hny!

... so each time i go to load photos for this post, it say's i need to purchase more space, from google. say huh? is that true? have any of you run into this?

well, i guess i don't mind that i can't load any photos, i really wanted to stop in and wish you a happy new year. ; )

it's been very quiet and regular here. no ups, no downs, just normal. ; ) 

knitting projects have been finished, more started. i am in love. you should have seen me, walking in craft store, to buy more yarn. love love

i have missed you.
... oh, was a break needed. it's good to be lazy + just enjoy the faces, you love.

mexican food has been in rotation here... not always a good thing, that i can make a darn good combo platter. sad sad. ; ) i made my own spanish rice the other day... praise sofrito, just praise it. let me back up... the man who owns the bodega is so kind to us- on christmas eve, my husband drove him home, so he could be with his family quicker... he gave hubby a 20 pound bag of rice (for our fam)  as a thank you... ainna some TING?  he sure did. how kind. i bought a container, and sealed it up good. it will take us a good time, to get through that rice. ; ) such a kind gesture. 

how are you? what's been going on? was your holiday good?

i certainly hope santa was good to you. santa claus brought my son a video camera... hope mr. claus is back to the north pole, i need to call him, and speak to him bout dis camera here. hello? come again? say you, the brother with the white beard, and suspenders. this camera here, for de boy... wrong on so many levels. lmao!! it's all good. ; )

ya know, i just wanted to stop in and say hello, and here i have written you a novel. 

i send you love, my friends. 

be safe

sing loud at midnight

give the car keys to the key master

i will think of you with my warm cider tonight as the ball drops

happy new year, my dear friends. 

one love~ 

merry christmas

may His word bring you comfort and joy.
a King is born.

King of eternal peace.

i wish for you to awake christmas morning, with the excitement of a child, your heart filled with peace.
i send you love and hugs. you all mean the world to me.

merry christmas, my friends.

on gingham and things

isn't gingham ribbon, just so pretty. i love it. we had a bit of fun and family time, making gift tags. i adore the 7g's paper for this. love!
somehow putting a pretty tag on kraft paper, makes my son's $8.00, watercolor paper, seem dressed up. lol

eh naw! who come up wit dis gingabread house idea? me gwan give up! lmao!



it's snowing here, oh is it ever. i wasn't brave enough to get out there and take photos. i'm still shaking the sleep off and rubbing my bed head hairstyle, that I might just rock, throughout the day. big smile.

i have been looking at this recipe to add to our christmas menu. yum! i loved ina's ploughman's lunch, thinking of going with that for christmas lunch. she is the real deal. ; )
what are your holiday menu plans? are you going traditional? or do you usually do something different each year? i'd love to hear.
how are you. my friends?

happy tuesday ; )

a bit personal and such

we're reading "little women" and i am just loving it. ; ) a cup of tea, this book and a quilt~ sigh. this book has truly sparked conversation, in my little family. ...making due with what we have, especially at this time of the year, is such an important topic.
slow
slow
i just want to take a moment to remember, all those who will be without this holiday season.
i had a long post written on all that i wanted to say, all i hoped you would remember, but... i don't know...
i trust that you have remembered, your neighbor. you are goodhearted friends. ; )

but i wrote...
this season can be so hard. it's a time where faith can grow stronger or weaker. this is a season where children and adults alike, may believe their prayers, have gone unanswered.
the ups and downs of the holidays can be rough. where i live, it gets desperately cold. i leave my home and see some of the hardened faces, of those who are just trying to get through today, trying to carry the burdens of life... christmas will be just another day, for some. another day to struggle, to make ends meet... just to get a meal on the table, will be a miracle for some.
i love my community, mostly for keeping me grounded. they remind me of where i come from, where i am trying to go. because of them, i never give up.

i laughed with a man that stopped me the other day- "is that you christina? i knew you before you knew yourself.  i love that ; ) and he was right. he knew me for a long time. bless his heart.  i love when this happens.

one year, the best gift i could of received was hearing a story, about how my grandmother gave a woman a warm meal and "hope". that made my christmas. i could only hope to have my children hear a story of me someday, that warms them to the core. kindness first.

and although i don't say it nearly enough on this blog, god is my best friend. we are tight, we are peanut butter and jelly. ; ) he is my homie. he lights my way, every single day of my life, he fills me with his breath and purpose.

let us not forget the true meaning, of this celebration.

if you are of a different faith, or if you call him by a different name, that's cool too. i respect all.

let's remember our brothers and sisters, not only at this time of year, but always. reach out to your neighbor, give your time, lend an ear to listen, ease a burden. say a prayer, even if it is silent. remember those who are no longer with us. what i wouldn't give for another day, with those who taught me right from wrong. sigh.

god is good.

one love, my friends.

i will be back tomorrow. the kids bought me a little gingerbread making kits. yes mam! i am all over that.
big smile.

for the love of coffee...

cute coffee spoons, chocolate sprinkles, and of course... photography. ; )
happy weekend, my friends.

the silence

a few stamps and some kraft paper, made for a most festive morning. a bit of martha s., ribbon didn't hurt either ; ) i adore kraft paper, especially for the holiday's.

it's a quiet day, after a long shift on my feet, yesterday.
i'm enjoying the silence
thinking that what ever it is i'm knitting, might be a nice scarf. are the bigger needles for something special? i am kind of loving them.

hanging out with, miles. have i ever told you, he is at my side, every moment of the day? yep- a girls best friend. either that or it could be because i smell like a restaurant 24-7. ; )

just wanted to stop in and say hello.
that's all.
; )

i'm working on knitting a christmas gift. not completely sure what i am doing, but i haven't dropped a stitch in 5 days. that's a plus for me ; )

the two gifts i love giving, during this holiday season are- something homemade and books. how could one go wrong? love

slow
peaceful

... i get the sweetest emails, asking for this recipe (below) and my cranberry sauce, during this time a year. deep sigh for how you all warm my heart.

enjoy~

cinnamon honey butter

2 sticks (softened) salted butter

1 cup honey

1 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

pinch of nutmeg

just blend all the ingredients until smooth

(i used hand mixer) 

this year i  piped the mixture into jars

spooning it in is just fine

 wipe rims clean

if you don't have pumpkin pie spice~ just use 2 teaspoons cinnamon

take out of fridge a half hour before serving

i doubled the recipe and came up with 8 half pint mason jars of the butter

it's so good on warm bread

times like this

years ago i had a gumdrop tree, made of some type of plastic. sadly it broke. i decided i could make one, that was just as lovely, as the one i used to have. a few branches from outside, minus the snow, and we were good to go. ; ) it's times like this, with the kids, that mean the most to me, during the season.
happy monday!

one love~

on a sunday

goodness it is cold, and snowy here. the tea kettle has been in constant use- it's been holding a steady simmer on the back burner.
books
knitting
ham + havarti cheese, grilled on sour dough bread. and spicy mustard of course.
and this movie, with the very handsome, benjamin bratt. this movie will remain in my heart. it held memories of growing up in a similar neighborhood... home, life, roses in a vase, setting beside, Mary. and so many songs, that were played at our wedding ; ) love.
fuzzy socks
thick quilts
red mittens
happy sunday+ stay warm, my friends.
xo

...there are twinkling lights

a view of our tree, through the kitchen chairs. ; )

a bit of etsy love...
beverly's shop~i must share with you, each item i have ever received from her shop, is just gorgeous. and her attention to detail, makes my heart thump ; )

painted fish studio~ sigh. i run my hands over the paper, that's just how beautiful her craftsmanship is. i own the book "word" and i adore it. i have a journal on my wish list, from jen's shop.

please show your support for small businesses. ; )

drains in the sinks were clogged today. my oven wasn't cooperating... cupcakes were put on hold.
but there are twinkling lights, and a warm home. ; )
and this song. sigh.

life is good~

these cold nights

a photo of our fireplace mantel, dressed up for the holidays. the sweetest ornament from, leslie. love love... old books, thrift store humming bird prints + artificial, olive tree swags.
today was cleaning up a broken lamp. sigh.
mailing packages~ i am closing my etsy shop thursday, until the new year. shop20 is the code, for 20% off any order.  anything that is left, that is ; ) thank you for your support. ; )
ordering new movies, for these cold nights.
writing a grocery list
making plans to go see the mummy exhibit downtown
a cup of tea to go along with an afternoon read.

one love~

on a monday

a photo from my christmas card sessions, a few weeks ago. i hope you don't get sick of cupcake photos, because i will be baking, hundreds of these cutie pies, in the next few weeks. as a matter of fact, how bout you bring the coffee or tea, and i get to whirling, the cuisinart mixer. deal? yes mam! ; )
tis the season!

does anyone have a favorite icing/frosting recipe? i am partial to buttercream. ; ) are you willing to share with me?
have the sweetest monday, my friends.

photo info: shutter 1/125 f 3.2 

the hush of fresh snow

oh it was a beautiful snow, to wake up to. the hush, that the fresh snow brings to the streets, warms my soul. fresh, morning snow, it's like your best friend, cupping her hands + whispering the sweetest secret, in your ear. swoon!
a big thank you to my kids~ who were pulled out of their warm home, as they grabbed favorite scarves and hats,so some crazy lady could shoot 200 pictures of them, in a matter of minutes. what nerve huh? some people. ; )
Christmas photos... one of the things i appreciate most, about this season.

have a most beautiful day.
and if you celebrate~ may you wake up in the morning, and find your stockings filled with no coal, just sweet treats and goodies, from st, nick. xo
happy st. nicks.

enjoying

i stayed up way too late, watching this most beautiful movie, last night. but oh my, was it worth it. and i loved the feeling, of sinking into my pillow, headed towards sleep, after watching such beauty.

not much going on today, algebra + cinnamon rolls. and i am enjoying every bit, of this nothing.

i just want to mention, how kind you are to me... your words, your time, the support you give me. you all warm me to the bone. thank you, thank you. xo

please leave a light on for me, i will be by to visit soon.

how are you? are you doing well?

; )

of december

there are big snowflakes, making their way from the sky. for me,  it makes for a most perfect, first day of december.
...unpacking a few christmas books, to place in a basket by the fire place. working at my desk, in between, these sweet moments of decorating.

this season can be difficult for me, this season can be so beautiful, and enlightening. most of all, i keep in my heart, the most genuine parts, of this holiday season.

potato gratin, and a warm bacon, vinaigrette salad, for dinner tonight. easy peasy, my friends.

and of course, we are moving along nicely, through the words of steinbeck...
"the red light dimmed on the coals. up the hill from the river a coyote yammered, and a dog answered from the other side of the stream. the sycamore leaves whispered in a little night breeze."

one love~
; )