Ready to be Given...

…to teachers, neighbors, and friends who happen by. :)

Halls: decked.

I actually decorated before Thanksgiving. The season's so short! Plus, right after we got back from Thanksgiving, we went right into the Missoula Children's Theatre residency. Busy, busy, busy this time of year. I'm loving the sights, sounds, and smells of the season.

End of an era

We had our last Missoula Children's Theatre residency last week. I've helped bring MCT to our school for eight years now.

The photo at top is our very own "Blackbeard the Pirate" and "Beach Bum" from this year's show, and  the bottom shot is of the tour team from MCT who visited us this week.

I'm grieving the end of an era this afternoon, and celebrating all the amazing memories we have.

Card prep

Getting ready to send out our cards for the year. In this photo you can see our Christmas tablescape too. It's feeling cozy and cheery in here. Good thing because it's heading below zero this week. Yikes!

Happy place

On any given day, you might find me whining about all the time I have to spend in this corner of my home. It seems like there is constant work to be found here. And keeping this spot tidy seems to be the key to me feeling like life is manageable, you know?

But looking at this photo, I must say, it's a pretty happy place.

It's where my girls update me on their days, ask if they can help, and complain about having to do their homework. It's where I listen to the radio, and skip happily from stovetop, to sink, to fridge, and back again. And again. And again. It's where I look out the window and smile at my kitting lounging in the sunshine. And when I fold that washcloth and drape it over the sink edge to dry - an indication that all is tidy in this space (for a few minutes at least) - I let out a happy sigh of relief and contentment. Yup, it's a very happy place.

Thankful

Our Thanksgiving group this year includes my brother, his family, and my niece's college roommate. Yum! Fun! So thankful.

An Afternoon

I'm only working about 25 hours a week for a few months. It's been a nice little break. I have afternoons at home to get things in order, to practice my photography, to relax with a cup of coffee and craft blogs. In January, I'll be back at it, working up until the kiddos get home in the afternoon. Until then, I'll enjoy these few hours a day that belong just to me.

:: on the stove ::

:: out the kitchen window ::

:: out the front window ::



:: an abandoned little girl game ::

:: my cozy corner ::