Monday, December 22, 2008

winter barn


Happy Winter! Happy slow return of the sun!

My mother's barn is snug and cozy in the snow. My family and I spend tons of time there:
cooking, creating, and having overnights. It hasn't been quite the same without my mother. She spends part of the year teaching nursery school in California, and although so much of her spirit remains while she is away, no one can cast a spell as magically as she does. We hadn't anticipated seeing her until the Summer. What a painful long stretch for all of us! Life is always filled with the unexpected, and that is especially true where my mother is concerned. So without further rambling on about the miraculous details... it smells like cookies are baking at the barn! My mother surprised us a couple of days ago with the best holiday present ever... HER! It's been nine years since I've seen my mother on Christmas, and I'm absolutely giddy!! For five days the barn has been constantly filled with heavenly smells, because she can't stop cooking for us! Old carols from the 50's are always playing, and she's been looking for fun ways to dress up little corners for the season.





Instead of getting a tree, she decorated her candelabra with lights and vintage spheres.


We helped her add little dolls from her collection, and my daughter thought it was the prettiest "tree", ever.
Upstairs, she draped large vintage lights around her drying rack and displayed this "tree" in the window.
We spent one evening taking out the decorations from my childhood and reminiscing.

My mother saved many of the ornaments that I had made, and I'll have to take some pictures for posterity sake. Please don't forget to save some for your children. I can't tell you how amazing it is to hold those little bits of history thirty some odd years later! I'll be signing off for a while to enjoy every bit I can, but don't be surprised if I pop in to share a picture or two! Hope your holidays are warm and wonderful!

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28 comments:

  1. What a cozy, delightful place. It exudes awe and wonderment! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Oh Maya! It looks so beautiful! I hope you are cosy and snug and smiling lots!

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  3. SO rapturously beautiful... the barn in the snow, the little corners, the special time with mama love... I'm so glad I stumbled on your blog tonight!!

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  4. I'll miss you my dear...but enjoy every minute of the holiday season...love up that momma of yours and your sweet family too...Merry, merry! xo t

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  5. once again, I knew it would be perfect.

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  6. It's so lovely that you have your mother with you, and even more wonderful to hear how much you love and appreciate her.

    Wishing you all the best for a very happy xmas!

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  7. The Barn is just beautiful in the snow. I love the red against the white so festive.
    Just popped by to wish you a very Happy Holiday.
    How special having your Mum home for Christmas.

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  8. Oh Maya! How wonderful!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family. The pictures are great, what a fun person she is.

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  9. Oh Maya.....this post brought tears to my eyes....how wonderful, how magical. I so hope my children feel that way about me when they are older! Have a beautiful, beautiful holiday and we will see you in the new year! We will miss you!
    xoxo
    Melis

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  10. I knew it! I knew you all would get to spend christmas at the barn! I can't tell you how badly I would like to be there. I know you would make me a seat if I came, right? I love all the snow there, the barn looks like a children's old book.
    I am so happy that you get to see your mother now. Enjoy all these days with your loves.
    Happy holidays, dear Maya!

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  11. I totally want to curl up on that couch by the "tree."

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  12. What a wonderful barn and so perfect in the snow with your mom for Christmas. Just beautiful!
    Enjoy every minute of it!
    Have a wonderful merry Christmas and all my best wishes for you and yours for the new year!

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  13. Awwww Maya, this post is absolutely deightful ... I feel so happy for you all that your mom is here with you all. She sounds like an amazing person, and very loving & caring. I hope you will enjoy her as much as you can. Your barn looks like a magical place in itself. Thanks so much for sharing all these lovely lovely pics, Maya. Have a merry, sweet, safe & joyful Christmas with your loved ones xoxoxo

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  14. I love this post; so evocative, warm, and cozy.
    Cheers to you and yours!

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing the red barn winter images with us. I love that living space so very much. I almost didn't make it back from Ottawa but here I am. I just finished work for the day and am making gingerbread cookies for the tree decorating party tonight. Best wishes to you and your family for a peaceful creative holiday.

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  16. What a marvellous surprise! Hope your holidays are warm and wonderful, too.

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  17. what a great present! enjoy each other - and that beautiful barn. it looks just perfect in the snow. happy holidays!

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  18. Lovely pictures, thanks for sharing. My daughter and I made the pipe cleaner wreaths yesterday and they turned out really cute. Great idea. Enjoy the season with your mother!

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  19. of my...that "tree" is so mom!! Im a bit jealous to not be there with you all...so I truly thank you for taking me inside for a little barn christmas magic! xoxo

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  20. How absolutely wonderful. And I am still jealous as all get out about your Mom's barn. I just absolutely love it and want one of my own.

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  21. How perfect that your Mom is there to share the holiday season with you and your family... enjoy it all!

    Thanks for the sharing photos of the barn. That's merry making at its finest!

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  22. I love the magic of the barn inside and out, and it is so delightful that your mother came for a Christmas surprise (along with Trader Joes' bags in tow!). The candelabra is magical and such a beautiful (and eco-friendly) way to celebrate Christmas.

    Enjoy all of your happy holidays with your family Maya!

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  23. Have a wonderful wintery Christmas Maya. Thinking of you lots & lots.

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  24. So festive - thank you for sharing your pics.
    mary
    hoganfe handmade
    handbag originals

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  25. Hi,
    I'm Pat from Italy your blog is very nice.
    Come to see my blog, I'd like to have you as a friend of mine.
    Cheers Pat
    ILPOSTODELLEFAVOLE.BLOGSPOT.COM

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  26. What a nice blog you have;o) Lovely photos!!

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  27. what a wonderous surprise and story I love the barn how warm and full of love andlightit is.
    Happy for mom and for all the family traditions she creates for her child(ren) and grand child(ren). awesome.
    hugs to all and to all a good night.

    I am having fun creating traditions for MY grandchild too.

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  28. What a wonderful surprise for you. The barn looks magical in the winter.

    My mom gave us an ornament each year when we were growing up. She's done the same for my daughter. Our favorite ritual is opening up the box of ornaments and recalling the year and memories associated with each of them. I can't wait to pass these on to my daughter for her tree. Well...actually I can wait. ;)

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