on angel's wings

...is how quickly Christmas feels like it's coming.

Unstoppable, yet so exciting.
Reverent, but jubilant.
Preparatory, but pausing. 


I love how each Christmas holds the same dear patterns, yet each one awaits us with its own surprises.


I love letting the lights on the tree be the last ones on in the house at night. Their magic twinkling around the room.


I love how with each new day, the presents seem to multiply under the tree.


I love how even though there is so much more hustle and bustle going on out there, people are still overall more friendly and cheerful. 


I love that our Post Office has an independent mailing machine that is open 24/7. And that there's no line at 11pm! 


I love that I just found my little stash of clearance Christmas books from last year, including: The Nutcracker (Susan Jeffers), The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry, ill. by Lisbeth Zwerger), The Child's Christmas (Evelyn Sharp), and Who's That Knocking On Christmas Eve (Jan Brett).


I love (*attention: spoiler alert) that my living room smells like fresh roasted coffee. We just received 2 boxes from Mist Valley who's coffee we have been LOVING every morning for the past few months! Their coffee is FRESH!!!!!! And the proof is in the taste. 


I love the excitement that is uncontainable in my children. And the sentimentality of adults. Particularly my dad. He sent me the sweetest FB message about how sad he is that we won't be together for Christmas.  :( 


I love that we have appx. 4 different types of advent calendars going on each day. Thankfully they are all simple enough to keep up with.  


I love the simple message that this season brings. One of hope and joy in the precious gift of our Savior. The simple, yet magnificent gift that so many pause to sing of. The gift that will soon be forgotten but will still remain long after the tree is at the curbside. The true, though cliche, "reason for the season." 


Jesus. 


[photo above: our tree. filter done in Instagram. an awesome free iPhone app that I am loving]

month twelve.

Happy December!

 No, I haven't finished my Christmas shopping already! But we ARE starting THIS today and I am oh, so excited about it! It is our "advent calendar" for this year. I wrapped 24 books, labeled them and each night until Christmas the boys will get the chosen book read to them before bed. You can see my friends' version HERE who first shared this idea with me. For more advent ideas, see HERE. 

These are the books that were selected for our first (annual ?) advent book reading, most of which we already owned. A few were a last minute rescue from our second hand store. You may also notice that I mixed in winter themed books with spiritual related books. We will be doing our Scripture advent reading separately.

Here is the list of books that we'll be reading:

1. Footprints in the Snow (Cynthia Benjamin)

2. Little Einstein's Christmas Wish (Disney)

3. The Little Drummer Boy (1968 Little Golden Book)

4. The Elves and the Shoemaker (Little Golden Book)

5. The Christmas Story (Little Golden Book)

6. Room For A Little One (Martin Waddell)

7. Owl Moon (Jane Yolen)

8. The Little Lost Angel 

9. Katy and the BIG SNOW (Virginia Lee Burton)

10. The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Graham Percy)

11. The Little Drummer Boy (Ezra Jack Keats)

12. Who Is Coming To Our House? (Joseph Slate)

13. Noel (Little Board Books)

14. Jingle Bells 

15. The Snowchild (Ill. by Deborah Kogan Ray)

16. The Christmas Mouse 

17. Socks for Supper (Jack Kent)

18. Father and Son, A Nativity Story (Geraldine McCaughrea)

19. Madeline's Christmas (Ludwig Bemelmans)

20. The Apple Tree Christmas (Trinka Hakes Noble)

21. Spunky's First Christmas (Janette Oke)

22. Winnie the Pooh's Christmas (Bruce Talkington)

23. Red Boots for Christmas (Carol Greene)

24. Mortimer's Christmas Manger (Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman)

I also needed a new chapter book to start with the boys and came across THIS gem at the library:

So, looks like we're all booked up for December!!??  

(sorry. I couldn't resist!!!)   :)  

What are some of YOUR (and your kids) favorite reads during "the most wonderful time of the year?" 

Cannot wait...

Guess what I am getting for my [belated] birthday present?

Here's what they have to say about it:


Holiday with Matthew Mead is a "book-azine" celebrating and offering inspiration for the Christmas holiday season. To be delivered in late October 2010, we are offering Holiday via online orders only - in limited quantities - and by simply following the BUY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE link below our banner, you will be directed to a secure shopping cart and checkout... with a guaranteed delivery of HOLIDAY straight to your mailbox! Be sure to stick around and read more about what you will find in the pages of Holiday, discover who ourfamous features are andwatch our video sneak peek here! 

Who is Matthew Mead, you might ask? Well, I am not 100% sure, to be honest. But he was called a Creative Machine and this was written of him:   "...the majority of best-selling covers for Country Home magazine were produced by Matthew. And of course, he created the cover for Flea Market Style 2010, and we all know how well that sold. :-) " 


Some SNEAK PEAKS/ COVER MOCK-UPS:

 

  

This wonderful holiday book/magazine has caught my eye from the beginning and when my sister-in-law asked for birthday ideas, this popped into my head. HURRY---it's going to be printing soon and being shipped out at the end of this month! This would be an INCREDIBLE gift to a friend, sister, blogger, photographer, lover of the Christmas season, creative, decorator enthusiast, etc. AND, you have a gift done early! YAY! 


You can go here (or send your awesome sister-in-law there like I did) if you want to order one. Or you can just check out their blog for great ideas, creative guest bloggers, giveaways or when you need to get in the Christmas spirit. 


(already? I know... I pull out my Christmas music right at Thanksgiving. It's coming, folks!)