Time to Redirect

Christmas is over and family has left.  Though the quiet is nice once again, we sorely miss everyone.  You work so hard planning meals, decorating the house, buying gifts...then it all comes and goes in an instant. 

Now I need to sit down and redirect my focus. I have several projects in my head, but where do I start? Book outlines, garden cards, video editing...

This isn't about resolutions, but about how to create a plan, then move forward.  Just one thing at a time (but maybe I should put the Christmas decorations away first).

Great Adventures

There is nothing better than taking your kids to cut down a Christmas tree at a local farm. We run up and down the rows in search of the perfect tree, pulling a sled behind us. The kids' excitement overshadows the cold and the hot chocolate that follows puts the icing on the cake.

This year everyone was thinking the same as us...as my husband pulled into the parking lot of our usual tree farm and they informed him they ran out (can that really happen at a farm?!!).  The good news...a truck pulled up with freshly cut firs from another location. Not the usual adventure, but we did get a beautiful tree none-the-less...and my three-year-old son still loved every minute.

I wish you many great adventures this holiday season!

Photo courtesy of Beauty is in the i

A Little Bit of Sparkle

I'm getting caught up in these holiday images...I just can't help myself.  Trees and wreaths covered in lights just make me giddy.  I'm not sure if it's the sparkle or the idea of a simple green living thing getting dressed up for the evening.

I couldn't resist the ultra-glitter of these photos by Pixamatic.

Just Add Red

Each holiday is infused with natural materials, but they also shout select colors.  Yes, red and green are the staples of this Christmas, but I love when you can play with the hues of these or simply narrow in on one color like red.  I found the following images that did just that in such a soft and enticing way.

Photo courtesy of 19sixty4

Photo courtesy of Lisa Russo Photography

Photo courtesy of The Shutterbug Eye

Photo courtesy of mingtaphotography

A Natural Holiday

Do you know what I realized today? That most of the holidays are decked out in natural materials.

Christmas is filled with evergreen trees, wreaths, berries and pine cones.  Pumpkins, corn and all those neat little gourds cover our porches and table for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Lilies bloom at Easter. Even blueberries and raspberries often cover sweet cakes on the Fourth of July.

I guess we've always decorated with what was at hand.  I don't think I've really appreciated that until now.

Please enjoy these lovely natural winter images by Carolyn Cochrane Fine Art Photography. They showcase this season perfectly.

The Magical Glow of Light

As I walk my dog every night I savor the beautiful evening glow... light posts, holiday sparkle, plus the moon and stars.  There is something so magical about light in the evening landscape.  I recently found these lovely images from Jonas Peterson showing this nighttime aura.