Making it simple ...

That was my desire this Christmas. Just a simple celebration of this blessed holiday.

I chose to forgo the typical wrapping paper and aimed for something warm and simple. I ended up with brown shipping paper and yarn in warm tones of Christmas colors.



The next step was to choose gift tags. I pondered cutting them out of the brown paper in festive shapes or tying them on with the yarn. I finally found myself at the antique store choosing vintage postcards for 25 cents each. I could have spent hours looking through the boxes of cards. I stopped myself when I had slightly more than enough for the gifts we had purchased.

The postcards tucked nicely under the yarn. I didn't write on them, but instead chose to let the content of the picture prove for whom the gift was intended.


Each gift was tied differently and each bow or set of strings or what-have-you was different from the next. I didn't photograph all of them and somehow missed a couple of my favorites, but here are two for you to see.

A belated Thanksgiving ...

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday rather than Thursday. We also enjoyed a small roasted chicken rather than turkey. The children didn't mind the slight changes in our traditions. We had all of the other dishes they are accustomed to, including our desserts.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I made my very first attempt at a homemade pie crust this year. I'm thrilled to share that it was a success!

I cheated on the pie filling, though. I used Wilderness brand, which I have always preferred. It was not good this year. It could be that my preference for all things homemade - and therefore fresh-tasting - made the canned filling seem to be less tasty. Wilderness brand is so expensive that I doubt I will go that route again. Particularly so when two cans are required for each pie!

Enjoying the out-of-doors ...

We have spent much of our time outdoors these last few months, which means that we have not had much time for indoor pursuits. Winter is harsh and we seldom spend much time out in the cold weather.

I thought I would share a picture of the last beautiful Autumn sunset we photographed.

The after-effects ...

Becoming ill sets one back a good deal. When the entire family, including a newborn, falls ill at the same time it can really upset the order of one's home.

The basic need to get things in order again set aside all plans for adding creative touches to daily life. We are on the mend, and so I am back to my blog.

After our recovery, we enjoyed a simple white cake with vanilla pudding and Nilla Wafers to complement it. I didn't take a picture, though.

Our backyard is in bloom. Lovely wildflowers pop up each year in our treeline. Their blossoms greeted us when we felt up to enjoying the out-of-doors once more.

A visit trimmed in sweets ...

My friend Donna promised to deliver a Mandarin Orange Cake after our baby was born. She called yesterday to see when we would like to have it. Because she had the afternoon free, I invited her to come over to my home. I enjoyed watching her create her specialty and we both enjoyed the opportunity to chat.

Donna is from Alabama and so has many recipes in her memory and on her cookbook shelf that I have never seen. I intend to swipe her favorite cookbook soon -- the collection of recipes compiled by employees and customers of her former bank, sold in a cookbook to raise funds for Relay for Life.

I think I will try the from-scratch Red Velvet Cake recipe first.

A full pitcher ...

A few days ago, I finally unpacked my blue glassware that had been boxed up since our move two years ago. I chose a rarely-used pitcher for today's project.

I probably won't make that choice again. The pitcher required an enormous amount of lilac branches to appear full. I'll choose smaller vessels in future.

The entire downstairs of our home carries the hint of lilacs and the adjoining kitchen and dining room are filled with the wonderful smell.

A lovely bit of inspiration ...

Lady Lydia has a lovely blog entitled Home Living. I visit daily in the hopes that there is a fresh entry to encourage and inspire me.

Today's post was no exception. She gives simple instructions for turning many household items into flower arrangements. Her samples are lovely!

Tomorrow I hope to cut and arrange some of the purple lilacs that are flourishing next door. Our neighbor has given us permission to do so, of course.

Fighting the Mundane ...

Today I have to reclaim my home. Our baby boy was born just 10 days ago and so things have deteriorated a bit here.

Now the challenge is to perform the tasks that are necessary while not succumbing to the potential drudgery of it all.

I was pleased to look outdoors in the wee hours of the morning and find that the rain and wind that came through last night did not strip all the blossoms from the crabapple tree.

I'm off to do a bit of laundry and give the house a good airing.

Blossoms and bumblebees ...

... and beauty.

This blog is the outworking of something that has been on my heart for some time. Often busy moms spend so much time attending to the practical that they fail to see the simple beauty found in the everyday.

I fail to see that beauty most of the time, and seldom make purposeful attempts to create something lovely, to bless my family and beautify my home.

I have been inspired this week by the beautiful blossoms on the crabapple tree in our front yard. I've been bringing cuttings into our home each day, though I have to fight the bumblebees and honeybees to get them.

I want to continue to bring beautiful things into my home and to add touches of loveliness to our lives. This blog will serve as a place for me to share these inspirations.