Introducing: Mama Says Vintage

Good morning Dear Readers!

December is almost behind us and I am very much looking forward to new things in this coming new year. One of the projects I am most looking forward to is a collaborative blog about vintage fashion and the down-home lifestyle, especially geared towards Mamas. It's called "Mama Says Vintage."

This blog is going to be so much fun! It is an internet craft project with my dear friend Holly, who also loves old timey clothes, music, the homesteading life and also has a sweet little girl of her own.

Through the blog, we would like to promote the idea that you can still have a love of fashion and getting all gussied up even after you've become a mama. And while we do love fashion, we are also insistant that the blog be more about a lifestyle--- one that promotes the simple pleasures and work ethic of times long gone by. Each of us will bring our own strengths to the blog, and I think you'll enjoy it :)

Also, it will give me the opportunity to make the Audrey Eclectic blog more streamlined and focused on my art and personal projects. Because I have so many random interests and passions, this blog can start to seem a bit like a fruit salad ;) 2010, I hope, will find it more fitted to the theme of art and early americana that goes with it. Other things, like gardening, homesteading and child colaborative projects, will go on Mama Says Vintage.

So I hope you come visit and bookmark us! It should be so much fun!~

H

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 15

Out here on the prairie there is still snow on the ground. And to many's dismay, and some's delight, we are expecting another dusting this evening. In a landscape so white and still, I can't help but think of Tasha holed up in her little cottage in Vermont.

Corgi Cottage photographed by Richard Brown

Tasha was once quoted in "The Private World of Tasha Tudor" as saying "The first snow is so exciting. The more the better. It puts me in the mind of Christmas and all the nice things that can be done in winter. You can hibernate without guilt in your New England conscience."

Tahs and her dogs photographed by Richard Brown

I have been enjoying some hibernation as of late. Audrey's had a cold and this morning, I think I've woken up with it. With all this snow outside, it has inspired a lot of leisurely naps, and plans for a gallery project I have coming up in March. It's time to sketch. And knit. And read.
For Christmas, I got the book Emily's Ghost, which lovely Bea had recommended to me a while back. By the night of the 26th I had it all finished, and yes I was a little sniffly. The book is a fictional account of the life of Emily Bronte of the famed Bronte sisters, who I have always found fascinating.

Imagine, three sisters living in a desolate northern England village that is rather bleak (the cemetery was their front yard), wandering the wide and rolling moors... and they all managed to write some of the most beloved novels in English literature at the same time, under the same roof. Amazing.

Now I'm on to Wuthering Heights and will probably reread Jane Eyre as well. Its time for hibernation....I think Tasha would approve.

What are you reading on these cold winter nights?

Happy Tasha Tuesday!

~H

Old Timey Things to Heart

Last December I met a fellow crafter at Deluxe with style for miles and what a sweetheart. Since then, we have become thick as theives--- we tote our little girls off to see the real Little House on the Prairie, we've sewed together, baked together, heck-- the girl even cut my hair the other day ;) I'd say that qualifies her as a good friend!

Many may know Miss Holly as the glamor-pants behind Sweetheartville, but she is also one half of the old-timey musical duo, Welcome Little Stranger.

Their music is a little bit country, a little bit goth, quite a bit old-timey (which you know I heart) and a lot good. She and her husband do all the music and the vocals and you can hear them on the myspace page.

For Christmas I wanted to make them something special so I made up this concert poster (for the Grand Ole Opry of course) of a mother and child mountain musical duo. I think it came out sufficiently dark and country :)

And as for little offerings for you, my friends, I have a good stock of pretty little silhouettes available in the Audrey Eclectic Shop that need new homes:

I do love silhouettes to bits. Its amazing how much personality comes out of just a shadow, but it does. Each has its own name, story, personality. I love dreaming up who they are. The silhouettes, just like my paintings, are all painted free-hand. So not one will ever be the same. I think its funny to, that I feel more comfortable painting profiles pointing to the left, when most others I see seem to point to the right. In art, like many things, you always have a direction that you are strongest at, and I guess I am an opposite side silhouetteist (yes, I just made that word up!)

Some come with a pretty lace edge, others plain. It just depended on their personalities, really. Perhaps you'll find one that calls to you?

Til next time,

H

White Christmas

Here on the southern prairie, we don't usually have a beautiful white Christmas. Its usually rather gray or brown....last Christmas I remember we went out without even coats. Not this Christmas....

On Christmas Eve a big winter storm blew through. First rain...then sleet...and then as we headed out the door for our Christmas Eve with family, the big fat flakes came pouring down. It snowed and blowed and was just like a Laura Ingalls story ;) except we have central heat and electricity ;) other than that....the blizzard blew down in an epic prairie way.

The next morning, Christmas morning, we all awoke to a clear day and a winter wonderland! Everyone was snowed in, so we had a quiet restful holiday at home. I even cooked my first turkey dinner (now feeling decidedly grown up) and took girl and pup out to frolic in snow drifts that came to my knees.
Spent most of the day cooking, napping, reading and generally laying about. It was a good day. Hope you had a lovely one as well! Now I have 365 days to prepare for next Christmas ;)

Happy Holidays~

H

All is calm, All is Bright~

Happy Christmas Eve to you~

Hoping this day finds you warm and snug and loved~

We're snuggled into the Little House. Its a rainy cold day and--- most magical of all--- we are waiting on snow to start around noon. I can't remember a white Christmas in a very long time. Especially a newly fallen snow that arrived with Santa. It's very exciting and I can't wait to see it, our very first winter snow here on the prairie!

But we've got plenty of cookies and coffee and know Santa will find his way. I hope this Christmas finds you well and loved, and I am so looking forward to 2010. I feel a great need to start over, shuffle things around and look at things with new eyes. And I hope you come along!

Merry Christmas,

~H

PS: thanks to all who liked our advent calendar! I got the pattern for it in this book, there are so many things you can do with it. And its very lovely!

Tasha Tuesdays- Post #14

Little Audrey at the Advent Calendar....

Hello there and Welcome to another Tasha Tuesday. With each new day the little Santa in our advent calendar finds himself a little bit closer to Christmas. We are determined to celebrate the holiday with those we love, and in a quiet and thankful way. Tasha has been a big inspiration in this in many ways...

"Laura In The Snow" by Tasha Tudor

This Christmastime I thought I'd leave you with the quote that is essential Tasha, one she often recited, and one that became as much her trademark as Fra Giovanni's. Take Joy--

Fra Giovanni's Salutation (1513 AD)

I salute you.

There is nothing I can give you which you have not,

but there is much that while I cannot give,

you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.

Take heaven.

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant.

Take peace.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy.

Take joy.

And so at this Christmastime,

I greet you, with the prayer

that for you,

now and forever,

the day breaks

and the shadows

flee away.

Winter Moments

And so here we are, the week of Christmas. Much of the country is swathed in mounds of snow. It's not so here on the prairie ;)

It's a clear-skied morning, chilly for now but going to warm up nicely this afternoon. We'll have a few days of nice walking weather this week, but we are expecting a bit of snow on Christmas Eve...thunderstorms turning to snow storms. Waiting with great anticipation...

This week is going to be cookie week. Some good friends will be stopping by later this week and we will be cooking up some yummy gifts for friends and family. Pictured above, some tiny antique cookie cutter ornaments that went on the little tree in my bed room. They're so small they're doll size, see....
It's also time for some winter sports fun, I am so proud of my little miss for doing so well at her first skating lesson! We are going to go skate again today....I'm so happy that this may become something that we can enjoy doing together. And it's almost time for the Olympics again.... :)
Hope you're taking time to enjoy some little moments before Christmas! The day will be here soon enough~

Winter Restfulness

Outside there is still hustle and bustle. But inside the little house it is quiet. Santa has done his work. We're looking forward to a quiet Christmas and settling into winter. Beneath the surface things are simmering though. Looking forward to a brand new year.

In anticipation, a little winter elf helped her mama plant a bowl of paper whites. They're sleeping now beneath the moss....but already starting to bud....I can't wait to see their little cream faces in a few weeks. They're sleeping now, but in the house and in the kitchen light, they'll slowly wake. Have you ever smelled a paperwhite? It's a very curious smell....very earthy. Like spring.

After all the franticness of the past few months, I am now ready to settle down and think on things. I feel like these little bulbs. Sometimes the most work gets done during the quietest times. You have to sit and let your mind meander. Take a rest and let your self relax. I've been thinking a lot these past few days about what I want out of the coming year. Joy and fun and magic and accomplishment--- which can come a little bit at a time.
Hope you're settling in for winter nicely. I know many people look at it with a sense of dread. Itoo am often impatient for spring. But lets just look at it as a time for renewal, of slowing down and giving in to the luxury of curling up in a blanket with a good book or a furry companion or a loved little one.

The garden rests, and so should we.

Winners and Randomness

Happy December morning to you. Sitting at my little wooden desk having some coffee, to the hum of "Super Why" in the background ;) Audrey is looking through a magazine....that girl loves a good magazine, just like her mama!

Anyhow, today is the day, my friends! It is time to announce the giveaway winners. Thanks for all of you who participated :)

The winners are......

LaVonne, Marqueta and Valerie!

Congrats you all! I will message you soon to get your addresses and have a big post office visit planned for tomorrow!~

It's hard to believe that in a mere 8 days it will be Christmas. I feel like time has just raced by. So many things I meant to do...so many things I need to do. But I want to relax and savor the moment and what gets done, gets done. Santa is done, so that is all that matters really ;)

I have been slowly listing some new originals at my new shop. One of which is this pretty little lady, she is one of my recent favorites:

I will be listing some more originals, including more of my smaller silhouettes. So many things to share with you all....

As with each end of a year, I have been contemplating 2009 as it was for this little thing called "Audrey Eclectic." Seen what has worked and what didn't quite work. I am looking forward to a less harried 2010. I think 2009 was all about pushing myself to see what I could accomplish. I hope in 2010, I will be able to enjoy my efforts a little more and take more time to explore and take my time with things. I now know what works for me and what doesn't. And I know more concretely what I want out of my artwork and my business.

I appreciate each and every visitor who comes here, and those of you sweethearts who buy my art. Thank you so much! It is always nice to know that you've taken a moment to come see me.

And also thank you to Theresa from Faerie Moon Creations for bestowing on me the "Kreativ Blogger Award."

And in the tradition of these awards, how about some random facts (or fiction? hehehe....)

7 bits of randomness:

1) I had coffee and a frosted gingerbread cookie for breakfast. And it was good.

2) I am totally excited that Lost in Austen is now on Netflix instant queue. You know what I'll be doing this afternoon....

3) I once flew in a blackhawk helicopter for a story I wrote for the local paper.

4) I've been watching random versions of "Pride and Prejudice" that I find on netflix and across the board, they all seem really, really horrible. Latest one was the Laurence Olivier version...I'm not sure the costume master even knew what regency fashion was. It was pretty terrible, but then again, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to things like that ;)

5) Speaking of Olivier, I just finished a biography of Vivien Leigh that I thrifted for $1.50. What a beautiful woman, but what a sad life...

6) What am I looking forward to most on Christmas day? Turkey! :D

7) I can't sing. I wish I could. And I wish I sounded just like Neko Case.

Now to pass along the goodwill....

Seven bloggers that I think are the sweetest and neatest and all-round best:

1) Art By Bethany

2) Sweetheartville

3) Crow Hill Almanac

4) The Pastoral Dollmaker

5) Hot Tamale Art Studio

6) Cider and Faun

7) Encore Petite

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 13

Hello and good Tuesday morning!~

Here it is, December 15, just 10 days until Christmas. Now that my craft show is over, I am ready to settle in and start making some gifts for my friends and family. Tasha has been a big inspiration behind my 'handmade Christmas.'

Tasha often quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson as saying "The only gift is a portion of thyself" when it came to gift-giving. I think there is nothing more precious than knowing that someone took some time to create something just for you, instead of heading out to the big box store and filling their shopping carts with mindless knick-knacks.

Purl one, Knit one....

This is my latest knitting project. A tight-knit wooly scarf made out of brown and cream fisherman's wool for my husband. My husband has now officially become a fan of the 'the scarf.' He never had one til I made him one this fall! How is this possible? He has now requested several different colors ;) Lets just hope I get this finished in time for Christmas ;)

In honor of the giving season and in the spirit of things handmade, I have decided to to a little giveaway here on the blog :) I will be giving away THREE of my little corduroy heart ornaments bedecked in old timey photos and buttons to THREE lucky winners. All you must do is comment on this post. Winners will be chosen on Thursday evening so that I may mail them out by Friday....I want you to have these little treasures in time for Christmas :)

They are sweet to hang all year 'round though...I have some that I have hanging in my room all year that I actually made on Valentine's Day.

So....leave me a comment...it can be about anything :) a Christmas wish...what you think of Tasha Tuesdays...what sort of art you'd like to see in 2010....

And best of luck in the drawing...

Happy Tasha Tuesday!~!

H

Silhouette Love

Good morning dears,

I have some pretty silhouettes to share with you :) These lovelies came home with me from the show and now I have added them to the shop so that you may enjoy them. This is what I have for your perusal:

"Wedded Bliss"

SOLD

"A Regal Gentleman"

He reminds me of George Washington :)

"The Bingleys"

This depicts 'dear Mr. Bingley' and 'Miss Caroline'

Any Pride and Prejudice lovers in the house?? ;)

"Bonjour, Madame!"

Channeling Marie Antoinette....

You can see them one and all at the new shop :)

Oh, sniffle...what a cold I have now that the show is done! I just want to burrow in a pile of quilts like a little rabbit. After a quick trip to the post office (nothing will keep me from getting you your orders, of course! Well, the flu probably would but let's not think about that....) Little Miss and I will probably snuggle all day and watch A Christmas Story all day. I think we've watched it about 500 times in the last month....it's her new favorite movie. I'm pretty sure we could do a solid re-enactment if called upon ;)

Happy Monday!~
H

Audreyeclecticville

Welcome to the land of Audrey Eclectic, as seen at Deluxe this weekend.....

Well, look at this giant booth just crawling with Audrey Eclectic items! By far the largest booth I've done so far. I knew I was getting a double sized booth, but when I got there, the people behind me moved to another location and so the organizers asked me to fill in their spot too.

Come in for a closer look....
I think this little corner of sailors and pirates and silhouettes was my favorite.....

I didn't take as many photos as I anticipated. I used every scrap of time I had to move the booth around 5 million times (give or take) and to get everything out and displayed. I still have lots of goodies to share with you and will slowly but surely get them listed in my shop. I did put some of my larger silhouettes up this morning, and will continue to do a few at a time throughout the week.

Now...I really need to clean my house and I feel like I'm coming down with a cold (that always happens to me right after I finish something big....) so I'm going to relax, finish my Christmas shopping, and clean this place up.

Well, one bathroom cleaned....and entire house to go ;)

~H

Show~

When: December 12

Where: OKC, Okahoma

State Fairgrounds, Modern Living Building

Time: 11 am- 5 pm

What: Tons of talented and hip artists and crafters

****************

All my art is finished, now to finish tagging and start packing. We head out at dawn on Saturday! Can't wait to see you Okie shoppers....

Preparations

Well, we're on the final countdown to the show. I feel like I've been preparing for this for a good long time ;) most of the artsy work is done....now just for packaging, pricing, packing....

Yesterday I cut and packaged a majority of my prints, here's what I have so far:

I will also have a good amount of holiday-themed prints and things, hopefully shoppers are in a holiday mood ;) and have I mentioned that I'm planning on bringing at least 2, if not 3 little trees? Audrey Eclectic will be a winter wonderland ;)

I even did some holiday silhouettes, I thought "well, I've never seen a santa silhouette, let's throw some in!"

They aren't finished, I still need to add some cuteness to them and little loops for hanging.

I've also got a few little paintings that I haven't yet shared, like this cute little painting:
I also need to print out some coupons for the new shop--- just so ya know....I plan on giving out discount coupons with every purchase :D One more thing I need to get done before we load up Grapes of Wrath-style in the truck and head down the turnpike ;)

I'm looking forward to the moment when we're there and the whole booth is unpacked and ready to show off. I am working toward that moment with blinders on ;) Also hoping I might have some good buddies as booth neighbors, I've been so lucky to have good neighbors at my shows. Also wondering how cold it will be....how it will all go and look and how filled up the booth will be....my mind has been literally racing with all this for a week ;)

I've also learned a little something about myself--- like my inability to slow down, to always be thinking about the next thing. Starting Dec. 13 I am going to chill out for the rest of December. I am going to knit at my leisure, bake, sew for fun, take Audrey to skating lessons (she declared to me the other day "I want to be the greatest skater in the world!" I admit, I got a little warm and fuzzy...if only she were as passionate about potty training)

And so....if you're planning on coming to the show, can't wait to see you! Come by and say hi! And if you're from lands far away, I cant wait to list some of the items I made to share with you and hope you have a happy holiday!

Now, what was I working on.....

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 12

Yesterday I was curled up on the couch reading through a little book I have called "Living the Creative Life" by Rice Freeman-Zachary and came across this passage:

"( we believe that) The creative life, if we had to define it, would require more money, more time and way more imagination than we possess....But that's not what it's about, of course. You know that already. We don't have to get rid of anything but our way of looking at the world...All you have to change is one thing: Instead of looking at the world as it is, look at everything as being full of possibilities. Instead of seeing what is, look for what could be."

I thought that was a really amazing statement. And it instantly reminded me of the way my favorite artist, Tasha Tudor, lived her life.

It's easy to look at Tasha and her unique life--- living as close to life in the 1800s as possible, becoming a famous artist and writer, living in a cottage out of fairytales with her children and animals--- and think how odd it was and how not everyone could do that.

But something else to think about...that we don't usually do...is that we all choose the fashion in which we live (for the most part). At some point we all decided on our education path, our job, our clothes, our home, our friends....although maybe it didn't feel like a choice but what you 'should do.'

However, I love to think that we all have the opportunity to create a unique life for ourself if we're brave enough to attempt it. Just like Tasha did.

Of course, Tasha is the extreme of the idea of 'create your own life.' As much as I'd love to move off to the wilderness and frolic with my goat flock, it's just not in the cards for me (yet!) but that doesn't mean I can't incorporate a little bit of the simple life into my life here on a suburban street on the prairie ;)

If we really stop to listen to ourselves, our interests, the things that capture our imaginations--- its easier to know what that creative life we imagine for ourselves is. You don't necessarily have to live the life that they spell out for you on tv or in magazines. I found for myself that the more I began to follow my own interests and art and think about what would be the ideal life for me, the less I began to care about fashion magazines or hip tv shows or who was doing what. And I'm pretty sure Tasha didn't either ;)

Think I'm silly if you want, but I think it's very exciting to try to 'live the life that you have imagined'. You do it in little steps, of course. We all can't just walk away from our jobs and obligations to go all Henry David Thoreau. But we do have control over what fills our hours, how we do things, and what things we choose to accomplish or devote ourselves to. We can all be creative when it comes to the life that we would like to create for ourselves. And luckily, for most of us in free countries, that is a true possibility if we choose to accept the challenge.

What life do you imagine for yourself?

She paints and paints and reads a bit....

So gray and cold out this morning. Avoiding thinking about the errands I need to run this morning before the weather turns nasty tomorrow ;)

I'm now very much in the trenches of Deluxe preparations. I dream about things going wrong at night, plan and scheme by day....I know I wont get every grand idea done in time for this weekend (I am always full of grand ideas) but as long as the booth is full, I'll be content. These are the latest of my silhouettes....not finished, but nearly:

I am pretty excited. I can't wait to see everyone. Its sort of like that feeling when summer has dragged on and you're sorta ready to go back to school and see everyone again. Except in the crafty circle there's no homework or gym class ;) it's all socializing and art class!

I am very curious to see how people react to the silhouettes. I love silhouettes, personally. My initial inspiration to make them was that a) I love them and b) I can't usually afford the real antique variety. So....how about hand painted ones? Gets the job done. I'm going to have some color ones too, mostly in a pretty minty green and bright holiday red. It's all so new I have no idea what will be a hit and what wont. Its exciting!

In other rambling...I am ready to get show stuff out of the way and focus on holiday handmade lovelieness for my friends and family. So far I've made three cowls (one baby size!) and I cant wait to feel more accomplished with my gift-making/buying.

In the meantime, I have managed to read through a few books--- one a murder mystery by Oklahoma author Carolyn Hart set in World War II Northeastern Oklahoma. I think I started and finished it this weekend, I've never really been into mysteries but they are so addictive. And I loved this especially because the setting was the region in where I live. To all my Okie friends--- I think you'd enjoy it!

I got the book a while back when I attended a writing seminar and Hart was one of the speakers. I immediately felt a kinship to her writing because she writes Oklahoma, ghost stories, and juvenile characters (I love Young Adult Fiction). I remember her saying she wrote this book after seeing the movie "Pearl Harbor" and being offended at how crappily it represented real life in the 1940s. So she wrote "Letter from Home" which I loved.

Well, anyhow....I can talk books and ramble all day on here in an effort to avoid doing what needs to be done ;) but I need to get back to work! As it snows and rains tomorrow I plan to be bunkered down painting like the little old lady who lived in the shoe ;)

Happy Monday!~

H

Just a peek....

Well, I have been busy this week (and the last few weeks...months...) getting ready for Deluxe. I only have one weekend left before its showtime :)

This year I will be bringing something new to the show--- silhouettes. I think I've gone a bit silhouette crazy ;) And I plan to make more!~

I've also started sewing things....how crazy is that? ;) I decided to make some larger heart ornaments out of collaged fabric, and this is what I have so far:

I really love how they came out, if I do say so myself. I love art with old vintage photos :) Most of the photos are out of my own personal collection of photos...little orphans that I have adopted. I especially love the bearded gentleman on the gray velvet heart (left). You may have noticed my affinity for bearded men? ;)

I found some vintage Christmas images as well, I love them because they sorta border on creepy ;) Santa was a bit strange in the olden days:

All of these lovely little trinkets will be available to love and go home with you on Dec. 12 at Deluxe. Those who don't find homes that day, of course, will make an appearance in my new shop.

And dont forget! I have a sale going on at the shop.....enter in the coupon code Christmasangel at this shop and receive 10% off your entire order! Many thanks to those of you who have already partaken of the sale :)

Well, this morning I an off to buy a few more supplies....and plan to paint the weekend away. A merry December to you!~

~H

PS!~

The December issue of Art Beat is now available to read online! My interview and more paintings are on page 7. Go HERE to see!~

And thank you all for all your warm congrats....it means a lot to me! Thank you so very much!

Lovelieness!

So, I've been squirreling away some extra special lovely news :)

I was recently asked by the good folks at Art Beat to be their December cover artist! Of course I said yes! They chose my little Christmas Angel to be their cover girl! She made her debut today:

It is so amazing to me that this, of all paintings, is a cover of a magazine. I painted her way back in 2006, which was a world away from now. At the time I was working full time at a newspaper and expecting Audrey. I was a bit down about art and wondering if I'd ever get to really paint or if my abilities would fade away. I was sketching in a notebook one night and drew this little angel....I had to get her down in watercolor and then sent her out as our Christmas Card that year. She gave me a glimmer of hope that I still 'had it.' And now here she is, a cover model ;)

In celebration of this occasion I have decided to offer a sale to you, dear readers, at my new little shop!

Just enter the coupon code:

Christmasangel

and you will get 10% off your entire order! So jolly holiday shopping! :)

Honestly, I just feel so honored to have been chosen to do this. If you weren't already aware, Oklahoma is one artsy craftsy place to be and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I have stumbled into a homegrown community full of talented people and do-it-yourselfers who have become such good friends. And I cant wait to see many of them in just a couple of weeks at Deluxe!

If you happen to be in Oklahoma, copies of Art Beat are free if you come upon an establishment that sells them! By now Artbeat can be found in just about every major Oklahoma city....especially OKC, Tulsa, Norman, Edmond, etc. So getcha a copy! Enjoy! And have a very merry Christmas.....

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 11

Good Tuesday to you....

And a happy December 1st to you as well! Can you believe it? December. The month of holly, garland, pine, good friends, faith, good will, happy family times and showing those you care for how much they mean to you.

It is a chilly frosty morning this first of December at the little house. Tomorrow we expect to see our first flurries and I admit, I am very excited. I am ready for snow, ready for hibernation. Knitting by a gently flickering fire sounds lovely. Perhaps with Bing in the background? Why yes, I am an old lady ;)

A Christmas Painting by Tasha Tudor

If Tasha can be associated with any season, it is Christmas. She created Christmas cards for decades (starting in the 1940s) and wrote several Christmas books such as "Snow Before Christmas", "Becky's Christmas" and of course "Corgiville Christmas." She even did a couple of versions of "The Night Before Christmas."

She even wrote a book about the first snow called "Snow Before Christmas."

And now, we wait. For our first snow. It is always a beautiful thing, isn't it? And I've heard from friends living there that there is snow now in Vermont. Our prairie snow will of course not compare to what they'll get in New England....but we can still look forward to it :)

And all the winter activities....this morning the moment Audrey's little eyes fluttered open she asked, "go skating?"

I can't wait for her to see real snow when it comes. And to share Christmas with her now that she knows what it is and can enjoy it. So many things to look forward to!

Wishing you a merry holiday season~

~H