Hello Holidays!

Hello Holidays! 

WOW CHRISTMAS YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Christmas has been fantastic again this year. I’m always blown away by the generosity of my loved ones. This year never failed to overwhelm with goodness again. I would be a liar if I said I didn’t love the gifts (Like my brand NEW record player) but I also cherish the time spent with family and friends. That is the best gift we can give each other this season, or any time of year. Time spent listening, eating, giving, and playing together. I’m so grateful to have spent the past three Christmas with the ones I hold dearest. Not sure how many we will have together in the future? But I for one do not want to take for granted the time we share right now. I love my family and friends. I’m so thankful for them anytime of year, but especially during Christmas. 

During Christmas I’m reminded of Christ’s birth and I sometimes wonder how it was for him? It must have been bitter sweet? To experience the loneliness of leaving his heavenly father and all he knew, then to experience the joy of his earthly family and the newness of this finite world. It brings an awareness of the connections between his earthly life and mine: wonder, loneliness, joy found in new things, and the warmth of a tightly wrapped blanket on a cool night. While he is God, he was also man. I’m grateful that he can relate to my experiences - one of the greatest gifts given. I think experiences shared create some of the tightest bonds!  I’m truly indebted for his sacrifices made to share in my experiences. Chris Rice put it best in his song Welcome to Our World “So wrap our injured flesh around you, breathe our air and walk our sod, rob our sin and make us holy perfect Son of God, perfect Son of God”

Wishing you and yours a festive Christmas season (what’s left of it) and the happiest of New Years!

Melanie.

SOTD:

Welcome to Our World by: Chris Rice

A Thought To Make You Smile:

Family games night.

Hello My Dears,
It's been a busy couple of days. Tis the season, right? While it has been busy it has also been wonderful. Days filled with gift wrapping, treat baking, Christmas gathering, and birthday partying. I LOVE this season!!! As the big day approaches I'm sending lots of Christmas love and wishes to you and yours. 
Melanie.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love"
- Hamilton Wright Mabie

SOTD:
Wraith by: Peace

Thought To Make You Smile:
The smile on the face of a loved one when they open the gift you gave them. That special something chosen just for them.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Hello Again!

Well I’ll say one thing for winter, the grey, cloudy, skies make for good photos. That’s probably all the good I'll say about it … just kidding! Outside of the sub zero temps, winter’s blanket of white and frosty trees are really something to behold. For this photo shoot I went back to one of my favorite spots – The Peace River Museum. The grounds are stunning no matter what time of year. I think I have shot there during every season, and I’m sure I’ll find my way there again. It’s beautiful and private, not a lot of people around to look at you funny when you’re taking outfit photos. I have to thank my dad for taking the photos, wouldn’t be able to do it without him. I love the colors of this outfit, the wine and navy work so well together. This outfit came together when I was cleaning my room. I hung them both on the same hanger and thought hmmmm, this could work. I like the cozy and casual feel; I could wear it to church or to school. It’s also warm enough to wear during fall or winter. I love a versatile outfit! My favorite part of the whole outfit (besides the pockets on the dress) is the Necklace. It picks up all the colors in the outfit. This was a great purchase and works with so many outfits. The temperatures are continuing to drop here in the North so you'll see lots more sweaters on this blog from now on. If it's cold where you are I hope you're bundled up nice and warm. Cheers!  

Melanie.

 

Outfit Deets
Sweater: Penningtons
Dress: LucieLu
Leggings: Addition Elle
Boots: Walmart
Necklace:Penningtons 

SOTD:
Winter Song by:Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.

A Thought To Make You Smile:
17 days OFF for Christmas Holidays. 

Flash a Smile!

Hello, Hello!

“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”  ~Charles Dickens

Oh Mister Dickens, you have done it again! Taken the words from my mouth and put them to page. Well, I guess he wrote them before I thought them :) I do agree though. I have always observed Christmas time as a time when there is peace, camaraderie, and a softness in people. I know there are times of “hustle and bustle” when there are some NOT so tender and peaceful folks. But, outside of the shopping malls, in places like coffee shops and downtown sidewalks, you can always find a smile or two. I love the feeling I get when I see a warm embrace or a passing Christmas greeting. Next time you're out with your shopping list, forget the unnecessary busy, and look for the smiles. Maybe even share one of your own.

I had a great start to this holiday season with our church family Christmas dinner last Sunday. There was so much great food! I really enjoyed spending time with family and friends, celebrating together. It was a great kick off to Christmas. I also managed to finish off my decorating at home. It’s been a busy weekend, but a lovely weekend. I’m heading out tomorrow for a girls shopping trip with my mother, sister-in-law, and little nephew. I’ll try to remember to flash a smile :)
Melanie

SOTD: 
Huron Christmas Carol by: Tom Jackson

A Thought To Make You Smile:
Hugging someone you haven't seen in a while.