We’re officially cleared to move back into our house! After 5 months of not living in our home, including welcoming baby Eliza in that stretch, I am so, so ready to NEST. We have lots of work ahead of us though as things are super dusty from all the construction and we have to figure out where to put everything. I’m most excited about the new kitchen! I’ll give a little photo tour in the upcoming weeks.

I’m trying to be more intentional about observing the season of Advent this year. I’ve been going through an Advent journal (I’m so glad you shared, Sarah!) and got an Advent candle set (the kids got to roll their own beeswax candles, so cool). I’ve been thinking about all the money that flows out of our pockets during Christmas time and wondering what culture I want to set for how our family celebrates the season. I want our kids to become people who are aware of their resources and generous in thoughtful ways.

I was so inspired by this article (it’s such a great read) and now want to learn how to cook from this Korean Buddhist nun! I’m also currently reading In Defense of Food and both are challenging me to take my time cooking and to eat more slowly. Both feel really hard right now, I’m barely cooking, more like assembling and throwing things onto the table, and eating involves shoving calories into my face in any rare moment I have time.

It’s winter, but I’m already daydreaming about our summer garden! I blame the Seed Savers Catalogue which came yesterday. Seed Savers is a great organization that collects heirloom seeds. As a bonus, the catalogue is so fun to look through with the kids and talk about vegetables and to also use for collaging with them.