Slowing down....

Christmas brought us a fresh blanket of snow.

What a peaceful way to slow down and savor the warmth of the holiday as snow outside swirls around you. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Sensory spa treatment fallen from heaven.

All IS calm. All IS bright.

Merry Christmas everyone! See you in the new year!

A note for the soul...

I have bopped my way though most of December singing along to Bing Crosby and Dean Martin. I've rocked around my Christmas tree and fa la lahhh'd while decking my halls but December 25th is a couple days away and I'm starting to feel like I've eaten too much candy.

And so, I've readjusted my playlist to loop in songs that help my soul to be still...I hope they will refresh yours as well.

1. Coventry Carol- Loreena McKennit

2. The Holly and the Ivy- Erin Bode

3. Still Still Still- Found Wandering

4. Wexford Carol - Celtic Women

5. In the Bleak Mid Winter- Sarah McLachlan

6. Away in a manger- Sufjan Stevens

7. Ding Dong Merrily on High- Crouch End Festival Choir and Prague Philharmonic

8 The First Noel- London Symphony

9. Silent Night- Sarah McLachlan

10 God rest ye merry Gentleman- Loreena McKennit

While there is a sprinkling of traditional hymns in this mix...I love the freshness of less common carols and less traditional versions...I love when the music sounds peaceful and even a little haunting.

Can you imagine what it must have been like at the time when Jesus was born?

"Strange" things were in the air...maybe even erie. Lights in the sky, a new star, angels....these are not normal everyday things...But starlight is peaceful. And Angels are heavenly. And people knew to be watching based on what what had been foretold. I love Christmas music that reflects the wonder, and awe and fear of things we do not understand...

Do you have any wonderful, peaceful songs to add? Please share...

Festive need not cost a lot...

Be creative, use what you've got! Case in point, our peppermint hot Co-Co "bar"...

Now I didn't exactly have candy canes and marshmallows laying around. I bought them. But, they only cost about $4.00 combined and I have added a fun seasonal punch to our counter top.

Here are some other fun Christmas decoration ideas that you can do for a song...

• Cut greens from your yard (or any yard) and tuck them around your mantle, candles, dresser top, bathroom vanity---anywhere!
• Use scraps of ribbon to decorate your tree (see my friend Jillian's post on Christmas trees!)
• Make a gum drop garland!
• Use peppermints and foil chocolates to fill glasses, bowls, and jars and set them on your book shelves, tables, and counter tops.
• Unused jewelry can add a little sparkle to just about anything. Add necklaces, beads, broaches and earrings to garlands, wreaths and ornament displays....If you don't want to use your own, buy inexpensive and even imperfect pieces for pennies at thrift shops!
• Frame personal photos from Christmases past and set them out with your regular collection.
• You can do the same with sheet music of a favorite carols (pick up a hymnal at a local church library and photo copy), special Christmas cards, and pretty wrapping scraps! Frame 'em and slap 'em up on that wall or switch out your year round frame for your seasonal creation!

How do you get creative with Christmas decorations???

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays!

Hello! And welcome to our open house---a part of The Nester's 2010 Christmas House Tour!

My name is Lindsay, my husband's name is Matt, and this is how we do Christmas...

We do garlands and lots of fresh greens...

We do berries and bows...

We re-purpose pumpkins...

We keep the table set...

We find joy in unexpected places (here, it happens to be found in the bathroom)...

We hang wreaths on more than the front door...

We relish nostalgia...

We prepare our hearts for worship...

We celebrate our Anniversary...Two Years today, December 13!!!

We celebrate love, for this is God's greatest gift to us in the birth of his Son.

What do you do during this season of celebration???

Link {Christmas} Party!!!

I'm thinking about joining this link Party at The Nester's 2010 Tour of Homes.

I've never really posted many photos of our house for a few reasons...

One, we are new home owners and furniture is scarce.

Two, I am a totally amateur decorator and bashful about my trial and error approach.

Three, I am wary of the "look at me, look at me" impression that posting your own photos can give...

However, I have also come up with some good rebuttals.

One, so I don't have a lot of "stuff", the best things in life aren't things.

Two, who is it counting for anyway? Everyone has to start some where!

Three, most of the time I like seeing photos of bloggers homes. I find it interesting and inspiring. Why not be a part of that? What I post is put out of genuine excitement for the season...just another way to pour forth joy!

And if those three reasons aren't enough, It's a Christmas House Tour, and I love decorating for Christmas possibly more than Buddy the elf.

So there you have it...I'm definitely doing it.

How about you? Link up too!

All I want for Christmas is...

a. You?

b. My two front teeth?

c. A light blue convertible, Santa baby?

d. none of the above?

My mother in law asked us for our list a couple of days ago and I am having a hard time knowing what to tell her. My husband and I decided we wanted a "nice" camera since both of our old ones have been out of commission for the past few months (hence my lack of blog pictures). Anyway after I told her the camera idea she said... "Ok. What else?" Um. What else? I already feel guilty asking for a "nice camera". I am not complaining at all since it is so generous of her but how can I ask for anything else? But she's not the kind of person you argue with so...horrors! I have had to think of other gifts.

Here are a few of the sugar plums that have been dancing in my head....

1. Because I have never had a subscription to Martha Stewart living and I think it is time. Plus the cost of a subscription is a nice, reasonable $20.

***BTW, have you ever noticed that Martha looks like a wax statue on all her magazine covers? Martha, we know you can make origami out of bed sheets but don't you think think you'd be even more perfect...if you showed that you are actually imperfect? Let us catch a glimpse of a wrinkle or two! Enough with the airbrushing!!

2. Ok...stepping it up in case MIL feels EXTRA generous. This one is because every time I hint to my hubby I want a new fragrance he croons "But I like the one you wore when we first started dating". He is so sentimental it's sweet! I still wear Carolina Herrera 212 three years later--- and I really do like it. I'm just the kind of girl who likes mix it up once in a while.

3. Since William and Kate's engagement I am more of an anglophile then ever before--and what good Brit does not have a pair of Wellies? What Pennsylvania lacks in snow we get in rain and ballet flats just haven't been cutting it! I love Hunter boots. Navy is quickly becoming my wardrobe staple and the I think the "high gloss" adds a little sass. I can muck around in the garden, polish 'em up and head out shopping with dry tootsies on a rainy day! Practical and shiny!

It took me forever (ie three days) just to think of these things! Considering they are cute little ideas, three days is a long time.

Do you have hard time thinking of gifts for yourself?

Here's a chance to practice---what is on your wish list?