happy holidays.

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Solstice.

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We Took To The Tropics.

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As much as I like winter in New England, I must admit that in the past few days I have caught myself day dreaming about some warm tropical island just a wee bit.  It has been cold, cold, cold here and the idea of being sticky with sweat, smearing on sunscreen and having sand in the toes has felt rather inviting. Alas, we are here to stay! So, yesterday we got as close to going to a tropical island as we could.  We put on our winter coats and boots, jumped in the car and crossed the river to the lovely college greenhouse!

We saw purple flowers that were so full that they weighted down their stems, smelled the scent of blossoming jasmine, delighted in the colors of growing oranges, lemons and bananas, resisting the urge to pick one right then and there and devour it, saw swimming carp that were so large that their long whiskers tickled our finger tips and, perhaps most importantly, we felt warm.

Then, we put back on our constant hat and coat companions and headed back out into the winter of New England.  

The air felt cool, fresh, alive and yes, quite wonderful.

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Little Felt Garland.

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On Saturday we headed into the forest once again!  This time in search of a little Christmas tree.  The newly fallen snow was covered with a thin layer of shimmering ice and the wind was blowing cold.  We bundled up from head to toe, picked up our saw and ventured out.  It was not too long until we came upon our tree.  A wispy, etherial hemlock!  We carried it home with bright red cheeks and set it into its holder.  Its branches were too delicate to hold any ornaments (and we don't have any either!) so I quickly made this felt garland.  I simply cut little square pieces from my beloved felt stash and strung them on embroidery thread.  I made four different lengths and tied each end together.  We draped it over our trees branches and it looked quite happy with its new felt jewels!

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Snowbound.

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Vintage Storage For Little Things.

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It is always nice to find new ways of using old things.  Whether it is taking an old, beloved shirt and using it for it's fabric, making a garland out of scrap paper, or, as in this case, using vintage kitchen finds for storing office supplies.  It just feels good.  When I finally I had a proper piece of furniture that I could use as a desk, I instantly set to work on organizing all of these wee things I had gathered over the years.  It is a wonderfully economical way of giving things a new home.

1. These are two vintage, wood egg cups from Italy.  I thought it was such a steel when they were both sold to me for $4.  They each came with a little wool hat for keeping the cooked eggs warm . The two are so clearly in love.  She seems to be gazing at him in her coy demeanor with her batting eye lashes no matter where I place them.  They work so nicely for holding things such as  matches or birthday candles.
2. These little tin molds are great for holding just about anything and are also very inexpensive.  One can usually find them being sold in a group.  I love how they are both rusty and a bit shiny all at once.  
3. I found this mini muffin tin at our local church tag sale for .50 and I love it a great deal.  When I have been in a necklace making faze it has been quite handy for holding different beads in each of its pouches.  Now, I use it for pins and needles, tape measures and clips.
4. These old blue and white teacups are so dainty and nice...maybe too nice for holding push pins.  Soon, when my son is ready for tea parties, we will use them in their proper way!
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First Snow.

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First snow.  I do love it so.