Cold toes :: A jingle of bells :: Amelia singing :: Ballet in the dining room :: A drive in the country :: A tree farm :: Woodsmoke and hot cider :: She learns to love hot chocolate :: Making tea every night :: Nightgowns and nightgown plans :: Amelia destroying one advent calendar, and eating chocolate from the other at 5:00 a.m. :: Impatience :: Winter mornings :: Lone birds :: Sore throat :: Early hours in bed with coffee and Christmas music :: Amelia setting up all sorts of little scenes with little stuff :: My insane cat who tries to attack me while I knit and then gets her claw caught in my sock and freaks out (as do I) :: Hot milk with turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, and honey :: Andy "playing" with Amelia by accidentally knocking her down then wiping out and practically falling on top of her while my friend and I sit with our hands over our eyes, trying not to laugh :: Winter faire :: Wreaths and lights :: Ballet talk :: Brew pub lunches :: Gnomes and toadstools :: Battery candles :: Christmas movies and Christmas cards :: Roast chickens and mushrooms :: Silver sun :: Winter moon. I love December.
***Answers to some questions in comments: Cinnamon buns by Pillsbury (get Grands, unroll, re-roll, etc.); A's crown here; felt pastries were a gift, but I think I remember they were from Etsy.
I love December too - and January and February! It's a glorious time of year, isn't
Delicious, warming soups, mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream and quiet time.
I love it all!
:: Twinkling lights :: Pretty blogs :: Making plans :: Filling up on hope and joy ::
Thank you, Alicia... you add a great deal to the pleasures of December. And what about snow?
Oh mercy. I've subscribed to your blog for what seems like forever and I never do anything except read and enjoy your perspective on life. Just popping in this time to wish you and your sweet family a very Merry Christmas, and to say that I love the dear moments you share with your child. She seems like a child from another era, innocent, curious, ADORABLE, and just --old fashioned isn't the word, but then maybe it is? You are giving her the gift of time, patience, and so much love. She will actually have a childhood with faeries, imagination, animals and berries and discoveries that are tender. I wish you could write a book! She will look back on her childhood and know she had wonderful parents. (Mr. Rogers wasn't your dad by any chance?)
Oh my, I love these december photos and rosey cheeks.
Like seeing Amelia creating her little Christmas scenes/stories . . .
Imagination and creating . . . very good things . . .
Amelia's Dufflecoat!! Love the toggle buttons. And seeing Andy's beautiful Smile.
Love and Merry Christmas to all of you.
Beautiful photos as usual. Such a wonderful life you are showing us, inspiring us all to live a simpler life. I look forward to seeing the felt ornaments you made for Amelia's tree. Take care and enjoy every moment of December, as I shall try to do as well.
Your daughter is beautiful! She looks just like your husband!
Christmas through the eyes of a child :)
beautiful photos, beautiful family. thank you
The photo of your daughter and her daddy melts my heart. Pure sweetness. What a gift to have children during the holidays, isn't it. They add the joy and wonder and yours photos capture it all. Thank you.
Oh, that picture of Andy and Meems! I'd print & frame that one if I were you Alicia. That's a keeper. ❤️
:: writing a newsletter to include in my cards :: practicing Silent Night on the piano :: snow falling outside until everything is white :: seeing presents stack up under the tree :: happy times.
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*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I have been drinking my turmeric milk, also, so many benefits from it! Love your photos, family and beautiful blog!!!!
Wonderful snapshots. One has to try that turmeric hot milk...
Xxx
Annette
I love Amelia's crocheted crown!(And your trademark cosy glowing interior shots!!)
Precious times. Thanks for sharing them, Alicia. Weren't the snowflakes fabulous yesterday! xx
Me too Alicia. This has made me laugh out loud - thank you for all the love and joy you bring!
This December holds few joys but plenty of fears. It is our month of homelessness, so the prior days of December have held much trepidation of this approaching date. The future December days seem to provide no answers so a sense of foreboding is omnipresent this year. In two days my daughter and I leave our rented home. We have no new home of our own to go to, as we could not find anywhere that wanted us.
We are lucky to have friends to stay with over Christmas in the very short term and are grateful for that but the future is unknown and so uncertain. Until then, it is the normality I see on blogs like this that help keep me focused and not totally despairing. Thank you for that, and a Very Merry Christmas to all of your lovely family.
In the meantime people should know that ordinary people end up on the streets - we are so close to that. When you pass over someone on the street or are asked for spare change, remember that it could be each and every one of us. You don't have to be on drugs or a drinker to have it happen to you. They are going to be cold, lonely and abandoned all year around and not just for a few days over Christmas. So help that maintains them not just over this time is important. They don't need woolly hats that leave the donator with a rosy glow, so much as they need a home and to feel that society wants them. Let them know that you do.
DITTO! On the above note about the picture of your girl and her wonderful dad! Make it bigger, frame it - keep forever. Your site is so full of love, joy and honesty. Thank you for sharing!
What can I say? I love your blog, pictures, words. I enjoy it so much. :) Cathryn
Your blog is the essence of ..."All is calm...All is bright" what a lucky little lady she is!!! Her crown! Is there ANYTHING you cant create??? Happy Holidays to you all..Thank you for sharing your little corner of the world with us..I hope you never stop!
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Your words and life moment captures...all so beautiful!
Love and merriment to you all xo
Thank you, Alicia for your magical words and quietly evocative photos. I always look forward to your blog on my feed.
Love it all, so fun, and some laughs.