i ♥ alsace

strasbourg-france

 

Today, and often, I have Alsace on my mind. It’s been three years since my last visit to this beautiful region of France, but it is always with me. My maternal great-grandmother, Marie, was the first of the family to immigrate to the States from Strasbourg (pictured above). My grandmother Florence was only 16 when her mother sadly passed from tuberculosis, but she shared so many lovely stories about her mother with me.  I’ve always wished to know more about Marie, and her mother, my great-great-grandmother (also Marie-seeing a pattern?!), to learn about their lives, and in turn, understand mine more deeply. Throughout my adult life I have searched for answers in my ancestry, and no place in France has ever felt more comfortable or familiar to me than Alsace. I take comfort in upholding family traditions and celebrating my heritage. Tomorrow I will be sharing an exciting collaboration, which incorporates my love for my Alsatian roots, festive celebrations, and the incredibly delicious food of the region. I can’t wait-come back tomorrow for the reveal!

all they want for christmas

twinswishlist

 

Ok, ok…so at 17 months old they don’t care what they get…this list is obviously more what WE want them to have. However-these selections are based on activities they already enjoy and their unique individual personalities. Marie is a very girly girl (like her mommy), who lately has insisted on wearing a tutu grammy gave her around the house on a daily basis. She gets excited over choosing outfits (this young?!) and loves to wear my jewelry for fun. Henry is such a dude…he loves to make noise, toss balls around, and try and figure out how everything in the house works. His latest obsession is the vacuum cleaner-he loves to pretend it’s on, and pushes it around the house. I can’t wait until he can actually help with that! I’m so eager to see their faces light up on Christmas morning. So, dear santa…they’ve been good. Really, really, good.

 

1…ATELIER ATSUYO ET AKiKO marie j’adore organic tee…well, obviously.

2…PINHOLE PRESS flash cards…they love their names + faces book so much, this is the perfect addition!

3…OEUF bunny mittens…for mon petit lapin, marie.

4…MUJI paris city blocks…I’ve been searching for these for quite some time…if you find them let me know!

5…PLAN TOYS drum set…we can’t wait to see what they do with this. 

6…JANOD magnetic helicopter…I think we should start a collection.

7…BLABLA KIDS mozart the monkey knit doll…for my monkey!

8…ANDY WARHOL colors book…to add to their collection of modern + art filled books. 

9…VILAC paris puzzle…they have a few vilac puzzles already and are fascinated with them!

10..PLAYON crayons…they fit on little fingers and just look so cool. 

11..MAILEG sister + brother mouse…they’re just too adorable, and they might need matchbook beds to sleep in.

 

golden years

billy

 

It’s been too long since I’ve written about Billy, and I’m feeling guilt. He has been my constant companion for 10 years now, and he is having to share his golden years with two toddlers and a very busy mommy + daddy.  Lately, the days are hectic-he does his best to keep up with the craziness in the house, but at times it’s just too much for him to handle. At almost thirteen years of age, he prefers the quiet life…and as you can imagine there isn’t much of that in our household at the moment. The children are very demanding of my time, and he so sweetly accepts and allows for that. After his brother and sister go to bed, he knows it is OUR time. Just like the old days…just us. I’m doing my best to be conscious of his experience each day, and to be a support for him when he needs it, as he has done for me throughout the years.

first snow

twins-first-snow

 

Yesterday was a perfect day. A most beautiful thick and fluffy snow began to fall late morning, and we happened to have a sunday with no plans…the best kind. As the snow accumulated, marie and henry napped, and mommy and daddy grew excitedly anxious. When they woke we explained something very magical had happened, and we raised the shades in their room as if we were revealing a prize. We lifted them onto the radiator cover to see for themselves…and their eyes lit up with curious wonder. I stepped back and took this shot with my iPhone, and it will be one we treasure always. We realized in that moment how giddy we were-to experience these firsts, along with them, is such a gift.

bon weekend

vintage-metal-letters

 

What an exhilarating and exhausting week it’s been…I’m still catching my breath after a fun + festive photo shoot on Wednesday! Our halls are fully decked and the kids ooh and ahh over the tree lights every morning and night…it’s the sweetest. I was tempted to leave the ornaments off -the tree is so beautiful in it’s simplicity. It’s been freakishly warm this week, which is both a good and bad thing…I’m ready for snow. Bring it on Pennsylvania, bring it on….fingers crossed for a white christmas! I’m a bit behind on my reading this week, but here are a few links for your weekend enjoyment…