At The Ballet

Last Friday was Boston Ballet's opening night of The Nutcracker. Dave's mom, the girls and I got all dressed up and journied in to Boston for what is clearly becoming a holiday tradition for the four of us! It was another absolutely gorgeous performance of this wonderful ballet, and we were all as captivated as we were last year. I loved seeing the girls reactions throughout the performance (the first time the mice show up on stage, the entire section where it's snowing, the sheep- especially that silly lone black one, the waltz of the flowers, the grand pas de deux). I honestly think that they enjoyed it even more this year since they knew what was coming after having seen it on opening night a year ago! Thank you, Grandma Joan, for another lovely night at the ballet! We are looking forward to next year already! xo

New Hats!

For the last couple of years the girls and I have had this goal of knitting hats for the upcoming winter. And yet each year it seems that winter comes before we have even cast on a single stitch. And, if I'm being completely honest here, two out of the three of us really need to improve our knitting skills a bit more before we attempt hats.

And so, as the first bit of winter was felt in the air I realized that the hats the girls have had for the last few years really were in no condition to be their hats again this year. Knitted winter hats are totally their "thing" and honestly, it makes it super easy to spot them when we are out and about since no one else will be wearing hats like theirs. I pondered trying to knit a couple of hats for them and quickly dismissed that idea (though I am bound and determined that 2017 will be The Year of the Hat). Instead, I decided to reach out to my friend Julie who made their last hats and see if she may be willing to do so again. A quick Facebook message to her and an equally quick reply back found us then discussing yarn colors and hat patterns followed by Julie casting on for the first hat a few days later.

They arrived last Friday and are absolutely gorgeous! These hats look fabulous with their winter coats as well as their fleeces. The girls were absolutely overjoyed to have such lovely new hats to wear this winter! With any luck these will last as long as the last ones did! And with just as much luck (and practice) we'll learn to knit some hats of our own before the end of next year!

Thank you, Julie, for sharing your talents with us once again! We are very grateful and  feel very blessed to have a bit of your handywork in our home again! xo

Scenes From The Advent Spiral

Wishing you and yours a blessed and magical holiday season. xo

The First Light Of Advent

The girls with the beautiful advent wreath they made after church today.

 They did such a wonderful job!

The first light of Advent is the light of the stones.
The light that shines in crystals, in seashells and in bones. 

{These Moments} On Thanksgiving Day

{These Moments} A Friday ritual. Several photos -no words- capturing our Thanksgiving day. A day I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link to your moment(s) in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a blessed Thanksgiving weekend and a lovely start to the holiday season! xo