sending wishes...and the year that's coming to a close...

How do I ever manage to think that I can condense a full and busy year into one photo-filled 

Christmas card?

The actual mechanical task of addressing and sending the card is minimal compared to the amount of time I allow to indulge myself in pouring through all those images and memoires...

So many days to savor and be grateful for... 

so many days with things to learn... 

so many changes...so much love.

From the start of our year with the Eises in Disney...

this is the image that sums up the year

~~~fast but fun~~~
...and yes, there's me in the back gripping on for sanity's-sake trying to keep up!

 (...thanks to our German friends for the wonderful adventure in FL that started our year!!)

 So after looking through all those pictures and finally ordering a card, it's time for me to send merry wishes to your home from mine...

 ...some of my fave days are among these images...

...and some more that just could not fit...

...here's hoping your holiday and your new year are filled with good things and great love...

xxoo Jen

...oh so merry and nice...HELLO MONDAY!

Hello Monday!!

'tis STILL the season...

and it's still 2013, so let me play catch up on a few things before the new year rolls in!

I love this time of year...I want it to last, to let the sweet moments linger. And the decorations all about me seem to hold those memories and moments close from year to year...

So...it's nice to see so many of my fave decorations in print...and the creations of some of my fave artists too! Thanks to Cottages & Bungalows for the feature in the December issue.

Thanks to Jickie Torres for the fab chance to share a peek at decorating in my house this year...

Cottages & Bungalows saluted the "Joy of Toys" with a peek at my fave tips and treats for decorating with beloved and handmade objects from Jody Battaglia, Nicol Sayre, Letty Worley, Debbee Thibault, Stacey Bear, Sue Parker, Pat Murphy, Pat Castka and Leslie McCabe...oh la la do these gals have a merry style worth noting!

 More new press from 2013 can be seen on the site's recently updates PRESS PAGES...

 

Hello to great press!!! (....and a BIG Thanks as ever to the wonderful editors at Beckett Media who allow me to share my style and home...)

Hello to whatever makes you happiest!

 

Hello to keeping those things around you that make you happy...

Hello to decorations...I want to enjoy you a few more days before I tuck you away...

Hello to 2014...I know you are coming soon but I might not be quite ready for you!!

Hello to you all...are you ready for a new year???

 

xxoo Jen

...head whirling..snow falling...Christmas coming...Debbee retiring...

...what a whirlwind the past few weeks have been... 

I have been everywhere but BLOGland...

and there's big news to share...

We've had snow days, a beautiful big Country Living show, kids home from school sick, boxes coming in and boxes going out...

...and among all this hustle and bustle, 2 of my kiddos' birthdays and all the regular joyful Christmas stuff...oh and I am a retailer.

SIGH. No, double sigh...

So I have missed posting and I have much to share and I do promise to catch up.

I do have some big news to share, for those of you who have not yet heard....my wonderfully talented, beautiful and amazing friend Debbee Thibault is retiring on December 31st...

I know, I cannot believe it here it. After 18 sensational years in business she has decided to retire...and it is well-earned. But oh my, will she be missed.

Those hoping to add pieces to their collection can order via the site until 12/31...at that time, all her offerings will be removed from the site, with the exception of pieces we have in inventory.

 ...there are some oldies and goodies surfacing...

 ...the above ornie is on sale, and the below peppermint snowman is Debbee's LAST Holiday Exclusive...

just 3 are in stock and we have him at a promo price too!

 ...and of course my all time faves...2 of our special Exclusives...

Daddy's Little Girl and Playing Dress Up...

We also are hoping Debbee will share some more of her ooaks and artists proofs with us, so if you love Debbee's work keep a close eye on her pages of the site, especially the "From the Vault" and "Exclusives" pages....

Back to work here...playing elf...presents to sort, wrapping to do...but more soon. And hoping all your preparations for the holiday are chugging merrily along...

MORE SOON...xxoo Jen

merry days, time passing

I am still sending out Christmas cards - trying to be clever I got New Year's cards because there was no way they were all going in time...

So here's a hello Monday, and since I could not get 3 kiddos to look perfect in one shot, we compromised and went for a card with 8 images. 

Besides, what's perfect, when I am sure "enough" is as good as a feast?

Hello Monday, you are here already and the packages are not all wrapped...yet...and some small voice is reminding me to just enjoy whatever it is, and that what will get done, will get done...it will be enough.

Hello Monday and our wonderful annual festivities start in a few hours when we meet our family for the annual sing along.... so all of the little details will just have to be what they are and we'll enjoy them. 

 

Hello  fudge for Santa, we did not get to cookies, and it's a good thing gift bags were invented because they are the way to go...

And I have realized, sometimes, the less you do - the more you enjoy it...and conversely the more you do- the less you enjoy it.

Hello to all those years of Christmas photos....the kids are getting bigger each year and the time rolls by ever more quickly.

Hello Monday, I am a grateful girl...so happy to have so many I love in one place, at one time...

Sigh...hello Monday and Happy Christmas....and here's to you to enjoy your days, the traditions, the small moments and all the festive trimmings. 

Here's wishing you all a bright and beautiful holiday with loved ones and a new year full of good health and happy times.

xxoo Jen