2012 {in Instagram}

It's been such an eventful year, but part of me can't believe it's already over.

Here's a little look back at life in 2012.

Ella

The day I turned 21 I woke up to Tim sitting beside me, grinning and handing me a birthday card with a puppy on the front. The card read something like, "Welcome to the world of wet noses and sloppy kisses". He was going against his own good sense and getting me a puppy for my birthday! We were so poor and busy with school and work. We didn't have the time or resources for a dog, really, but I wanted one so badly, so Tim did what he always does and he gave generously. Looking back that puppy was the most extravagant gift he could have given. Nothing could have made me happier. I loved her so! 

She was everything I admired - strong and fearless and lively and smart. The first time she saw a herd of goats, she took one look at them and rounded them up within minutes. I'll never forget those goats squeezed together on top of their little house in fear, looking down at this tiny dog tearing around their pen, barking at the top of her lungs. She was totally in control. We all stood there laughing in disbelief.  

There was something so intelligent about her. Not obedient-intelligent, but I've-got-a-mind-of-my-own intelligent, which was frustrating sometimes, but infinitely more entertaining than your average dog. For years I secretly expected her to just open up her mouth and have a conversation with me. (Not really. Well, actually yes I did.) She never did talk, but she understood what we said, and she was always looking out for us. One night we fell asleep with a candle burning. I woke up to Ella standing on me, barking at my bedside table which had caught fire when the candle burned down. After that I had a whole new respect for her, and when she barked I payed attention.

I used to feel bad that she lived her life as an indoor dog. She would have been so at home on a ranch or a farm where she could hunt critters and boss the other animals around. But even living in small spaces all these years, she never lost her wild side. When we lived in Austin she would corner scorpions and bark until I found them. She made it her business to patrol my parents' pool and remove anything floating in the water. Just the other day we were out working in the yard and she caught a lizard and tore it apart before I could stop her. And heaven help the stuffed squirrels and UPS deliverers she encountered. 

As wild as she was, she needed me too. When she lost her leg and nearly died of an infection I held her through the nights when she was so sick and shivering. I fed her and gave her medicine every day. I made her special foods when she was sick. I walked her and bought her a little puffer jacket for the winters in Connecticut. I bathed her and groomed her. When her joints started to hurt I bought her a soft bed that would keep her warm and cozy. I worried about her and fussed over her. Some people get insulted when I say this, but she was my first baby. She was the first creature who ever depended on me and for twelve years I took care of her.

Yesterday we said goodbye to our girl. She was suffering and her old spark had dimmed. I have a feeling she had been in pain for a while, but she was going to keep doing her best for as long as she could. We wanted to let her go more than we wanted to keep her here, struggling as she was. So we made an appointment with the vet. I fed her some ham and while Michael had his afternoon nap she and I sat on the back porch in the sun. I took off her collar and scratched her neck just the way she liked it. Our last hour together was peaceful. I hope it made her happy.

She's gone now and the house feels empty, which seems silly because Michael more than fills the place with his noise and activity. But I know the difference. She was my friend and my protector and my first baby. I'm so thankful she was mine. And I'll always miss her.

Guide to gift guides

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      I love gift-giving. It is, without a doubt, my love language. I think that's the biggest reason I love Christmas. There's nothing like giving the right gift to someone you love - making them feel special and loved and excited - it's the best! I actually keep a note in my phone with a running list of gift ideas for friends and loved ones. When inspiration strikes I jot down my idea and later I'm always glad I took the time. In my experience, good gifts take time and thought, so I try not to get in a situation where I'm shopping in desperation at the last minute.

     Having said that, sometimes inspiration is scarce. When there isn't much time for leisurely browsing for the right gift I rely on gift guides. And there are some amazing gift guides out there! I've rounded up a few of the best for anybody who might be looking for a little inspiration. Consider it my gift to you! xo

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to & from - a huge volume of amazing gift ideas from your favorite bloggers.

Design Mom - toy gift guide from an absolute expert.

Oh Happy Day - guide to experiences you can give.

A Cup of Jo - thoughtful, quirky gifts for everyone on your list.

Real Simple - stylish, affordable gifts including creative stocking-stuffers.

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Life {in Instagram}

putting together our advent calendar / the last of our lemons / cold morning, happy mug

picking up the playroom by twinkle light / my handsome dinner date / little baby succulents

Day 1: choosing a tree / Day 2: decorating the tree / making wrapping paper

Day 3: eat a candy cane - before / ...and after

Advent calendar

I love the idea of advent calendars, and now that Michael is old enough to be excited about Christmas I wanted to put something special together. After pinning examples all year (1, 2, 3, 4) I combined my favorite parts and came up with this! The materials and method are super simple. I found a pretty ribbon, tiny envelopes and cards at the craft store. I numbered the envelopes and decorated them with snowflake stamps, then hung the ribbon and clipped each envelope with a paper clip. I wrote a different activity on each card. Since Michael is so young, I kept the activities pretty simple: 

decorate christmas tree

eat a candy cane

unwrap a book

bake cookies

unwrap a toy

sponsor a child

take gifts to the neighbors

drive around and look at the lights

movie night with popcorn

sing Christmas carols

read 'The Night Before Christmas'

I hope to keep the garland and change the activities on the cards as Michael grows. 

Christmas season starts tomorrow - I can't wait to get started! Happy weekend, friends. xoxo

Do you have a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe? I always use the Nestle Tollhouse cookie dough - it's so easy and perfect! (I call it my mom's recipe since she uses it too - ha!) I no longer remember where I heard this tip, but it's so good I wanted to pass it on: to make the instant cookie dough even better, put a teeny sprinkle of kosher salt on each cookie before baking. 

So delicious. 

Christmas cards

A few weeks ago we took some family pictures. Michael was wild that afternoon - so wild that I hoped we would get just one good shot of the three of us. Somehow (in the middle of Michael's 6pm I've-had-enough tantrum) our friend managed to get this sweet shot. I love it so much and I'm so thankful to be able to share it with our loved ones in this year's Christmas card.

 From our house to yours - Merry Christmas! xoxo

Life {in Instagram}

Houston in November - running through a sprinkler! / pre-Thanksgiving and football / pretty flowers from a lovely friend

'give thanks' garland / pretty ironwork / the bath at the end of a long day

Mikey, me, and "Hobb" / home for Thanksgiving / a night out in Austin

A little inspiration

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

The Thanksgiving leftovers aren't even gone yet, and I'm in full Christmas mode! I can't help myself - I wait (and pin!) for this all year long. Here are a few things that have me inspired to make things merry and bright!