O Tannenbaum

Decorating the Christmas tree is one of my favorite parts of the Holiday Season. 

It's usually a Mom + Brother + Me affair. 

But we were missing a very important little brother this year, so Daddio filled in and cheered us on from the couch.

My parents' tree is always my favorite {and I mean favorite out of every gorgeous tree I see each year}. It's not perfectly put together with lights meticulously spaced and ornaments beautifully coordinated.

Instead, we have popsicle stick ornaments my brother and I made in elementary school. There are family pictures posted on the back of a coffee can lid that we crafted in preschool. Ornaments my grandmother made when my mother was a child. Others that we thoughtfully picked out on our family vacations. Gifts from loved ones to mark special occasions in each of our lives. 

It's really a memory tree.

Every ornament on our family tree has a meaning and sentimental value behind it. And I think that's what makes our Christmas tree perfect each and every year.

I always get a little teary eyed as we decorate the tree. It reminds me how blessed I am as I take a trip down memory lane as each ornament is unwrapped from it's box or tissue paper. The ornaments are like pages of our family's life-long story book.

As we put more ornaments up and the tree becomes so full that we don't think we can fit any more on it, I began to think about how this little fir tree tells a story about each of us. Each year, there is usually a new ornament to put up, which means a new memory has been made - one of many that we each have from the past year.

I hope I have a tree like this for my children someday. So they too can tell stories about ornaments from my childhood and remember exciting and fun things from their own lives. 

Christmas is about celebrating so much more than our world today realizes. It's a time to be thankful for all the blessings we have been given in life. And I'm a firm believer that family is the best and most important blessing of all.

First Snowfall

Last weekend was the first real winter storm we had in New England. It came last Saturday afternoon right as my parents and I headed into Boston to see It's a Wonderful Life. When we came out of the theater, we found the kind of quite you can only find in a city during a snow storm.

Boston is one of the most magical winter places you will ever find.

I promise.

The usually bustling city was so calm and quiet for a Saturday night right before Christmas. My parents and I wandered around Faneuil Hall where only a handful of people were roaming through the snow. We had a delicious smorgasbord of lobster mac n' cheese, calzone, arancini and Italian sausage as we watched the snow fall outside the giant windows of Quincy Market. It felt like we were in a snow globe.

Boston is truly my city. No matter where else I might end up in the coming months.

P.S. My parents are the cutest.

Winter Walk

There is nothing more peaceful and calming to me than walking along my favorite beach.

Even if it's -2398423 degrees outside.

My spring fever has become nagging lately. After 60 degree days in Oklahoma a few weeks ago, I find myself staring longingly at my spring dresses when I really should be looking for a parka and snow boots.

All in good time.

If that good time was tomorrow though, I'd be OK with that.

White Mornings

There is something so surreal about waking up to a snow covered world. Driving to work the other morning was like driving through fairy land. The sun was just rising, the trees were all white, and the world seemed to be in a quiet peace. A truly beautiful, glorious start to the day.

I hope you have a beautiful start to your week.

Snowy Mornings

I snapped these a few weeks ago after an overnight snow storm. I had the pleasure of working from home that morning, and as a sat at my dining room table amongst various spreadsheets, binders, and notebooks, I paused long enough to glance out the window and realize how truly beautiful this new blanket of snow made our little corner of the woods. 

That little moment changed my foggy, slightly frustrated mood into humble thankfulness that I get to live in such a gorgeous place. I truly love New England.

Spend a moment today taking in the world around you. Look for the beauty, whether it be obvious or beneath the surface.

Dear Winter

{Because an unexpected buffalo picture can make anyone smile. Yellowstone - August 2012}

Dear subzero temperatures: You have overstayed your welcome. I'd like to go back to the 50 degrees we had last week. Please. Thank you. Dear Vermont: I can't wait to see your snow covered slopes in a few hours. It's been far too long. Dear legs: Please don't give up during our 5K snowshoe adventure tomorrow. Windchill of -12 and the fact that you haven't even walked a 5K in the last two months are not excuses for wimping out. Dear Family:  I can't wait to see you this weekend. Life seems to be too busy for all of us lately. Dear winter: You've been fun, but I'm starting to get a bug commonly referred to as spring fever. I'm sure a little mini trip to somewhere warm and exotic would be the perfect remedy :)

Happy Weekend!

Frankenstorm?

Last Ocotber, around this very day, I believe, we had a terrible snowstorm that left much of the Northeast without power for a week.

{Halloween Blizzard of 2011. This was after my car had been cleaned once}

Now this year we are getting something referred to as a Frankenstorm?

Awesome.

While I, admittedly, enjoyed spending my workday in leggings and a sweatshirt, I spent all day waiting for the worst to come. The news keeps saying in a few hours...but the hours come and go and all we get is more wind and less rain. I'm praying that we have already seen the worst with a few downed trees and shingles missing.

Is this the new Halloween tradition? I certainly hope not.

To all those in the Northeast, I hope you are staying safe!