Merry Christmas...

I hope you have a wonderful day with your family + friends. I am happily ensconced at our farm with R and the boys - there's nothing like coming home, wandering the fields, heading down to the river, and generally mooching about. And with temps in the high twenties (or 60s) it looks like we have a blissful few weeks ahead.

Image from Crush Cul de Sac.

'tis almost time...

We're off to get our tree tomorrow...fingers and toes crossed for snow!

I know, a long shot...but you never know...

Image from Pinterest.

Christmas what:nots...

Well here we are it's Christmas Eve - the presents are scattered under the tree, the children are tucked up in bed...ok...not quite - too much excitement! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and holiday with loved ones. We head off late tomorrow for a fortnight in Vermont, Boston and New York (woohoo!). I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to post while I'm away, but I will be back to regular posting on January 5. Thank you so much for all your comments and support over the past year - the kindness and kinship of the blogging community constantly amazes me. Happy Christmas!

This image from Swedish clothing label Nygårds Anna.

A rather nice excerpt from this NY Times article.

Prada's delicate floral bracelets (+ pretty embroidery) from Spring 2012.

Extraordinary illustrations by Daniel Egnéus.

Love this piece.

Black clay plate with white glaze from Anaise.

Carter Radcliff's book on John Singer Sargent.

Utterly wonderful image from Tumblr.

(I can't find the source, if you know please tell me so I can credit)

And a sweet rendition of Silver Bells by She & Him, 

Images from Nygårds Anna, style.com, Daniel Egnéus, Pinterest, Anaise, and Powell's Books. Clip from You Tube.

A Christmas plea...

We're off to New Zealand this evening for four (yes four!!) weeks - so posting will be a bit sporadic. But in the midst of all the pre-Christmas Christmas + packing chaos several things have given me reason to pause. One is hearing about dear Jane and what she is going through. My heart goes out to her and her family at this uncertain and scary time. So my Christmas plea this year is to take time to pause amidst the chaos and tinsel, to reflect on what really matters, and to cherish every moment with those you love. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Image from Alexandria's wonderful pinterest board.

In the past fortnight...

... in addition to usual to-ing and fro-ing, I have:

- purchased + wrapped gifts for 18 people (19 if I include myself)

- reduced a long list of middle schools to three

- written (+ more importantly remembered to post) 20 or so Christmas cards

- gained first hand experience of Fifth's Disease (it sounds worse than it is)

- made quite a few (OK, quite a lot) of notes-to-self about getting a 2011 calendar

- visited two of the three middle schools + organised shadow + testing days

- unblocked the shower

- provided ongoing UN type negotiations over a disputed drawing idea

- came home from the dentist with what I guess is his idea of a Christmas present (a toothbrush, some floss + a filling)

- looked the other way when R came home from a Christmas party in a dress....?!

- been blinded by science at the school Science Fair

- made two batches of brownies to gift (one better than the other)

- searched for and failed to find the source of sand that keeps mysteriously appearing at the front door

- started to read the first chapter of a new book (twice)

- and wrote yet another note reminding myself to get a 2011 calendar.

Perhaps this is why it's called a holiday? Personally, I'm not entirely convinced....

Image from Pinterest.

Good King Wenceslas...

I couldn't resist posting this festive wee clip by Julia Pott (found over on Oh Hello There).
Clip from You Tube.

Hello and Happy New Year!

My it has been a looooong while. I hope you all had a fab Christmas and New Year, and that the sun shone or snow snowed wherever you were. We had the most wonderful Christmas and New Year in New Zealand (above) with family and friends. On our way back to Portland we were lucky enough to spend a few days in the Cook Islands (below). Bliss! We're now back home in our perfect little apartment and slowly getting back into the swing of things. I hope you're all enjoying the New Year - it's so nice to be back!

Oh dear!

I'm afraid I've been rather ill, and what with packing and traveling and whathaveyou there's been no posting or what:nots. I'm so sorry! I'm pleased to say I am much much better (although I have lost my voice - hmmm). This morning we arrived safely (with all our bags) in little old New Zealand and are here for several weeks - hooray! We will be traveling about, minding houses here and there, and spending time with family and friends. So in light of this I plan to take the next three weeks off from Elsa May. I hope you all have a wonderful wonderful Christmas and look forward to connecting with you all again in the new year. Take care and see you in a few weeks!

Image from Country Road.

A few busy days...

Where does the time go? I hope you had a lovely weekend - ours was rather relaxed which was nice. R arrived home on Sunday, and ever since it's been a flurry of present purchasing & wrapping, fudge & soup making, school craft day organising, Christmas socialising, & so on. The rest of the week is looking just as busy! My absolute favourite new thing is Saipua soaps! They are so beautifully packaged it seems a crime to open them, and as for the scents... I've taken to stuffing them in all my clothing drawers - and of course wrapping them up as little gifts. Love!

A Christmas plea...

With all the craziness and chaos at this time of year, it's easy to lose sight of what Christmas is really about. So my Christmas plea to all is to take time to make a difference in someone's life. Who in your community could you help, an elderly neighbour, the homeless guy who stands on the corner, a friend in need? Could you make a batch of soup, volunteer at a shelter, invite someone who is alone to share a meal? As Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in the world".

Image from follow studio.

Weekly what:nots...

Another week and a weekend have drawn to a close. It's a bit hard to believe we are so close to the end of the year! With R away, all manner of bits and bobs, the lead up to Christmas and our mini-break things have been pretty darn busy of late. So without further ado here's this weeks (rather late) what:nots.

One very stylish lighter - perfect for candles and wintery log fires.

Lovely book covers from here.

A great black 'n white image from Amicia per Diesel.

Mari Andrews' delicate sculpture.

These guys are waaay too cool for words!

How cute is this little kitten!

"Time to forget time" from here.

Images from A plus R store, Kate Forrester, Fashion Copious, Mari Andrews, ethanollie, The Selby, and Collette.

Weekend doings...

How was your weekend? Ours was super-duper lazy and potter-y about-y - which was wonderful. The tree went up, Christmas wish lists were written by the boys, a few movies were watched, and the Sunday Best holiday sale was attended. So wonderful to see so many lovely things and all local!

Images clockwise from top left: Pigeon Toe Ceramics; Sara Barner; Elisabeth Bentz; and Hinged Strung Stitched.