Christmas Recap

Our Christmas was certainly complete with: Wonder Woman legos, pumpkin pie, puppies, thoughtful gifts, a Christmas morning fire, and I even wore a Christmas outfit!  There was a lot of relaxing throughout the day with good friends while the kiddos learned how to use their new Kindles....still need to install that parental control, but am letting them have at it while they can. ;)

I am feeling fully recharged and ready to jump back into work, and routine.

Hope the holidays brought light and love to you all as well!

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Merry Merry, Everyone!

Love, Bella

Happy Holidays

I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season!  I have been lost in a sea of jewelry making and christmas orders in my shop.

Through all of the good in my world, I am also feeling a deep sadness over what happened in Connecticut.

There are no words.

This rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah by K.D. Lang is beautiful.  I listened to it and my thoughts went to the parents who will be missing little ones this year...

.....so in contrast to my silly holiday pet photo, I dedicate this song to those suffering and hope that everyone can take a moment to send love that way.

A Gift

I am so excited to share with you all the gift I made for Matt!  I have had to wait till now to post about this, since we wouldn't have wanted to ruin the surprise!

We only did a stocking exchange between the two of us, so of course I was inspired to make him something jewelry oriented....something small and sentimental which would fit perfectly in his stocking.

(See it in my shop here where you can customize your own version of this wrap bracelet.)




I think it was during one of our long walks that we were talking about all of the ups and downs and crazy transitions we have faced together in the last few years, and I remember Matt saying that, "We are the lucky ones".  I haven't forgotten that phrase since, and I thought it would make a special momento if I designed a manly piece of jewelry with that in mind.

I am really happy with the outcome (though I will admit it took a few tries to get to this point..art has a way of complicating a seemingly simple process with unforeseen bumps in the road...but I prevailed).

Another neat Christmas happening here at our house....usually for me gift giving is by far more fulfilling than gift getting, except this year.  MyBoy, for the first time ever planned out a special gift for me and got Matt to take him to purchase it with his own allowance.  I nearly melted from that sweet gesture.  What did he get me?  An amazing metalsmithing hammer with interchangeable faces that creates different textures in your metal!  It had been on my list forever.  So so so sweet!

Usually the kids make me gifts, which I also adore.  MyGirl made me a hilarious sock creature which she hand sewed and stuffed herself.

I love my kids.

Okay, enough mushy stuff.  We have been snacking for three days straight so I am off to the kitchen to make us some real food!  Tagliatelle bolognese from here and egg drop soup from here.  Strange combination, I know, but this is what has been requested!

Christmas Here & Gone, But Lovely

 >>>A Santa that Matt carved with his granddad at age 10ish, our advent calendar from my childhood, old fashioned peppermint stix, a festive star.

>>>A Christmas pup

>>>Our sweet little village passed on from my mother's childhood, a gumdrop tree, crostini snacks, and a thrifted statue of carolers that wind up to play silent night

>>>Happy kids opening gifts and a sleepy dog

>>>My favorite Christmas card this year, from Matt of course

Hope all of your holidays were festive and happy!  Now, on to the New Year!!

Christmas Wishes

I can't believe it is Christmas again already!  The winter break has just flown by, filled with cookie making, relaxing, and quality time with Matt and the kids (and Reuben of course).  Seriously, we have just been lounging around waiting for Christmas to come!

I have a little bit of last minute shopping to do today, MyGirl needs a gift for her brother, and I need some stocking stuffers for Matt (Matt and I have a Christmas Eve tradition of exchanging stockings we fill for each other...my favorite thing ever!!!).

I wish you all an amazing Christmas!  Peace & Love!

Where Have I Been?!....And Christmas Beetroot Hummus

The whirlwind that has been the past couple of weeks has finally stopped freaking out.  The Christmas orders have stopped coming in (except for that really last minute order I shipped out yesterday (!?!?!)).  I am also finally feeling better, I don't think I've been that sick in a long time and I am so happy that it looks like I'll be my old healthy self again for Christmas Day!

Here is a little memoir in photos of these last hectic weeks, which I have been meaning to blog about but only had enough energy to post to my twitter.


>>>Lots of working in the shop, visits to the post office (look at that line!!), and little packages ready for the mail.

>>>Chicken noodle soup in bed.

>>>Finally mailed out my Christmas cards!

>>>And then I made some Beetroot Hummus because it's oh, so pretty!

This hummus would complete any Christmas dinner table, or Christmas appetizer spread.  It is also very mild because it is made without the traditional tahini (though I missed that and will probably add it next time).  Did I mention that it takes 5 minutes to make?

Here's what you need and what you do.

One large beet, cooked  (I chopped it up and microwaved it in water for 2 minutes, easy.)
One can chickpeas
Four tablespoons lemon juice
Two garlic cloves
Three Tablespoons olive oil

Put it all into your food processor and start pushing buttons!  By the time you're tired of switching from the chop button to the puree button, the hummus will be ready for eating!  Serve with veggies and crackers for a pretty and pretty healthy snack!

Check out the recipe I used (and tweaked) here.

Well, I hope you're all healthy and ready for some Christmas!

Gratified Fridays: Christmas is Coming & Happiness

I think this pic speaks for itself.  I am so grateful this week for my husband.  He surprised me and took me to the quaintest local tree venue for a Christmas tree (they had cocoa and were third generation family tree farmers).  He climbed up on the roof and put up lights.  He's just the best.

The kids are downstairs as I type this, singing random versions of Christmas songs in a fort they made in the front room.

Thank you, Christmas for the cheery spirit and the inspiration to love large.