Despite my disbelief and random musings about where the entire year has gone, I am enjoying the here and now and am fully immersed in the present. Although this time of year brings with it a flurry of events and obligations, the real reason for the season makes me want to turn inward; to slow down, find my center and be still. I am feeling especially instrospective lately, my soul craving a sense of peace that only my faith can provide. I've got things weighing heavily on my heart this year, but I am still happy.
And how can I not be? I am listening to Christmas music on a daily basis, we've been getting a lot of rain in the evenings which casts a winter-y spell on us Upcountry folks, and we've had the pleasure of spending time with family and friends visiting from the mainland. We've been busy, but it's all good.
Our visitors have since come and gone, so Phil and I had a mellow weekend; we spent it recuperating and putting the house back together again, because every room seems to have become a "catch-all" for everything it shouldn't. We cleaned and decluttered and I spent nearly all of Sunday reorganizing my art studio to make it a more functional space...and I'm overcome by a fresh sense of inspiration and motivation; so many new projects to come in 2012!
On Saturday night, we finally put up our tree:
...you know you want one! They're still available in my Etsy shop.
Now with the rooms aglow by the flicker of candles and the lights on our tree, our home feels much more Christmas-y. Our tree is beautiful, but a total fake (real tree + curious kitty = vomitous puddles), so all that is missing is the sweet scent of holiday pine. On my list of To-Do items for today is also the project of finding just the right candle to accomplish this.
I am looking out the window right now; the sun is shining and the skies are blue, but I'm going to channel the weather of Christmas on the mainland and pretend that it is cold and blustery outside. I am going to stop off at Starbucks for a Chamomile tea and then work my way down my To-Do List.
Good Monday to you...make it happy.
I love your tree and your decorations. These past few weeks have been a blur but on Monday I'll be on a plane to Timor Leste and then it'll be better :) Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteThose ornaments are so cool and creative.
ReplyDeletewow what a gorgeous tree! I told my hubby last night that sometime in our lives I want to spend Christmas at the beach somewhere! And one of my favorite Christmas songs is mele!!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I do want one of those ornaments! HAHA I just need to remember to go buy one! :)
ReplyDeleteOK, Angie, you pretend it's cold and blustery and I'll pretend it's warm and sunny!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is pretty. Please, enjoy the warm. It's 18 outside now (or at least it was when I was out an hour ago, just checked, down to 16), and my toes are still cold! Enjoy the warm. I keep telling myself that this is my last winter in Wisconsin :).
ReplyDeleteI love the Mele Kalikimaka ornament. My dad and I used to sing that song together all the time. So the ornament you are making me is my first esty purchase, ever! I'm excited about it, too.
so cute!! i love the ornaments!
ReplyDeleteyour tree is so pretty!! :)
ReplyDeleteYour tree is lovely and I'm glad that you're choosing joy today....you were on my mind!
ReplyDeleteGosh, it was the weirdest 'chilly' weather almost the whole time I was there. I got to enjoy my jeans, a wrap and a blanket while I was there.
ReplyDeleteLove your tree. Slatkin candles at Bath and body works have THE best 'tree' smelling candles. Tell me you have one there!!
Emily at Amazing Grapes
We put up our tree last week and our home to feels much more like Christmas. Once difference though between the two of us though is the cold and snow we have. I'll send some snow your way if you want!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour decor looks so lovely!
ReplyDeletethose ornaments are perfect! i'm totally getting one!
ReplyDeleteLove your tree! The ornaments are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteyour tree looks GORGEOUS...so so pretty!! love everything about it!
ReplyDeleteim exciiiited to get my hawaiin ornament!! have you sent yet! I have saved the perfect lil spot for it :)
xoxoxo
So glad you are having some time for you, although having visitors is always fun! I am having a hard time "slowing down" with the craziness this season brings but your blog ALWAYS reminds me to do so. Love the decor!
ReplyDeleteI love your tree! Your ornaments are beautiful and make me miss the beach :)
ReplyDeleteYour tree is stunning. I love it. Hope you are enjoying the holidays so far! xo.
ReplyDeleteAloha! I just stumbled across your blog and am smitten! Your about page is so sweet and your ornaments are adorable. What a fantastic idea! Anyway, just wanted to say hi and that I'm so glad I found you!
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