my month. I thrive on time spent with my loved ones and I received the gift of quality time with all of them, friends and family alike. What a joy.

I was just going to let my pictures do the talking for this blog, but those words, they just bubble over every time. Thanks for letting me share my life with you, and thank you for sharing yours with me!