keeping it mellow

Oh, those December piles are gathering. You know - piles of waiting-to-be-finished gifts, piles of gifts that never will be finished, piles of decorations not yet hung, piles of cookie dough waiting to be made, piles of gifts to mail, piles of a manuscript in progress, piles of snow gear with no 'home' yet, piles of dust (a great month for my vacuum cleaner to die. and my tea kettle. and my coffee maker. Sigh.), piles of holiday cards to write and mail, and piles of laundry (oh, that massive pile of laundry). It's tempting to cave under the piles. Oh, and trust me - there are moments when I do. But you know...it's much more fun if I can find a way to tune out the piles for a while (and let a few go in the process. who says the clothes have to be folded?), put on my favorite holiday sound in front of the tree and the fire, share a new favorite - pomegranate martini (found via Ali) - with the one I love, and tackle just one pile - one little card at a time. Yes. That's how I want to spend my December.

On that note, I wish you all a lovely weekend with many moments of peace amidst it all.

Comments

[Dee]

Have a lovely weekend, the piles can wait - loving on babes and hubbys is far more important

Dee
x

[jean]

what? no coffee? in a pinch I've been tempted to just eat the beans. that is serious, soulefolks. Flannel Kisses is one of my very favorite winter books.

[mel]

that looks perfectly wonderful! i like the outlook on conquering the piles too! I have the same piles to attack. here is to a wonderful weekend!

[Natalie]

It's a comfort to learn that I am not alone in the world of *Unfinished Business,* so thank you for sharing. Last night my children and I sat together sipping hot chai, and saying "no more" to homework, chores and piles... it was bliss.

[Jessica Keith]

It's nice to hear that someone as "together" as you feels the same way I do. The piles can get to you sometimes. (That's my favorite martini, too, but I've not been brave enough to make it at home yet.)

[molly]

wait! what is it with vacuum cleaners? mine died two days ago. and between a woodburner, kids in and out and a dog, it's getting pretty scary.
i've got the piles, too. just one at a time...that martini looks like a good idea.

[Mama Manuscripts]

Ah yes, the "piles" of December, glad to hear that I'm not that only one that has them...though this year they're particularly out of hand...I'll be looking for those many moments of peace amongst it at all. That the wonder of it all, is it?

[Mary Beth]

Thank you for "keeping it real" Amanda. We are always dealing with piles over here. But what are you going to do about the coffee situation?!

[Hil]

Hi There. I stumbled upon your blog a few days ago, and I've just been eating it up with a spoon! I love your photos, and am inspired by your lifestyle. I'm a single mother of two, and I definately am feeling "the piles" closing in. Thanks for writing! Hil

[suziesews]

keeping it as it should be...great advise...
SUzie Sews (UK)

[rachel]

I would go absolutely MAD with no tea kettle and no coffee maker! And just when you need those warm happy drinks the most... hope you can find a way around all that- good luck to you soulemama! :)

[Heather]

Oh, yes... those piles. I have many, but like you I jsut have to over look them and have a little fun. Speaking of piles....any ideas on what to do about the pile of holiday cards you get this time of year? I love them, but haven't found the best way to display them. So they eventually end up in a "pile"!
Thanks for sharing!--Ii'm going out to get a bollt of wine for tonight...

[Heather]

No, I haven't had any wine yet, I just didn't check my spelling in the above post, duh! Here goes again... I am going out to get a bottle of wine for tonight...there. Happy Friday!

[zoe]

a friend of ours made pomegranate martinis on thanksgiving.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zopho/2055906433/

they were to die for! she winged it, couldn't really remember the exact measurements. thank you so much for linking to the recipe.

enjoy the cozy. i have two tubs full of christmas decorations that have been sitting in my living room all week!

[Elizabeth]

I'm another one happy to not be alone in the piles. Why do we all think everyone else is so magically on top of everything and we are the only ones that aren't? Happy Weekending!

[emily]

well that photo does look like peace. and yes, i am familiar with those piles. i've got mine here, too. an evening like yours looks like just the right remedy!

[Stephanie]

Sufjan is on repeat at our house- it's the best Christmas music out there!

[Caren]

I'm so glad to find another Sufjan Stevens fan! And I'm also glad to hear that even someone with a home as lovely as yours struggles with endless piles! The martinis by the fire look delightful...

[camerashymomma]

oh i love sufjan stevens! thanks for the link, i just got some holiday cheer sent to me via amazon! :)

have a wonderful weekend!

[Wendy]

Oh yay, I found that Christmas album on Rhapsody. We've been needing something besides the Charlie Brown Christmas to listen to.

And pomegranate martini's sound much classier than the margarita jello shots I'm making today (and doing a post for later).

[Sarah]

amanda, i thought of your lovely pictures of snow when i read this poem. have a great weekend!

Poem: "Snow" by Anne Sexton, from The Awful Rowing Toward God

Snow

Snow,
blessed snow,
comes out of the sky
like bleached flies.
The ground is no longer naked.
The ground has on its clothes.
The trees poke out of sheets
and each branch wears the sock of God.

There is hope.
There is hope everywhere.
I bite it.
Someone once said:
Don't bite till you know
if it's bread or stone.
What I bite is all bread,
rising, yeasty as a cloud.

There is hope.
There is hope everywhere.
Today God gives milk
and I have the pail.

[Wendy]

Amanda, thank you for linking to that album. I'm listening to Amazing Grace right now. What a fantastic version.

I love the banjo. :)

[Bethany]

I love starting my day with your images, Amanda. Thank you. Have a happy and beautiful weekend.

[michelle]

thanks for the post....this helps towards my 'overwhelmed' feeling i've been experiencing lately.

[Ellie]

I love this post and it's exactly the advice I need at the moment! You are my guru!

[Barbara]

Good for you. I had five children and I remember those busy days....now I still have the five children but also five grandchildren and a couple of inlaws so the business never quite goes away.
I would make mine a manhatten!!!!
Barbara

[The Vintage Magpie]

Well, if we discussing all things broken.. my washing machine and microwave have given up the ghost this week.. why is it always the most expensive month of the year that everything decides to die on me? Happy weekend!x

[m]

I've been listening to Sufjan Steven's first three Christmas EPs like crazy lately. Perfectly sets the holiday mood. Also miles behind on all our piles, but have decided it doesn't matter, at least right now. Enjoy your martinis! (Wish I could partake!)

[BeachMama]

Your photo alone makes me want to come over and hang out at your place. And forget all the piles that are mounting in my home.

[Laurel]

I said it yesterday, but it bears repeating...I <3 Sufjan and I adore that album! I'm glad you posted it.

Wish I was there to help with that pile of cookie dough. Yum.

[Margo]

A dear wise mommy that I know dresses her kids in the next day's outfit instead of pajamas! Reminds me of your non-folded clothes approach :)

[Tiffany]

Ooooh, good book link - I may just have to pop that onto the order list! Thanks!

[melissaS]

Pomegranate martinis are good for you. Lots of antioxidants. ;-)

[Veronica TM]

a peaceful weekend to you, amanda! i think taking sometime and letting some things go is the best strategy.

[Lissadell]

Oh, yeah, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with lots of piles. I will enjoy my husband's company over deadlines any day!! Enjoy that wintry weather! They predict it will be in the middle 80's here! Oh, how I wish I could cozy up by a roaring fire~ Happy weekend to you!

[Karen]

No matter how many piles, that picture of your living room looks lovely and so inviting. Just drink a few more of the martinis and your December will be juuuuuust fine :)

[andrea]

Amanda, you inspire me every time I visit your blog. If I had to give up all but one of the blogs or websites I visit every day, yours is the one I'd keep. And I'm not joking. Your attitude is amazing...what a blessing you are!

[Dawn]

What a peaceful looking scene in that photo. Good advice, have a great weekend.

[Amber]

My piles runneth over, too. Instead of getting smaller it seems they are growing! I hear you, though, one thing at a time...

[judi]

It's 74 degrees here...... I'm jealous!

I'm tackling my piles too..... beginning with a redo of a set of vintage doll bunk beds and two handmade dolls to go with them!

I'll just sit in front of the fan while I sew and pretend it's the cool winter of Maine!

[marta]

Amanda, I love your blog, your ideas, your decoration, your family... We just started a family and have not much time, but someday I will learn how to sew and have fun with my kids making cookies, making books... all like you!

[erin]

i hope you have a peaceful weekend, too, amanda.

[meredith]

I had a pomegranate and champagne cocktail at a Christmas party LAST year and it was so heavenly, we now keep pomi in the house year round.
I found your blog through the link on Yarnstorm and am a big fan...

[alexandra]

I know what you mean about not caving under the piles - trying hard not to cave. My sanity comes from seeing even just a little progress and either a mug of Chai tea or a glass of Pinot Grigio - depending on my mood. Just might have to try the pomegranate martini!!
Thanks and peace to you as well.

[Steph]

What a peaceful photo to set the mood!!

[joleen]

thank you, i needed that.

[Katie J]

Love that cd set. "Put the Lights on the Tree" is a classic for us now. Happy weekend.

[Caren]

I wanted to add another one of my favorite Christmas albums: The Darkest Night of the Year by Over the Rhine. If you're looking for some really awesome mood music, this is it! http://www.overtherhine.portmerch.com/stores/product.php?productid=16246&cat=103&page=1

[Sheila]

Can you see my house from there??? LOL!! I just had this conversation with my husband tonight about all the piles!! Will they ever get taken care of? Sigh...not looking so good! Thanks for sharing yet another beautiful image from a very wonderful life!!

[bz]

OOHHH HAPPY DAAYS!!...enjoy the piles too...warm hugs from d island...!!