Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Home after the Holidays


We are back from a few days away, where we spent a fun and festive time with long-time friends.  I love these days after  Christmas, where the flurry of crazy activity is over and there's the sense of relaxing and savoring all of the preparation that has come before. 

Even while we're tidying up from the Christmas clutter we left behind before we went away, we're preparing for a visit from beloved friends from across the country.  So there's a bit more shopping and cooking and cleaning ahead, but then (hopefully) a relaxed period for just enjoying dear friends.  The last time our friends visited it us, we had torrential rain for a solid week so we did almost nothing outside of the house. This year, I'm armed with a list of day trips but the freezer is stocked with soups and other meals just in case we're house-bound again!

So I will continue my blogging break, but in the meantime, I wish all of you a cozy and warm time as you say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Imagining Snow

A lovely gift, especially for those of us in sunny California who dearly miss the snow at this time of year...



Thank you, Chronicle Books!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Sugarplum Fairy delight

A little holiday music -- and time to reflect on how much extra glassware you have around the house...

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Comfort, Joy, and Hope

Celebrate Hope by dphock
Celebrate Hope, a photo by dphock on Flickr.

I've been very quiet here for longer than I realized. And I'm afraid to say that it'll be quiet a bit longer -- life is complicated right now, with a death in the family, lots of commitments, and the need to focus time and energy on home and family and enjoying the peace in each moment.

But even if I am not posting here for a bit, please know that I treasure your friendship and your blog visits! I am wishing each and every one of you the comfort and joy of friends and family during this holiday season.