Happy New Year! (w e l c o m e 2 0 1 1)

Happy New Year, lovelies! I hope your first day of the year was spent well. Over the next few days I'm going to be working on a recap of 2010. In true form, I am always late when other parts of life get busy.

I have been putting new meaning to the term "nesting." The last few weeks, nothing has escaped my path of destruction, and many trips have been made to Salvation Army and dumpsters to clear out this house. It is the new year, and I am ready for a fresh, clean start.
I've also been filling our house with anything living I can, to get me through these next cold, dreary months. If you've been around the blog for awhile, you know I turn into a moody, gloomy mess over the Winter, and this year is no different. Even though four rooms in our home are already painted green, I am getting urges to paint all the walls the color of Spring to help bring in a bit more sunshine.

Here are a few photos from around the house the last couple weeks.




This gazelle was a Christmas gift from Michael. For the last few years we've passed for birthday, anniversary, and Christmas gifts to each other. But since this was our last year as just the two of us, we decided to do some surprise gifts.
And that's how I ended up with a gazelle head that makes me grin from ear to ear, every time I see it. I am repainting and decorating our guest bathroom over the next couple months (more nesting) and I believe this head needs to go directly above the toilet.




I've been busy (even more nesting) going over paint colors and decisions for the little bird's room. This dresser was a recent antique store find, and it's perfect for her changing table. Our next ultrasound is in three weeks, and I keep having nightmares that they'll discover we secretly have a little man in there, who will be stuck with a beautiful, girlie, green dresser.










This cold weather and dead grass have been making my weary, and already my bones are growing tired, stiff, and hungry for Spring. I bought a bag of potting soil yesterday to pot some new plants, and the smell of soil filling the house brought me happy memories and hopes for April. This year will be so different, and I don't yet know what to expect. My lazy days of digging in the garden and filling my hands with cool, damp Earth will be accompanied by a little one strapped to my back, or left on a blanket in the shade.
Part of me is nervous for these changes of the unknown, while another huge part is so ready to begin this adventure. I am so excited to be starting it during my favorite time of year, when I feel alive, inspired, and ready to take on life.



For now, I will just continue to nest and work on my little indoor gardens.





I will be back soon with a recap of 2010. For now, you can find me guest-posting on Corey's adorable blog, Life With Little Ones. I am excited to finally be able to share what I have been working on for the last year.
So many of you have been asking about bark & leaves, and I have been working around the clock trying to get a website up and running for the new year.
This next year, I am working towards more Arts Markets, and selling some of my items in a couple local boutiques. You can find a link to the website in the interview.


I hope you have wonderful, lazy Sunday, friends.
Ours will be spent taking down the rest of the Christmas decorations, busy-beeing around the house, and snacking on yummy comfort foods.

&maybe nesting just a little bit.