history.

a new pendant in the shop in honor of this day, available here

i am blessed, truly deeply blessed, to be alive in this moment watching this man take an oath that ushers in a new era of hope...of change...

(i believe there will be change. i believe.)

joy is spilling over in the form of tears today.

i keep saying these words aloud: President Barack Obama.

(and i keep singing these two songs.)

we did it.

change is here.

(and does anyone else just want to be part of all of it? i just wish there was a webcam for every moment as i don't want to miss one second of what is to come. i guess it is the west wing watcher in me...i want to know it all. i want every wednesday at 9 to be an hour of what is happening inside the west wing...inside the white house. i want to know every single detail.)

full.

i am so full.
i am so full of hope and possibility.

when life is good, even for just a moment, it might seem easy to just rest inside these feelings.

but even in the midst of the stuff that might not be so great...the hard stuff...the heavy lifting that makes up this life. even in the midst of that, i find myself returning to hope and possibility.

i find myself resting inside it with each breath.

i find myself returning to the belief that we are in control of how we walk in this life...if we open our hearts...how we react in any given moment...how we react to others...we choose. we choose.

and through hope and possibility, i choose the light.

(just wanted to peek in and say hi and share these thoughts i am having as i get ready to go to bed early to continue to catch up on sleep. i'll be back in the morning with more to share. oh and just know that i might keep sharing these oregon coast photos for the next few weeks. the lighting one night last week was simply perfection and i can't get over the joys of using my 50mm lens at the beach...in that lighting. hope you don't mind.)

one piece of happy

an invitation has been extended to you...
today
in this moment

in this moment
find one piece of your journey that brings you happiness
find one piece, even if it is small or simple or something only you know,
find it inside you

and then,
if you want to accept,
you could sit inside this happiness...

you could sit inside this happiness and allow it to surround you with all that you need today...

in this moment

in this moment
allow the space around your heart to fill with the joy that lives inside your world...

senses. afternoon walk.

{smell}

{see}

{hear}

{taste}

{touch}

{and know}

the pauses.

i have been trying to notice the pauses in between all the other stuff...

the hot hot water of the shower pelting my back

the truth and beauty in the sound of a friend's laughter

tucked in bed listening to jonny breathe as the rain pounds the roof

inhaling deeply while holding my favorite blue mug full of jasmine green tea

slipping on jon's shoes because then i can still wear my thick sock slippers while i take millie out and watch her run around the yard and stop and listen and run again as the rain drips drips drips upon us

a letting go of feelings that served their purpose

color sneaking its way in

a desire to wear more lipstick

looking out the window for just a moment while thinking about a dream that might come true

braiding my hair into two long braids and feeling more like myself

curling up by the fire with a really good book and my family

...i have been trying to notice the little moments that make up this life.

on this eve {december views}

sending you the hope of peace and the blessings of possibility on this eve of a new year...

one (powerful) word

one (powerful) word brass soul mantra necklaces, available here (thanks to jen for the processing)

Head on over to Ali's blog today to learn about "one little word." Ali chooses one word each year as a focus for that year and invites her readers to do the same. In her post, she explains the idea behind "one little word" and has a giveaway that includes a chance to win one of three creations inspired by this project, including a necklace from The Little Room. I have already really enjoyed reading the comments for her readers that include their words and reasons why. There is also a discount code for all Soul Mantra necklaces (good for the entire month of January...so you might want to check it out).

If you visit my shop today, you will find that I now have a new series of necklaces called "one (powerful) word." After spending so much time thinking about and literally twirling inside hope this fall, especially on election day and the days that followed (along with many other people in this country...in this world), I have been deeply thinking about how focusing on one word can push us to action and change the direction of our lives. My hope is that these necklaces will invite you to think about the words that you need in your life...the words you want to surround yourself with on your journey as you breathe and live and walk tall in your life.

I have also added three new Soul Mantra necklaces: Inhale . Exhale, Trust In This Moment (pictured below), and Just Hold On.

In addition, you will see some new brass and sterling shapes available for pendants. And I have added round silver nickel pendants, which are perfect if you like the look of sterling but would like to spend a bit less.

There have also been some slight adjustments to pricing (including the lowering of the price of some sterling silver necklaces). I have finally figured out a custom necklace approach; so you will see new "custom" listings for "one (powerful) word" necklaces and the "custom soul mantra" necklaces that are for pendants with embellishments and multiple words.

And just for fun: as I was updating the shop last night, I decided to have a little impromptu apron sale. All aprons are currently 25% off!

Thank you so much for supporting my little shop this year! I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share my creations with you. It makes me smile to think about all the adventures the aprons, bags, scarves, and necklaces take on their journeys in your corners of the world.

december 30 {december views}

december views

*****

still feeling content.
feeling happy (after spending time talking and brainstorming and dreaming with a dear friend).
feeling hopeful.
feeling quiet again tonight.
and finally feeling so much better after three and a half weeks of illness.

thank you all for your kind words on my post about suddenly missing my grandmother in the frozen food aisle. reading your words was one of my favorite gifts this season. you reminded me that i am not alone. i hope you remember that you are not alone either.

sending blessings to you.