Seattle and snow.  Such a  beautiful combination.  Sometimes we move so fast, letting ourselves get irritated that traffic is terrible, or people cannot drive in the snow, or wondering why the city only has 20 snowplows…

But maybe it is so we can work from home, in front of the fire, with snow steadily coming down outside the window all day long.  And, instead of a lunch break, you are able to  take a snow walk around your neighborhood.  In lieu of cars driving,  you see children sledding down your road, couples skiing where sidewalks once were, and neighbors venturing to the local hot spot……

I know, you read that and think …. are you crazy?

Well, the truth is – yes!  I still am in Christmas.  It has been busy since I have gotten back from NJ Christmas.  And now, the Pac NW is about to get a giant snowstorm… or so they say – i will believe it when I see a flurry!

There is a bit of snow still on the ground, and I am inside with Christmas decorations all around.

That combined with looking through and organizing photos….. means that I realized I never put up pictures of our 2011 Christmas Dessert tables.  We decorate tables every year for this event, and I don’t want ’11 neglected!

2010 table

2009 table

Did you guys see these “snowing” LED light tubes around this winter? With a whole series you can really make your yard look like the snow is coming down, its pretty mesmerizing. I took this short video at the Garden d’lights where they had a whole area FULL of them. LOVE. {note, the video does have sound, but its just crowd background noise so you’re not missing anything if you mute before playing}

Too bad from what I can tell they are like $20 a pop AND you have to buy connector cords. Hmm. Maybe next year the price will come down and we can put that awesomeness all over our house!

Its a wintry wonderland weekend here in Seattle (we had our first little snow of the season today!) so what a perfect thing to do than curl up with your laptop and look at some of our favorites from around the interwebs. I thought I’d pull some home decor ideas turning since spaces always feel full of possibility after the holiday decorations go away.

How scrumptious does this blanket look on a winter morning? {via}

Love these exposed brackets (we originally contemplated something similar for our mantle redesign) {via}

Wonderful natural textures in this kitchen by bates + masi architects. {via}

On my 2012 craft-room reorganization wishlist is this desk lamp {via}

I’m obsessed with all things celestial, so this star map wall hanging from Thomas O’brien’s apartment (photographed by william waldron for elle decor) is right up my alley! {via}

Last but not least, love this subtle infusion of nautical from Canadian house and Home {via}

psst. D is now pinning. Follow her here and me here.

I was editting some photos yesterday and realized that I was months behind on my photo organizational crazyness that I normally complete on my computer.  This caused me to go back and look through all my pictures from 2011.  In general, I bet I took way less pictures this year then I did in 2010.  I categorize by months and then subfolders… and some months only had a few shots, even.   I admit, I had folders of photos that I don’t think have ever been seen.  So… I am going to attempt to be better about this in 2012.  Upload and categorizing photos on my computer and letting you see more of them.

So, in an effort this day to notice  how great 2011 was… here are a few of the things that where my favorites last year.  Some months have several, others have pictures even!

january

besides the usual Christmas recovery,  saying goodbye to Oliver (ps, i now look back at this image and say…wow, oliver sure was um, sparse-r then Viola!)…

I went to the Oregon coast on a youth leader retreat, and generally relaxed.  Must do that again!

february

crafted a bunch for valentine’s day! message in a cookies and the super fun love monsters!

march

b and i redesigned the blog with major computer techie help from our friend Dave.   .. but the updated blog that you see here went live!

and….two special kiddos got dedicated at church!  I don’t think I ever shared this picture of me and Kaylee, which pretty much is the cutest ever! {bias, yes, but it is really cute!}  I think this might also win for my favorite photo of 2011…

april

easter and my bunny making obsession!

Building another raised bed for the yard, and massive amounts of planting.  The gardening had started!

may

the caption such just be… jetlag.

I went to the east coast twice, and by my calculations I spent half the month either on airplanes or being jetlagged.  It was for some pretty special occasions though… First, my dad turned 50 over Mother’s Day weekend.  {talk about most milage out of one plane ticket EVER!}

Then, my little sister graduated from college at the end of the month.  This allowed me to fly into Boston and see a friend from college before driving out to Clark for her ceremony!

{super cute family photo!}

 {celebration at graduation dinner… it was a gelato sampler, yum!}

june

Extreme week aka summer camp for youth group.  This means I get to go to camp too!  Whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming for a week, sans cell reception.  I’d do it once a month if they let us!

july

Lazy fourth of July at our house, a ton of gardening, and busy busy busy!

august

B’s birthday party at our house, which featured outdoor movie night.  We pretty much should do that more often.  It included a popcorn bar, which I have to say might have been the best summer party idea of 2011.

The twins also turned one… which meant party Dr. Seuss style.  B made them amazing clothes, I made them hats and rainbow cakes. 

Cakes that quickly turned from this:

Into this:

september

dahlias in full bloom around here and…

i went back to NJ… for my cousin’s wedding and to spend a few days with my family.  I visited the beach at Ocean Grove and New York for a day.  I was most excited to finally get to see the High Line.  Bloggers and designers had been raving about it all summer, and I was dying to take a walk there!

my dad came with me, and we both found these lounges that moved along the old train tracks very clever.

october

pumpkin picking!

{girls only pic}

and, as i go through these photos… i see a runner up for kaylee and i’s favorite photo of the year…

and, man this is is an awesome group of photos in this folder.  and I am in a ton of these pictures, which never happens to me.  who took all these funny photos?  Like this one, which might win fav of B and ethan, both laughing like crazy!

november

I retreated up to snowy Mt Baker!

And then Lemon House hosted it’s first Thanksgiving guests, my parents!

december

Christmas Christmas Christmas!

Need I say more?   I wore festive socks, hair accessories, jewelry, and christmas lights accessories… every day that month.  I say it was a raging success!

We hosted the girls over for present opening {doesn’t Viola look excited to have all these gifts underneath her!}

and then I went to NJ for Christmas week!  (more to come on that, do you think I am that organized??????)