A Silent Night

 On this Christmas Eve I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas songs with you, by one of my favorite all time artists, Amy Grant.  May you experience a peace filled season.

 "I've made this same mistake before, too many malls too many stores

 December traffic Christmas rush, it breaks me 'til I push and shove.

 Children are crying while mothers are trying

 To photograph Santa and sleigh.

 The shopping and buying and standing forever in line...what can I say?

 I need a silent night, a Holy night to hear an angel voice

Through the chaos and the noise, I need a midnight clear

A little peace right here to end this crazy day with a silent night.

 December comes then disappears faster and faster every year

 Did my own mother keep this pace

 Or was the world a different place?

 Where people stayed home wishing for snow

 Watching three channels on their TV

 Look at us now rushing around trying to buy Christmas peace.

 What was it like back there in Bethlehem

With peace on earth good will toward men?

 I need a silent night, a Holy night, to hear an angel voice

 Through the chaos and the noise, I need a midnight clear

 A little peace right here to end this crazy day with a silent night."*

"For to us a Child is Born, to us a Son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders, and He will be called be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas

~Hollie Joy

Luke 2

*Written by Amy Grant and Chris Eaton

c. 2008 Grant Girls Music, LLC

Merry Making

I've been weighing what is important this year, this season, this month.  Deciding what is really worth my time and attention, especially after losing a week to the stomach flu.

Now that it is almost the Night Before Christmas....

And our home is decorated,

The stockings are hung (but not filled yet)...

And old traditions are mixed with new.

I've been baking treats for Christmas Eve and Day...

Holding my "deer" ones close...

and filling our home with wonder, working on seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child.

And on Christmas Eve you will find me gathered with my family and others celebrating the birth of the Child who's eyes I most need to see with.

In the meantime, this December I was priveleged to spend time with junking friends at the Two Women Vintage Christmas Show in Spokane.

My mom and I had so much fun decorating our booth,

finding decorating inspiration...

displaying our finds...

getting our Christmas creativity going.

We've found this show to be a wonderful gateway to December,

a way to finish up our gift list, meet new friends and hug treasured ones.

We were so grateful for that first weekend of December that lit up our month.

On my birthday weekend, my sweet mom took me to Sweet Frostings in downtown Spokane.

It was a sweet visit indeed, to see Judy the owner and creator and her son...

to enjoy the festive and bright holiday decor and shop the fun product selection...

to see the clever and creative decor crafted by Gladys and Celia Hanning of Junebug Furniture and Design Co.,

and of course, to eat my favorite Salted Carmel cupcake and pick up some handmade marshmallows too!!

Mom, along with my sisters and dad, also took me to Pink, in downtown Spokane,

the must-go-to store for all things vintage, decor and just plain fun and inspiring.

See what I mean?

I know, right!

I. want. this.

Winter white and red love.

Even the counters gave me ideas.

Love the frosted snow on the globe.

Oh, Frosty, thank you for pointing out all of those delicious ornaments!

If I close my eyes, will Deja Nu's interiors be in my house magically??

A crowning achievement.

Sweet!

All is calm,

All is bright.

 And then, I know it is close to Christmas when my sister Heidi throws her annual Christmas gathering...

 A small intimate and gorgeously decorated gathering of her friends and family.

 This year her tree was decked in natural twigs,

 and hand made vintage music garlands...

 vintage beads, and topped with a crown made at The Royal Lady Workshop by Elaine Tolson this summer.

 Vintage silver in a silve tray found in my stash

helped served the amazing vegan chocolate cake, another tradition. 

 yummy drinks,

 sweet decor,

 and gifts under the tree,

 in inspired wrap.

 She has a way of making you feel you've been somewhere very special...

 if only for a short time...

 basking in the light of her love, His love,

 and the love of those gathered.

 So may you be surrounded by the reason for this time of year,

and be blessed by love both human and divine this season.

With love from me and mine~

Hollie=)

Merry, merry Christmas!!