Who wouldn't want to blog in exchange for a chance to win this gorgeous fabric?


Check it out here! http://retromummy.blogspot.com/2010/12/flower-sugar-giveaway.html

More Merry and Bright 2010

Just in time for Christmas, the last of our decorations have gone up and I'm loving the festive feeling in our home. Yesterday I finished my shopping and last night I wrapped all of our presents. This morning Avonlea and I went shopping for ingredients for figgy piggy cornish hens, which I'll be making for my family (all 13 of us!) on Christmas Day. Maria made it at a dinner party last week and sent me the recipe--I can't stop thinking about it. Now Avonlea's down for her nap and I'm sipping coffee and nibbling panetone, one of my favorite Christmas pastries, also made by the industrious Maria.

Christmas cards

Our little tree and presents

wreath and paperwhite

cyclamen and December Bon Apetit

Our little elf (nearly walking!)

more paperwhites and Christmas spirits

Avonlea's Nutcracker Christmas ornaments from my childhood
and an Uncle Drosselmeyer from last year

Mount Granola--Matt's holiday cooking project

We feel so incredibly blessed this year. We have both sides of our family nearby and Matt's Minnesota brother Mike is even flying out on Christmas Eve. Avonlea's too young yet to understand Christmas, but having a child around adds a certain magic to the season. Our house is filled with candlelight and little treats and the season greetings from friends all over the country. The two week break from teaching is a welcome respite. It's a merry Christmas for us, truly.

Merry and Bright 2010

A few of our little Christmas touches this year:

A little tree... to keep little hands out of trouble

Last year when I made these, the middle one had no name! Welcome to the family, Avonlea.

I've gotten very inspired by a certain Etsy shop I ran across and have been busy making my own versions of its yarn and felt wreaths. I've used hot glue, yarn, a 12 inch foam wreath form, felt, pearl-ended pins, and little bird ornaments to tuck in with the handmade flowers.

The dark light of winter makes this less-lovely to photograph, but on my wall and front door, they are looking so cozy and sweet.

Avonlea's First Christmas Tree

Taken at Sky Nursery in Edmonds...

Merry and bright to come...

After a month-long hiatus that included a very productive local writing retreat and getting my novel back on track, as well as King's midterms, a bout of the stomach flu, seeing the Harry Potter 7 premier, and my favorite holiday (Thanksgiving: food. Go figure), I'm full of blog posts that have been gestating over the past month:

-Yarn and felt Christmas wreath crafting
-Epicurean homemade gifts
-Family holiday adventures
-Writing inspiration
-Avonlea's upcoming 1st birthday

We'll see how much I get to, but keep a lookout for upcoming posts!
Happy Merry and Bright!