Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Holiday Decorating...and Some Updates!

{pink, scented market roses & pinecones in a vintage tool caddy}


Happy Holidays my friends! I can't believe it's just a few short days away from Christmas ~ time sure goes by fast when you are having fun! :)

I am now officially done with finals, and am trying to spend this last week before Christmas with my boys & hubs, decorating, prepping for some family to arrive...and well, just making our home comfy & cozy for the holidays, despite many of the ongoing projects that still need to get done!



{unearthing vintage ornaments for decorating}


This post is going to be a "life post," and since I haven't really spent much time "styling & taking photos on my regular camera," I will be including images from my Instagram account {taken on my iPhone}, so if you already follow me on there or on Facebook, you'll be seeing these images for the 2nd & 3rd times.


{tinkered treasures in a old French jam jar}


So hopefully you won't get too bored with it! For those of you who follow me regularly, or have been with me since the beginning of my blogging journey ~ well, you'll be getting some insight into my past, present & future.

Gosh only knows how much time I've spent reflecting during my commute early in the mornings & late evenings!



{a pair of candy canes in an old Dundee jar "kept me company" during exam nights}


As some of you know, I decided to go back to school to embark on a path to a destination that I have been longing to get to for some time now.

This past semester, I took on a full load of 5 courses as part of my contingent plans of applying to a program, so that I can get into it {a program} for next Fall {of 2013}.



{decorating with mini trees around my home before the outing for the "big one"}


But after multitasking home life, work, school...which meant late nights awake, early mornings up, and a 4.0 GPA later, I have decided to put my plans on hold for another semester or so, so that I can focus on the Number One thing in my life...my family.


{my little one picking out the main tree!}


Don't get me wrong, I still want to finish up this journey, but I really felt that I was "missing out" on so many things this semester with my family & close friends!

Next year, my little one will be starting kindergarten & my eldest will start his senior year in high school...and knowing how intense the program will be, and also knowing how hard I will be on myself once I am in it...well, I just didn't feel like there would be enough time to juggle family life and school life.



{my boys working together to build a gingerbread house}


I just don't want to "miss a thing" in their lives right now.


{their gingerbread house!}


As you all know, life is too short to not be a part of every moment in it...especially when it comes to family and all the milestones that are experienced.


{a little late night afterglow}


With that being said, I'm going to hold off on applying to a program, at least until after my sons get through their first semester {as a kindergartener & as a senior in high school, respectively}.

So although there are a few courses that I still need to take to better prep me for the program, they are not required to apply - I'm just thinking ahead as usual. :)



{a fabric heart & some vintage glass}


But at least I'll have more time to spend with them. It just eases my mind as a mom to know that I'm going to be there for them at this critical time in their lives, even though I know they can be successful at what they do no matter what.

It just helps to have "mom rooting them on!" :) Plus I think my hubby enjoys it better when I'm "not so stressed!" lol



{shiny brites on an antique French plate}


Additionally, I feel like I've also isolated myself from my extended family & close friends...so if you are reading this, I apologize for being so "M.I.A." It's just that once I start something, I can get rather obsessed at trying to get through it successfully, that I often inadvertently exclude myself from various get togethers and what not...

Just know that I think of you all often {yes, you too my dear blogger friends}, and just because I'm not always present, doesn't mean that I don't wish that I was...



{a mini tree in an old Sucre Tin}


But as of this past Monday, I have been "officially on vacation," and have been trying endlessly to get things in decent order around the house.

So many projects were left unfinished, and realistically many of the big projects will have to be put on hold until after the New Year, but I'm at least trying to get things looking somewhat normal since my parents will be visiting here, along with my sister and her family.





{my mantel in November}




I'm just glad that I started decorating my home for the holidays since before Thanksgiving! I've just been adding things here & there, as well as tweaking things a bit by rearranging and/or swapping things out. :)


{late night crafting & decorating}


I've also enjoyed baking cookies with my family...& also {unfortunately for my waistline} eating way too many sweets! ;)


{yummy Peanut M & M's in a bowl ~ courtesy of the hubby}


Catching up on some leisure reading this week has been wonderful as well.


{Beautiful JDL Christmas issue}


More decorating...


{pink vintage baubles on an old dessert plate}


{fragrant roses & pine}


{a mini tree by the fireside waiting to be decorated}


{"new" shiny brites that I found at Home Goods earlier this month}


{putting the twinkle lights on my December mantel}


{more pink lovelies}


{paper paisley hearts}


{enjoying fairy lights on the decorated tree}


Well my friends, that is all for today. Now I'm off trying to spend as much time with my family as I can, whilst enjoying this lovely season.

May you all have a most blessed Christmas Holiday & lovely New Year!



Warmly,
Jessie




Sharing with:
Faded Charm
Time Travel Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Sweet Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Pink Saturday

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello dearest Jessie!! I am so happy to see a post from you and all of the lovely photos and I can totally relate....I was taking a chemistry course when my youngest was still nursing and she would ONLY nurse, that meant lots of crying for dad while mom was at school and doing homework, I decided that can wait, but my family cannot =) Anyhow, i am doing much better with the morning sickness and I am starting to show, which at 19 weeks I should be by now, but , I find out friday what we are having, I will be sure to let everyone know =) Have a fantastic week and a lovely Christmas =) Xo, Ashley

It's me said...

Wowwww Jessie...your home is beautiful decorated.....love it all.....5 days to go.....love Ria...xxx...

Fashion-isha said...

That first image is so pretty and I love the candy cane hearts. I hope you have a fabulous holiday!
xo
Sharon

michele said...

i do love a life post! enjoy your vacation and accomplishments this year, knowing you can return to the books when the time is right (i sound like a mom, don't i???).

smiles to you.

michele

Fresh Vanilla For C said...

Hi~~ So happy to see your pretty post!!! It sounds like you are making the right decision when it comes to being with your family. Those moments with the children big and small are so very precious! Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
xoxo~ Cheryl

Blondie's Journal said...

Your home is looking very lovely and festive! I love all of your simple touches. I'm glad you have more time now for the loves in your life. I went back to school when my daughter was three. I slowly realized I was missing something that couldn't be relived, so I stopped. Changed goals and priorities. And I was and am very happy with those decisions. I hope you are, too!

Merry Christmas!

XO,
Jane

The Blue Farmhouse said...

Congratulations on the 4.0 and I just finished finals too and I understand the juggling. I wish you luck in whatever you do and so let's start "enjoying" this very special time of the year...Merry Christmas!

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Thank you dear friends for your lovely visits & sweet comments ~ I truly appreciate all of your kind words! :) Happy Holidays from here!!!


XO's,
Jessie

Burlap Luxe said...

Thank you Jessie, for taking the time to visit and best of all taking that much more time to comment.
It looks like Christmas is soon to be here and all the beauty you are creaing is so inspiring.

Its going to be great getting to know you that much better, so I will be visiting soon.

Joyeux Noel
xx
Dore

awal.ny said...

Such a hard decision. Yes it is easy to put family first, but I can tell you that when mom is happy, the whole family is happy. I know it is not always easy to make a choice that will put you as the more important one, and sometimes it is even easier to walk away. I decided to give up my shop and only work one day a week for my family and young children. Now that the kids are older, I have gone back to work part time. I love my job and I am happier for it, but I can not lie and say there are not sacrifices. I do miss some school celebrations and special moments. But, I know I made the right choice. Enjoy your family and have a wonderful Christmas.

farmhouse-story said...

first congrats on the 4.0! i just love the pink roses and pine cones:) enjoy your family through the holidays--merry christmas, jessie!

June said...

I know these decisions can be hard to make, but in the coming years you will know that you made the right one for you and your family Jessie. No time is wasted when we spend it on our children. They need so much from us.
You achieved so much this year and had a wonderful GPA! That must make you proud of yourself.
I love your beautiful decorating! I hope that you and your dear family have a blessed Christmas and New Year full of joy!
hugs...

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Thank you June! You are always so kind with your words!

Hugs,
Jessie

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Thanks Lynn! Merry Xmas to you too!

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

You are so right Alaina! That is why this break is just temporary...I've gone way too far to hold back now! Happy Holidays to you my friend!

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Thank you for your visit to my page Dore! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Your Christmas balls are beautiful!

My PINK
Happy Holidays!

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

Happy Holidays! Lovely Christmas photos, Jessie :) Seasons Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

Jen Kershner said...

I love all that mind blowing vintage goodness! Your home is gorgeous! I hope you are enjoying every moment of these last days before Christmas.

Nancy said...

Love all your wonderful vintage ornaments. I hope it all works out for you. For now it sounds to me like the best decision - nothing is more important than raising our kids. The home you make for them and the time you spend with them is the ultimate job in life! xo Nancy

Lynne said...

Jessie! My goodness! Congratulations on your 4.0! A M A Z I N G !

I think you are doing the right thing. Both kindergarten and the Senior year of high school are pivotal years. If your eldest son heads to college, I assure that you will never regret being around for his last year of high school.

I loved my kid's kindergarten experience. I actually left a my dream but VERY demanding job on Chrislyn's (my eldest) first day of kindergarten. I was right in the groove of all those career mom turning to work from home mom's of the 80's a la Diane Keaton etc! LOL!

We scaled back...I worked at their school during the day and at night, I managed an inventory and merchandising business. We drove the same car for 10 years. I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Your Christmas holiday home is lovely. Your ornaments...precious keepsakes.

I wish the best of the season's blessings to you and your beautiful family. (I hope your Mom & Dad are well.)
Merry Christmas!
~Lynne
w/L.

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

Jessie, that is amazing that you have a 4.0 GPA and have still worked and maintained your household. I never had a GPA of 4.0 when I was a single college student! Great job.
I hope you are able to slow down this holiday season and have a wonderful time with your family.
I loved seeing all of your lovely photos again :)
Merry Christmas!

~Shanon

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