Our Christmas and a New Year

Christmas this year was sweet and local. Just the way we wanted it. Eve was spent was friends and finding the best Christmas lights. The morning was spent with Lena. Watching her find so much joy and wonder in all her gifts under the tree.

 

 

My sister came over and we spent the morning at my aunts, then Skyler's parents, and then my aunts again. Both homes are about 5 minutes away from our own so it was nice to not drive far.

 

Lena's doll and matching cape I made for her.

 

At Aunt Gail's.

 

At the Sr. Carr's.

 

I made Gingerbread Stained Glass Cookies. Our home smelled and sounded like Christmas. Since Christmas day though our family has not been its best. Skyler hurt is shoulder and Lena and I have been feeling under the weather. Today we are putting Christmas away, taking it easy and playing with our new toys. The sun is bright and crisp and it makes me look forward to the new year. 2015. Year of the Sheep. Hopefully a good year of sweet memories and new adventures.

 

 

She loves her barn with animals, ballet slippers, and baby doll the best. I hope we all start to feel better over the next few days and that New Year starts with a smile and a kiss.

Our Week at Helen's House 2/2

Part two of our week at Helen's House. A little walk to Abbots Lagoon.

 

These birds are flying because I was running at them. ;) 

 

 

Hi House.

The house my Great-Grandpa bunny designed and built.

 

 

You can see the ocean out to the west and the bay to the east. You can hear the wind blowing through the trees and see their tops swaying. Its a magical place. I didn't stay in this house this year, but we drank wine and did yoga up here, with this view. Even just spending a moment up here makes you feel at peace

 

 

 

 

 

          She picked a Violet, said Mama and brought it to me. I nearly cried my heart felt so full.

 

 Hi House is a glass tree top studio.  It originally had orange shag carpet, a murphy bed and Eames furniture. I know all of this because I saw a picture in an old Sunset book of the carpet, I remember the awesome murphy bed, and we still have some of the original Eames furniture.

 

 

Of course you take a glass tram up to the glass house.

 



Or you can walk up the back stairs. :)

 



 Hi House at night. These tram lights you can see to the right did not work for a very long time. So having them lit up at night brings back such happy childhood memories of running around the property by flashlight, watching movies, viewing meteor showers from hill sides, and telling stories in High House. So many blessings in one place.

 

Our Friday foggy afternoon at North Beach.

A perfect sand dollar. All smiles.
 

Lena's fairy-god-parents. Evan and Emily.
 

Papa and Nonni
 

 Evan made a dream catcher from beach finds.

 

 

Our last day at Helen's House. Cloudy and perfect. A mushroom expert took us around the property to see what we could find. This is what I found.

 

 

 

 

 My favorite climbing tree growing up.
 

 

 The trees Skyler and I were married under.

 

So many memories from the past, and so many more yet to make.

Thank you Inverness, Helen's House, my family, for making this all possible for me and for Lena.

It will always be my happy place, my heart.