Saved by the Tea

Santa generously filled our stockings, consequently there's an abundance of good chocolate in the house.  I'm having a hard time keeping my cravings in check (hormones, perhaps?).  Rather than spend the afternoon devouring dark chocolate squares, chocolate covered pretzels, nonpareils, and chocolate-dipped grahams, I've made myself a mug of Winter Chocolate Rooibos.  It's all the more fun and delicious with a cloud of frothed milk on top!    

Amaryllis & the Belly

Each year I receive an amaryllis bulb (or three!) for Christmas.  Once unpacked and watered thoroughly, they take 4-6 weeks to bloom.  I was checking the growth of the tiny green leaves this morning and realized that I'm expecting their gorgeous red blossoms right around the same time we're expecting the arrival of our girl.  It's a strange place we've entered in these final weeks of my pregnancy...wondering,watching, and waiting.  The question is, who'll arrive first, the flowers or our baby?     

Our New Toy

After much research on Lee's part, we decided to make the switch and are now the proud owners of a MacBook.  It arrived this morning, and I've been fiddling with it for much of the day.  I haven't begun to figure out all it can do for me (it took me more time than I care to admit to post this picture to the blog), but I'm having fun learning.  

Nighty-Night

Sofa Table

A couple of years ago, Lee and I purchased a small coffee table created from reclaimed barn wood. Santa brought us the matching sofa table this year for Christmas. Since there was no room behind our couch, we set it up on the opposite wall. We are enJOYing having another display surface for pictures and other trinkets. I especially love it at night with all the candles lit.

Baby Shower by Mail - Part 6

Except...this one wasn't by mail. This gift was hand delivered during a yummy breakfast in VA before we headed home from our Christmas travels. What fun to actually open a baby gift in the presence of my friend, Ayren! As you can see I've already been enJOYing the cookie-scented candle, and there are a few chocolates missing from the truffle box. I haven't tried the Kiehl's Grapefruit soap, but it smells heavenly. Ayren assures me that the travel diapering kit is a must-have. I'm sure it'll get lots of use! The outfit is adorable, especially the ruffly ankles, wrists, and neck. Although Baby H can't use Mama's new soap, I know the washcloths will come in handy at bath time.

Thanks Ayren, Paul, Mardi, and Max! After too many years apart, it was such a treat to spend some time with you the other day.

Just a Glimpse

...my birthday...Christmas...our baby shower...
family...friends
...and coming home again...
abundant JOY

click the collage to enlarge