I've really enjoyed slowing down these last few days (though I did paint a whole room!), thank you for taking in photos sans words this week. It was a nice little break for me. I hope to return over the weekend with a few words of reflection as this year comes to an end. Until then, may your own New Years Eve be safe, peaceful and all that you need it to be. Namaste.

As I went through the photos on my camera this morning, I decided these are some of my favorite (captured) moments of the last several days. There are years that I feel very organized and can pull off the birthday of my girl on Christmas Eve without a hitch... some years it feels a little too mixed in with the hustle of the season. This was a good year, thankfully. She was pleased as punch to be able to ride in the front seat with me (she is twelve and 60 lbs, which meets our state law requirements). Now that we had that experience I hope she goes right on back to riding in the back... forever and ever.

We are home on break for the week and I think I'm just going to go with photo posting here while we drift through the coming stretch of days. There are a few things I'd like to accomplish, and a whole lot that I've decided not to accomplish. It'll feel good to just be for a while. I hope you don't mind the photo posts, they will likely be of a very random nature. I have no idea where this week will take us!

I hope you are enjoying the little moments in your home too.

The title of this post applies only to those of us that have an abundance of the essential ingredients already kicking around. ;)

I could make twenty of these earring holders without spending a single dime. I'm guessing there are a few of you out there who could do the same. In my area, there is never a shortage of embroidery hoops or doilies when out thrifting/flea marketing. I've got stacks and stacks of each around here. From time to time, I like to make jewelry, whenever the mood strikes. There are always plenty of beads and findings in my studio as well. Soooo, if you are like me and have these sort of things hanging around your house than go ahead and make an earring holder... combine it with a pair of handmade earrings, and you have a sweet and low to no cost gift to give.

Simply secure a doily tightly onto an embroidery hoop. You could stop there... but I went ahead and trimmed the edges and folded them around the back of the frame, securing with hot glue. Yes, it was weird and hard to cut into a doily. But it was all in the spirit of practicality and repurposing. I have never had a place to organize my earrings before, it's pretty great to have them all arranged in such a pretty way finally.

Am I too late? Do any of you still need a gift idea? Maybe you would just like to make one for yourself at some point. Many thanks to Tiny Happy for the idea and inspiration!

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"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it." ~Goethe 

Many blessings on this winter solstice... it is our favorite day of the year.

It is amazing how much can get done in a day when I am actually home to get those things done!  Working out of the house five days a week is such a stretch for me. As much as I enjoy what I do with my time away, I am reminded of who I truly am at home.

There was plenty of cocoa, some Little House on the Prairie viewing, time outside in the snow, a friend who visited, granola, banana bread, cookies, popcorn, bread and rolls made. And the very best New England Clam Chowder. Emily's favorite.

Today I am at a conference all day... but yesterday filled me enough so I'll get through that just fine. Thank you for the good snow day wishes yesterday, we had a wonderful time.

School has been canceled and  the cocoa is simmering. I'm thinking soup and fresh from the oven bread later... maybe some cookie baking too. It would be fun to try drawing a snowflake at some point...  wondering what that would look like. I've never been one to miss a snow day opportunity.

There is nothing quite like found time.