the dryer is ready -

i know that for so many of you, it has been storming, snowing and other kinds of winter-y things... but when you live on the eastern seaboard, threats promises of snow often fall flat... the warmer ocean water keeps the storms from really producing... we get nor'easters - powerful wind and rain storms, but less frequently are snow storms... not this time it seems - we are in for a blizzard... we may be getting gusts of up to 60mph... and i am so glad that em got her treatment in philly last thursday, because who knows what the weather will bring... 


naturally i had little food in the house... so, the day after xmas at 8am emily and i headed to wegmans - barely anyone else on the roads... within a half hour, it was packed... and the poor store was terribly understaffed; i mean, on a normal day, i doubt there is a big rush for the grocery store on the 26th... so we have the makings for chicken parm (regular and vegetarian), hot chocolate and i don't know what else... i love to see the beach with snow on it - but they are calling for white-out conditions and my 4wd suburban was sliding in my driveway, so we may not be venturing out... i know this sounds so wimpy to those of you who live in conditions like this all winter - and truthfully, i am curious how often businesses shut down if you have a blizzard... is it such a big deal? it is, right? as going somewhere at this point is optional and not required, i think we are staying put... 

** i need to clarify - this tiny dusting is my before pic -

in 3 hours we are at over 6" and it is still snowing hard... i realize how silly this post seems if you are thinking that i am talking about this much snow... i am projecting into the amounts they are calling for *** 

it begins... phone calls are starting and kids are coming to my house to hang out - good thing i went to the store... there will be huge nerf gun battles... 

santa brought hats... thank goodness...

and this is my new 'favorite' - a paper mache bust from maureen thomas... it really makes photographing necklaces a pleasure and i love how you can choose the texture and details regarding the neck and shoulders... 

i feel so badly for all of those holiday travelers whose plans have been affected by weather -who have had flights cancelled in the us and europe this year... hoping your holiday weekend has been filled with all of the things that make you happy... and that in addition to love, you have warmth and food in your belly... 

tree hunting

'to many people holidays are not voyages of discovery, 

but a ritual of reassurance.'

~ philip andrew adams

today was very much that for me... setting the kids loose looking for the 'perfect' tree... 

14 yr. old photo face - he is really the biggest goofball...

the first 3 pics were taken by em on her itouch with the hipstamatic app... 

hope you enjoyed your weekend... 

**applies to more than children ~

'children will not remember you for the material things you provided

but for the feeling that you cherished them.'

~ robert evans

raise of hands please - who out there is still pretty stressed, thinking of the last minute things needed to be done and purchased... who is forgetting to smile, to laugh, to breathe?

i am ...

chances are the kids are done with school today - perhaps you are looking at a short day at work tomorrow or finished for the week today... 

rush, rush, rush...

and naturally, life keeps interjecting so that my best laid plans get sidetracked - but it's ok... nick's trumpet got lost at school, alex ended up needing a ride home instead of taking the bus, and... and... 

it took my darling first born to know what her mom needed - this heart made in the snow... and even at 17 she was so excited when she called me to 'come look'... (and because i didn't know, in my head, i am thinking 'what? i am just trying to put the dishes away, get the laundry switched over, pick up, so that i can... ') 

and it's ok... we are going to be ok... i need to laugh with them, hug them and slow down... not be grumpy because they ate all of the cookies (so i have none to give away!)... which makes kid sense, but not grown-up sense... 

so i will try to get some cookies in, make a couple of things for people in our circle (& you cannot create when you are all in a knot)... 

i hope you aren't doing what i am, but if you are - i hope you can stop, take a breath and readjust your thinking... it will be over before you know it... your life will be too... so enjoy...

thanks em, you knew just what i needed... that was the best gift of all ~

one day, one moment at a time

started drizzling today, but we hit the christmas tree farm near our home...  the kids had more fun looking at the baby trees then they did looking at one for our house! charlie brown trees hit a soft spot in our house!

'how often has the christmas tree

afforded me the greatest glee!

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree!

much pleasure though can'st give me.'

get in touch with your senses this season - smell, touch, see, hear & taste all of the wonders of the time... allowing yourself to be in touch with the 'present moment blessed moment'...