12/19/11

A Recipe for Rituals

‘Tis the season for them.
 
Most folks think that home-school families are always at home.  Truth is – We’re usually going in so many different directions that during this time of year I find myself trying to schedule-in our beloved
Christmas rituals.
via Design Sponge
Dear readers, this is the reason for my long stretches between posts lately.  Junior year of high school is - junior year of high school!  With the semester behind us we now take a month off and the multiple-choice questions become…
Mine
1. Will you be home for dinner?
2. How are you getting there?
3. Do you have your wallet, your phone, a house key?
His
1. What are we having for dinner?
2. Would you be more comfortable with my sister or my best friend driving me?
3. Can I borrow $10 and if you don’t have that, can I borrow your debit card?
4. What are we having for dinner again?
These questions & reassuring messages are family rituals that are more like emotional security blankets that we wrap ourselves up in.
Photo Lisa Porter
We need that.
Photo Lisa Porter
Rituals that we do year after year become traditions.
We need traditions.
Photo Lisa Porter
  However, this year has been different.  This Christmas I’ve found myself searching around the house for my “tiny tots with their eyes all aglow” – They’re nowhere to be found.  Good news is, they’re working & having fun with friends, and not wandering.
Photo Taylor Porter
I’m actually the one whose been wandering & really missing the traditional “guideposts” that in all the years past have made room for our rituals.
But here’s a bit of good news I found them!  The guideposts that is. 
RetroPlanet.com
The new improved multiple sets of “guiding lights” complete with a strong connector!
When one light or (in this post) two eventually go out the others remain lighted!
  Over the weekend MR. put the music on, started a roaring fire, poured cocktails, and ordered dinner in. Gracie & I decorated the tree & the Christmas lights were finally plugged in.  And guess what - When the kids strolled in late that night, their eyes were all aglow!
Photo Lisa Porter


Slowly but surely a sense of balance is beginning to emerge around here.  My heart is more open and grateful and the days we once called common, we now call holy.  I’ve finally stopped wandering long enough to begin to embrace & cherish some new rituals.
Pinterest
  We have come to greatly appreciate our rare family dinners where laughter is the guest of honor.  Contentment has also arrived and the house is aglow with the spirit of Christmas.
One ritual that we all show up for –
Christmas Morning Homemade Orange Glazed Cinnamon Rolls!
Good Morning from PorterRanch, photo Lisa Porter
My dear friend Tamara Matthews Stephenson who authors the noteworthy blog, Nest, has added my recipe to her Christmas morning post & to her family’s Christmas morning ritual.  I’m blushing Tamara!
I urge you to stop by Nest for all the goodness that Tamara serves up to her readers every morning!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays dear friends. 
I’m preheating my oven & looking forward to spending more time with you too!
AA1

12/3/11

That’s a Wrap!


TumblrOr is it a scarf?
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An oversized scarf is so versatile.
The perfect solution for those of us who are hot one minute & cold the next!
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I used to grab a coat every time I left the house but just as quickly as I got in the car and buckled up for safety, I unbuckled and got back out! 
Can you say hot flash in a straight-jacket!?!
ayka-loves-leonora-carrington-wool-coat
Lately, though, Mother Nature has been gentle on the Bluegrass.
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I’ve still been able to wear a few classic blazers passed this way by my stylish mother-in-law paired with my favorite cashmere scarves that feel like a warm hug from my mom.  Grab some driving gloves in the morning and I’m good to go! 
  Oh to be young again!
Stockholm Street Style
I have to tell you though – well, maybe I don’t have to tell you - I seem to be slow to catch on to these things – my favorite combination this season is a wrap or long relaxed sweater & a scarf!  It’s a formula that is casual and modern, but trendy? Not so much.
via google images
Like I said, a beautiful long scarf can be so versatile.  Use it as a blanket on long commutes or pass it to a friend who suddenly catches a chill.
Been there.  So thankful.
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It’s good to know that classic silk scarves never go out of style. 
Silk Twill Hermes ScarfHermès
Always thinking about my dear friends & family out in SoCal. 
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May the Santa Anna’s calm your sails soon!
Hermes
Hermès
This is for you all. 
A fashion short, featuring the legendary Hermès scarf.
AA1