Holiday Wrapping {Up}

ahhh... the end of a very big year of change.

I look back on the year and I just feel like there was so much movement. It was so very nice to have the holidays to ground us with tradition and also time with each other as a family.

St Nicholas Day

We had our first Christmas at home with just the boys and Ivan and I and it was nice to start making our own traditions.

The boys wearing their Christmas PJ's

There were joyful times with visits from extended family and day trips to celebrate with my parents.

Nico and his beloved Lola

I realized during this time how rich I am with so many amazing people in my life that bless me with their friendships. During the break from our normal routine, it was wonderful to share in the holiday spirit with them

Making cookies at my friend Jenny's beautiful, warm home


...with her adorable son close-by to assist :)


A wonderful morning of playdate mayhem at our house with almost a dozen kids running around, but SO worth it to have these yummy little ones to sit on my lap and their mamas to visit with!
Thank you Nicola, Liz and Robin!

Santa and the Birthday Fairy were quite generous this year and I received a pretty red ring... a Canon L series lens


Which I was able to take into San Francisco (all by myself!) for the day to practice new techniques I've been working on

panning the camera to keep an object in motion in focus

shooting in manual mode to learn how to create the silky waterfall effect


and time to play in Union Square

It was a lovely holiday season and a wonderful way to wrap up a busy year.
I'm wishing you, my friends, a magical year full of love and joy!

Merriment and Warmth

After a long hiatus, my beloved Inspiration Circle got together this past week for a few hours of crafting and fun. It was really wonderful to spend some time at my friend Andrea's gorgeous home which is full of creativity and handmade love. I thought I'd share a few images of the works of my talented friends and the lovely setting we gathered in...

Emanuela brought her charming knitted Christmas elves!

Najma showed off the gorgeous knits that she will be selling at a local crafts faire

Andrea works on the socks her son requested for Christmas (isn't that sweet?!)


and I worked on a few tiny Waldorf dollheads to be made into finger puppets :)

There is always so much inspiration to be found in Andrea's beautiful home. She made this fantastic Advent Calendar by hanging envelopes simply stamped...

...filled with holiday daily activities

I love the gorgeous knit tulips that she makes as gifts!

As our home doesn't have a fireplace or mantel, I really do take pleasure in hers so happily decorated for the holidays

As always, it was such a joy to take time out of our busy days to simply sit and bask in the warmth of friendship. Listening to Emanuela share a tomato sauce recipe in her lyrical Italian voice, watching knitting needles busily flying... it's nourishment to my soul.

Thank you my dear, crafty mama friends near and far for sharing your talents and inspiration. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful holiday season full of love and light!