Traditions + Slowing Down

Decorating our fake tree
Linda Mahley's yearly wreath cake baked especially for us with love + lots of green food dye

Back in 2009, I decided it would be fun to get a vintage aluminum xmas tree.  So, for the past four years we've had that little 4 foot tree and it was fun.  You couldn't put any lights on it though or hang any heavy ornaments.  It was over 50 years old and came in the original box.  I loved that little tree, but I was ready for a change.

Peace

After talking with the guys while we were in Big Sur, it was decided that we would have a green tree this year, possibly live, but most definitely green and with lights.  I ran across this five foot tree that came with the lights already on it at Alphabet Soup Thrift Store in Petaluma and bought it on the spot.

Grady selected the ornaments and decorated the tree for us and I put up the Advent calendar in the kitchen.  In an effort to minimize holiday stress this year, we decided to take it down a notch in the decorating department - as we have been discussing more and more how environment and design affect our mood here at home and, especially, with each other.  It's true.  When my house is in disarray or the flow of my living room isn't working, it's time to change it up and purge the space.

The house feels warm, seasonally appropriate and calm.  Oh, and bright.

These shoes are all the rage around here
1st game of the CYO Boy's Basketball Season 19-23 Win in OT against St. Elizabeth

As we discussed how to avoid the holiday madness, we talked about switching it up this year and skipping xmas.  Not really skipping it, but getting away and trying something new.  I've been a real stickler for being home for Grady each year and letting him wake up and lazily open presents, shuffle back to bed if we want to, eat a late brunch, stay in our pajamas all day and watch movies together and independently.  It's one of my favorite days of the year for those reasons.  So, while I really love the comfort of xmas day in our home, I was willing to mix it up.

Bloomfield Farms CSA box was gorgeous this wee
Lunch box notes for the boy

After a few calls to friends and family, it was decided…we were going to meet up with our friends from Paris in Palm Springs and meet their new baby, Lilan.  We plan to stay with them at their family home for four days leading up to xmas eve.  After that we'll head down to Steve's dad's house just in time for xmas eve dinner and spend xmas day with him.  I'm really looking forward to this trip to Southern California and I'm sure Santa will have no trouble finding us.

Making those plans spurred me on to making birthday plans for Steve's 50th.  I had been toying around with the idea of a big party, but that's not really my guy's style.  We even talked about having a series of small dinner parties to commemorate his half century, but that seemed more stressful that fun to me.

In a stroke of genius (yes, I'm going to take full credit here), I remembered that my man has wanted to go to Costa Rica for over four years.  I have been hesitant to jump on that vacation bandwagon and I'm not sure why.  He started talking about Costa Rica again and asked if he could slip away with his best friend next year for his birthday and would I mind?  I didn't mind at all, but it turned out that his friend couldn't go.  My guy was deflated and that's when I decided to get on this party train and plan a trip to Costa Rica.  I called our friend who owns a home down there and has offered it to us many times and made a plan.  We leave February 28th.  Happy birthday, Steve.

The oh-so elusive photo of the two of us

We attended Steve's work holiday party last Friday night and asked Grady to snap a picture of us.  We still cannot master the posed photo.  These are blurry and funny.  Looks like Grady needs to work on his focusing skills in photography, as well as school.  

Doggie cookie packaging over the years
My sweet little boy all lit up

My health has been on my mind a lot this year and I still haven't been feeling great lately.  After a quick visit to the doctor, she informed my blood pressure is now too low and took me off one of my medications.  That was the good news.  I then went to get an EKG and they found some sort of abnormalities in the test.  That news triggered a stress test appointment and it turns out all is right with my heart.  I continued to feel lousy throughout the weekend and ended up with the stomach flu.

Sickness is a great, humbling thing.  I had so many things to do this weekend, packages to wrap, items to bake & make - but I was in bed for 36 hours straight.  I listened to my body, I had no other choice.

We have had freezing temps for about a week along the coast.  The citrus trees are covered and I'm trying to keep them alive…but it doesn't look good.  Meanwhile, the stores are packed full of my favorite winter fruit - satsumas!  This is a harbinger of winter and I look forward to it every year.

We purchased Grady a new comforter for the Valley Ford Mercantile & Wool Mill and it is made from wool sheared from sheep from our local fibershed.  The owner of this business is Steve's client and it's amazing what she is doing on site at her Wool Mill.  Grady had previously been sleeping with flannel sheets and FOUR blankets!  He was still cold and the temperatures have been in the 20's every single morning, going on eight days straight.  Now he's toasty and warm and I feel lucky to know about this wonderful source for bedding.  I'm going to slowly start replacing all of our pillows and get a comforter for our bed, too.

Beauty + Sparkles

I've been busy buying a few things for the holidays and wearing accessories that sparkle as often as possible.  I love this time of year.  The art above is by the son, Daniel, of artist Geninne Zlatkis.  We are huge fans of her work and I was impressed by the work of her 16 year old son, as well.  I'm gifting the rabbit print to Grady for xmas.

Sunrise w/ xmas tree reflection
Lunch notes for the boy

I'm going to work on slowing down this week and really be intentional with where and how I spend my time.  I feel like it all goes so fast and I'll do my best to stay in the moment.