Awake My Soul

On this Winter Solstice day, a song for you:
"Where you invest your love, you invest your life."

November in Ten

November was brought to us amidst knitting, first snow,

a terrific box house built by Daddy, a much-loved Halloween costume, 

and many hours of play for two little girls. 

It was a steadily rhythmic month,

in which we watched the light dwindle 

and eagerly awaited the beginning of Advent.

  

 

 

 

 

Knitting Norwegians

55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful, Festive Decorations-Tree Ornaments, Centerpieces, Wreaths, Window Dressings by Arne Nerjordet
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book wins a prize for oddest cover and is also in the running for a prize for strangest subject matter. That said, the designs for said "Christmas balls" are quite beautiful.

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A refreshing [British] Christmas commercial

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the most brilliant books I've read lately. I loved the format (letters, rather that fluid story). I enjoyed the range of characters. I appreciated the characters' normal foibles and everyday problems. In combination with the format and the depth of characters, the setting of Guernsey during the war just completed the brilliancy. And now I have a new destination in my places-to-visit list.

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We've Made It

After a year and a half of work we've finally gotten our final appraisal done on the house, in other words, today marks the end of the official renovation of our house.  There are some small projects I'd like to tackle, but the majority of the work is all done.  Here are some photos I took before we did any interior renovations, and some photos I took today.  I'll take some exterior photos sometime soon and post them.

October in Ten Photos

In which we travel, play with friends, garden, carve pumpkins and be rather bear-like.

 

September in Ten Photos

What a busy month! We're still getting used to our new rhythm of work, household responsibilities and time as family. As a result of the changes that have occurred in the month, my photos have become somewhat less imaginative--but little E continues to grow and learn and provide me with lots of photographic opportunities, whether I take them or not!

Attached at the Heart

Attached at the Heart: 8 Proven Parenting Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children by Barbara Nicholson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The best parenting advice book I've read to date. Spot on with what I've felt intuitively as a parent, and lots of clear usable strategies for those situations where I've felt ill-equipped and overwhelmed.

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August in Ten Photos

 Bachelor buttons under the Elm tree

 Pool party at a friend's house

 The Ellis Bird Farm in the evening

 Two girlies playing

 Nothing better than Taber corn (and eating outside)

 Painting/gardening/laundry

 Behold the red front door

 More bounty for these farmers

 Wednesday night = pizza

Wednesday night = pizza...and wine (our new favourite)