Winter Solstice

Photo by Ree Drummond for the Pioneer Woman

Even though it feels as if we've been in the heart of winter for a few weeks now, Sister Winter has finally arrived, rosy-cheeked and bright-eyed. With her she has brought quiet evenings, hot cups of milky tea, and a definite drop in temperature. 

I don't know about you, but come February and March, I am always itching for spring. I'm not exactly sure where I lost my sense of winter wonder that I had as a child, but I'm usually sick of the cold weather by late-January. This year, however, I'm going to do my best to enjoy the season and all that comes with it. Snow that crunches underfoot. Sledding and skating. Hearty soups and thick sweaters (my absolute favorite, of course.)

Happy first day of winter, friends!

Wish List: White Christmas

Remember all the Michigan snow I was bragging about in my previous post? Well it's gone. All of it. Two days of rain and yesterday's balmy 55 degree morning have left us with flooded gutters and dirty, dwindling lumps of plowed snow in the Walmart parking lot.

With Christmas only eight days away, it's a bit of a buzz kill to look out the window and see muddled gray and brown. For now, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas and using this roundup of festive items to get my fix.

1. This origami reindeer ornament should probably be on my tree. Right now.  2. Aerie's lace paneled top would be pretty layered with a festive red cardigan and braided belt.  3. There is something so simple and beautiful about this porcelain conifer kiln ornament.  4. Spiced Chai candle. Need I say more?  5. This hand-woven Chloe throw would be perfect to curl up under with a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and a good book in hand.  6. I've been admiring West Elm's modern snow globe collection for a while -- and now they're on sale!  7. Anthro's Mirrored Mirth Trees are the perfect balance of modern and vintage. They would look beautiful clustered together, with candlelight flickering off their metallic glaze.  8.  Sip the aforementioned peppermint hot chocolate from this rustic wood grain mug. So cozy. 

With snow in the forecast for the next two days, I'm really hoping we'll get enough to last us through Christmas. Call me sentimental, but there's something so magical and peaceful about fresh snowfall around Christmastime. Agreed?

December Instagrams

 

 

December is flying by and I have yet to write an actual post this month, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite December Instagrams thus far (inspired by Kate!)  

We've gotten just the right amount of snow in Michigan and our little lake has nearly frozen over. Life has been busy, but somehow the tree is trimmed and (nearly) all the presents are wrapped and tucked underneath. Mr. Ross and I are in Christmas mode... I'm talking peppermint hot cocoa drinking, Christmas Vacation watching, red and green M&M eating, paper snowflake making, full-on Christmas cheer. I love every bit of it.

Next step: sugar cookies and ice skating.