the morning after.

the holiday was lovely.
all lights. and love.

i spent the morning.
packing up ornaments off the tree.
and sipping fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

the weather is so mild.
a warmish winter.

a mast brothers christmas

gifted myself some delicious
mast brothers chocolate.

perhaps i'll indulge in a corner.
tomorrow night.

flannel pajama-clad.
in the light of the christmas tree.

rosemary wreath

made these last night.

so simple.
so festive.


the house still smells like fresh cut herb.

snow + brunch + twinkle lights

chicago was magical.

all awash with:

gently falling snow.
farm-fresh brunch.
and midnight twinkle lights.


christmas was palpable in the crisp air.

i feel thankful & refreshed.

***

ps: loving this christmas song.

ushering in winter

lately:

lemon + honey + ginger syrup tea on cool mornings.

l.l. bean boots on frosty evening treks to work.

christmas records & the tree rising.

:: have yourself a merry little christmas

:: light up the christmas tree

"toledo zoo christmas tree. dec 2009"

may the light and joy of the Christmas season be with you and yours always

:: beginning the world again

oh blog friends!

what a treasure it is to be immersed in one's life work. to find yourself bathing in your passion.

as i last mentioned, i have made the decision to evolve into the more natural methods of childbearing and birth. i so love the care of mothers and babies, but am continually disappointed with the atmosphere of the hospital. surrounding myself with passionate, like-minded people has encouraged me in ways i could never describe. and their encouragement supports me through even the most difficult days on the job.

i have been pouring over books, podcasts, and documentaries. filling up on this priceless knowledge. my most recent step toward career advancement has come in the form of a doula course. a doula is a labor companion--- a person present during labor whose focus is the mother, her comfort, and her experience. my labor & delivery work at the hospital has given me quite the introductory lesson---but the weekend of doula training will make me eligible for certification. i will train under a fabulous teacher here in ann arbor, mi. the class is in february, and i am ecstatic.

another exciting development:: an article i penned will be published in the winter issue of a periodical titled "the birth project". originally desiring to go into the field of journalism-- i was thrilled at the prospect of having some published work. as a locally owned magazine, i was able to brush shoulders with the editors and submit a piece. i am so thankful for the opportunities that God is consistently putting in my path.

i am enjoying every moment of the holiday season: the lights. the music. the baked goods. the television specials. the gift giving. the cozy sweaters and scarves. and of course- the starbucks lattes :)

allow me to take a moment to wish each of you the most blessed of holidays. the most beautiful christmas. thank you for reading while i've been away. your faithfulness is a blessing within itself.




ps: can't WAIT to see this movie:::

:: 5 holiday loves

okay. if i pinky swear that this is the last list of the week, will you indulge me once again? saw this fun one at promise's blog. and when she encouraged her readers to create one of their own, i could NOT resist. especially since i've already confessed my premature holiday cheer this season. so here it is:: my 5 holiday LOVES::

1) sparkly ornaments

2) spritz cookies (grandma's recipe, of course)

3) all things Charlie Brown Christmas

4) starbucks holiday cups filled with peppermint white chocolate mocha

5) christmas music
(my all-time favorite being this Jackson 5 offering)

(all images located via google image search)

:: have a cup of cheer

somewhere. nestled in amongst all the hours and minutes of my 4 night work stretch--i found my way to target-- and while i was there, i meandered to the entertainment aisles. and while i was perusing the endless goodies, i happened upon a holiday display. and while glancing at the christmas music, i noticed this::

" a Sugarland christmas album?!"

my heart was full with the purest of joys. and i'm not even going to waste your time pretending that i had the intention of tucking this CD away for a month, or so. allowing october to become a part of history. and giving thanksgiving the opportunity to start shining its glorious light. no. not a chance. from the moment i tossed this little gem into my shopping cart--- i had every single intention of ripping through the plastic packaging and jamming to holly jolly christmas songs, all the way home.

(&& let me assure you--you needn't even like country music to enjoy this band's holiday offering. their style stands on its own)

every year, my family accuses me of indulging in the christmas spirit a wee bit early. and i must confess that it is true. there has even been the occasional year where, by the time december 25th actually rolls around, i've tiered everyone, including myself, out of cheer. but i can't help it. i am enraptured by the first few bars of a holiday tune. i hear those bells jingling. and my toes get tapping. and memories from a lifetime of christmases start flooding my mind. and before you know it-- i've dug the ornaments out of the basement. have breathed new life into granny's spritz recipe. dusted off my charlie brown christmas DVD. and am incessantly humming "silver & gold" from the classic Rudolf cartoon.

&& then-- for every commercial christmas ideal that i embrace-- my heart swells doubly when i think of Jesus' birth. and candlelight services. and mitten trees. and soup kitchens. and the giving. oh the joy it brings me to contemplate, locate and present the perfect gift. i'm getting more excited just thinking about it.

and while old man christmas has snuck in during an inopportune work stretch---i have every intention of basking in holiday glee for the next 5 days. gearing up, once again, for my most favorite holiday. even if it is disturbingly premature.

for it is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.