Happy New Year!

Another year...I always feel introspective at the end of the year. I love to think back of all the memories of the year and ponder over what I've learned, what I've done right, and what I've done wrong. It was a good year.

2009 brought me back to Europe which tested my skills as a leader, and as a mother. I faced my fears of leaving my children head on and survived. They were fine...great even....I was fine...great even. I missed them immensely. It is nice to know though, that I still exist, I have interests and passions that transcend my role as Mama to Mia & Ben.

2009 tested me in other ways as well. I have learned more about myself: who I am and who I wish to become. My self-vision is growing ever clearer; as I cultivate my purposeful life filled with gratitude and honesty. I am a kind woman...I am learning to be more patient and calm. I am learning to be a beacon in my home, to be the sun giving warmth and light. I am learning to be the kind of Mother, Wife and Person I am meant to become.

My relationship with my husband is strong and loving. My sister, mother, father, grandmother and mother-in-law are close members of my inner circle. I am so fortunate to have them along with dear and trusted friends (near and far) to laugh with, cry with and learn with.

Counting my blessings has helped lead me towards a grateful life. Slowing down, keeping calm and finding a rhythm to our days has helped as well. I am far from perfect...I have much to learn.

I wish you all much joy & peace in the New Year!

Blessings,

Kim

Belle's New Hat

Once Belle (Mia's new Waldorf doll) joined our home, Mia asked for a new hat for her...I was excited to oblige and try my hand at adapting my favorite LTK pilot cap for a much smaller head...I think it turned out darling...and Mia (& Belle) are happy.

~left over yarn from a sweater I made last spring for Mia...~

~Modeled by Baby Benjamin, because Belle is in the arms of a sleeping Mia!~

~Just because....a quick shot of cuteness!~

I'll be trying my hand at a few more projects for Belle...Mia declared she just "neeeeeeds" a new dress. It is fun because the projects go quickly for such a small recipient!

These are a few of our favorite (new) things...

It has been such an overwhelmingly busy 5 days...we decided to spend today at home in our new woolies...snuggling, playing and cleaning our messy little house!!!! The tree is taken down, and new toys have new homes, old toys were polished and put away, and slowly, slowly, the house is beginning to take shape again. I didn't take one single picture this Christmas. I was sooooo busy with all the merriment!

Here are some shots of just a few of our favorite new things (of which there are plenty for both Mama to squeal over--french onion soup bowls that are lovely! or a box chock full of Merino wool brought back from New Zealand....or a new Cuisinart, or the lovely out of print Tasha book from my sister--ok I am worse than the children!)

~Mia & Benji snuggling in new woolies--playing "bear" under a blanket!~

~Mia with Belle, her new doll. ("Look Mama, Belle has woolies too!")~

~Snow White set!~

~Belle & Benjamin.~

Off to make a snack for some snow bunnies who will be in soon!

Gratitude Friday :: Christmas Edition

On the Merry Christmas evening, as I type from my bed thanks to my wire less hookup on my new laptop (yahoooooo!), I am so very very grateful for so many many things and people. It would be impossible to list them all...a thank you to everyone in my life is in order. Merci mille fois...a thousand thanks.

I am feeling grateful this evening for...

:: My husband....I wouldn't trade him for anyone...he took Benji into the ER this morning to assuage my nervous Mama mind...and is taking the kids for one last "Edward Street" light-seeing tour so I could have a little space & quiet.

:: a good excuse to deep-clean and reorganize the living room---must make room!

:: the gift-givers in my life for being so gracious in acquiescing without complaint to my wishes...thank you...we had a lovely handmade, "quality over quantity" Christmas. I am humbled by your generosity.

:: vacation time to reorganize--reenergize--rejuvenate for the new year! Resolution time!

:: my new nightgown...heaven.

I'm so lucky in this life and in this world I live....I have so much love. Thank you.

A little hat...for Lila.

So much holiday crafting is being done at my house...I made this little hat the other night for my dear friend Hannah's new baby Lila...it is made from an old J.Crew sweater of mine that I felted, cut, and sewed into a little gnome hat. I added a little felt black-eyed susan and some grosgrain ribbon. I tried it on a number of dolls first (having no baby head small enough to serve as a model!) I am anxious to see pics of little Lila in my late-night crafting creation! I see more of these hats in my future! (after Christmas!)

I won!

One of the blogs I love to read, Frontier Dreams, had a giveaway...and I won! Nicole made this lovely fruit basket ornament and it appeared in Living Crafts (great magazine!). To celebrate her success she gave one away on her blog...and little old me in NH won! I am thrilled...and the ornament is as lovely as could be. Thank you Nicole!

~Handmade goodness!~

Gratitude Friday

Amidst the flury of Christmas activities....I am feeling grateful for:

:: The Soucy Family. I love you.

:: Traditions: new & old.

:: The light of the Christmas tree...magical indeed.

:: My blog. I just love having the opportunity to focus on the positive and self-reflect.

Blessings to you friends.

Encyclopedia of Me

G...

G is for...

:: Gnomes...I love them. It might have started with Amélie (best movie!!!). I have Edwin who lives in the garden. (He "winters" in the basement!) last summer he held basil...it worked for the both of us. I once saw Garden Gnome pajamas...I want them.

:: Goats...I also love them. Someday I'd like 2: Chèvre and Beazlebub. I think baby goats are so adorable!

:: Green...it is my favorite color. When I was picking paint to re-paint the entire inside of my house I realized with a laugh that I had picked out a different shade of green for every room! Ha! I am drawn to all shades of Green. I find it calming. Calming is good...I can be a bit high-strung.

Seasons Round Exchange: RECEIVED

I received my package from my Seasons Round Exchange partner! I was thrilled to open the box and discover all the handmade goodness! I started finding homes right away for the beautiful decorations! Thank you Jennifer!

~Light Banner.~

~Window Star.~

~Needle felted wool stars.~

~Wool Angel.~

The exchange was so fun! I am hoping to participate in the spring exchange as well!

Santa Lucia

Now in the darkest night,

Guide us with your light,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

Today I got in touch with my inner Swede...it did not come with outer Ikea furniture or a Volvo (ha ha ha)...it came via our Santa Lucia celebration. This traditional Swedish holiday is a lovely pause during a busy season...Santa Lucia is the patron Saint of Light...Mia dressed as her in a white dress with red sash and a lovely needle felted crown (instead of lighted candles!) made by Haddy2Dogs over in Etsy land! We made the traditional buns early in the morning, invited some loved ones over and Mia dutifully served us, while Ben fulfilled his "Star Boy" role by handing out napkins. It was lovely. Mia was so beautiful and really enjoyed the morning.

~My light.~

~Yummy buns!~

~Helping to make buns!~

~A beautiful new Santa Lucia candle from my Sister's boyfriend's Mother (who is actually Swedish!)~

I think this might be a keeper, as far as traditions go, as we shape our Lynch Family festivals and rhythms to the year.

Gratitude Friday

With a snow storm and a feverish little one, Friday has snuck up on me! None-the-less, I have much to be grateful for...

Today I am feeling grateful for...

:: Snow! Covering the world in a blanket of sparkling white. As Mia declared: "it looks like I could just eat it up!"

:: And with the snow...Snow Days! I love being snowed in...a perfect excuse to play all day, snuggle, bake and be cozy! (and knit!)

:: Feeling quite prepared for Christmas! There is always more I could do (make!), but if all goes to plan, I'll finish all my projects in the nick of time!

:: Re-kindling the Laura Ingalls LOVE! Mia and I just finished Little House in the Big Woods...I am loving re-reading the series aloud to my daughter, even if I feel the need to skip over the couple of spanking & whipping scenes!

:: My home...snug and warm, a place of kindness and gratitude...and all the beings who live there with me... much love to Tom, Mia, Benji, Camille and Zola.

Seasons Round Exchange: SENT

I've been so excited to show off what I sent to my partner for the Seasons Round Exchange:: Light. I chose "stars" to be my symbol of light and made a "star angel" (look familiar? love Living Crafts!), tried my hand at window stars, and bought a handmade star garland and wooden star candle holder.

~All ready to be boxed up!~

~She's so sweet!~

In true "Kim" fashion, I sent my package off early...and just got word that my partner Jennifer has received it...so no surprise ruined! I am excited to see what I will receive in exchange!

Saint Nicholas

The children left out their shoes and a carrot (for St. Nicholas' horse) in the hopes that Saint Nicholas would leave a treat or two...

Well, St. Nick is pretty good...
Mia squealed with delight and claimed she's "always wanted an orange!" ha! She has had plenty but was so excited! I immediately read Sugar Snow...it is a great series I just found, picture books of the Little House series. This is perfect for Mia, I read to her at night from Little House in the Big Woods and I think the illustrations are charming. These are new illustrations inspired by (and with the permission of) Garth Williams. I think we will try to find more of the series!

Ben, who just received his first skis (via the hand-me-down process!), got Ollie's Ski Trip. I just love love love Elsa Beskow. Her illustrations are enchanting and her stories are so fun and imaginative. Mia & Benji promptly asked to go out & look for King Winter himself...Tom obliged...the first snow fall is so exciting.
For a special breakfast treat, I made Honey Cake from The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book...which is another fantastic resource for fun, low-sugar, treats. I will be making the Santa Lucia buns from this book next sunday!

I am busy busy busy making all the gifts for Christmas...but it is so pleasurable, I really like being industrious in my home, knitting, cooking, canning and singing along to Norah Jones on Pandora....(I know I am late to the game, but Pandora is my new bff!)

Off to strain the herbes de provence wine jelly....

The Tree

Yesterday we cut down our tree at a local tree farm. It was the first time I've done that since before I started dancing in the Nutcracker. So, well, ahem, a long time! Just as we arrived at the farm, the snow started to swirl. Still, the weather was pretty mild as we searched for the Tree...here's a little hint: they always look smaller out in the field. In the living room, especially my tiny living room...they are HUGE! Tom had to give it a "hair cut." It made for a few good laughs!

~We've found it!~

~He's a lumber jack and that's okay...~

~My she's a big one!~

~Run, Run, Run.~

By the time we got home, the snow was really flying and this morning the world is all white & sparkling. Perfect. St. Nicholas came, and the children are flying on the excitement of trees, snow and chocolate. I'll share more about our St Nicholas festivities tomorrow.

Gratitude Fridays

I am feeling Grateful for...

:: Actually getting up earlier. It gives me a chance to start my day at a leisurely pace. Although I wish Mia would stay in bed for a bit longer!

:: NHS at school stepping up for my initiative of "4 weeks of giving." These kids are awesome!

:: Finding so many like-minded blogging Mamas...I glean so much inspiration from these "strangers." Thank you.

:: My children...they are the lights of my life. Together with Tom, I feel like we are creating an inspiring family culture that is unique and oh so rewarding.

:: Haddy2Dogs over at etsy for crafting a beautiful needle-felted Santa Lucia crown for my little Mia...it is an heirloom for sure!

:: Waldorf...it truly speaks to my heart & soul in terms of learning, parenting and living. I only wish I lived near a school!

Blessings to you...

Another great giveaway!

Check out the fun giveaway over at Frontier Dreams!

Encylopedia of Me

I always finish what I start...so after a hiatus...I'm back to the Encyclopedia of Me...with F:

F is for France...I love France, I love French, French cooking, French style, French joie de vivre and lifestyle. It just so happens that I teach French...If I could move to France I would...or at least have a home there for the summers. I think I am secretly a French woman...

Ahhhh, France...

wip wednesday

I've been busy! So much to make before Christmas...Mia's sweater is done...Benji's is on the needles...still have mittens, a scarf, 3 angels, 2 ornaments, 1 baby quilt and canning to do....phew. Happy creating!