Sunday, December 21, 2014

Hello Winter!







Hello Winter!

It feels like you have been here for quite some time already, but today we officially welcome you with open arms. Soon we will join some friends in the woods for a hike. We will choose the perfect tree and decorate it in your honour, with homemade bird feeders, and stringed popcorn, all to feed our feathered friends. Back at our friends home after our hike, our kiddos will play, us adults will chat, and we will enjoy warm cups of Wassail, and a lovely potluck lunch. I already know this day will be wonderful, we are spending it with people who mean a lot to us. You will be the center of attention though, this day, the shortest, darkest one of the year, is something to celebrate, for after today the light slowly returns, guiding us forward along our paths. Later today, back at our home, the three of us will celebrate the power of your light with a fire, outside, under the dark, starry sky. In our hands will be our dinner, bowls of pasta topped with roasted tomatoes from the summer garden. We will sit around the fire, watching the flames dance, my mind will fill with those things in life I am most grateful for, and later my thoughts will turn to those things that no longer serve me, things I want to let go of. I will toss those thoughts into the fire, releasing them so that as I step into the new year I am free to move forward, free to be more of who I am, the real me.

Winter, you are here to remind us to slow down, and to let the light within us shine bright. You are a fresh start for me, a day when I can look back, and also look forward, a day that fills me with hope, and excites every part of my being. Welcome back dear friend. It is good to see you again.

*****

Winter exudes quiet and peace, it forces you inside, and offers us a chance to reflect. I am feeling the pull to move inward, to find quiet and peace in the midst of the hustle and bustle, and to find space for more of the things I love. This space will be quiet this week as we soak up two full weeks of family time...time spent hiking, playing, hopefully snowshoeing, and just enjoying moments together. I will be back for the last photo in the 52 Project next weekend, and on Monday December 29th I have a little something for you, so be sure to stop in.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season filled with love and magic. xo
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44 comments:

  1. sustainablemumDecember 21, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    Beautiful post Kim, it sounds like you have a wonderful plan for your day I hope it is as good as want it to be. Have a wonderful holiday season too :)

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:44 AM

      Thank you. It was a wonderful day, and totally exceeded expectations :)

      Same to you, so happy the blog world has brought us together.

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  2. Hollands ReverieDecember 21, 2014 at 8:59 AM

    Such a sweet beautiful post- another encouraging reminder to keep it simple and stay present. I love the way you think thru things- something my hubby and I have never been good at- were not planners or thoughtful of what lie ahead:) enjoy the day and all the time with family!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:44 AM

      Thank you. I am a planner, it is part of who I am. Always have been. It definitely has its advantages :)

      We had a lovely day, and hope you did too. xo

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  3. Mama Gone GreenDecember 21, 2014 at 10:49 AM

    Lovely-- I love the orange peel feeder idea!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:45 AM

      Thanks Taryn. Those feeders are so much fun, and the birds love them.

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  4. AnkeDecember 21, 2014 at 11:23 AM

    Very well written, beautiful post! Wishing you a lovely day filled with many good things!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:45 AM

      Thank you Anke, hope you enjoyed your Winter Solstice Day too!

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  5. Carie @ Space for the ButterfliesDecember 21, 2014 at 3:55 PM

    And the same to you and yours - it looks like you had a wonderful time celebrating the solstice :)

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:46 AM

      Thanks Carie. We did have a lovely time. Always wonderful to spend a slow, simple and joy filled day with friends, and then to sink into our home for a simple dinner and fire. It was wonderful!

      Delete
  6. UnknownDecember 22, 2014 at 12:04 AM

    Happy Solstice! Ours was really wonderful. Spent with like minded friends we too drank wassil this evening around a bonfire in my backyard. It cold and we welcomed the heat. Wishing you a wonderful week dear friend!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:48 AM

      And to you too KC! Glad you had a good day. You had a cold solstice, and we had a warm up. It was the most beautiful night here, and we all enjoyed it.

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  7. EMMADecember 22, 2014 at 4:02 AM

    Wonderfully put! hope you enjoyed your day. Those bird treats look delicious. I don't know if it's because the temperatures are so warm here this year but we seem to have very few birds in the garden at the moment!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:49 AM

      We did Emma, thanks! We did a few different ones this year, but I am pretty sure the birds are enjoying them. That is too bad, hope some birds, and winter weather find you soon.

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  8. AndreaDecember 22, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    Sounds lovely! Happy Winter!

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  9. Tracey ~ CloverDecember 22, 2014 at 8:58 AM

    Merry Christmas Kim, I hope it is a beautiful one!
    Thank you so much for the cards, especially the one for Pappaw, I tucked it in my bible to treasure. Hugs my dear friend.

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:14 PM

      Thank you Tracey, I hope the same for you too!

      You are most welcome, just a little note to let you know I was thinking of you. xo

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  10. Yanic A.December 22, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    Happy Solstice to you!
    (Looks like my comment didn't make it yesterday... nets were being wonky.)
    Sounds like a wonderful day, I hope it was all you were hoping for and more.

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:16 PM

      Thanks Yanic. It was a magical day, with wonderful friends. Feeling blessed.

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  11. MelissaDecember 22, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    Kim - I hope you and yours have a WONDERFUL Holiday season and 2015 brings you many blessings!!! By the way...who is that young man?!?!?! That can't possibly be Reece!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:17 PM

      Thank you Melissa!!!!

      It is Reece. Can you believe it? And those pictures above are from Solstice last year, you should see him now. He is so grown up.

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  12. ericaDecember 22, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    Merry Christmas Kim... I wish you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:18 PM

      Thank you Erica. I wish the same for you and your family. So nice to have "met" you this year. xo

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  13. summerDecember 22, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    Oh such lovely images and words! Happy holidays to you and your darling family Kim!! Many happy blessings! xoxo!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:18 PM

      Thanks Summer, wishing the same for you and your family. Enjoy! xo

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  14. sylviaDecember 22, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    Oh Kim I couldn't have put it in words any better. Loved reading your words about what winter means to you. It is the same for me, and I am missing the snow so much for that bit of sparkle and magic it brings. Oh well, we will sit in front of the fire all the same, and soak in the good times, reflecting back and looking forward. And after all, this is just the start of winter, there is still so much wintery goodness ahead of us.
    Have a wonderful time with your family Kim. All the best!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:20 PM

      Awe, thank you Sylvia, that means a lot. I sure hope there is a lot more wintery goodness to come, we are looking forward to days playing in the snow :)

      All the best to you and your family dear friend. Much love. xo

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  15. karenDecember 22, 2014 at 2:10 PM

    Merry Christmas dear Kim! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family!!

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:20 PM

      Thank you Karen, all the best to you and yours. xo

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  16. UnknownDecember 22, 2014 at 2:38 PM

    I'm feeling the need for quiet and reflection...unfortunatly haven't been able to find many moments for that in our little house. I'm going to be more intentional .... your blog is so beautiful.

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    1. Kim December 22, 2014 at 6:23 PM

      My wish for you Alyssa is that you find a few moments for that quiet and reflection, set the intention and make it happen.

      Thank you, that means a lot to hear you say that. All the best my friend. xo

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  17. ShelDecember 22, 2014 at 10:47 PM

    Happy Winter Solstice, dear friend! xo

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  18. Luisa Holistic Massage & HealingDecember 23, 2014 at 9:32 AM

    Very nice post Kim. It's inspiring as usual.

    Have a nice time!
    Love&Light

    Lluisa xoxo

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  19. Julie Maloney HandmadeDecember 23, 2014 at 3:43 PM

    Beautiful words Kim!

    Merry Christmas to you, Justin and Reece. Enjoy your time together. Much love, Julie xxoo

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    1. Kim December 23, 2014 at 6:20 PM

      Thank you Julie. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas. Sending love and hugs across the miles my friend. xo

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  20. SaraDecember 23, 2014 at 4:50 PM

    And a wonderful season to you friend. Enjoy these days with your loves and soaking up every morsel from this wonderful time of year. Thank you for another year of inspiration and frienship. <3

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    1. Kim December 23, 2014 at 6:21 PM

      Thank you Sara. I will enjoy every moment, we are heading into days upon days of no plans, and I am so looking forward to it.

      You are most welcome, your friendship means a lot to me too. All the best to you and your beautiful family. xo

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  21. This little lifeDecember 23, 2014 at 4:53 PM

    Kim, have a wonderful holiday with your family. Stay cozy and warm <3

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  22. jennyDecember 30, 2014 at 10:14 PM

    what a beautiful solstice. it sounds absolutely perfect... and i LOVE the way you describe all the little details ... " and later my thoughts will turn to those things that no longer serve me, things I want to let go of. I will toss those thoughts into the fire, releasing them so that as I step into the new year I am free to move forward, free to be more of who I am, the real me. " .... beautifully said.

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    1. Kim December 31, 2014 at 11:04 AM

      It was really lovely, and still living on in my heart.

      Thank you.

      Delete

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