Merry and Bright!

Thank goodness mom & dad's house is only 5 blocks away...we were able to brave the 13" of snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas day to spend time with family.

The Reason

I think out of all the lovely ornaments on our tree,

my favorite is still this one:

It's from the Holy Land and there's just something about it that is so sweet and rough and simple and perfect. In my head, I can totally imagine the way it was that night so long ago...

Merry Christmas to all our dear friends and family. Thank you all for playing an important part in our lives. Blessings to all your families during this sweet time together.

The Littlest Angel

(circa 1981)

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Table for Two.

I finally got my new Christmas dishes in this week (thanks mom and dad!) and couldn't resist setting the table so we could enjoy them throughout the holidays.

I also received my birthday flowers (thanks Wiser!) (a little early) because I requested holiday greens from Birdie, this sweet new shop on Campus Corner. If you haven't been there yet, get thee to Birdie asap; Katie carries a wide variety of lots of local and green goodies, including plants and flowers from her family's nursery. We picked out a yummy Christmas candle when we were there and I can't wait for the current candle to run out so I can fire it up. Anyway...I'm sorry this post can't be scratch-and-sniff because the greens smell so scrumptious. I'm not missing a real tree at all this year!

(click images for full view)

Sometimes Deluxe is a good thing...

(click to enlarge poster for details)

...like when it's the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar! This is quickly becoming one of our favorite events. Lots of local & young crafters and artists with oodles of lovely homemade Christmas (and birthday - ahem) present ideas. Some of our favorites from the last time were sock monkeys with mohawks, a photographer from Hobart OK (I have one of her books on my coffee table but am looking to add to the collection - nudge nudge, Wiser), darling feather headbands and magnets from old picture books.

This time, the Sugar Free Allstars will be playing a kids set at the end of the day and I will be manning a spin-art activity. If you have any free time this Saturday, you must come check out this event - it's great! (And it's free!)