My Wishes to you...

Christmas Eve is tomorrow.  I'll be honest, the past week has been a rough one for the world and for my family as there was a tragic death that will leave a scar on some family members forever.  But I still want to send you all some holiday wishes from my heart.

I wish you and your loved ones a cozy and special Christmas.

© Jill's Dream Artwork

I wish you some comfort and peace in your heart.

I wish you some rest and relaxation.

I wish you a promising and happy 2013.  I wish you special time with those you love.

It's Beginning to look a lot like...

Sorry if it sounds cliche, but "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" around here (well except that we haven't had any snow yet).  My little Christmas decorations are some of my favorite items around the house...they have charm, sparkle, memories and a touch of sweetness.  I'd like to share some recent pictures I've taken as I've started decking the halls at home.

This is a picture of Isabella on her first Christmas - such a little sweetie pie - she only had her bottom two teeth then - a great memory.

Giraffes are my favorite animal - this is a wooden carved one from a local German shop.  Every December I add a red ribbon to brighten her up.  

I typically like sparkly and bright, but I couldn't resist this rustic and simple burlap stocking from another of my favorite shops called Harvest Home.  I added a little evergreen twig to make it come to life a bit.

The above three are close-ups of parts our fireplace mantel.  Aside from the tree, the mantel is my favorite thing to decorate. I do love having a natural fireplace during the cold weather - so cozy.

Here's a painting I've been working on just to hang up during winter.  It sort of represents Shane, Isabella and myself, three snow people holding our twig hands.  I might have a few more things to add, but it's almost finished.

Thanks for taking a little tour of some of my holiday decorations.  We're chopping down a tree tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll be sharing pics of the tree and my favorite ornaments in a few days as well!

He Sees You When You're Sleeping

Hope you all had a good Christmas.  Just wanted to share this cute picture of Isabella sitting on Santa's lap on Christmas Eve.  He was talking to her about playing the flute and her periodically telling us she wants to quit playing even though she's very talented and a quick learner.  I think she was a bit surprised and embarrassed he brought this up!  I'm sure you can tell by her hand over her mouth.

I'm actually sad that it's over.  I anticipate it so much each year and always feel a little depressed when it's over to be honest, so I'm dealing with that right now, but lots to look forward to which takes my mind off Christmas being over so quickly and without snow this year.  Looking forward to spending time with friends on New Year's Eve, my 40th birthday this January, a trip to Lake Havasu, Arizona for spring break and new adventures in my creative life, one of which is Flora Bowley coming to Wisconsin!

Nutcracker

Yesterday we went to the Nutcracker with the Milwaukee Ballet.  I absolutely loved it.  I felt like I was in a dream.  The costumes, the set, the ballerinas and the amazing music.  I kept wanting to close my eyes and get lost in the music, but then I realized I'd miss the show.  We were third row, right behind the orchestra, the best seats I've ever had.  It was my second time there, but our daughter's first.  I was so excited to take her because she's been dancing since she was four.  Well....she liked it but didn't love it she said.  I was a bit disappointed to hear that for sure, but I still think it was a special holiday experience to share with her.  We'll see if next year she has any interest, but I won't push it.  But I sure did love it myself.  I guess the little girl in me who wanted to be a ballerina or an ice skater is still drawn to this.

Photo:  Milwaukee Ballet website

Giving Thanks

After Thanksgiving ended, we started a gratitude jar in preparation for the Christmas holiday.  My daughter who is nine sometimes forgets how lucky we are when she compares our lives to friends' at school.  So, I put out one of my canning jars that I use as a vase for flowers in the summer and tied a green ribbon around it and placed it on our breakfast bar.  I cut some of her green and red construction paper into strips that are sitting on the counter right by the jar.  We then started individually writing down things we're thankful for and the three of us will read them on Christmas morning after we open our presents from Santa and each other.  I hope that this becomes a tradtion for us and that we all realize how blessed we are even though things aren't perfect in our family. 

I've put big things on my slips of paper but little things as well--those little things are what make up the sweet moments of our lives.  One of the things I put that I am thankful for is "watching Isabella playing outside in the snow for the first time this year."  Even though she was all alone out there, she looked thrilled to be enjoying our first snowfall of the season.  My heart felt so full just watching her explore and play.  I'm looking forward to all three of us reading the slips of paper on Christmas morning. 

Christmas is Coming

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and brought with it the stomach flu in our house.  Usually we start our decorating but we're not feeling quite up to it yet physically.  However, as soon as we come alive again, the house will start to be transformed with lots of candles and sparkle.  I love this cozy room and its wooden beams.  Though I love lots of sparkle for Christmas I also love rustic and cozy rooms as well like this one from HGTV.

New Painting - All is Calm

I just finished this new painting titled "All is Calm" of a deer standing peacfully among falling snowflakes.  The title was inspired by the song Silent Night which gives me a sense of calm and I envision a cloudless snowy night.  Though I'm not a fan of snow overall, I'm looking forward to those first snowfalls and going outside and enjoying those nights that actually do seem silent.

White Decorating

My last post was about white Christmas trees and now I found this picture of a mostly white kitchen during Christmastime in Midwest Living Magazine.  Again, I love it.  Don't know why, but I have a soft spot for white cabinets and white Christmas trees that look like they are covered in snow (not the cabinets).  I think I might actually enjoy cooking in this kitchen.
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I Got the Holiday Bug

I'm getting excited for Christmas and seeing decorations all over already!  I'll admit it is a bit early though.   I look forward to pulling out my containers of decorations and making the house sparkly and cozy.  This white tree sparked my eye today from the House of Turquoise blog.  I'd love one tree with sentimental and personal ornaments and one just beautifully decorated and "matchy."  I love love love it. 

New Painting - Our First Snowfall

I love snowmen, have for years.  I even have quite a collection that I can't wait to put out in December.  Don't know why, but maybe it's the simplicity and the whiteness--I know not very specific, but there's just something about them.  I just finished this new painting titled "Our First Snowfall" and it's just a cute little 8x8 canvas to bring some whimsy into someone's home during the winter/holiday season.

New Painting - Joy to the World

I've already got the holiday bug.  Once it gets colder, I look forward to Christmas and its cozy season.  I just added this new painting on etsy called Joy to the World.  I love the first snowfall of the year especially at night when the sky is clear and all is quiet.