Memoir of Firsts: Snow Day

I value sleep, especially on a Saturday, but was I ever glad I made the most out of this Saturday. Nathan and I took the aforementioned books to our house and then spent all morning working on our respective projects. I fussed with curtains and cleaned the stove, he fixed a three-way light switch (one of his many successful wiring repairs in the house! Hunny is an electrical guru now :)).

One of the best parts of the day was the snow that was falling when we pulled up to the house, and how it continued to fall in thick fluffy flakes as we worked away the hours. I kept all the blinds and curtains open so that I could stop and gaze out whenever I pleased. It made the blooming of our new little life seem extra magical. There is something I've always wanted in the kitchen: a big window above the sink that overlooks our backyard. I discovered we have a robin couple along with other birds who come to frolic in our back yard.

Whenever I'm at the house I seem to have the urge to redecorate our fireplace mantle. Since I've never had one of those either, the possibilities seem delightfully unending. Today I added what you see in the picture. It's past meets present really: a slice of cedar, the first gift Nathan gave me over three years ago. Resting on it, a tree ornament Mom gave us this Christmas.

Hoping for more snow days filled with cozy moments for us all...

Happy New Year, friends!

Memories Bound

One of the many things that life has prevented me from working on is the much needed purging and packing of my childhood/current bedroom. As I prepare for the move, I think that two single people can't possibly own enough stuff between them to fill an entire house right away. But when I looked at the moderately sized closets of our dear cottage and then at the collection of "stuff" I've accumulated in twenty-something years, I start to doubt that assumption!

Nathan helped me pack up the majority of my book collection this evening. I have so little time or attention for reading of late that sadly, most of the books had to be dusted off. But almost every book I picked up had a personal story, and was generally accompanied with a comment, review, or memory before he could get it into the box. I hope for Nathan it was a little entertaining insight into who I am and the things I loved. For me, packing my books was like a refreshing evening with old friends.

All I Want For Christmas

This time next month I'll be married and on a warm (and hopefully sunny) honeymoon. This time next year, I'll be celebrating Christmas in our adorable home with my husband.

Pictured is our house wearing the white holiday dusting we got yesterday. Delightful. :-)

Words cannot describe my anticipation and thankfulness on this blessed Christmas Day. Hoping your fondest wishes and prayers are answered this season,

-Deb.

Memoir of Firsts: A Dinner Guest

This a shot of how I set the "table" for the inaugural dinner guest in our house. Until a few days ago Nathan and I didn't have a dining room table set up. So when we had the first dinner guest a few weeks back, I was determined to somehow still make it special. After an evening of home repairs with our good friend, we ordered a pizza and bought paper plates and cups. With candles lit, Christmas music via Pandora playing, and sitting on the floor around the coffee table, we ate and laughed and talked. Nothing else would have felt more perfect...

Until we all heard a very loud crash that sent the guys running around the house armed with tools and flashlights; a funny sight that lightened an intense moment of fear for me. We never did figure out what caused the noise, and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Merry Christmas Eve! Hope you're making lots of new and nice memories in your own abodes.

"Twenty-Six Names"

Composer/playwright Jason Robert Brown wrote this moving and simple tribute for the victims of last week's shooting in Newtown, Connecticut: "Twenty-Six Names"

I've tried ever since Friday to avoid news coverage of the incident, but this evening I watched interviews with some first responders and the reports of proposed gun legislation and other coverage, and my mind kept going to one place.  To all the little faces I've worked with, especially in the last few weeks while preparing for all the church Christmas musicals and concerts.  Six and seven-years-old are such tiny, precious ages. 

My mind can't grasp the horror and the sadness.  I guess that's why I appreciate J.R.B.'s simple and heartfelt musical cry on behalf of us all.

Behind In Writing Because

Next month, we are getting married.  Last week, we bought a house. Also, the realization that I get up and go to work every day (and no longer take classes) took a long time to sink in for me.  It's truly a new chapter. 

Happy Holidays!  Hope life has been kindly to you.  I shall return.