December 22, 2010
The sights, the sounds, the smells.
I’ve been trying all month to take them in. To enjoy the beauty, the sparkle, the magic of the season – especially with my children. But the calendar doesn’t clear on it’s own, meals aren’t served on a silver platter when I ring a bell, and well, my kids really do run out of socks and underwear when I don’t do laundry.
Yesterday, however, I read this post by my friend Saydi.
Every day I walk past your faces. And they make me smile. Who can doubt the good in the world when you look at this wall?
And our paperwhite bulbs are in full bloom – tall and slender – growing against the dead of winter.
While the boys napped and the girls played, I washed dishes. We made a batch of Kay’s famous baked popcorn. Kay lived down the street from us when I was growing up. Every Christmas she brought us this popcorn. We begged her for the recipe but she wouldn’t divulge her secret. She would say, “Oh I’ll just make you another batch.” And she would. Two years ago, when she passed away, her family handed out the recipe at her funeral. I loved Kay dearly. So last year I made thirty bags of this delicious stuff for friends and neighbors. Her name was on every tag. But this year I couldn’t manage it. So we made just a few bags this afternoon and ate it by the handful.
Mark and Elodie
Thank you for reminding me to take the time to be more present with my children and how much of a difference it makes in my boys' life…
Jen
Your gingerbread house is beautiful and your children adorable! I also have tried this season to slow down, enjoy my kids and husband and allow Christ into our hearts and home in more abundance. I love the "magic" days. Isn't it interesting that we can create them sometimes?
cristie
oh cath…that last photo is magic for me. xox
LizzyP
Way to delay the to-do list! Kids give hugs and kisses and tell funny stories and have the cutest curly hair and pose for the camera, and to-do lists do none of the above.
Laundry baskets are such fun for toddlers. Here are my kids last summer in baskets:
http://tinyurl.com/29ct7ue
catharvy
Elodie – love being in touch with you. Merry Christmas!!
Jen – that gingerbread house was made by a friend of ours who lives in the neighborhood. It's such a work of art I've had trouble deciding whether we should eat it or not! I agree, it is interesting that the state of mind and heart, "creates" a certain atmosphere. Too often, my rushing and impatience creates a lesser mood. But I keep trying. Merry Christmas Jen to you and your family!
Cristie – me too.
Liz – Loved your laundry basket pics. Your twins are so darling. This toddler age is gone too fast. Glad to see you're enjoying the festivities of Northern Virginia! Wolftrap Holiday Sing-along is our FAVORITE! See if you can swing it next year! Love to you and yours!
erin
I love this post. Makes me think I need to make more time for days like you had!! Time sure flies by and oh how important it is to just enjoy, enjoy being a mom and being with our kids!! Loved it!!!
Love your popcorn gift idea. I want the recipe.
Hope you had a merry Christmas!!
Kimmy Ortega
OMG they are so cute!!!😍