Christmas

"Brown paper packages tied up with strings..." 

Work

      I don't know if you were expecting a picture that was of the work that I do and that's actually what I thought of when I picked the theme. Then last night the sunset took my breath away and I knew that at the end of the day this is my favorite part of work. Even if I had a bad day this view never ceases to make me content right where I'm am. It's my little bit of heaven. :)

When Carmen suggested "work" as our theme for this week, I wasn't sure what I was going to do since I wasn't going to be working between then and today. Then, I remembered that I own my favorite work tool. I clean houses two days a week and love it. Mostly because the people I clean for are the kindest, sweetest, most generous people ever! But, yes, my Dyson is my favorite cleaning tool. 

Warmth

Coffee after a good long hard day. A long long red coat. Lights in the windows of my small town. Fun gloves from target that don't match with anything but make me smile everytime i wear them. Fuzzy footies. Hot chocolate with Jen at Morton Street. Scarves. Someones kind smile. A compliment from a stranger. Christmas cards in the mail, and so so much more. So today i am thankful for all the wonderful things God gave me to use while I live in this freezing cold north. And I must admit. Middlebury is very sweet in the winter decked out in all its christmas finery.

Fuzzy slippers. What more do I need to say? : )

Music

I love music. Classical. Southern Gospel. Pop. A little bit of everything. Christmas music fits right in there with my mix. ;) So when I saw these carolers on the gingerbread house I couldn't resist taking a picture of  what is one of my favorite things to do in the winter. Hard tack anyone. :)

P.S. I heard my favorite christmas song this morning. Pat a Pan. love. :)

When Carm said she wanted this week's theme to be music, I thought "oh shoot! What am I going to take a picture of!?" Besides listening to the radio and Pandora, we aren't a very musical household (unless barking and whimpering counts as music :p). As I was contemplating what to capture, I happened to think of this music box...one of the many things sitting in my "favorite things cabinet." This dear music box is in sad shape. It is chipped and broken and scratched can barely play anymore, but I love the history behind it. Grandma Miller gave it to me at some point after I graduated and told me that it was the last gift her sister Leora gave her before Leora passed away. So, even though this music box isn't very musical anymore, I still love it! 

Hobbies

                                                              Life's a hobby!! Joshua Lederberg

I do believe I have inherited my mother's craftiness. I have about a million hobbies, from photography and scrapbooking to the newly discovered "paper cutting"...not to mention my new love of mod podge! If you can cut it, glue it, paint it or add ribbon to it; chances are, I'm going to try it if I haven't already... I love my hobbies and I am very thankful my husband gets it and appreciates the many things I come up with.

Bowls

so i know the thing for this week isn't very inspirational but it makes me happy. mainly because we sell the coolest ever hand carved bowls. the lady is from Appalachia Tennessee and just drops in whenever she's passing through. so we got a huge order of them the other day and i got to check it in and it made me happy. i hope y'all have a wonderful day and keep your eyes open for all the little things that make you happy. even if it is a weeny tiny bowl. and if you are feeling so inspired just tag a little comment about that little thing at the bottom of our page, and share your happiness. :)

I have this odd love for milk glass. I've started picking up pieces in thrift stores and garage sales. I just think the pure, white glass is so beautiful; and when I find a piece for two dollars, I can't let it go! This piece; however, is even more special because it came from Dennis's Grandma. How much more valuable is something you love when it is given to you by someone you love! 

Old

I've always thought old things had a sort of magic about them. they always made me wonder what they looked like when they were new, and what kind of journey they had on the way to now. i guess that's why i love the story of the velveteen rabbit so much and the famous skin horse quote. and why i love old books. and old houses with old chest full of old letters and pictures. the shadows and stories and history behind it all. and i think actually that when someone or something ages gracefully right along with life they are more beautiful at the end than they were at the beginning. that's why i love old things

One of my favorite memories from growing up is exploring the old house that was way back in the woods behind our house. We found letters, old school papers, glass coke bottles, old washing machines...We would make up stories about who the people were and why they left all their things behind. Old houses still fascinate me and that is one reason why I love the South. There are old, broken down houses around every corner. Just imagine the stories this little shack could tell!