new year’s eve 2009, the party

our christmas and the last weeks of 2009 were wonderful. quiet, peaceful, and everyone relaxed and in good spirits.  i was grateful for it and could not have asked for a better way to greet 2010.

the moon was magnificent on new year’s eve.  it glowed so brightly- it was amazing. thinking it was an illuminated cloud, i kept waiting for it to float on by. but the glow never did go away. i enjoyed the messages and calls from friends and family around the world describing their enchantment by it too. someone said it was a blue moon. to be reminded that even  far apart, we shared the moon and its glory gave me great pleasure. that under the same big sky, we share the moon, sun, and the stars.

we spent the first week of the new year nesting. clearing, reorganizing, and making space. even cooking and freezing meals. we are i am almost ready for the baby.  i think my boys have been ready. so much to look forward to this year. moving forward with optimism and happiness. it is going to be a great year.

cheers! happy 2010 to you!

nativity scene: 100% wool and handmade by annette, a mom in our kindergarten. i absolutely love it.

we trimmed our christmas tree this morning (a german custom to do it on christmas eve) as we drank our cappuccinos and christmas music filled the house, playing in rotation between the record and cd players.

we took a break in between for a late breakfast: kitcha fit fit (delicious habesha breakfast dish and a holiday favorite in our home) with a cup of  hot cinnamon tea. it was utterly divine!

we added yet another family tradition  to our christmas celebrations this year:  we set up the nativity scene for the first time. my dear husband told the story of the night jesus christ was born and placed the characters in their respective places as our son listened and watched in awe- it was so sweet!  

our snow is almost all gone and there is none in the forecast- a first!  but we have not let it dampen our spirits- we continue honor the season, add to our traditions, with hearts full of graditude for each other.

may the merriest, filled with much love and joy christmastime be yours!

….back in 2010!

first day of advent, ushered in with the magic of  first snowfall

on the night before the first day of advent (december 1st), as my husband and i sat by the fire, sipping hot cups of tea, and putting the finishing touches on the advent calendar for our son, the first snow of the season began to fall.

this was the first time we made an advent calendar for him. last year his oma and opa bought him one and he was too young to enjoy one the previous years.

sitting by the glowing fire, planning, making, and  hanging his calendar over the kitchen window where it is out of his reach but in the perfect place to be admired with the beautiful snow in the background, the magic of the first snowfall, and then seeing his sweet face light up the next morning as we explained how the calendar works, this enchanting beginning to  december,  set my soul just right.

looking forward to keeping joy alive. creating, savoring, more magic. continuing to honor this beautiful season.

a birthday breakfast,

a birthday walk…

kite flying,

and a  masterpiece presented to papa.

it was a perfect weekend.

golden trees, poloroid week 2009 submission

i never made it a secret that autumn was my least favorite time of the year.  i am having a change of heart though and it pleasantly surprises me to think that spring may have a challenging contender. i think, i have fallen in love.

i seem not to mind the cold and rainy weather.  outside the trees look glorious, there is a chilly breeze, and leaves are falling all around like it is raining gold. inside it is warm and cozy. i spend my mornings drinking tea by candlelight, reading, and planning:

holiday cooking and baking: soups, and breads

winter projects: painting, crafting, and christmas gift making

 for more joy:  preparing for our growing family

2007: an old, but a gold.

we have been running to answer the door all evening! i love that we get trick-or-treaters in this itsy, bitsy, tiny, weeny, german village that we live in!  it makes me so happy. it’s one of the few american things i haven’t had to give up (along with oreos, heinz ketchup, and a ford van)! so much fun! my big man has been asking them to sing for us, i make them pose for photos, then my little man gives them their treat.  too much fun! hope you are having fun too!

wish garden herbs: lavender, rosemary, oregano, sage, parsely, peppermint

excited. it is the eve of our departure. i am ready. i have even been staying up late all week to help adjust to cst. everything on the to do list, crossed off.  the weeding, pruning, and late summer harvesting, done. all the packing, done. friends’american products shopping lists collected, and good byes said.

where we love is home,
home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
~oliver w. holmes, sr., homesick in heaven

what makes a place special and wonderful is the people that surround you, and keep you with love. this is my firm belief. i have known this since before i ever left home myself.  for a long time it was the reason i stayed home. for many years. you can never, ever replace amazing, wonderful, genuine people that you have grown to know and love. 

i am thrilled to be homeward bound. 

picnic lunches and afternoon swims

picking berries and making jams

good friends and backyard grill parties

garden loving and summer reading

creating salads and hosting brunches

lakeside dates and  glorious sunsets

bike rides for ice-cream cones

quick getaways and camping adventures filled with as many possible nights spent under the stars

busy. that is the word  that best describes our lives this summer. filled with projects- both personal and professional. still, despite the busy  and the very strange weather conditions  bestowed upon us, we have and continue to take every opportunity to savor the season. hope you are too.

suprise fresh snow this week after weeks of this - just in time for the moon’s birthday- perfect for a walk that lifted our spirits -

just in time for a polar festival over at be.dream.&.play - in eb’s words: create whatever comes most naturally to you -  a photo, a journal page, a painting, a story, a poem… whatever you would like to share...get more details here

a big smile, a huge hug and a thank you to dear amy (check out her wednesday whispers this week)- she awarded me the you cheer me up award last week - she perhaps has no idea that she puts a smile on my face everytime i’m over at petticoatlane- so i am re-awarding it to her and to steph, constance, corey, melanie, somepinkflowers, and the original snow queen herself eb! thank you to all of you for being genuine-for being who you are- it cheers me up!!!!