A Christmas Wish

Dearest reader, as my family prepares for the Christmas holidays ahead I wanted to write you all a little note on what’s on my heart.

Just to set the scene for you, I’m sitting by the fire with the warm white glow of our twinkling Christmas lights (everyone still asleep – the boys, Luke, and our guests from England). It’s gonna be a full house here this Christmas which makes me so very happy!

Nestled next to me is Max, undoubtedly dreaming of chasing bunnies in the yard. This week has been a blur – a horrible storm, losing power, washing slipcovers, wrapping gifts, doing load upon load of laundry, and cleaning until this little house of ours sparkled.

Our Home at Christmas

And now, the anticipation of the magic that Christmas brings.

That holiday magic. I can feel it! Can you? This is our last Christmas with both boys at home and it seems like such a big transition point in our lives. Decorating the tree with John, driving around to look at Christmas lights, and baking cookies together all takes on a special meaning this year.

I had intended to write a whole blog post on our holiday home, but time has gotten away from. So I hope you enjoy these few photos that I snapped.

One of my favorite areas to decorate is the Welsh Dresser in our dining room. It’s filled with special meaning.

You all know how much I love Ironstone and Cornishware, but also included here are a special bird house from a reader in Canada, Carolyn, who hand delivered it. The blue and white apple is from Limoges and was a special gift from Alric’s family, our exchange student. The cake stand was a gift from Matthew Mead and the clothes peg doll is from Elyse Major. Luke made me the driftwood tree out of scavenged beach finds.

I love decorating in this way just adding shells, ornaments, or simple greenery.

A Christmas Wish

This year has already felt so full that I’m finding it hard to imagine or dream what’s in store for 2024. I know many people are already making so many plans for the year ahead, but for me I’m taking a moment to really feel what this year has meant to me.

Photo by Kjeld Mahoney and hat by Easkey Right

This year was a year of big dreams and big growth. The online shop and wholesale has grown so much in the last year. I am so grateful to you all for your support. It really means so much that you send your loved ones my cards, notepads, and calendars. If you told me 12.5 years ago that I would be creating art people wanted to buy I think I would have laughed because I had never painted with watercolor before. This blog has truly been a journey of discovery and an opening up of my creativity. Over the years, you’ve watched our boys grow up, the love our little town grow, and a blossoming of my career.

Of course, none of this would be possible without my family. I am so grateful for their love and support.

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to take this time to wish you all a magical Christmas and a very healthy and happy New Year! I will be signing off until the 2024, but wanted to say how much I appreciate all of you. Sending you all so much love from our home to yours!