December 31, 2015

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.



23 comments:

  1. I love the necklaces. Your home looks so cozy. Happy New Year.

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  2. always inspiring, friend... love the necklaces that you made for your girls... such a special gift! happy 2016!

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  3. always inspiring, friend... love the necklaces that you made for your girls... such a special gift! happy 2016!

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  4. Your Christmas sounded lovely and your New Year's Eve absolutely perfect. Love the necklace that you made for your daughters! TJ's appetizers are my faves (though we just ordered pizza), I'm in my pajamas, too - and have my favorite blankie on my lap. One of my kitties, Monkey is on the couch beside me, purring away - so we are pretty much on the same wavelength. But why oh why do you keep torturing me by showing your new books? Now I have to go look up those titles and possibly put them on my amazon wishlist. ;-) Blessings and love to you and your family for 2016. xoxo

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    1. Do it Melanie! I'm pretty picky about the books I'll buy, although I know it doesn't look like it from this stack! These are all really great books!

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  5. Jen, nice to see you had a lovely Christmas with your family, I wish you a very HAPPY New Year and all the best for 2016!
    Anna xx

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  6. Your Christmas sounds wonderful! Happy 2016 to you & your family.

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  7. Happy New Year to you and your family. Your blog is a bright spot in my day. Anne

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  8. Happy New Year. I love, love your posts. I look forward to reading them. I like that they're not every day, that they are thought out, they're done with a purpose. On your studio - my studio is such a mess! I had to move much 'stuff ' out of the way because we had new windows put in. I hope I can get it cleaned up with some sense of order. Meanwhile, thank you for your creativity and positivity. Hope this is a fabulous year for you and your family.

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    1. Sharon,
      What a sweet and thoughtful comment. Thank you for your kindness. I know just what you mean about liking that they aren't every day. I'm wishing you and yours a fabulous year as well!

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  9. I'm not very crafter but I love the supplies. Does that even make sense? The world would be a very boring place without talented people with you in it. It's beautiful the way you embrace each moment of the season. The older I get the more I do, too. Thank you for your heartfelt appreciative posts.
    Peace and Joy! Happy New Year!!!

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  10. sounds like such a wonderful holiday, and the necklace you made is so pretty, and your studio sounds like the perfect place to be :) happy new year

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  11. Wishing you and your family a very wonderful 2016~

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  12. Happy New Year! I always love your color palette-so soft and feminine! Your home looks super cozy! And yes, I know want to buy every book you pictured, lol! I always love to see what others are reading! XOXO, Kerri

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    1. I always have that same problem, Kerri! I love to see other people's stacks of books though so I always assume other people will want to see mine. This is a really, really good stack! I didn't help you any there, did I?!

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  13. lovely to peek into your cottage as usual! happy new year. xoxo

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  14. i so look forward to your posts, especially during the holidays. when a new one pops up, i rush through it skimming the content and mostly looking at the beautiful pictures. then go back and read your lovely commentary at least once through and often come back to it another day to re-read.

    the week after christmas is also my favorite of the year! it's a holiday unto itself. the pajama wearing, house organizing/rearranging, playing with christmas presents, movie viewing, no schedule, hanging out with family, fun cooking, no guilt, lazy holiday. i'm glad it's only once a year bc i would be a big, ol' good - for -nothing if not :).

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  15. Sounds like you ushered in the new year just perfectly!! I'm so glad you all had such a nice Christmas. I haven't had as much quiet time as you so I'm looking forward to Monday when things are more or less back to our regular routine. Happy and healthy new year to you and your family!! xo

    ~ Wendy

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  16. I love the necklaces!! YES! Your girls sound like they know what they want and that makes things wonderful and ...maybe easy!

    I was given a planner, too. I really don't know what to do with it. I start with good intentions but I'm such a haphazard person lol! Maybe this might help me focus.

    Love that you had some great things from TJ. Ours is about 45 minutes aways so its a treat when I can get there.

    Happy New Year. I treasure you as a new friend, Jen!

    Jane x

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  17. Hi Jen,
    Love the photo of Millie with her new reindeer, so cute!
    And the necklaces you made are so beautiful, such a special gift!
    That milk glass dish made my milk glass collecting heart sing! Pretty!
    I so agree with you, there is no place like home to ring in the new year...and your stack of books looks like the best way to spend a New Year's Eve to me! ;)
    Wishing you the Happiest of 2016's!
    Hugs, Kimberley

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  18. Oh, to be lost in my studio for hours! Wait, I don't have one! I used to and I loved being there, but we need a guest room so I have to lose myself wherever I can in the house.

    Now you have me wanting to make some jewelry.

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  19. Happy New Year! That necklace and your girls are so pretty! What a fabulous studio and stack of books! Enjoy!

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  20. i keep looking at this post and loving every single picture. those tobacco drying baskets (that's what it is, right?!?) keep jumping out at me everywhere i look and i'm thinking i MUST find one soon! (where did you find yours?)

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