North Pole Breakfast

In an effort to celebrate the everyday -- and surprise the kids -- I decided that this year we would start a brand new Christmastime tradition:  Our first-ever North Pole Breakfast.  A whimsical little way to kick off a December full of family time and fun.  It was basically Sunday breakfast ... with a little extra pizazz, planning, creativity, and fun. 

{My inspiration for this new tradition came from this sweet blogger last year.  She really knows how to make the everyday memorable!}

I had such a great time thinking about how to make our inaugural event special and memorable.  Bringing those visions to life bit by bit was even more enjoyable.  Especially since I had to be sneaky so as not to blow the surprise.  I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve!  And it was really hard to keep the secret.

For the most part, I decorated with what I had on hand, filling in with a few new (and super inexpensive) purchases from places like Target and Wal-Mart.  I found some sweet little trinkets here and there for goody baskets as well.  Just to add to the excitement and fun.

 I prepped the table and goodies after the kids were in bed ... and everything was waiting for them when they came down for breakfast the next morning.  Their squeals and excitement were priceless, as were the conversations we had while munching on muffins, fruit, and other assorted treats.  All set to a backdrop of Christmas music, giggles, and chatter.

 As is so often the case, it's the small things that mean the most.  The times spent together around the table ... eating, talking, and making memories.  It was everything I was hoping for and so much more.  The kids were tickled pink and planning next year's fun before we even left the table.  I think we have ourselves a new tradition.

I was thrilled that several friends also planned their own North Pole Breakfasts after hearing about ours.  Each one was unique and special, just like the families who brought them to life.

::: Here's what our NPB Menu included :::

• Holiday Gingerbread Muffins

• Assorted Fruit and Dip

• Gingersnaps

• "North Pole" Donuts

• Eggnog

• Hot Chocolate and Mini Marshmallows

{Thanks to Pinterest, I've already got some fresh and fun ideas for next year's breakfast.  After all, it's never too early to start dreaming ... and preparing to make the magic and memories happen ...}

Season's Greetings!

As we look hopefully toward the beginning of a brand new year, I wanted to check in with you all and wish you well.

I know it's been ages  -- far too long -- but I assure you I am still standing, still healing, and still very much navigating this roller coaster ride of a journey.  We are now well beyond the worst, but adjusting to this "new normal" has been a challenge for me.  Loss has finally given way to gain, but it seems that regaining my equilibrium and sense of self is going to take yet more time, patience, faith, and understanding.  Most days are wonderful in comparison to six months or a year ago ... but emotions are still running very high.  Fortunately, I was given a clean bill of health in October and I've been hitting the ground running ever since.  We've been busy making the most of where we are right now -- working on house projects, crafting, celebrating the every day, catching up on long-neglected chores, and basking in the warm glow of the holiday season.  

This space has been idle because I've been focusing all of my energies elsewhere, not really knowing how to get myself back in the loop.  Frankly, I'm not sure if I'll be carving out time to blog more regularly or not.  I do miss this space so much, but I'm finding there just aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on my wish list.  I guess only time will tell...


In the meantime, here's a peek at some of the things that have been keeping us so very busy these last months:

As always, thank you for your interest, prayers, and faithful support.  I am humbled ... and so incredibly appreciative of each and every one of you.  May 2012 be a wondrous, memorable, healthy, and restorative year for us all ... Let the New Year begin!

  

::: just fence me in :::

While it's true that this little blogging space has been painfully neglected this summer, the same cannot be said for the old homestead, thankfully.  In between the usual summertime fun and routine, we've been busy with projects, projects ... and more projects.

This particular project, at the moment, is my favorite.  It's the decorative fence my dad built for me in his basement this winter.  I have always wanted one and since he could not fix me, he channeled all of that energy and love into this long-awaited masterpiece.  As you can imagine, it means an awful lot to me.  And it adds so much character to our little garrison and gardens.  It's also something I found myself looking forward to when it was hard just to get going in the morning after treatments, meds, side effects, and endless appointments.

 {almost complete .. just two sections left to install}

Fortunately, all of that is behind us now for the most part.  Chemo ended in late April and radiation treatments were done as of July 1st.  Their effects linger slightly, but I can feel myself slowing gaining ground.  I'm feeling better than I have in a very long time, even if the emotional piece is still a rough one most days.  I am, I think, coming back to life ... cautiously finding my footing and slowly embracing some of my passions, interests, and long-altered routines. 

So ... if this space remains quiet, I am probably painting something, reading on the patio, enjoying a picnic at Winslow Park, rearranging furniture, cleaning out closets, or getting the kids ready for the first day of school.  I'm here and I'll be back.  In the meantime, enjoy this crazy hot summer and all of the sweetness you can find.

 

Terrific Under Ten Tuesdays: Kitchen Table Makeover

Well, friends ... it seems this space has been awfully quiet lately.  So I thought it might be fun to share my latest makeover with you all.

We've had this inexpensive (yet surprisingly durable) little set forever.  And I've been wanting to paint it for just about that long.  It was once white ... then black.  And now I am totally in love with this beautiful sea-inspired blue, aged and muted with with gel stain, of course.  

One project down ... and about a million to go.

Don't forget to check in with Kindra for more Terrific Under Ten projects.

Maine Lighthouses and Beyond

If you're interested in lighthouses, beautiful photography, and the rustic Maine coastline ... you'll definitely enjoy my Father-in-law's new blog:  Maine Lighthouses and Beyond.  Stop by some time and take a peek at "The way life should be."  I know he'd appreciate the visit.

All's going fairly well here now that chemo is over.  Radiation starts on Monday, May 23rd ... five days/week for nearly six weeks.  Onward and upward, right?  Thanks, as always, for the continued prayers, support, and positivity.  They -- and you -- are invaluable.  

Happy Weekending! 

"Don't hog your journey": Part III

I can hardly believe that eight rounds of chemo have finally come to a close!  Another chapter has concluded and I am slowly readying myself for the next one:  six weeks’ worth of radiation treatments (5 days/wk) and one final day surgery.  Then -- maybe then -- I can begin to put the pieces of my life back together, in both a literal and figurative sense.  There’s no real rest for the weary quite yet.  But almost.  For now that will have to be enough.

As with so many endings, I’m reminded once again of the beginning.  The first consultation with my wonderful oncologist that took place shortly after the holidays back in early January.  Truth be told, it was one of the most emotionally draining days of my life.  And though I liked Dr. P. and his staff immediately, I did not want to be facing the next steps to recovery.  I wanted to run, hide, and pretend that this wasn’t actually happening to me.  But it was and I had to face it.  Head on, immediately, and for the entirety of winter.

After exchanging pleasantries and getting up to speed about my own particular journey, Dr. P. gave us a quick but thorough tutorial about breast cancer and chemo, looking all the way back to the early 1960s when surgeries and treatments were new, untested, and rather gruesome.  He explained that women who discovered a lump back then were scheduled for surgical biopsies.  Just before surgery, they were told two things:  (1) If you wake up with a small bandage and it’s still day time, then your lump was benign ... and ... (2)  If you wake up with a large bandage and it’s night time, you’ve had a radical mastectomy because your lump was cancerous. 

Can you imagine how awful that must have been?  How archaic, cruel, and unnerving?

He then talked about those early treatments, their immediately violent side effects, and spotty cure rates.  Followed quickly by a clear and detailed explanation of how far these treatments, medications, and cure rates had come over the last 40 years.  We learned that my treatment plan would span roughly sixteen weeks from start to finish with a total of eight sessions.  “Dense and Intense” was how he described it.  Then he smiled warmly and assured me that I would do very well and leave his office with a cure come May.  

I didn’t say much, but I soaked in every one of his smiles and attempted to find hope and positivity in his clear expectations, forthright manner, and genuine optimism.  And I said many a prayer of thanks sitting there -- even though my heart and spirit were disintegrating yet again.  It was a lot to absorb, especially after we toured the treatment room and met the rest of Dr. P.’s topnotch staff.  Their kindness and compassion put me at ease, but it also left me feeling incredibly vulnerable and emotionally raw.  Especially after leaving the office with a fistful of prescriptions, including one for a wig.  (For some reason, that particular prescription bothered me most of all ... and it was the only one that remained unfilled.)  What had been theoretical up to that point suddenly became incredibly real.  Surreal, in fact, as the roller coaster ride rolled on.

Needless to say, the ride home was not a good one.  Far from it, in fact.  My anger and frustration exploded to the surface and whatever I had been holding back came flooding out.  I yelled.  I cried.  I hit the inside of the car door with my balled up fist.  All the while pleading with Todd to explain why this was happening to me and to us.  I told him I couldn’t do it anymore and that living this way was not actually living.  It was not one of my finer moments, but he took the long way home and, as so often happens after an outburst like that, the storm passed, the venom dissipated, and I regained my composure.  

Even though I felt like a cornered animal, I realized the only way to go was forward.  I didn’t have to like what awaited, but I had to persevere -- and hope -- anew. 

Little did I know that reinforcements were on the way.  But we'll get to that part of the story next time ...

Terrific Under Ten Tuesdays: Easter Egg Topiary

Every year, I fall under the spell of the soft, sweet colors that seem to go hand-and-hand with Eastertime decorating.  And I'm always drawn to the same items:  Easter Egg Topiaries and Easter Egg Wreaths.  Yet I can never bring myself to actually buy these items, as the quality to price ratio never seems to add up.

So this year I decided to see what I could do with what I had on hand.  The wreath may have to wait until next year, but I finally have my topiary.  Sometimes it really does pay to dig through the old craft stash, adding in a little time, creativity, patience, and paint.

Happy Easter! 

If you're looking for more budget-friendly crafty inspiration, check out Kindra's weekly 'Terrific Under Ten Tuesday.'  You won't be disappointed!