It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

…at least that is what the song says, right?

Summer, in all it’s sandy glory, is pretty wonderful too.

Here are some wonderful things from this time of the year, in no particular order.

1. Felt snowflakes; I made a garland of white lights and a variety of gray snow flake ornaments for over the sliding glass door.

felt-snowflake

2. Milk and Cookies; Is that patio furniture still in plain sight? Why yes it is. BBQ, anyone?

ry-having-snack

3. Handmade Gifts; Great Aunt Mary Jo and her friend Diane made a set for Molly’s doll crib; Wool socks so colorful and warm…from who else? Julie, my knitter friend and co-worker.blurry-molly-with-quiltsocks-from-julie

4. Bundled Children; I think Molly and Ry look like such a great team as they slide down our backyard together on a sled.

molly-and-ry-sledding

5. Warm Cozy Nights; That don’t start until 9-something because Ry, 4,  just has to push the limits by getting out of bed…every night.

cocoa-slippers

It is a wonderful season. Thank you all that have been so loving at Christmas and throughout the year!

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Not-So-Fun Part of the Season

As if unexpected car repairs (leaving me stranded in a snow storm for an hour); leaky faucets (ruining everything under the sink and more); a goose egg on my dear Molly’s fore-head; and watching my G-ma GG come near to the end of her days is not enough…my Uncle passed away 7 days before Christmas.

I do not share the above list for pity. Rather, I share it to keep it real. My heart is balancing on a tight rope of darkness and light. Hope and Joy are ever present even during the most difficult days that turn into difficult nights. I have comfort from the Comforter, Jesus.

I strive to be graceful under pressure. I am saying hello to peace. Long ago I used to only find a nightmarish anger. Praise God for love!

I would like to share some of the love I had for my Uncle Mick.

Dear Uncle,

My heart is heavy with loss. My memories of you are strong. Your laugh is still with me.

Thank you for your continuous generosity, genuine curiosity and unyielding verbosity.

Thank you for fighting for your nation and your brothers. Your sacrifice has been an inspiration.

Good-bye Uncle Mickey. I hope to see you again.

Greatest Love and Respect,

Jessica

Uncle Mick at a family party. (I am in the background).

Uncle Mick at a family party (summer 2008), ever ready to engage in discussion, sits in the living room as I busy myself in the kitchen. (I am in the background).

21-shots

21 Gun Salute to Mick's service in the Air Force and Vietnam War.

My newly widowed Aunt Rosie receiving Mick's burial flag.

My, newly widowed, Aunt Rosie receiving Mick's burial flag of the United States of America.

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Tis the Season II

I feel like I am sitting down with an old friend as I open my blog tonight.  My new ballerina-style fuzzy slippers are warming my toes. I am finally drinking water after drinking exclusively spiced cider, marshmallow-cocoa or specialty coffee for last who-knows how many days.

Dry furnace air and hauling kids around makes me so thirsty, and yes, so does eating more baked goods more than ever thought possible. Okay, so not only am I in my new slippers…I am also in my husband’s old sweatpants recovering from Christmas.

I just want to take a moment to say my blog and my dear two readers ;) have come to mean quite a lot to me in this giant cyberspace called the blog-o-sphere (a place where reflecting, dreaming and sharing stories happens everyday). So, thanks for reading.

I have been in a state of grief (loss of a loved one) blended with a state of joy (Christmas). I hope to share some fun-ness and a bit of not-so-fun with you as I remember a few things from this season over the next few posts.

On to the fun stuff…

So this is me…Messy Jessy. Hi! The fun-ness of this photo can be listed as such: my winter cap, that I always look forward to wearing; a lipstick, that was price-reduced on Black Friday – that makes my face remember I actually have lips; a pashmina scarf that happens to match the lipstick; and a tried and true snowboarding jacket which, now, only sees the slopes in my backyard (as seen below).

jess-with-hat-72-copy

Here are my kid-lets Molly and Ry. Can I say, “Smile for mommy!”, any louder in this photo! They both obeyed my command to smile, but darned if they were going to take their eyes off of their new gingerbread house that was covered in candy, pretzels and sprinkles.

ginger-house-1

Ry tries catch a snowflake…that or he is licking a runny nose lip. Let’s go with the trying to catch a snow flake thing.

ry-eating-a-snowflake

Grammy Kris (Neat Pete’s mom) helped us celebrate the Advent season in style. She made an advent wreath for us, using real pine sprigs. Risky candles, for someone so easily distracted as I, but well worth the extra attention I had to pay to the beautiful and spiritually meaningful fire hazard.

molly-advent

Grammy Lu sent an advent calendar in the mail. It was a treat to have a special delivery that was so fun to use all month long (calendar seen in the photo below, posted on the door in the background). Now all the prayer squares of our Advent calendar are open and….

glowsticks

We want to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Attitude of Gratitude

Merry Happenings

Thanksgiving kicked off an attitude of gratitude in my heart. I had no grand plan, daily read or assignment.

I am just keeping my eyes open and more importantly my heart open to contentment, peace and thankfulness.

Here are some of the little things that have helped make my season merry.

  1. A handmade set knit by a friend just for my little guy that Ry absolutely adores.
  2. A trip to Ikea that offered a close parking spot on a very bitter cold and dreary day followed by a kind woman in the Ikea cafeteria that cleared my tray for me because she’s “been there” and Molly discovering the free cookies while Ry played in Smal-land (Ikea’s play place). All of which led to the purchase of new bins and an organizing frenzy that suited my needs quite nicely.
  3. Lunch and story time with a friend. Ry, Lucy, Becki and Molly.
  4. Sharing the wonder of Advent season with Ryan. Every step of Christmas (Jesus’ birth) and Christmastime (snowmen, candy canes, etc.) seems to bring him overflowing joy for which I am very grateful.
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My Family

My Family

Just A Blink journals my ups and downs in creating thrifty home decor, spending time with my family, and finding simplicity. I write about everything from my garage sale addiction to my faith in God.

Read along as time flies!