A State Of Mind

"Christmas, children, is not a date.

It is a state of mind."

~ Mary Ellen Chase

{Like quotes?  Click here!}

{Spend Christmas here - you're always welcome in my sitting room!}

"What Are You Doing Mami?"

This, more frequently than any other salutation or question, is what I am most consistently bombarded with, from the moment my children wake, until I am walking out of their room at bed time.


A simple question, indicative of their curiosity and powers of observation.  And on a grander scale, penchant for imitation.


Children learn my modeling the behaviors of adults.  They want to do as I do. 


When they inquire as to the nature of my actions, it forces me to examine them as well.  Am I using my time wisely?  Am I applying myself in a cheerful, productive manner?  Am I blessing my children through faithful education, diligent work, and loving play?


Am I {as the Shaker saying goes,} keeping my "hands to work, heart to God?"

When little eyes are watching, what will your answer be?








{Want to know what I'm doing?  You never have to wonder!}

Treasured Times, Silly Hats

One of my all time favorite holiday traditions from my childhood is that of cutting down, then decorating our Christmas tree.  We nearly always visited the same tree farm, and definitely returned home with a Douglas Fir.  Aside from the year that Rose was in the NICU, this has been the only year that I haven't accompanied my family on our annual festive errand.


As I can not be a part of the merriment this year, why not flashback to one such outing?


Although our juvenile hats may indicate otherwise, I was a sophomore in college, and  my sister was a senior in high school in this photo.

Regardless of the years that pass, or the age of its members, procuring the Christmas tree remains - for me -  one of the most treasured aspects of celebrating!





{Love a good flashback?  Make sure you never miss one!}

Let It Be Known...

...that I officially stink at knitting.


Ok, perhaps I should cut myself some slack - it is my first day of trying, after all.  But after watching countless videos, collecting tips from friends hither and yon, and reading article after article, I have so far managed to accomplish:

• tying, untying, and re-tying my yarn in a large knot, the likes of which could only be interpreted by a sailor,
• procuring a "yarn burn" on my index finger,
  
• knocking my glasses from my face, therefore
• nearly stabbing myself in the eye,
• and unwittingly teaching my {almost} three year old to use the term "balls" as a substitute for an expletive.  {Not very proud of that one.}

I had a grandiose vision of my husband modeling a handsomely crafted new scarf this winter.  I'm beginning to fear that he may be using a lopsided hanky sometime this summer instead.  :(

There has to be an easier way, right?!?!?





{I'm always trying a wacky new project.  I'd love it if you would supervise my progress! }

I Finally Found Something That Works!

 Do you remember my serious problem?


I'm elated to announce that I've finally found a workable solution!!!

 When EcoSMART offered to send me their Home Pest Control to review, a dreamed a little dream of a bug-free home.  While my ant problem had begun to dwindle, a hideous new breed of invaders had begun to infiltrate my house - centipedes!!!


I'm sure you can imagine where centipedes rank on my scale between one and horrifically disgusting.  Naturally, the next time I spotted one slinking across my floor, I snatched my bottle of Home Pest Control and dove across the room, both guns blazing, spraying the living daylights out of it.


To my complete surprise and incalculable delight, the centipede squirmed once, then dell dead!  I turned the bottle over and read the most glorious words I have ever beheld on a product label: "Kills On Contact!!!"

I'm pleased to note that thanks to vigilant spraying this pet and child friendly product around the portals used by the offenders, I have not seen a centipede in months!



EcoSMART's Home Pest Control certainly receives two thumbs up from me!





{When it comes to reviews, I'm a "straight shooter," so to speak.  I'll always give my actual opinion!  If you like my take on products, make sure you never miss a review!}

Enchanted Anew

Rose is my little Sugar Plum - my precious, priceless Christmas gift.  In order to demarcate her birthday as a separate, and very important occasion, I decorate our Christmas tree with a special collection of ornaments in her honor.


In light of her recent obsession with ballet, and more recently, The Nutcracker, this year's tree is adorned with accouterments in line with that theme.

The magical aspect of a birthday in this early stage of life is that each time she beholds an ornament, sparkling in the Christmas lights, she is enchanted anew.




{Click here and here for more WW!}



{Come, sit by our tree a while!}

Worth The Passing

There are so many wonderful things about Christmas time.  So many incredible stories, songs, rituals, foods, and even movies.  From Advent calendars to The Nutcracker Ballet to Nativity scenes to gingerbread cookies, there is certainly something for everyone to enjoy.


Personally, I love it all!!!!  I come from a family that clings to our holiday traditions.  We expect every Christmas to be exactly the same, with the key players just a little older.  The tree, which we cut down together, must scrape the living room ceiling.  We love the same music {Manheim Steamroller, anyone?}, the same cookies, and even use the same gift bags!!


My husband is not as enthusiastic about the repetition associated with Christmas traditions.  To him, we are free to create our own, and has graciously allowed me to take the lead in doing so -to decide which traditions are worth passing down.



The only problem I have is narrowing my choices down!

In light of the multitude of great things surrounding Christmas, how do you decide which will become part of your family's set of traditions?  Do you carry them on from your childhood, or create your own? 





{I love traditions.  Make visiting me one of yours!}