Snow! And lots of it. Everyone feeling a bit post Christmas blue around here. Kids have gone off sledding and I will go for a walk and join them in a moment, but right now it's quite peaceful in my quiet house with the snow still swirling outside.

For dinner tonight, making the most of what is left over: mixing chicken, bacon, shrimp, rice, tomatoes, olives into some kind of crazy version of paella.

Over the last few days I've become totally absorbed in the book I am reading, What is the what by Dave Eggers. I think it may be the best book I have read in quite a while. Anyone reading anything great post-holiday?

Wishing you all joy and peace for the end of this year and in 2011!

The shortest day of the year is here. I'm looking forward to more light in the coming days.

For now, stay warm, cozy and safe if you live where it's cold and dark. And eat soup!

It's just starting to snow! Our first snow fall of the year. I'm so happy I don't have to be anywhere but here at the moment!

For breakfast, toast with orange marmalade, grapefruit and Irish Breakfast tea.

Ususally just one cup, but this morning I may need two. Finnish felt snowflakes at the window, no real snow here yet. And this calendar from Esti. A fairy tale to hang on my wall. It's magical and you can find it here if you like.

Wishing you a nice weekend. Got some knitting to finish up and some holiday parties to go to. On Sunday we will get a tree. My favorite part of Christmas, really!

The only color left in our garden is purple! And bits of white fluff on the clemetis vine. I made this hat a few years ago, the first hat I ever made and the only one. I want to experiment more with hats, you can never have too many in New England. Are you ready for the holidays? I'm not at all!

The show at Michelle Willey this weekend was lovely! Thanks to everyone who stopped in to see us.

Spending two days in Michelle's store, I had a chance to really look around at all the beautiful products she has, and of course, decided to bring some home with me.

She's now carrying some Fog Linen, so I snagged a set of napkins and placemats in contrasting gingham. Can't wait to set the table now.

Then picked up a few sets of Angela Liguori's vintage stamp packages. I think these will make nice little gifts.

And last, a few Christmas ornaments made of felt. Just love the white! I'll hang them on the tree and in our windows.

It's very cold here today and I just went for a long walk to get some fresh air and to buy some last minute birthday gifts for my husband, whose birthday is today. Now I'm going to bake him a chocolate rasberry cake. This afternoon we'll have a little birthday party with the kids, then off they go to the grandparents so we can go out to dinner with friends.

Tomorrow and Sunday are my last two trunk shows of the season at Michelle Willey in the South End. See sidebar for details!

Have an excellent weekend, whatever you do.

Tonight!

Thursday December 9
Holiday Sale at Susy Pilgrim Waters.
11 Eden Ave
West Newton
6-9 pm
Please bring a friend, check book and good cheer!

I got up before the sun to sew this morning, so that I would have time to go for a bike ride when it was sunny and warmer. It's sunny, but not warmer. I don't want to go for a bike ride. No holiday decorating yet, or holiday shopping for that matter. Just sewing, knitting. I can feel the tiniest bit of holiday panic creeping in...

Photos of my parent's kitchen. That's Saint Cecilia in the bottom photo, patron saint of music. She used to be at my grandparent's house and before that my great-grandparent's. And before that I don't know...but she has always intrigued me.

Such a nice day spent at Studio Carta on Saturday! So many people showed up to wish Angela well in her new space! It was really great to spend the day with my friends Susy and Angela and to meet so many nice new people as well. I loved chatting with folks about knitting, sewing and vintage fabric and there was plenty of delicious espresso and chocolate on hand, who doesn't love that? Thank you to everyone who stopped by, it was lovely to meet you.

STUDIO CARTA

Studio Carta grand opening is tomorrow! Saturday, December 4th, 12 to 6 p.m. 97 Boylston Street in Brookline, MA. Right outside of Brookline Village.

Angela Liguori, Susy Pilgrim Waters and I will be there selling our wares and I hear there will be some real Italian espresso served there as well. Please come and say hi and congratulate Angela on the opening of her beautiful new space!

And as an added bonus, Angela's studio is just around the corner from Pod. You have to check it out, Julie has stocked the store with incredible things for the holidays!

Okay, have a good weekend and Cambridge people (you know who you are, be brave, cross the river and come see us in Brookline!!)

I'm filling up my windowsills with plants in preparation for the winter. Having green things indoors helps keep the dreariness of winter at bay for me. Now I just have to make sure I remember to water everything!