Wordless Wednesday: Merry CHRISTmas to You

Kitchen Love

Having a wood-burning stove in the kitchen is tops on my list of dream kitchen territory.  

{p,h,f,r} Christmas Decorations

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

Every Thursday with Like Mother, Like Daughter

This week, I'd like to share some of my favorite Christmas decorations with you.  

{pretty}

My talented daughter drew this in chalk pastels a few years ago.  

{happy}

The ceramic tree and nativity make me think of happy days gone by as they were made by my husband's and my grandmothers.  They are a reminder of their love for all things Christmas and of us.  They both are gone now to their Creator and we miss them mightily this time of the year.  These pieces are treasures.  

{funny}

I find this little mouse sitting next to Dorothy to be quite funny.  Also, take a close look at the nativity, there seems to be a Lego guy added.  Probably an attempt at being funny.  The others look concerned, don't they?  

{real}

The reality is, I have so many decorations that have sentimental meaning that I cannot share just a few! 

Thank you for stopping by.  Happy week before Christmas!! 

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

Every Thursday with Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

We have a family joke that says if you look up the word pretty in a dictionary, Dorothy's picture is there. Yes, we are a bit cat crazy around here.  Our dear Dorothy is the definition of pretty and she brings us so much joy.  She is the type of cat who will forever be a kitten, very playful and energetic.  She has been our baby for three years now.  She is pretty. 

{happy}

Lake Michigan in October is my happy place.  Actually, I love Lake Michigan in any season, but October is the best for hiking the dunes, especially if it is a bright clear day.  We will be walking the dunes in December, but it will be cold.  What a lake!

{funny}

These two, best friends, brother and sister, always funny.  They keep me young and hopping.  

{real}

I love this picture of an ordinary day, learning at home, both children diligently working.  There is nothing nicer.  Yes, the house gets messy, but I would not change a thing.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. See you next week.
~Jenn

Beauty in the Humblest Things

Old House Love

Adding another old house to my collection of dream houses.  I do wonder if I will ever be brave enough to own an old house.  We are not handy, nor do we have extra money to spend on a fixer.  I do love the idea of an old house, though.  Time will tell, right?

Fall Favorites

Fall just oozes coziness from the cooler days to the smells of pumpkin pie.  This fall has been especially wonderful.  I thought I would share some of my favorite things about this fall, here.



My youngest son has developed a love of decaf coffee this fall.  We have decided to stop our school work at 10 o'clock and enjoy a cup while watching a Bob Ross video, another of his obsessions.  These little breaks are very special to me.  He is 14 and growing up so fast.  I am honored that he wants to spend this time together.

We have had warm enough weather to ride our bikes this fall, which is one of the best things I know.  We get to ride around our neighborhood for half an hour, enjoying the fresh air as we go. The wind can be brisk, but we are bundled up and cozy.

Another fall favorite has been curling up on the sofa of the evening with a plush blanket while watching classic TV shows like Emergency.  We are currently enjoying a made up game of Emergency Bingo, a game that my 16-year-old daughter invented after discovering a love for that show.

We have reawakened our love for baking.  Who does not enjoy the smell of pumpkin pie spice wafting through the air?  My daughter is an accomplished baker and we enjoy her efforts most of all in the fall when ice cream no longer seems as interesting.

It has been the fall of apples, so many apples. I set out to try as many new apples as possible this year.  I have been blessed to live near a really nice orchard.  I think we have tried more apple varieties than ever before.  So far my favorites have been the Jonagold and Pink Ladies.

Fall is a time of preparing for winter, as I see it.  Preparing our hearts for the cold to come.  This certainly has been a fall to remember!