The season of giving

Though we still have two more family Christmases to go (with Elyse & with the Winstons, both next weekend), I feel as though the holidays are winding down. It's the new year & we all must return to work tomorrow. While cleaning & organizing tonight, there was many reflections going through my head--thoughts on the past year & on this holiday season coming to a close. Part of my work today has been to find homes for new Christmas gifts--always a fun task. My good friend Kristen posted photos of some of her favorite Christmas presents on her blog & then invited friends to do the same.
Here are a few of mine:

This gift is from that very friend, Kristen. For quite a while now she has been drawing colorful little scenes & often sharing them on her blog. This is one that I fell in love with & she framed it for me as a Christmas present. A friend that understands my heart. :)

This wonderful Skookum doll pair were a gift from my Mom & Alan. They were found at the event in February when the Musuem of History & Industry sold off many of the dolls donated over the years. They are such a beautiful pair, in excellent condition, & now a treasured part of my Skookum doll collection.

From my sister & Albert: a new gorgeous, warm Patagonia Capilene, in my favorite sunny yellow! Who's up for a winter hike, so I can try it out? :) You might also notice the wires from my new iPod shuffle, a gift from my hubby, that is already seeing much use.

A yummy, fuzzy scarf from my Dad & Carolyn, in the palest of winter pinks. It's so soft & perfect for my coloring.

And of course, the books. We have a tradition in my family called the "book pile." Every year as far back as I can remember, my sister & I have always had a book pile waiting for us on the coffee table on Christmas morning. There is always sounds of delight as each book is lifted off & another discovered underneath. Now, books make up quite a bit of our Christmas wish lists. One of my favorite subjects has always been treehouses & these were two missing from my library on tree dwellings--one from Mom & Alan, one from Ralph & Lois.

I've long wanted to read more from John Muir & this is a collection of some of the adventures had by the naturalist & adventurer. A gift from my younger sister Emily, her husband Anthony, & their baby girl, Tillie.

A gorgeous book from my cousin Megan, who drew my name in the now 14 person Gowey cousin gift exchange. Levi & I have been visiting a different national park every year (first Yellowstone, then Glacier, & Yosemite will be our destination this summer) & I'm sure our list will grow after browsing this book.

I don't have my copy yet, but it was to be included in my book pile from Mom & Alan. I am very excited to read about the incredible, groundbreaking Grameen Bank.

I'm including a photo of four of my favorite Christmas cards just for fun. The lower lefthand corner is my friend Kristen's card. Her husband, Kyle, is an amazingly talented artist & the sketch is his own. The white snowflake in the upper righthand corner is special in a very unique way--seeds are imbedded in the biodegradable fibers & once I plant the snowflake it will grow blue Forget-me-not flowers.

And last, but not least, the awesome new camera that took all these photos! Much thanks to my hubby & his family for my great new digital camera that I am enjoying immensely.

Thank you to all for the wonderful gifts & cards--
I love each & every expression of giving during this season.
Happy New Year!