Have you heard Ryan’s piano arrangement of Silent Night yet? If not, you can listen and download here. I promise it is very beautiful.

And how fun is wrapping gifts? Being surrounded by paper, trimmings, and a good pair of scissors is my happy place.

Pipe cleaner + online tutorial + 1 hour.

And really loving the view from my kitchen, all hours of the day.

Have you seen this video by Sigur Ros? I have maybe five times now, because it is stunning. And makes me want to dress my children in traditional Icelandic garb. After all, my husband did live in Finland for two years, so there is a very obvious connection here, I’m sure you see.

And another thing that makes me smile: my poster getting a mention on the Smitten blog at Glamour.com and also at Design is Mine. What a surprise that was! Thank you ladies, and also to Tiffany A. for the heads up!

A couple of weeks ago, Raya took the most incredible family photos of us. I want to keep the rest of the set under wraps until we gift them to grandparents, but I can’t help posting this outtake. Because it makes me smile.

Dax is dramatically telling us he wants more gumdrops (bribery food) and Ryan is trying to get Kai to stop shooting pretend missiles out of his hand. What tickles me is that we were supposed to be playing with the kids, and trying to make them laugh for the camera.

But no tree. Yet.