The Week After

Christmas passed all too quickly, as it usually does. I don't remember that being the case when I was a little girl. The weeks leading up to the big day seemed to drag on interminably. As an adult they seem to fly by at warp speed despite my best efforts to slow them down.

It was a great Christmas and Santa was good to all of us. Maddie asked for nothing because she always loves what I pick out for her, which is always stuff I either have or stuff I want! Emma asked for a light saber, a recipe box and a book on mythology because, well because she's Emma. The big guy got a lot of stuff I've never heard of and that makes no sense to me. None of it was even pretty or sparkly. I don't get it. I got books, stationary and candles (my perfect trifecta of presents), a camera lens and my guy picked out a new Anthro necklace for me which is becoming a Christmas tradition that I love because how dear is it to think of him looking through all of the big gaudy statement necklaces there and choosing one just for me. Love that so much. Even Millie was treated well this year with a new reindeer to replace the sad lifeless, stuffingless one she picked out for herself last year.

My favorite gift for the girls was a necklace that I made for each of them. It's funny because when I made them, I considered making Emma's different thinking that this style might not be understated enough for her. She is a very classic style girl. I knew Maddie would like it because we essentially have the same taste and wardrobe, but as it turned out I have not seen Emma without this necklace on for a single day since opening it. That makes my Momma heart happy.

I loved making it so much that I used some of my birthday/Christmas money to stock up on some colorful beads to go with all of the vintage jewelry bits I've been collecting for the last 8 years and I'm really looking forward to some necklace making in the near future. Until that time, I'm happy to sit and look at all of that happy color sitting in this amazing milkglass piece I got for my birthday.

With Christmas behind us I decided to take some of the decorations down but I guess I got carried away because before I knew it I had accidentally packed away most of it. A few things remain: sparkly garland on the mantle, a couple of boxwood wreaths, a pom pom garland. Things that feel festive and wintery without making me feel like I'm suffocating from all the stuff.

Every year about this time I struggle a little with my need for more minimal interiors (not counting the studio which is all about MORE STUFF) versus my love of pretty things that I want out so that I can look at them. Because pretty things are meant to be seen!

So I go minimal where I can like here in the family room and a little more maximal in rooms like the studio, because again, pretty stuff.

 In recent years I've learned not to dread the end of Christmas because quite honestly, the week after Christmas is possibly my favorite week of the year. My Sweet Man is on vacation, school is out, there's really nothing on the calendar and I've more than earned some relaxation time.

I've been spending a lot of time in the studio. Often I just make excuses to go in there...Oh I just need to straighten up...oh I'm just going to update my planner... and I just get lost for hours amongst the stacks of fabrics and boxes of treasures. Next thing you know, some rude person is saying "Hey! What's for dinner?" and I'm saying Papa Johns and lets have a picnic in the studio! Because it is incredibly hard to make myself come out of that room. I've learned that I have to make sure that anything I need to get accomplished for the day is done before I cross the threshold.

And here we are at New Year's Eve and I'm ushering in the new year with some homemade punch, appetizers courtesy of Trader Joes, my pajamas, my favorite new blankie, a cat in my lap and this stack of books. Because we know how to party up in this cottage. Believe me there is no other place I'd rather be and no other way I'd rather celebrate. Bring it on 2016! I've been waiting for you.