Tea Time

My December calendar always starts out slow and then BAM...it is packed. I love this time of year for all the time I get to spend with others. I know it can get crazy trying to get it all in, see the people you want to see, and host the get togethers you want to host. We seem to get a lot of dinner invites this month that vie for precious spots on the calendar and we like to have people over too (just feels like Christmas). 

But I'd like to offer up an alternate idea or two...have some people over for breakfast/brunch/lunch instead of dinner. Or have people over for dessert (and maybe add in some board games or a Christmas movie). Or maybe just appetizers (everyone brings their favourite one - they are all my favourite, I could eat only appetizers for meals and I'd be happy).  Or have a gift wrapping party, go bowling, see a movie...start some new traditions (that will energize you, instead of make you feel rushed/stressed/ busy).

I recently hosted a tea party for a great group of girls/writers (we've done dinners and brunches in the past) and it was really quite lovely.  We had just as much fun as always and it was something different. Actually, it may have been our best get together yet . We did a gift exchange for the first time. It had to be under $5. and it had to Inspire Creativity - it turned out quite well. New traditions...

Oh the fun you can have beyond dinner parties. Perhaps a Christmas card or letter writing night would tickle your fancy...I'm always down for a little mail time. And if Christmas cards aren't in your immediate future...there are always New Year's Cards!


638/1000 - Eighteen added to the tally.

Mailbox Monday

From World Market - one of my favourite stores!

Here is today's mailbox. It definitely has me thinking of mailboxes as home decor. I heard this week that Canada Post is going to be phasing out door to door delivery and transitioning to community mailboxes. I haven't had door to door delivery since I was...well, a long time ago (in my teens) but it still makes me a little sad that people won't need personal mailboxes or mail slots. So truly, mailboxes as home decor might be the wave of the future (starting trend now). Have a great week everyone!

Mailbox Monday

A Santa Mailbox!

I found this gem in my Christmas tree decorations. The end comes off and you put your letter to Santa inside - I haven't used it yet but this year might be the year! A very festive Mailbox Monday for you.  I keep surprising myself with all of these mail related objects that I didn't realize I had - each discovery is like...well...Christmas!

Happy Monday! It's snowing here - Winter Wonderland!

'Tis the Season...

...of busy-ness? It can be. And that can be a big part of the fun sometimes - all the hustle and bustle. But like many of you I sometimes wish for the occasional quiet moment (this is hard with a toddler and a preschooler in the house). So I've been carving out some little moments here and there of quiet,  peace, and Christmas.

I've been sitting down every night to write a few Christmas cards and it is so lovely to think about each person or family that I'm writing to - each card is a walk down memory lane (from recently to years ago). I think I forget this each year and when I sit down to write cards it is such a gift! It reminds me of how blessed I am to have the friends and family that I do. We received our first three Christmas cards in the mail on Friday and it just warmed my heart (they filled up my mailbox and I was excited to get home and share them with our family). Thank you Shelley, Patti and Jeff. Our very first card was hand delivered and that is quite lovely too. Thank you Harmony.

My Christmas Card Mess-Making Station.
And those puffs keep popping up everywhere!

I realize that there are lots of people out there who won't receive any Christmas cards this year, people who are alone or lonely or who don't have a fixed address. It is heartbreaking. There are a lot of programs that bring people together and give in times of need and cold and trouble. But it can also be easy to walk by and not notice when we are so caught up in our own lives and our own "stuff." You may not be a Christmas-card-mail-sending-kind-of-person like I am but I do hope that you will take a chance to lighten the load of someone in your life or a stranger. That you will love as the season dictates. That you will say to the, often, unseen "I see you, you are known." Think about carrying around a few coffee gift cards, warm socks or food items you can share with someone out in the cold who doesn't have a place to call home (and more if you are able). My Christmas wish...love your friends, your family and your neighbours (we all call this planet home - so that's everyone right?).

Simply love people this week as much as you can. See how it makes you feel...

620/1000 Adding a big 56 to the count - lots of Christmas cards but a few other things too - hooray!

P.S. Congratulations to the 2013 Canadian Weblog Award Winners! So lovely to be nominated and in such good company for the ride.

Mailbox Monday

Christmas Mailbox!

Someone special and thoughtful picked this up for me - a Christmas mailbox! How cute! Perfect for wrapping up a sweet little gift. My daughter has been delivering me all kinds of mail in this little tin wonder (princesses, stickers, and puffs - see below). My kids have both been loading it up with puffs and emptying it out, and loading it up and...

Puffs, puffs and more puffs!

Have a wonderful week everyone!