Our House in the Middle of Our Street

For years I've participated in my friend Rebecca's photography baby, The December Photo Project , or DPP.  Every year she has beautiful banners and badges and does a splendid job setting up this free group all over social media and corralling blog writers, amateur (and professional) photographers, and those who just want a chance to celebrate the season with others.  The DPP is a group of people who want to capture the 25 days of December leading up to Christmas in photographs. It grew from her personal blog and a few friends to now hundreds of people participating, and very possibly international members.  This year I'm excited to participate again, though I will say, it *completely* snuck up on me, today. I can't believe the first of December is tomorrow. I've got to find that little old point and shoot! Happy clicking! **Go here for more instructions on how to join DPP, grab banners and badges, and for a list of those also participating. 

Flowers from Pike Place Market This month I spent more time finally catching up on my scads of magazines than I did reading hard or soft-bound books. I'd let my magazine pile get pretty tall over the past 6-8 weeks (some over 6 months) simply because of moving, and life. I love magazines and devour 3-4 subscriptions a year. I don't have a tablet but even if I did I might still pay the extra amount for the in-your-hand shiny paper feel. I love Relevant and just renewed that for my perhaps sixth year, though I was all caught up on those. I also have gotten Martha  Stewart Living for free over the last three years or so (Thanks, Recyclebank !) although that has recently come to it's end. Sad. I'll get over it. The magazine that is the prize-winner, though, is Mental Floss . I literally had 3 issues backlogged because of moving and just reading them one after the other was like a week-long giant sundae with about 7 cherries on top. It's a random magazine that h...

via * Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Take the day the weekend to hug and kiss those you love, spend time with friends and family over good food, and be kind to those store employees if you head out on Black Friday. They need your patience and kindness, too!  This year I'm thankful for a warm, comfy bed when I'm tired, plenty of food in my cupboards, healthy and thriving children, a steady husband (whose birthday is tomorrow ! Wish him happy 29th!) who makes me laugh more than anyone else, and God's provision, even when we question it. We have much to be thankful for.  *To purchase this print by artist, Katie Daisy, head here . 

packaged up with gifts  Last week I mentioned I had gift-bags to sell for Christmas, and I've been busy sewing the past seven days. I love spending time doing crafts and making practical, useful, and beautiful gifts. I get a blissful buzz from it. In the top photo you can see what a few of the Christmas bag patterns are and what they might look like full of presents for friends and family. Although our Christmas tree will probably be locally sourced (ahem, from our property's uncleared forest), we don't have it cut down yet and displayed in our home. From past years, though, take my word for it--these fabric gift bags look beautiful under the tree and add a warmth and a coziness to the decorative atmosphere.  two sets complete with enough twine to tie up each bag, and a necessary pom-pom The two packages above are a pair of 6 bags each, with enough candy-cane striped twine for closing and a fun pompom to add a bit of spirit and bounce. Each package co...

via Over the last year I've been working independently on a creative writing course . It's something I put together on my own, to gain momentum and to improve my writing. I'd been looking forward to finally getting to Julia Cameron's well known artist recovery book, The Artist's Way. I received my free copy from paperbackswap and diligently read a chapter per week, enjoying the quotes perched along the margins of nearly every page, and trying to be studious with writing about at least one, sometimes five or six, of the Tasks at the end of each chapter.  This book, and the amount of 'homework', if you take it seriously, is a course in itself, though, and I hate to say it, but I just couldn't keep up with it. Each week Cameron advises to go on an Artist Date, and nearly week after week I was not able to do that. I know it is a big part of going through the book. The reasons behind the artist date are to not only see what you may not otherwise s...

A stuffed Christmas bag waiting to be opened!  This year I'm really excited to start selling a few things I've been making and perfecting over the years for my own family and friends. The first of these items are sets of Christmas bags. What's a Christmas bag, you say? A Christmas bag is a fabric bag that will last forever, long after paper bags, wrapping paper, and tissue paper. There is no clean-up after the gifts have been given, just gather them up, fold them and put them away for next year...and every year after that. They keep vintage fabrics out of the landfill and are a great option both financially and environmentally. They come with a nice folded inside seam, and are double stitched up each side for strength. They're a part of the holiday traditions. Two patterns of bags; S, M, L size, all folded up (bonus minis, too!) I had never heard nor seen Christmas bags before marrying into the Mast family. Stefan's Oma always made them for her fa...