Yesterday–since I was staying home from church, tending Miss Chompy Sniffles, it ended up being one of those put-your-feet-up, kick-back-in-the-chair sort of days where it kinda feels good to sit and do a little bit of, you know…

nothing.

I could have made some serious headway on the baby’s ripple blanket, but alas…

it was too much of something, to fit into the category of…

nothing.

I really thought about catching up on some light reading, but again–too important to be considered–

nothing. So they just sat there staring at me.

I thought, for a while, about baking something poofy and warm that would make the house smell like Snow White’s cottage in the forest, but it was too much trouble, and…

well, you get the picture.

There are just some times when it has to be ok to sit back and soak it all in and let everything else be big and important and necessary, on another day.

Believe me, it felt just lovely, thank you very much.

“With our Father’s help, all of us can choose to feel more gratitude. We can ask Him to help us see our blessings more clearly, whatever our circumstances. Giving thanks in prayer can allow us to see the magnitude of these blessings and all of our other blessings and so receive the gift of a more grateful heart.”

President Henry B. Eyring

right this minute…

~our hourly visit from Flash Gordon…at least, I think that’s who it is.

~a fabric stash that’s calling to me from the depths of the closet.

~Cinnamon Sugar donut holes–a most wicked, dreadful treat, that should be eaten alone to be done properly.  Heh.

~a soft, cuddly sleeper for the sweet new baby doll up the road a ways.

~tossing a few lovely things into a skillet and having it turn out tasting beyond incredible.

~finding a “Random Stripe Generator” at a site called Biscuits and Jam–to help with a fluffy little crochet project for the new soul coming soon.  :}

~a quart of soup from one of my favorite places on the planet…and a loaf of asiago bread–that would like to remain anonymous–to go along with it.

~finding that the sugary crumbs are nearly as good as the real thing…

until mommy catches you.

What are you reveling in right this minute?

I’m trying to be like Jesus,
I’m following in His ways.
I’m trying to love as He did
In all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted
To make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen
As the still small voice whispers:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor.
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for that day of gladness
When Jesus will come again.

I try to remember the lessons he taught,
And the holy spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Maybe they’ll send him to Siberia. :}

to contemplate on this chilly winter morning.

~A new batch of crocheting in the works with just the right combination of brights and softness to sooth my heart. And you know, in my medieval soul, it’s only truly beautiful if there’s some pink in it…somewhere.

~A crisp apple, some Christmas pistachios and a bowl of heavenly Greek yogurt. Thank you Greek yogurt people, you know, for inventing this stuff. Unbelievable.

~A ton more inspirational patterns to dream about and find yarn for– all jumping around in my silly little head just waiting to leap out. And it will, very soon…you’ll see.

~The warmest, most ridiculous, fleecy socks in the universe. Now all I need is to buy about 19 more pairs. It’s a whopin’ 18 degrees outside and I’m a huge fan of toasty feet and these do it. I LOVE them.

~The lovely little sweetheart’s birthday that we just barely had and the one that we may celebrate today if our 4-year-old darlings can get past the sniffles and coughing enough to have their  party. I hope…I hope…I hope.

~The age old dilemma–what to spread on the toast when there are too many incredible choices? Flip a coin.

Chokecherry Honey prevailed…for the first round.  :}

~Discovering the many ways you can photograph a basket of bananas. Currently, I’ve found 9, thank you, very much.

~A little dolly who knows how to share some of her most prized possessions with Grammy.

~And the little gray kitty who sleeps through it all.

What’s lovely in your world today?

Every year, in preparation for the holidays there are dozens of sewing bags or craft boxes or piles of yarn strewn throughout the house–so that no matter what else is going on, in the event that there is a spare moment–somewhere, the handmaking can continue, uninterrupted. I love it this way, because these particular hands are just too fidgety and restless to sit still for very long, without some purpose–any purpose.

But something interesting happened this year. There were the same stacks and piles and bags and yarn, all with a certain important project to be finished, but quite often, a little whispery voice would nudge me to just put it down…and so…quite often…I did.

True, the Babushka ornaments will have to wait another year to get their flowers…

the button trees are only partly put together…

the girls’ headbands are nearly finished…nearly…

and the cards never got sent at all.

I couldn’t find the laminating sheets for the nativity set…

and the snowflakes were never hung.

But in the end–there were the same smiles and giggles and hugs that come with the season– even without a few “vital” projects–that no one seemed to miss. And for me, the conscious decision to slow down, and be present and enjoy the moment with those faces I love–

turned out to be the greatest gift of all.

Believe it or not, I’m an avid list maker. Lists about everything–to do, to make, to cook, to crochet, to try, to call, to buy, and to redo. If it can be listed, I’d be happy to do it. This fact, makes facing the New Year more fun because if something doesn’t get done–I’m more than happy to scoot it ahead to the next page…or next week…or month…well, you get the picture.

I do love how the New Year gives us all that gentle nudge to go beyond the ordinary task list, and make a few real-live, honest-to-goodness resolutions. This year, rather than things I’m determined to do, I’ve decided on a few things I’d like…

to become.

Therefore, in 2012, I resolve…

~to become more grateful for the health, happiness and family-life that I’m so lucky to share with those that I love, both human–see above…

and feline.   :}

~to become more loving, kind and caring both within these walls, and outside them–more generous with my applause, a smile or a simple nod that could lift someone’s spirits or give them the strength to keep moving forward.

~to become a better friend and listen harder–to actually look people in the eye while they speak, so they know they have my complete attention…no matter how short they may be.

~to become a participant rather than a spectator, to go outside rather than watch from the window, to let a little rain fall on my face rather than dodge for cover–whether or not I’m wearing waterproof mascara. Believe me…that’s big.

~to become more healthy by cooking more and eating mostly wholesome food…and feeding it to my family as well…and to figure out what the heck my deal is with…

peppermint–it’s everywhere! More on that later.

~to become more trusting of my own abilities and have greater faith in myself and what I know deep down inside I can do…and then do it.

~to become a ferociously organized person with an incredibly low tolerance for clutter. I know, I know, big talk…I’m working on it. And no, I’m not showing you a picture of why this is sooo necessary. It needs to happen…trust me.

~to become a brave, courageous person who’s not afraid of anything…or of so many things, at least.

~to become a woman of valor and strength, someone my family, my friends and the Lord can count on–to do what is good, and kind, and right…no matter what.

This is my hope and prayer for 2012.

What about you?

This Christmas there were- oh so many blessings, too many to count…but I’ll do my best.

~Blurry, shaky giggles at seeing all those presents around the tree.

~Sweet little cousins, becoming sweet little friends.

~Finally, finally–Uncle “Bald Kid” dolls. Wondered if they’d ever get finished! Phew…

~That sweet little surprise we’ll be adding to our baby collection soon.

~ Realizing that even little folks can appreciate really good chocolate…from England.

Thanks Sarah!

~Sharing Christmas day joy with our new little sweetheart, Kortney.

~Hugs from the best little Aunt in the world.  :}

~ The calm, easy, comforting pace that gift sharing is taking these days.

~ Talking to and seeing my dear boy in far away Siberia–for one whole hour! Thank you, thank you– Skype! More on that later.

~ Christmas day secrets.

~Speaking of which–look at the best kept secret on earth, from my sweet kids–to ME! My friends, things are about to become much…ummm…clearer around here. Hee, heee!

~ Just in time to help us remember the reason for all of it.

What are some of your Christmas blessings?

in the loveliness just a bit longer.

How was your Christmas?

“Part of the purpose for telling the story of Christmas is to remind us that Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Indeed, however delightful we feel about it, even as children, each year it ‘means a little bit more.’ And no matter how many times we read the biblical account of that evening in Bethlehem, we always come away with a thought—or two—we haven’t had before….

“I, like you, need to remember the very plain scene, even the poverty, of a night devoid of tinsel or wrapping or goods of this world. Only when we see that sacred, unadorned child of our devotion—the Babe of Bethlehem—will we know why… the giving of gifts is so appropriate”

Jeffrey R. Holland