Yesterday, on a spare of a moment type thing, I decided to take a holiday break from Facebook.
It was a decision I made, as I felt that I was becoming all too consumed with what was going on in the online world. I wanted to take a step back and be present in the moment. I wanted to stop reading sad stories, and wanted to stop feeling so far away from others. Instead of feeling connected, I was feeling disconnected from my family.
I find that because here in Beaver Creek, I am so far away from the rest of the world, I tend to use Facebook as a way of staying in touch with it. It truly does feel sometimes like I am in my own little world here, and Facebook helps me to connect- or so I say and think it does. I'm not so sure. But I do know that it feels right to take a break. I think that says something.
Winter's Solstice was spent celebrating at our house with close family friends.
It was a decision I made, as I felt that I was becoming all too consumed with what was going on in the online world. I wanted to take a step back and be present in the moment. I wanted to stop reading sad stories, and wanted to stop feeling so far away from others. Instead of feeling connected, I was feeling disconnected from my family.
I find that because here in Beaver Creek, I am so far away from the rest of the world, I tend to use Facebook as a way of staying in touch with it. It truly does feel sometimes like I am in my own little world here, and Facebook helps me to connect- or so I say and think it does. I'm not so sure. But I do know that it feels right to take a break. I think that says something.
Winter's Solstice was spent celebrating at our house with close family friends.
We had two couples over who are both very good friends of ours, and the kids adore them. We made popcorn, had mulled wine, made rolled beeswax candles, and then had a dinner of ham, mashed potatoes and a salad. It was warm, crafty and cozy ... and the perfect way to spend the darkest night. As our guests made themselves at home, and we kept filling up our cups, I was struck with the feeling of peacefulness and contentedness. It felt so nice to be surrounded by good friends and to spend our time together. I'm thankful for our "Northern Family" and wonder how we will do it next year when we are in a bigger, busier, faster, community.
But for now I am enjoying our quiet little Christmas and these things ...
~ the barely there light throughout the day. How it begins to darken in the mid afternoon.
~ getting outside for our winter walks. Yesterday Noah found a fairy snow home. We decided to leave the fairies with a little Christmas tree (I tiny piece of a spruce tip).
~ making homemade treats to have and give.
~ two excited little ones. Counting down to Christmas.
~ going to the post office and finding all kinds of Christmas cards and packages in the mail.
But for now I am enjoying our quiet little Christmas and these things ...
~ the barely there light throughout the day. How it begins to darken in the mid afternoon.
~ getting outside for our winter walks. Yesterday Noah found a fairy snow home. We decided to leave the fairies with a little Christmas tree (I tiny piece of a spruce tip).
~ making homemade treats to have and give.
~ two excited little ones. Counting down to Christmas.
~ going to the post office and finding all kinds of Christmas cards and packages in the mail.
Mulled Wine
3 cups of red wine
1/4 cup of vodka (some people use Brandy. I didn't have any and found a recipe that used vodka)
1/2 cup sweetener (honey is nice, but you can use sugar) ...add more if you want it more sweet
3 cups of red wine
1/4 cup of vodka (some people use Brandy. I didn't have any and found a recipe that used vodka)
1/2 cup sweetener (honey is nice, but you can use sugar) ...add more if you want it more sweet
2-3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 an orange cut into thin rings
5-6 whole cloves
1/2 an orange cut into thin rings
5-6 whole cloves
2-3 pieces of sliced fresh ginger
Simmer on low-medium for at least half an hour... longer is better. Do not allow to boil.
Simmer on low-medium for at least half an hour... longer is better. Do not allow to boil.
This can be made in a crock pot too.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time with friends, which can be just as good or better ;) as family sometimes. That last picture of your daughter is beautiful.
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