Our Week at Helen's House 1/2

My heart, my happy place, my heaven. Our family property in Inverness, California. This is where our Thanksgiving week was spent. With family and friends. With wildlife and mother nature all around us.

 Our view of Tomales Bay through the front window of Helen's House.

Helen's House.
The main house on the property and the one that was there when originally bought by my Great-Grandparents.

 

 Sunrise from our bed.

 

Every moment spent here means the world to me. I cherish every sound and smell I and hope to share them all with Lena as she grows up. Watching her explore and enjoy Helen's House makes my heart burst with love. I know my grandparents and great grandparents are looking down, delighting

 in the fact that our little girl is finding such wonder and joy in this place.

My mom spent time here as a child, lived here in the years before she had me. I came here as a child. Treasure hunting the beaches, climbing trees and celebrating Birthdays. And now I get to share it all with Lena, with the family I have made.

 

 

 

 

 

Our gratitude tree. Everyday we would write something we were thankful for and hang it up in our little tree. We would also collect bits of nature from the beach or trails around the house. Everything was hung in the tree. It was a beautiful reminder of what a special place we have here. And a reminder to walk a bit slower, to take a look around you, and to see all the little beautiful treasures nature has to offer.

 



Crystal collection glowing in the morning light.

 



 

 

 

 

Our Thanksgiving day was sweet and tasty. We had about a dozen friends and family come over for the day. We ate amazing food, had sweet talks, played a hilarious game, and all watched the sunset together from our dirt road.

 

Hi House at sunset. More on this part of the property in a later post.

 



 

This Thanksgiving was one of the best. Peaceful and simple. I am grateful for all of our friends and family who spent time with us this week. I am grateful for both the family I came from and the family I am creating. I am grateful for Helen's House, Hi House, and Low House. And I am forever grateful for these moments, these days of joy, that I will forever hold onto.

 



Lighted Tractor Parade

Last Saturday the little town of Geyserville held their fifth annual Lighted Tractor Parade. It might sound like a silly and small town thing to do. It is. And it is the BEST way to get the Christmas spirit brewing. Last year Lena slept through the entire thing; lights, honking, people, all of it. This year she had her ear muffs on and watched every truck pass by. Her bright eyes reflecting all of the joy. It is so much fun to watch each tractor and truck (and a few cars) pass by. Each one lit up from bumper to bumper.

I love to explore the little antique shop. You can get a cup of hot cider out front by the cut Christmas trees and explore a vintage Christmas heaven inside. There is so much to take in but I love searching for a perfect little Holiday treasure. This year I found a tiny, sparkly, ice blue, tinsel tree. Instant joy and love.

It had to have been a record year for the amount of spectators and for the amount of trucks in the Parade. Seeing all the smiling faces of friends and family is such a great way to spread a little Christmas spirit around. Lena kissed a snow man, played with her cousins and delighted in being out side around so many people and colors.  It was a very sweet Holiday night.