Something Ivory in 2014

In January, I wrote about how The Future Is A Phantom....because I'm learning that it's best to live bravely in each moment instead of worrying about tomorrow.

In February, I argued for sharing your favorite recipes and kitchen tricks....because good food shouldn't be kept a secret.

In March, I discovered jogger pants....and my long legs rejoiced because these pants are supposed to graze your ankles.

In April, I announced our move to Charlottesville, Virginia with a little silliness and flair....because this was BIG news and worth getting silly over.

In May, we traveled across the country and back....because that's what freedom looks like to a man who has just gotten out of the Army, and his wife was happy to oblige.

In June, we became Virginians and you all celebrated with us....confirming for me that you are the sweetest and loveliest bunch of readers around.

In July, I made myself a little writing nook....because those who write need nooks, and even better when the nook comes with books.

In August, I wrote about becoming un-stuck....because clouds do lift, friends.

In September, I bought a very beautiful little notebook and pencil for my studio, because businesses require paper and pencils....and because these ones match the piano.

In October, I wrote about a homemade pizza I was proud of....because homemade pizza has never been my strong suit but I'm finally figuring it out.

In November, I experienced an oddly wonderful week at a time when I least expected it and most needed it....and undeserved blessings such as these are worth writing about.

In December, I wrote about a gentle, subtle, sort of Love....because I'm trying so hard these days to notice nudges and coaxes and quietly answered prayers.

It's January again, and I'm still working on laughing at the future and still figuring out my teaching business and still looking for those pink jogger pants....but I have a feeling that something will be different about 2015. I'm thankful for this past year and so very hopeful for the next one.

Happy New Year!

Friday Musings

I find myself really looking forward to weekends these days. There's something so special about December weekends--cozy, twinkly, not overly planned, full of cider and tea. This weekend I hope to finish up my Christmas shopping and gift wrapping and convince my husband to watch Love Actually with me (a Christmas tradition, and actually, he loves it too). ;)

Now for some Friday Musings...

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I enjoyed this insider scoop on Kate Middleton that was published in Vanity Fair this week. How I wish I'd gotten to see her in New York!

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I was invited by my neighbor to the most fun event this week--a sing-along to Handel's Messiah. This was the 47th year it has been held at UVA and while I'm not a singer, I had such a wonderful, giggly, time with my neighbor and her friend. There's something so exciting and festive about a bunch of people, musicians and non-musicians, singers and non-singers, getting together to make music and belt out those jubilant choruses.

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You can probably tell from some of my past posts, but I'm convinced I'm the luckiest piano teacher in Charlottesville. My students are the most kind, interesting, curious, funny, sweet, and dedicated group of people and how did I ever get them to sign up for lessons with me each week? I'm not sure, but I feel so blessed to get to work with each and every one of them. (And they all practice!!!)

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This lipstick has become my go-to perfect holiday red.

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A few weeks ago I found myself craving Jane Austen. But I've read all of her six novels and I'm not a big re-reader, so I headed to Barnes and Noble and found this collection of her unfinished works and I just started reading it yesterday. I couldn't agree more with the scholar who writes this in the introduction: "There are some great writers who wrote too much. There are others who wrote enough. There are yet others who wrote nothing like enough to satisfy their admirers, and Jane Austen is certainly one of these. There would be more genuine rejoicing at the discovering of a complete new novel by Jane Austen than any other literary discovery, short of a new major play by Shakespeare, that one can imagine."

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Happy December weekend, friends. May yours be cozy and bright!

Homemade Christmas

Unsurprisingly, I like to decorate for Christmas the same way I like to decorate the rest of the time--simply, putting hand-me-downs to good use, re-purposing in creative ways, making instead of buying when I can.

For me, this is the most wholesome and refreshing and in-the-spirit way to approach Christmas. I've been very conscious this year, perhaps more so than in other years, of keeping my focus on Jesus, of nurturing peace in my heart and in my home, and making this most special holiday simple, lovely, and joyful.

As I look around our home the words "Homemade Christmas" jump into my mind. My brothers and I were raised on gluing together our own ornaments, baking and frosting warm sugar cookies, stockings that were sewn by Grandma. And I suppose I've now adapted that homemade spirit for adulthood.

Instead of purchasing an expensive garland for our mantel, we asked for the discarded evergreen trimmings we saw in a pile at a local Christmas tree farm. From those I had more than enough to fill our mantel and transform my fall wreath into a wintery one. I found some holly (holly look-alike maybe?) in our yard and stuck a few sprigs on the wreath, and I dotted the mantel greenery with some of the leftovers from this unexpected fall bouquet. I foraged for the red berries during a walk to the park.







Our advent wreath is a little on the makeshift side but I love its simplicity. These greens also came from this bouquet. We arranged them in a rustic circle and set out four white votives and a larger Christ candle in the middle.

Everything is so simple and wintery and the only thing we've purchased (other than gifts) is our mini live tree. I felt so content and peaceful as I unwrapped things we already had and found a place for them in our new home, as I snipped berries from the tree outside our window, as I positioned baby Jesus and Mary in the place of honor on the mantel.

So while it's certainly nice to have the traditional pink or purple Advent candles, I don't think Jesus minds that we've chosen to honor him with plain white votives instead. After all, Christmas isn't about acquiring things and it isn't about perfection. It's about love and joy and celebration and family and it's about a heart-bursting kind of hope.

In that spirit, a Homemade Christmas sounds just right to me.

Red, White, and Blue

I baked these muffins this morning for a family reunion we're heading to without even realizing how perfectly colored they are for the 4th of July, with those blue-and-white liners and that gorgeous red Virginia raspberry on top. 

And they're delicious. (I snuck one for breakfast, just to make sure they tasted ok, you know.)

Have a wonderful 4th of July, friends! Happy Birthday, America!

An Extra Sweet Day

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

We don't really make much of a fuss on Valentine's Day--this year we're staying in with a great homemade meal and a romantic movie-- but I do see this day as a chance to dote on my favorite guy and make him feel really special and cared for. We try hard to love each other well every day of the year but it's fun to be a little mushy and silly and extra sweet to each other on Valentine's Day, don't you think?

Homemade coffee cake for breakfast

To love and be loved is one of life's greatest privileges, and not just in the romantic sense. Don't forget to send your mom and dad and siblings some X's and O's today, too! Have a beautiful weekend.

DIY Valentine's Day Gift

I had to make my husband promise he wouldn't read my blog today because I'm sharing his Valentine's Day gift! This is a very simple DIY I put together yesterday and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I thought it was worth sharing in case you also have a Game of Thrones-obsessed husband/boyfriend and need some last-minute inspiration! This could also work for a birthday or a just-because gift. If he loves the books/show as much as my husband does, it should be a hit no matter what.

(In case you haven't seen Game of Thrones, you can Google these words and get the back story on them.)

Here's how I did it. I typed up the words and found a font I really liked, sized it and printed it in light grey type on white cardstock. Using my gold leaf pen I carefully traced over the words. Then I framed the cardstock and that was it!

I think this would look pretty cute in a bathroom or resting on a nightstand. We'll have to see where my husband wants to put it. I think it's a fun pop culture reference while also acting as a little love note to my husband. Those Dothrakis are pretty poetic, I must say. (And that's the last time you'll see a word like "Dothraki" on my blog! The things we do for the men in our lives!)

Traveling And Coming Home

Phew! It's been a while since I sat down to write and I've really missed this blog and all of my sweet readers!

We've been quite the travelers this fall and winter. We had a delightful visit to Boston and Newport in September, two awesome Charlottesville, Virginia trips in November and December, one wonderful weekend with my parents in D.C., and we're just back from the second of two exhilarating back-to-back Florida vacations with each of our families. My little black suitcase is significantly more battered now than it was back in the summer and I've become an expert at the pre-vacation to-do list. Deep-clean the house, make sure the rent and bills are paid, finish off the fruits and vegetables and any leftovers in the fridge. Despite my thoroughness, though, we still had to come back once or twice after pulling out of the driveway to check the stove or make sure I unplugged the hair dryer (thanks Mom, for passing on your worry gene!).

We have a few more trips on the horizon that are tentatively planned but I must say that I'm looking forward to a low-key January. When we got home last night I took a hot bath with lavender salts, read a good book in my own bed, and had the most restful night of sleep. A heavenly welcome for this girl who loves her routines and the calming comforts of home.

Of course I'm missing family like crazy. My Mom and Dad and brothers, my grandparents on my Dad's side who I haven't seen in far too long. My in-laws and my amazing sisters-in-law (one of the major perks of marrying my husband was that I gained not one, not two, but three sisters in the process). But I think that a few months of no traveling will really do me good. I'd like to spend a lot of time writing and practicing and eventually, hopefully, I can begin to plan our impending move.

Traveling and coming home. You can't have one without the other. I'm so thankful for these amazing vacations we've had, and mostly for the time spent with our favorite people in the whole world. I'm also so thankful for the sweet and simple familiarity of this little house I share with my husband. Traveling and coming home. They're perfect partners, don't you think?

The Dawning Of 365 New Days

     Photo by Noah Zinsmeister / Noah Zinsmeister Photography

2014, I'm ready for you!

The start of a fresh year and the tradition of setting goals and resolutions have never really meant too much to me. I'm a pretty self-reflective and contemplative person (to a major fault) which means that I'm constantly working on something or other in my personal character. It could be that I'm trying to overcome a nagging fear or worry, or working on getting rid of one of my more unpleasant tendencies. It's true that I can be a little bit hard on myself and  rigid in my desire for self-improvement so I usually take a break at New Year's and don't pile on any additional tasks or goals.

But as the last hours of 2013 tick by, I am finding that I feel especially grateful and excited for the dawning of this new year. I still don't have any big goals or resolutions to share with you--truth be told, most of what I hope for in 2014 is largely out of my control, so a list of goals wouldn't serve much of a purpose anyway (I learned somewhere along the way that setting goals is a worthwhile activity only if the goals are specific and attainable and within your grasp).

I'm just feeling ready for a fresh start. 2013 was a beautiful year for my marriage, it was a wonderful year for friendship, it was such a growing year for my faith. It was a great year for my blog and I learned a lot in my teaching and musical life and I am a more patient and calm person now than I was in January.

But 2013 was hard, too. Because of circumstances we couldn't predict or change or influence, it feels like we've been moving sideways instead of forward for awhile now, and that's no easy thing to stomach. I fully believe there has been a purpose behind it and that a hundred blessings in disguise are waiting for us on the other side and that God has a better plan--always--than we do. I've found so much peace and solace in that.

Still, there were some very difficult moments to get through this year. I was tested in very personal ways and I think that part of God's plan in all of this was specifically to shape and mold me into the person He wants me to be. That job isn't done--it will take a lifetime and beyond--but I do think it's pretty amazing how the challenges we face are so often tailored to our particular weaknesses. One thing that I've learned this year is that if it weren't for life's struggles and tests and disappointments, we would never have a reason to cry out for a Savior.

I'm glad for 2013, and all it was, but I'm also glad it's coming to an end. I'm ready for a beautiful and exciting 2014! I know there will be obstacles to face this year too, but I feel better equipped than ever to face them. And when I don't feel equipped, when I feel alone and small, I will cry out for my Savior and he will change me and lift me up and carry me through.

Happy New Year, friends.

Magical Christmas

Christmas is such a magical day, a magical time of year. When I was a child, it was magical because of the snow, the early morning mystery of finding gifts under the tree and taking turns opening them, staying in pajamas and slippers all morning, A Christmas Carol, which we listened to on tape by candlelight every Christmas Eve, the joyful hymns we sang in church. Magical because of my family. I couldn't have asked for a more loving one.

As an adult, Christmas is just as magical but, naturally, for slightly different reasons. Each year as I've gotten older I find myself trying hard to be contemplative at Christmastime, to turn inward and to reflect on the grace of the season. This year, I've been thinking of Mary more than I ever have, wondering if she was scared or in awe or overjoyed or all of it as she looked down at her big belly and awaited her baby's birth, Emmanuel. I've found myself thinking not just of Jesus' birth but of his death, because you can't have one without the other. How can I live for Him, He who died for me? I've been thinking of that a lot over the last few weeks.

And other things too. It's magical to introduce some of my childhood traditions to my husband. We're also starting several new traditions of our own and already imagining how our kids will like them. We're writing sweet and silly messages to each other on top of gifts and gazing giddily at our tiny little tree.

It's going to be a beautiful Christmas.

I'm going to be taking a little time off from blogging over the next week or two to focus on my husband, my parents and brothers, and my in-laws. We're really lucky to be seeing almost everyone in our family this year! I may pop in here and there but I wanted to make sure to wish you all a magical Christmas, filled with love and joy and family and friends and grace and beauty.

Sending lots of love to you, sweet readers. Merry Christmas!

Homemade Molasses Cookies

If I could only pick one cookie recipe to make at Christmastime for the rest of my life, I would choose these Molasses Cookies. The recipe came from a good family friend of ours who was also one of my very first piano teachers. Often when I showed up for a lesson, the smell of baked goods would envelop me and she'd take me into the kitchen where a warm piece of chocolate cake was waiting, or sometimes a mug of cinnamon hot chocolate. Now that is the way to start a piano lesson. Not only did she teach me to love the piano but she also made me feel welcome in her home and happy to be there each week.

These Molasses Cookies are just perfect. They are crispy on the outside but so soft and chewy and melt-in-your-mouth as soon as you take a bite. I love how they really flatten out in the oven, too. There's something about a delicate, thin cookie that is so inviting. And the combination of molasses and spices is so festive and cozy for this time of year. I could eat these every day for breakfast with a cup of hot tea.

This recipe is in our cookbook, Finger Lakes Feast, if you happen to have a copy. But I wanted to share it here too in case you're itching to get out the flour and cookie sheets this weekend but need some inspiration. 

Patsy's Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Pinch of salt

Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and molasses. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix thoroughly. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for about 7-10 minutes (really depends on your oven) or until just set. Let cool and roll in powdered sugar.

DIY Simple Stockings

This year, for the first time ever, my husband and I are spending Christmas alone together at home (last year we were in Napa Valley on our belated honeymoon and the year before, we were days away from getting married!). We're leaving early the next morning to see our families, and we can't wait for that time with them, but it feels so exciting to be celebrating this special holiday together at home, just the two of us.

Our house is feeling cozy and festive with our little tree and the simple Christmas decorating we've done, but something was missing--we didn't have our stockings! Like a lot of our things, they are packed away in storage many miles away. Both of us have a special attachment to our childhood stockings so I didn't want to make entirely new ones for us, but it just wouldn't quite feel like Christmas without stockings. So I whipped up some makeshift ones using things I had around the house, and I think they'll be perfect for our first Christmas at home as a little family.

I started with (clean!) wool ski socks--the perfect size, and that red stripe across the top is oh-so-jolly. I found some green velvet ribbon in my crafts closet and strung it right through each sock and tied it in a bow. These pearls, which come with a sticky backing that worked well on the wool, were leftover from another project and I had just enough to make a "K" and an "S." 

And that was it! Completely simple but totally sweet--just my style.

Faith-Based Apps

Sometimes I feel a little badly about my dependence on my iPhone. I like to think I'm not as bad as I could be, that I'm not on my phone 24/7, that I don't use it obsessively. (I once wrote a post about how the iPhone has such a presence in modern dating--you know, when you look over at the table next to you and both the guy and the girl are furiously typing away, not making any eye contact?) When my husband and I got iPhones we set up some ground rules and we do our best to put our phones away when we're spending time together. I'm definitely the one who slips up more often than he does (Instagram is just too fun, and I've got a very cute, photogenic husband) but we both try hard not to be that couple that ignores each other on dinner dates.

But even if I'm not being rude to anyone by using my phone, even if I'm alone checking my email and texts, how much is too much? When my hand cramps up from too much scrolling up and down? (Has that never happened to you?) When my eyes become blurry from looking at a bright screen for too long? I wonder, how much is too much.

I've found something, though, that makes me feel a little better about my phone usage, something that lifts me up and makes me feel better in general: faith-based apps.

One that I've been enjoying is an Advent Devotions app which has some lovely daily readings and Bible verses. We've been lighting our Advent wreath each Sunday and saying a devotion and some prayers to go with it, but it's nice to be reminded of the real meaning behind this season on a more regular basis. The hope of Christmas is so renewing and wonderful, and clicking this app each day has been a great way for me to remember that and reflect on it.

The other one I've been loving is the Jesus Calling app (I have the free trial version, but will probably buy the full version because I like it so much). Several of these devotions in the last few days have made me tear up a little because the words just felt so relevant and meaningful to my own life and the things on my heart. This is a truly uplifting app and I'm glad to have discovered it.

Of course, it goes without saying that faith-based apps aren't a replacement for prayer. But it's amazing how a short little devotion or a powerful Bible verse can really make a difference in my mood and my mindset as I go about my day. By clicking on one of these apps instead of checking my email yet again, I feel like I'm doing something good for myself, and making my phone usage just a tad bit healthier.

What do you think? Am I crazy for feeling guilty about using my phone? Do you check any good-for-you apps throughout the day? I'd love to know.




Just a reminder that if you haven't entered my wood watch giveaway, you have until Sunday night to participate! Please make sure that you are following through with your Rafflecopter entry--you can get points for leaving a comment, following me on Instagram, and several other ways. I will be verifying entries when picking a winner!

Thankful

We took this in one take! So happy we made time for a photo before eating.

I love that even when you're well into your marriage, and no longer newlyweds, there are still so many new things, so many "firsts" still yet to come. This year was the first time my husband and I hosted Thanksgiving at our home and it was absolutely wonderful. It felt cozy and just right.

We had decided a while ago not to travel for Thanksgiving this year because this fall has been so packed with trips and we knew we'd be seeing our families at Christmastime. So we had planned to stay home, just the two of us, and were perfectly happy about it. But then my husband's older sister called me and asked what our plans were, and when I invited them to our house, I was thrilled to discover they were willing to drive up to Alabama to spend Thanksgiving with us! 

We had the best time. My niece and nephew are at the most adorable ages and are so much fun to be around. We love that they feel comfortable with us even though we don't see them too terribly often--the little guy even climbed into our bed both mornings they were here! 

And we did something totally new with our Thanksgiving turkey this year--my brother-in-law deep-fried it! Apparently that's the Southern way of doing a big turkey and it turned out incredibly moist and delicious, with the most crispy skin. The best part was that we didn't have to worry about cooking it in the oven, basting it and checking it all day long. He brought his deep-frying equipment out to the backyard, while we were in the kitchen focusing on the sides (many of which I'd already made ahead of time). My sister-in-law mentioned that this was the most relaxing Thanksgiving she's ever had--something every hostess wants to hear!

Here are a few snapshots from our holiday. I'm so thankful for family, near and far.

Taking the kids on an early morning walk on Thanksgiving day.

Making a lego helicopter! He picked the right uncle to help him.

At the kid's table!

Some snacks to tide us over.

This one melts my heart!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying this special time of preparation before Christmas. It's hard to believe it's already December!

DIY Temporary Composer Art

We're lucky enough to have three bathrooms in the townhouse we're renting, but unfortunately, in terms of design and style, they're pretty underwhelming. There's one that we use as a guest bathroom but because we haven't had too many overnight visitors down here in Southern Alabama, I haven't done much to try to spruce it up and make it cute.

But as I was cleaning it and getting it ready for my sister-in-law and her family, who are arriving tonight to spend Thanksgiving with us, I decided I really needed to put something on the walls. I didn't want to drill because as it is, we'll likely have to spend an entire day filling all the holes in the walls before we move. So I put my thinking cap on. How could I make this bathroom a little more inviting with some DIY/temporary art that wouldn't require nails?

I went downstairs and looked in my piano bench (I keep all kinds of odd, random things in there!) and found these beautiful composer cards I'd forgotten about. Each one is a portrait of a famous composer and the back contains a description of their life and work. They're printed on nice, sturdy card stock, and the portraits are really quite beautiful. Perfect!

I had some glue dots in my craft supplies that I knew would secure them to the walls but wouldn't end up creating more work for me later on when I remove them. I didn't plan the design, just eye-balled it and created a cute little gallery.

This is definitely not long-term art, but I think it's a great last-minute way to add some spice to an otherwise boring bathroom! Sometimes, improvising something temporary is just enough to make you feel better about a space.

On that note, I hope all of your Thanksgiving plans are going beautifully and that you have a wonderful meal and a happy day celebrating with family. Thanks, as always, for being such loyal readers.

DIY Lucite And Copper Tray

I have a really fun DIY to share with you today--it's simple, completely sophisticated, and a lovely project for this season of parties and festivities and gatherings. I just love the way my lucite and copper tray (which I use as a cheeseboard) turned out!

I've been really gravitating toward trays lately. I think they add a stylish and modern touch to coffee tables and countertops, and they're so perfect for serving, or just for holding books or candles or coasters. The idea for this particular DIY from this fabulous tutorial and I only modified it slightly. I had the hardware store cut me a 6' by 18' piece of plexiglass (instead of 5' by 18') and I used pulls that required two screws. It would definitely be simpler with a one-screw pull (less measuring and room for error!) but either will work well.

I was slightly nervous about drilling through the plexiglass but it was quite easy. Just remember to wear safety glasses, keep the plastic coating on while drilling, and don't put too much pressure on the plexiglass. It also helps to put a piece of scrap wood underneath so that you can drill straight through. It was also a little tricky to find screws that were the right length and style, but the people at the hardware store were really helpful! After screwing in the pulls, I added the sticky bumpers to the corners, and that was it.

I'm totally in love with how this project turned out. Who knew that plexiglass could be so glamorous? I'm now envisioning all sorts of other kinds of trays you could make--small ones for jewelry, square ones for appetizers, and of course you could have a blast experimenting with pulls and knobs. 

What do you think? Will you try this project? 

(Just by chance, after deciding to tackle this DIY, I came across this adorable but pricey lucite tray. If I can find some brass hardware like this, I'm totally going to mimic it--and for a fraction of the price!)

Finding The Holiday Spirit

Alabama doesn't have winter, but it sure does have incredible sunsets.

I woke up this morning and suddenly, for the first time this year, it felt like the holiday season. I don't know what it was--maybe the grey overcast sky? Or maybe it was that I did some Thanksgiving shopping and preparation yesterday (we're hosting my sister-in-law and her family!). This is the second year we've lived in this crazy, balmy climate, and I've noticed that the weather makes it difficult for me to get into the holiday spirit. Come November, it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the horizon. I've been so well programmed to associate these holidays with the crispness and coziness of winter, which we just don't have here.

But when I woke up today, I half expected to see a blanket of snow on the ground, soft flakes falling slowly. I know it was wishful thinking but it was such a pleasant early morning daydream and I had a cozy and familiar feeling as I walked downstairs to make tea. There's something in the air today that's stirring that holiday spirit inside of me--despite the absence of the winter that I love--and I'm grateful for whatever it is.

A Naturally Scented Home

I've never really cared for air fresheners. I think they tend to smell artificial, or sicky-sweet, and they usually give me a headache. But I do love a nice, fresh, natural scent, which is why I've been experimenting with essential oils more and more. So far I've picked up lemon and lavender oil from the local health shop. I'm really pining after some jasmine oil (one of my favorite scents!) but the store didn't have any in stock. I'm keeping my eyes peeled!

Since we're heading into the holiday season and it's the time of year for hosting out-of-town guests, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of ways you can use essential oils to make your home smell lovely. Some of these ideas are my own and others I came across while doing a little research. I'm focusing on lemon and lavender because those are the oils I have and I think they're really natural smelling, but you could easily substitute in eucalyptus, pine, peppermint, or others!

Make homemade lavender spray with water and a few drops of lavender oil. Use it to freshen sheets and pillows and towels.

Drop some essential oil into a small bowl of boiling water. Set the bowl in a bathroom or a guest room for a few minutes and allow the smell to diffuse.

Put lavender oil on a cotton ball and tuck it into dresser drawers.

Make homemade lemon spray with water and a few drops of lemon oil. Use as a natural air freshener for your kitchen and bathrooms.

Add a drop of lemon oil to the dishwasher when you're running a wash cycle.

Put a drop of essential oil directly on the lightbulb in a lamp (when it's off and cool). When the lamp is turned on, the heat will diffuse the oil. (I love this one!)

Place a cotton ball with a few drops of lemon or lavender oil on it in your vacuum bag. When you vacuum, the scent will be dispersed.


Do you think you'll try any of these? Have any other great tips for using essential oils? A few of these I haven't tried, and I'm excited to see how they work in my home!

Back Into Rhythm

We're home from our trip to California! It was the most wonderful, cozy, beautiful, relaxed, and fun vacation! We enjoyed it so very much. Napa Valley is such a gorgeous area, filled with vineyards and rolling hills and grazing cows and sheep and horses. We did a lot of driving and exploring and walking and a lot of oohing and aahing. So many of our meals were delicious and memorable, and we tasted so many yummy wines (and brought 8 bottles home--amazingly, they all made the trip back unscathed!). On our way to San Francisco, which we visited for 5 days at the end of the trip, we headed up to Sonoma to seek out a special vineyard that makes a wine that my husband and I love, and then traveled down to Tomales Bay for amazing oysters and Point Reyes for the most breathtaking countryside and ocean views. Our time in San Francisco was wonderful--it was a fun change of pace to be in the city, and we got to spend time with one of my best college friends. Around noon on Sunday, December 30th, the three of us toasted to one year of marriage with a Napa Sparkling Wine we'd brought her. Such happy times.

This belated honeymoon was filled with so much celebrating and my husband and I feel so very blessed. We celebrated our marriage as if it happened yesterday, and at the same time celebrated our first year together as husband and wife. We had our first Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as a married couple and both were perfect. My mom's birthday and my parents' anniversary took place while we were out west, and we thought of them and sent them lots of love and good wishes. We celebrated a New Year, and I couldn't be more excited for all that I hope 2013 will bring.

When we got home last night, I realized how happy I was to be home, which I think is a sign of an absolutely perfect vacation. It means we planned our vacation for just the right number of days. It means that we made the most of each day and did all we wanted to do. It means we have no regrets about how things went, just very happy memories and warm feelings about a fantastic two weeks. My husband hugged me when we got home and, smiling, said that he loves how many new inside jokes we now have. If that isn't a sign of a good vacation together, I don't know what is.

My plans for today include unpacking, eating detox food (rich restaurant meals always leave me craving quinoa, whole fruits, and spinach salads--my "detox food"), grocery shopping, and catching up on all of the lovely blogs I read, which I've neglected. I hope you all have had a wonderful couple of weeks and Happy 2013!

Merry Christmas!

May your day be filled with the people you love most in the world, many blessings,  and much joy. Have a beautiful Christmas!

(Here's how I tied up my cards in a bow.)

(Recognize the chalkboard in our card?)