Don't try this~

~Baby it's cold outside~

Against all of the warnings... didn't we all try this-at least once?

I did! I was in the third grade, on the playground and it was bitter cold.

Right there on the flagpole.

I wonder just how many tongues have applied themselves to that very flagpole.

Funny how when warned against something we almost always have to try it anyway...

Also in the third grade, my Mom was sprinkling and ironing curtains {remember those days?}.

She was headed into another room-when she warned me..."Debra, don't touch the iron to this plastic bag will you?"

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Oh yes I did...

Then ran to the staircase and said... "Mom, I'm going over to Patty's, bye."

And then I high-tailed next door.

Will Power my dear...will power!

~Chocolate bliss~

Will power is what this calls for. In two days we have received two delicious and thoughtful holiday gifts.

One was "bliss-in-a-bag".

That will go directly into the freezer...out of sight, out of mind!

Perhaps we'll break off a little snag of it for the Super Bowl.

Next came this tub-full-of-fun. Filled with all kinds of goodies! I love a great gift basket.

Much of this will be stowed away for impromptu gatherings and cocktails, but there are few little items that will be hidden away... for something special!

{Thank you M & G}

~xoxo~

Treats like these are a nice way to extend the holidays.

Thanks to Mary, my trainer at the gym for keeping me on track and pushing me when I need it most.

images:

Sweet Treats

A Southern Season

An old shoe vs. a new shoe~

~Off to the cobbler~

Yesterday I mentioned to a friend that I needed to drop off my driving mocs to the local cobbler.

Her reply was, "Where?" And then, "What for?"

When I explained that a stitch had come loose and I needed to have it mended -her reply was, "Gee, that's a good idea I guess, I usually figure it's time for a new pair!"

My reply was, "W H A T?"

~*~

Our local cobbler is the sweetest guy-and very busy I might add...and very reasonable.

When you need a new heel, a stitch mended, a belt shortened, a purse repaired... do you take it to the cobbler...or figure it's time for new?

"Old shoes and old friends are the best for relaxing".

~unknown

Image:

TOD'S

Holiday Journal~

~Holiday Journal~

This morning when I was talking with a fellow blogger, I mentioned my Christmas journal. She {you know who you are} said I hadn't blogged about it and...what a good idea.

It was a Christmas gift from a friend a few years ago.

I have no idea where she purchased it, but I bet a stationery shop would have something, or a plain journal or notebook would do nicely.

~*~

Amazon has a nice example of one here.

This one has a place for your Christmas card list, pages for keeping track of shopping and your budget, a calendar, gifts received and thank-yous, and holiday notes.
It really has been a handy little book and I would urge you to start keeping one of these- now, while everything is still fresh.

I jot down what I serve at holiday gatherings and dinners, I put a sample of this years Christmas card inside and how many I ordered and sent. I make notes about tweaking recipes, what goodies were popular and the ones that may not have been...

This year I noted that for 2010 we should start our Christmas Eve party a little earlier. This past Christmas it was too late for Erin and Jack on such an exciting night with Santa's arrival.

I keep it right in my desk and during the year if I get a great gift idea for someone I jot it down.

I also include:

~Wording for next years holiday card.~

~Ideas for holiday illustrations.~

~Packaging ideas~

~New recipes to try~

~Reminder to look for holiday dog collars...etc., etc...~

I bring it out in October so I can get a head start on a few things like my card illustration, and a jump-start on some shopping. It's a handy way to keep everything in one neat little book and ever so helpful in keeping things organized for the busy holiday season.
~*~

January 6~ The Epiphany

Twelve Days of Christmas

Three Kings Day

Images:

My own...please excuse poor quality of photos...I really need/want a new camera...

A few of my favorite things~

I have been purging, tossing, donating and just plain giving away 'one man's trash is another mans...' you know how that goes! In my on-going attempt to simplify things I have edited many of my personal care products. After years of 'buying-into' what's new, great, guaranteed to work I have come to trust my tried and true. I thought that since I'm in the process of tossing the one-time-used things, that I would share my go-to list of a few long time favorites. ~look ma, new hands~

This is actually a new bestie. I got it from a friend that knows how dry my hands are at this time of year. Really awful!

It's from Bath and Body and she also gave me the funky gloves to go with this cream.

The cream is great! It is paraffin based and when used with the gloves for 20 minutes it feels just like a paraffin-dip at the spa.

Great store wide and online sale going on now by the way.

~Mason Pearson~

My Mason Pearson hair brush... When I was a gardener my years ago, the family I worked for gave me my first one and I still have it. I have added another and the pocket size M.P. for my purse. It really is a wonderful hair brush.

~Weleda Almond Cleansing Lotion~


*Thanks to Mary-Laure over at the splendid Aurea.*

Mary-Laure has mentioned Weleda Facial Cream on a couple of occasions. After purchasing several new moisturizers that I couldn't use {again...dry, dry dry this time of year} I hit Whole Foods and tried these-along with one other face cream from the same line, only a lighter version for days that I stay in.


~Weleda Intensive Facial Cream~
L O V E


~Kiehl's Creme With Silk Groom~



I have very thick hair and with that comes a good case of the frizzies in humid weather. This product which I have used forever is great during the old, dry Maine winters too.




~Kiehl's Moisturizing Eye Balm~

This speaks for itself... a lifesaver in a tiny jar.


So-these are a few of my favorite things. Had Mary-Laure not mentioned Weleda products, I may still be suffering with insanely dry, winter skin.

Maybe one of these will be just the thing for you to try.
~*~

What are some of your faves?

Images: Bath and Body Works, Mason Pearson, Weleda and Keihl's

Post Holiday Drink~

~Warm Eggnog~

After the New Year and right up until the Epiphany we like a cup of warm eggnog before bed. Sometimes we add a smidgen of brandy or rum and always some grated nutmeg.

It's a nice little reminder of the holidays and eases us back into the real world.

~*~

Kathleen over at Purple Flowers mentioned leaving her holiday decorations up until "Little Christmas". I wasn't familiar with this so I googled it. The very short story is apparently Little Christmas falls on the Epiphany-January 6th. Celebrated everywhere~ but in Cork, Ireland it's quite the holiday. Women celebrate by going out with women friends, Sisters, Mothers, Aunts, Grandmothers. If you have any other information on this fabulous holiday-please do share. I love the idea of women going out and celebrating Little Christmas.

Image:

eggandsoldier.com

From this...to this!

~Christmas Clutter~

In the blink of an eye, my house went from looking like this...

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To this...

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~Void of all Christmas~

~No~ these are not my interiors!~

When we finally decided to take down the trees, garlands, {they were a definite fire hazard} wreaths, wooden Santas, paper chains and we coiled-up all of the crystal lights-there was no time to stop and take photos. I was on a mission. When I decide that the time has come to undecorate-there is no stopping me. I do find it all somewhat sad. I always wonder what changes will have taken place when I next see all of my lovely holiday ornaments.

Things are looking pretty stark here... and I think I'm enjoying it.

I actually write little notes and tuck them into the storage containers. It's always fun when I get them out for the next holiday. I can become such a sap during the holidays ...and even more so when I have to pack everything away.

~*~

Have you taken down all of your holiday decorations?

Am I the only one that feels sort of melancholy at the closing of the holidays?

Images:

Country Living

Minimalismi.com