some seasonal planning and dreaming

Tonight I'm feeling kind of quiet for once, so instead of writing a blog post I thought I would just take some time to share a few links to some wonderful stuff.  Here are few things that have me feeling inspired for the holiday season . . .

Uncommon Grace on Celebrating Advent  We are so doing this!

An Advent Stick from Kiddley (this is from last year but it's so waldorfy and good)

DIY Holidays 2007 at Flickr

Handmade Holidays at Sew, Mama, Sew! (a new holiday gift tutorial every day in November, yay!)

And to be completely honest I am glad this dollhouse is sold out.  Now I don't have to hem and haw over buying it for myself for Ivo for Christmas. But I do love it.

Have a wonderful night everyone!  I'm off for a little cozy time before bed.

***insert catalog-quality photo of a teacup and saucer with cookies here***  mmmmmmm . . .

Comments

[Dawn]

Thanks for sharing such great sites. This is my first year that I will be trying to celebrate Advent with my family and I'm so excited about all the wonderful ideas. I love that doll house also.

[Emilie]

We are planning on celebrating Advent also, even though I don't think my son is quite old enough to understand. This will be my test-run year, since he's likely not to remember it ;)
That Kiddley site it really neat!

[Stacey]

Thanks for the links. I love the idea of Advent, but being Jewish it's part of the season we don't do. Maybe we can use some of those ideas for Hanukkah since it last 8 days.

[Mom]

Since I have so down-sized my life and all my "stuff", I think I could fit right into that little dollhouse--it looks beautiful!

Thanks for sharing the fun sites.

Love, Hugs, and Squeeze-into-the-Doll-House-with-Nana kisses for Ivo~

Mom

[Angel]

I have been drooling over that dollhouse since I saw the website yesterday. Yes, thank goodness it's sold out because I can't afford it!

Love the blog, I just subscribed yesterday and am hoping you'll have some more little dolls for sale soon!

[nina]

I didn't know Quiet Hour Toys until now. Oh my, I'm afraid we might have to buy the cupcakes. The doll house is divine. I read Grace's Advent post yesterday as well. It has me dreaming. Thanks for the links.

[Nicole]

I like Grace's idea, and I just read
http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com post on being thankful, I am going to incorporate her thankful tree into our traditions.

[Jenny]

What a great bunch of links. I'd never been to Quiet Hours Toys before, and I'm hooked. I don't blame you for loving that dollhouse! We've never celebrated Advent before, but you've got my wheels turning now- I'll have to try and come up with a no-sewing version. :o)

And on a completely different note, CJ was making letters out of graham sticks at snack this morning- it was almost as if she'd been reading your blog behind my back!

[KateinNJ]

Wow! What a great company..I may need to show my Mum-in-law for ideas..lol.

[Jess]

I think I am in love with your life Amanda! Thanks for all these great ideas. I did order a wood advent ring with four beeswax candles and some wood animals for us to use for many years to come (I believe I mentioned before that I am NOT crafty, sort of a bad thing when you are trying to incorporate Waldorf into the family structure!). I found it at A Toy Garden, great website full of fair trade natural toys. I do love, love, love the branch and bow idea in that one link, though.

We have also been debating between a dollhouse and a play kitchen for Ella for Christmas. Then I thought maybe a set of playstands yet I do not want to pay the $ for them and I don't think my husband will have the time to make anything before Christmas (work is very busy for him right now). So now I think we may make a homemade teepee for her room so she has a little tent/hide out/reading and quiet nook. For sure she will not get more than three presents, sticking with the idea that Jesus only got three so that is more than enough. :-)

Thanks for a fantastic post, like usual!

[Gwyn]

I loved the kiddley advent stick also!

[greenemother]

Thanks for the great sites. Some really good stuff there!

[kristin]

wow, inspiring.

thanks.

[Mary Beth]

I love that Advent stick you linked to. I do think I've seen it before, having gone through Kidley with a fine toothed comb (I love it so) but it's more relevant now that the season is upon us. And I agree about the dollhouse. Love it. Want it. Glad it's sold out.

[jessamyn]

thanks for the wonderful links! i was hoping for this kind of post from you!

[Jess]

I loved your links and tips so much I linked this post on my blog! Thanks again!

[Mom Unplugged]

What a great post! If you don't mind, I will link to it for one of my Christmas Unplugged posts. Quiet Hours Toys is a wonderful store that I had not heard of before. How did you find it? Thanks for all the inspiration.

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