book of myself

Ok, so one of my resolutions this year is to journal more.

Well, I guess I should say ACTUALLY journal since I didn't really do it at all last year.

I picked up The Book of Myself by David Marshall and Carl Marshall at the Anthropologie in Philly {oh wow, it is amazing...4 floors!} and I am sooo looking forward to filling out my personal history one day at a time. Last night I filled in the first page entitled, "How people described me as a child and how I saw myself." Of course the first thing that popped into my mind was how my mother always called me the party girl. I just loved a good birthday party or holiday! I also wrote about how shy I was with people I didn't know, and how I wore a big skirt dress everyday that had to twirl just right so the layers of fabric would ripple all around me as I turned. It was really quite wonderful thinking of that person and what traits I still have.

I can't wait to do the next page tonight! I highly recommend filling out your own personal history whether it be by daily/weekly journal writing, or filling out a personal history book like this one. What fun it will be for your children and grandchildren to read. It would also be great to sit down with a grandparent or family member and fill in the answers as they rattle off old memories. Such a gift!

good christmas reads

I compiled this list awhile ago and completely forgot about it! I always loved curling up in the living room with some of our Christmas books and reading by the fire.

The Night Before Christmas by, Robert Sabuda {love the pop-ups}
The Night Before Christmas by, Clement Clark Moore and Tasha Tudor {just lovely}
The Polar Express by, Chris Van Allsburg {a classic with gorgeous illustrations}
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker by, Joel Meyerowitz {everyone should see this, but if you can't this is a good substitution}
Christmas Around the World by, Mary D. Lankford {teach your children how the world celebrates}
The Jolly Christmas Postman by, Janet and Allan Ahlberg {a serious favorite--your kids will love this}
Eloise at Christmastime by, Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight {love the movie too}
Gift of the Magi by, O. Henry {a MUST read every Christmas}
A Snowman Named Just Bob by, Mark Kimball Moulton
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus by, Francis Pharcellus Church
Auntie Claus by, Elise Primavera
Christmas Oranges by, Linda Bethers