CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

Some snippets from our christmas.  I know Ive been posting alot of instagram photos as of late... Through not feeling well and being busy with the holidays, I haven't taken alot of real photos.  So for those of you who follow me via instagram, sorry for all the repeats.  

We went to my Nanna's house christmas eve to spend the night.  We had a very nice dinner at my aunt's house.  It was a great kickstart to hanging out with the family for the holidays.  Good food, good music, good vibes.  Christmas day was a little low key this year, as I think we were all a bit tired.  I myself had a tummy bug or something that had lasted almost a week and was feeling super drained, so it may of just been me.  But it was still a nice time with the family.  Violet came with us for the first time in about 4 or 5 years.  She acted the exact same way she did years ago.  She was so pleased to be there and wagged her tail the entire time.  When we first got there, we left her with Nanna's little dog while we went to dinner at my aunts, and when we came home we found her up in the back bed with all of her toys and a few of Amber's in bed with her.  Just like I knew she would.  The first christmas she spent at Nanna's, she took every baby that she and every other dog got for christmas and snuck them up in the bed with her.  Little hoarding thief I have :)  She does the same at home with her favorite babies.  She has them all in a pile next to her bed in the closet.  So so cute.  

That evening we came home and vegged on the couch and watch Christmas Vacation, our yearly tradition.  It never gets old.  And I had some coffee in the cute owl mug my brother got me for christmas.  And Bella was soooo happy we were home and got super silly with me on the couch.  Oh, and James got me the Maryink sweater I wanted for xmas!  Love it!  And, I made my first batch of homeade granola for my cousin.  Not the best, but Im excited to dig in and try new creations!  And the wrapped present above was from my 5 year old nephew, sooo cute!

 

I hope everyone has been enjoying their holiday season.  Im so looking forward to this new year.  It is full of so many good vibrations and new visions.  Can't wait to explore through it.  Enjoy the full moon in Cancer today!  

Today is my Nanna's birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNA! Feel free to leave her some birthday wishes below!  xoxo

 

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PIECES OF HOME

The books I found at our local thrift shop the other day.  I was completely in awe that these were sitting on the shelf (among a hundred more) in a shop in our little town.  And the best part, they were all between $1.50 to $3 + 25% off.  Score!

The new books put my piles of books next to my bed over the edge.  It was becoming a bit unbearably messy, so I stole James bookshelf and moved it to my side of the bed.  It feels so good to have all my books (well, the ones I'm currently into, there is a whole other bookshelf in the other room) in my little bedroom corner, since that is where most of my reading happens.  I was having a good laugh with my friend last night at dinner about the fact that just a few years ago, I thought I didn't like to read.  My whole life, I thought books were for the birds.  Until I realized, I was a bird.  Hello, I love them!  I just don't like novels.  Call me crazy, but I'd rather get into my own head then someone elses.  Im probably missing out on alot, and one day Im sure this will change...

Visit.  My adventword for last weekend.  I pulled it on Saturday morning which was perfect b/c I was on my way to a family party.  So I kept this word for two days.  And visit I did.  We had a family cocktail party, a tradition my great grandparents used to have.  It ended up being like a family reunion, and 64 people came!  I got to see cousins I forgot I had b/c I hadn't seen them since they were babies, and now they are full grown adults.  Crazy.  It was kind of weird, seeing my cousins who are in high school all gathered around the table having a great time talking and being silly... I found myself on the outskirts of that circle.  I realized then that I have officially graduated from the kid table to the adult table.  Although I usually mingle with older peeps better in general, it was odd to see the transition before my eyes.  I guess at 30 I can consider myself an adult, huh?  I just don't feel like it most of the time.

My way of giving myself some self love when I was feeling sick.  I took a long hot bath and burned some incense and listened to my yoga mix.  It was very relaxing and just what (my inner) doctor ordered.

A little gift wrapping I have been doing this week for the holidays.  Four days until christmas and Im still wondering what to do for a few people.  I'm really wanting to change my holidays traditions in my family.  At least in my own little family at home (me and James) since I know my whole family wouldn't have much to do with these changes... 

Miss Violet Mae has been sleeping in the bed alot the past few days.  It started the night before last when the winds of change were howling outside all night long.  She was scared and slept in bed with me all night long, which she never does.  And even during the day, she has decided she does not much like the cold weather, and prefers to be snuggled up next to warm floral blankets and teddy bears... I can't blame her.

I myself have found snuggly sweaters and sweatpants to be the norm at home right now.  All I wanna do is curl up on the couch next to a fire and read... and sip on whiskey and ginger beer.  Sounds good right?

Accept.  This was the adventwindow word I pulled the other morning, right after being almost in tears b/c I realized how behind I was on things I had signed up for.  I realized at that moment, I needed to accept where I was, right then.  And beyond just those thoughts I was having, but accept where I am in life, fully.  And then not only accept, but fully embrace.  Accept my body.  Accept the quietness from friends.  Accept my own quietness.  Accept my past.  Accept my challenges.  Accept others with all of their own pasts and challenges.  This is a big word. 

My sweet Bella, glad to be home after a day at the vet.  She is sitting next to me on my computer desk as I type this.  She is my sweetest little friend.

 

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Christmas Moments >>>

 These are just some random photos of christmas taken from my phone.  Of course, I brought my real camera and did not use it at all.  All of the pics I took of the family opening gifts and such came out blurry, boo.  And James and I decided to do ours unexpectedly so I didnt take pics like I usually do.  Ah well, I at least enjoyed the moment!  Bella of course joined us in the unwrapping :)  And I always love James little notes he puts on my packages, so adorable.

These below were all at my Nanna's house, where we gather every year as a family.  The only two people I got clear pics of were my cousin Emily and my nephew Aiden, being silly sitting in a plastic bucket.  He had more fun with the empty bucket then he did the lincoln logs inside the bucket!  So so precious.

 My sweet nephew Aiden was the biggest highlight of my christmas.  I love him so much.

 PEACE,

 Laura

A Music Room for my Love >>>

Soooo....  The reason I was so excited yesterday was because I surprised James with his very own music room!  While he was out shopping with his friend, I tore down my entire sewing room (which was major) and turned it into a music studio for him.  I cant believe I pulled it off!  I was literally jumping up and down all over the house right before he came home, overjoyed with excitement.  So he got his xmas early!  The two things I bought him were the Crosley record player and an Orange amp.  So the room thing was a whole extra thought to surprise him with those things.  A bit better than just unwrapping from under the tree???  I think so :)  Needless to say, he was very excited, and pretty shocked!  He has supported me so much in my ventures of art and business... I want him to feel supported as well to be creative.  Music is his biggest love, so now he can write his little heart out in his very own space.  The area is also now big enough for me to do yoga in and chill out and listen to vinyls...  I told him I might not get very much done now while he is at work... He might come home to find me laying on the floor listening to music!!!

 Doing this redo totally inspired me... Today I redid our whole bedroom while James went to his parents house.  It is soooo cozy now!  I took some pics of both rooms with my real camera, so Ill share later.  I actually have to do some work tonite... Have to package up orders that came in friday after I did my shipping. 

PEACE,

Laura