9 days

until christmas! i have so so so much to do between now and then. i still have a few more gifts to buy AND finish up friend gifts which will take most of my time. i decided that this year, most of my gifts would be homemade. i think a personal touch is so much better than going to some store and buying a random material object that i'm not even sure they will like anyway. i like the idea of customizing something and adding a little of my own personality to it a bit as well. i'm really in love with my ideas but haven't gotten down to the major parts just yet. i've only done the base work so far. i just have to devote an entire day to getting them done. i'm really excited about them and i'm hoping they turn out okay. incase you are curious...here's a little teaser! these are the things that have been my inspiration for what i'm creating:

michele mclaughlin: the first and only artist i've ever heard that has succeded in making me wish i still played piano. my god her songs are absolutely GORGEOUS. i'm so inspired by her and her music.
celtic christmas:

the north sea:

the eternal city:


these gorgeous photos:

i will post pictures AFTER my little creations have been received!

in the buying department of christmas gifts...i'm stuck. i've only got a couple to buy but i have no idea what they're going to be. but, i'm sure i'll know them when i see them. the thing i'm most excited about is sitting in my living room and listening to christmas music while i wrap. i LOVE wrapping. it's what makes me feel the most christmas-y. that and reading Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 and Luke 2:1-20.

other news: yesterday i got an e-mail saying that my purchase of the entire golden girls series has been shipped. i squealed in excitement. don't ask me what started this TGG kick. i mean, i watched the show all the time when i was little. and i've hit up a few episodes here and there over the years. but i've been having a pretty hard time lately and i've prayed for peace of mind and strength. a couple of weeks ago, for some odd reason as i was flipping through the channels, i stopped on WE, aka lifetime, (i NEVER watch lifetime) because i saw there was a golden girls marathon on. something told me that i needed to watch it. since that day, i have watched at least 3 episodes a day and have smiled every time. watching old women sitting around eating and talking about friendship, love and sex has helped me immensely. it's made me laugh when i REALLY needed to laugh. it's made me thankful when i REALLY needed to remember how blessed i am. who would've thought that a tv show could do so much?

my favorite quote: "picture it: miami 1987. a house, the only one in the neighborhood without a pool, but i digress. four women, friends. they laugh, they cry, they eat. they love, they hate, they eat. every time you turn around, they eat. the point i’m trying to make here is, what’s going on here is living. just because you have some rough times doesn't mean you throw in the towel. you go on living..........and eating."- sophia.

i love beautiful things. i hope you make the most of your next 9 days. i'm going to try my very best to do the same. and eat.

love, anna claire

thank you for bein' a friend...

there's something to be said about a show that can make you laugh during hard times. which is why, after this weekend, i bought the series. it reminds me just how much i love my friends and am so thankful for every single one. especially when they answer the phone no matter what time it is or what they're doing.

i'm going to be just fine.