You're Gonna Miss This .... A Christmas Letter

Sharp, long shadows criss crossed with bright sun rays fell upon my face.  The blinds gently tapped against the window pane as a breeze made its way through the shade and kissed my cheeks. My arm slid across the crumpled sheets as I began to stretch and enter the world of the living.  Sleeping past 6:00 am was a luxury bestowed upon me that special morning, and I was relishing every second I could grab. The muffled voices that seeped under the bedroom door drew me farther from slumber and closer to reality.  

The door opened a few inches and in a strained whisper I heard ….
“Mummy? Mummy?…… Halffy Burfday!” 
“Sssshhhh Joey! Mommy’s Sleepin’!”
“Ok, guys … move aside I’ve got Mommy’s coffee”

I laid there with my eyes closed, playing opossum, straining to hold back a smile and a giggle.  Joe leaned over me … 
“I don’t know guys I think she’s still asleep, let's let her rest’
“Awwwee… buff its her Burfday!”

I let one eye open and started to smile
Ashley sucked in a quick breath and smiled, her excitement couldn’t be contained.
She bounced up and down on her toes.
“She’s awake, she’s awake I saw her open her eye!” 
There she stood, with her disheveled platinum hair, her wide crystal blue eyes and broad smile she melted my heart. 
“Mummy? Mummy?” 
Another little toe head bounced just above the side of my bed. I slowly slid my face to the edge of the bed, and peaked over the side.
“Ashwee, Ashwee you right! She’s awake! Halffy Burfday Mummy, Halffy Burfday!” 
There just below me, Joey’s chocolate eyes connected with mine. He squealed, grabbed Joe’s leg and buried his face into his leg. 

I scooted up in the bed and patted the blankets next to me, welcoming the kid's company.  Joe handed me off the coffee as Ashely snuggled in close under my arm.  I kissed her forehead and sucked in the smell of her hair, how could something smell so good? 
“I wanna sit wiff Mummy!” 
Ashley the forever good big sister moved over and let her little brother in, somehow my arm still reached around both of them. 

Joe sat at the foot of the bed and announced it was my day, so I got to chose what we would do for the day.  So I thought about it … 
“Hhhhmmm, how about we go grocery shopping?!”
In chorus .. “nooooo!” 
“Uummm, we can weed the gardens?”
In chorus the protest continued … “Nnnoooooo!” 
“I know, we can clean the bathrooms!” 
Joey … confused didn’t answer, Joe laughed and Ashley rolled her eyes and said “Mommy, No! Let’s do something fun!” 
I sipped my coffee, attempting to add a little suspense to the morning, honestly I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do.  Then it came to me … 

“How about we go to the Park?!”
Cheers of approval filled the bedroom. 
Then I threw them a little curve ball …. “That is the Park in  ……New York City!”
There was a moment of dead silence, exchange of blank stares between my three precious loves, then a cheer of approval. 

The spontaneity of the day was thrilling, I wonder if any other family could have packed so much into one day. We visited the zoo, we saw Balto, Ashely climbed up onto Alice in Wonderland’s mushroom and Joey begged to watch the remote boats race for what seemed like hours!  We recharged ourselves with hot dogs and lemonade under a tree where we dozed a bit and watch a local baseball game … we even rented a row boat and saw the park from a totally unique view, a view I had only seen through the photos. There were sticky fingers, ketchup on more than just the hot dogs, a skinned knee, and plenty of sun kissed cheeks. 

As the sun began to drop below the trees, Joe carried a tuckered out Joey and I held my baby girls hand as we made our way back to the car.  Joe buckled Joey into his car seat, Joey through a half yawn said “Halfly Burfday Mummmmy” I smiled.  I helped Ashley with her seat belt and she asked, “Did you have fun Mommy? I had fun Mommy, I hope you had fun, I love you Mommy” I sighed and smiled  “Thank you Babies … “ 

As I buckled my seatbelt, Joe leaned over and kissed my forehead then said, “Happy Birthday Honey”,  I thought to myself, this is the most perfect day of my life. 

That most perfect day was over 13 years ago, but I swear it happened this past August. Those little voices are as clear in my head today as the day they were delivered to me.  We never quite understand the speed that life rushes by us until we take a moment to reflect back.  I’ve been blessed to have many of these ‘most perfect days of my life’, truly blessed.  As I questioned what this years Christmas letter would be about, Joey jokingly said “Write about your wonderful kids Ma!”  Note: I’m no longer Mummy … I’m Ma!  Years ago Joey inspired a Christmas letter and once again he had done it.

 Joe and I are entering a new chapter in our lives, a chapter that I for one am having a little adjustment issue with.  My baby Ashley is living on her own in NYC, while I know she still needs us she’s a beautiful, independent woman working, paying her own way and living her own life.  My baby Joey (6’ tall, 210 lbs) is a Junior in High School, he still need us … (I make sure he doesn’t forget that) but my days are limited and this I know.  I’m treading dangerously into that zone of ‘crazy lady in the grocery store’.   We’ve all met her, the lady that stops and greets you and your wee one only to go on and on about how fast the time goes, and how you should treasure every moment!  …. Yep I’m her.  

Please, treasure today …. Make each day awesome and take every opportunity to create a rocking chair memory.  

Merry Christmas from The Davenport Family  

….. including the crazy lady from the grocery store 

You're Gonna Miss This .... 

My Favorite Things 2014

My Favorite Things .... you've waited all year! 

Well, I made it through my first Thanksgiving without my baby girl home.  Joe and I are entering a new chapter in our lives where we now have to

share our babies with their significant others.  In the modern world of text messaging, skype and social media you would think the transition would be easier to swallow, not so .... I still have a lump in my throat!  

As I walked down the staircase and through the foyer on Thanksgiving morning I passed a collage of old photos of Joe's family from the 1930's.  Included in this collage is a handwritten letter from his uncle while he was deployed during WWII.  I stopped and studied the letter and had a moment of clarity, while Ashley may not be spending the holiday with us, she is safe and not in a war zone ... talk about a reality check!  This letter also became the inspiration for this years My Favorite Things.  

There is something about a handwritten note ..... the personality of the handwriting, the creation of a story, a feeling, or expressing yourself artfully for the recipient is a gift in of itself. 

So this year I'd like to share with you a few favorite desk top items, all crafted here in the USA ... even some right here in Connecticut.  It is my hope you too will be inspired to more often than not, drop a note to someone special.  I promise your choice words, in your handwriting will indeed be a perfect personal gift!

Working Title 

Every desk needs a paperweight.  As a child I remember my grandfathers desk having a stack of notes about patients or things to do under a paperweight. Memories of him sitting at that big executive desk, glasses hanging off one of his ears, still makes me smile today. 

Working Title is a division of one of my favorite art lines Soicher Marin, while visiting their showroom at the October Market Allyson and I discovered these charming beauties!  Hand crafted in the USA, these weights are meticulously crafted and composed using the art of decoupage, from images in the Sociher Marin archives. They are fun, beautiful and a must have on any desk! 

Working Title creates so much more than just paperweights, they have created clocks, various plates and are experimenting with vases and more! Unfortunately these beauties are only available to the trade, although if you're interested .... we can help you out! These are positively a unique gift that will be remembered. 

The King's Scribe 

Who could imagine that doodling in the margins of a legal pad would turn into a successful creative business.  That is exactly how Alissa Harvey started.  Some serious doodles, which were an escape from the corporate world for Alissa, exploded into designs for exquisite stationary and pure excellence.  

I just love success stories ... Alissa's talents continued to shine as she developed her craft, her designs have been featured in Martha Stewart, the Knot and more. The orders kept coming and she outgrew her Studio in Danbury CT, the next logical step? Open a store front.  

Alissa's shop The Kings Scribe can be found about 25 miles over the CT state line in Chappaqua NY.  Here you will find not only stationary but all writing essentials, gifts, clothing and more!  No worries, just because Alissa has a brick and mortar location, doesn't mean she's lost that personalized design service.  She still designs and customizes beautiful stationary & invitations check her out ... you're sure to be impressed!

The Village Chocolatier 

Let's just be honest ... while the idea of writing a personal note is a wonderful idea, its something many of us are out of practice with.  It may take a little bribing to get some of us to actually sit at a desk and write! .... So ... let's bribe ya!  

Everyone loves chocolate!  The Guilford Green has some of the best. With a combination of handcrafted chocolates and truffles made on site and other confections imported through out New England you are sure to find an amazing selection. 

The Village Chocolatier  is worth SO the trip to Connecticut's historic Guilford, there you not only will find the delicious confections but a day of shopping and dining on the historic green. 

'You've got mail' ....  I chuckle when I reminisce about being excited back in the day, as my PC took 5 minutes to warm up, then the squelch of the phone line connecting to the web and my AOL account announcing 'You've got Mail!'.  Now, I open my laptop each day and I literally have hundreds of emails to dig through, lets just say the excitement is no longer there.   Although, funny when I pick up my snail mail and see a hand scripted envelope ... I smile and rip it open ... because 'I got mail!' I wish all of you ... lots of mail and a very Merry Christmas ....

Pantone 2015

Every December, Pantone graces us with the color of the year-- The color that will set the mood for the next 12 months.  This year, the color is called Marsala, and is described by Pantone as...

 "A tasteful hue that embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors." 

The press release that declared Marsala as the color for 2015 was accompanied with images of carefree, yet collected youths smiling at dinner parties in cowboy boots, and playfully cooking berry tarts. 

While some may disagree with Pantone, I think that this color invites the use of plush texture and luxury. Dramatic, while still remaining earthy, Marsala would be a dream to pair with a matte finish to bring out a folksy, down to earth feeling. However, if packaged with a sheen, the image becomes one of richness and sumptuousness. 

Marsala pairs well with neutrals, including warmer taupes and grays. With burnished undertones, amber, umber, golden yellows, and even a variety of teals sit alongside Marsala with ease. 

Welcome to 2015, Marsala.