Content/Sidebar/Sidebar

Urban Outfitters Watering Can (for sale! Cheap!)

That is the sound of December hurtling by.  Where did the year go?  Each year they seem to go by quicker and quicker.

I used to hate Januarys.  They were cold, wet and after the excitement of the holidays they were a letdown.  But as I get older I've come to appreciate the abrupt slowdown of pace and the chance to just snuggle in and not do anything.

Well, anything more taxing than reading decorating magazines with all their tips for organizing (all January magazines have this theme, have you noticed?) and dreaming over gardening books. 

Minature Garden Shoppe

Since my gardening is pretty much confined to pots (says the person living on 5 acres) I've been fascinated with the idea of Minature Gardening.  I think it is kind of like setting up a dollhouse only outdoors. 

I remember seeings some fabulous examples at Wisteria Antiques & Garden in Soquel.  The examples were planted in wide, shallow pots and had the most exquisite minature details.  Little cobblestone patios,  teeny gazebos.  They were so incredibly detailed.

So as December, and the year wind down to a close I am really looking forward to January and a brand new year.  2009 was not very kind to us so I'm not sorry to see it end.  I have a good feeling about this new year though, a sense of optimism that has been sorely lacking this year.  

Okay ~ enough dreaming about the future!  I have a stack of presents a mile high that are not going to wrap themselves and bushels of cookies to bake!  Wait until you see the cookies I'm making….in my oven that works!
 
 

I have a confession to make. 

I haven't put up a big Christmas tree for the past two years.  Our boys live about 2 1/2 hours away and normally they would drive up together on Christmas Eve but this year and last they have had to work late on Christmas Eve.  So we decided they would just stay at my Dad's and we would meet up them first thing Christmas morning and we would do our celebration there.  I think it is fun for my Dad to have the commotion in the morning.  

Putting up a big tree seemed like a lot of effort for just the two of us (not the best attitude, I realize) so my pretty ornaments, collected over the years, lay snug in their tissue beds up in the attic. 

This year, however, I decided to do a little faux, themed tree.  I went to Michael's on a day when they were practically giving away their pre-lit trees and found a 4 1/2 foot tree in a pot that I thought would work nicely on the round table in the living room.

I went through my ornaments (man am I ever impressed with myself at how well I pack them up after the holidays.  Usually by then I'm ready to ball everything up in a sheet and shove it in the back of a closet) and pulled out all the sparkly white ones and all the bird ornaments I've collected over the past few years. 

I like the effect.  It's a nice touch of sparkle and light and the all white look is soothing to me.  

One thing I didn't realize when I bought the tree is that is has a fine dusting of glitter on the branches.  Didn't realize it until Rick had pulled it out of the box and was standing in a swirl of glitter drifting down upon him.  Now he is decorated and ready for the holidays.
 

 

 
Flickr Favorites

 

• I saw this genius idea on another blog – carry these little portable flats in your evening bag and when you cannot stand your fancy 4" heels one more second you can slip into them.
• LOVE this necklace.  Why are Alice in Wonderland inspired things so appealing?
• I can't understand a single word on this blog – Lilla Blanka – but her images are so soothing and lovely. 
• A lovely place setting idea.  The little Christmasy house is so sweet.
• A gift idea that for the person that has everything – A Kiva GC – The gift of helping someone else.

Have a Happy Friday Everyone!