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???