95 | Looking Down

being productively unproductive

“Most of my Christian education had to do with looking up, not down, for God. God lived on high… No one stretched their arms down when they prayed. We raised them high, like children asking to be picked up…

This changed the day we studied images of the Nativity, and everyone was looking down instead, at a baby they could all see. The light had moved. It was coming from below, not above.

Whatever more his birth story means, it means an end to any estrangement between the Divine Above and the Divine Below. The light goes both ways. Heaven and nature sing. My wish for you is that you find a moment to step outside tonight and stretch your arms down to the earth before you raise them up to the sky—and stay long enough to hear the song.” - Barbara Brown Taylor, Substack

My friend Leo is 10 and he designed this mug for us for Christmas!

What I’m up to

Taking a day out of the house! Here we are in the tWiLiGhT dAyS between Christmas and New Year. I even read in a book lately that hundreds of years ago, these days were just kind of tagged on to the end of the year and that some cultures just view them as “extra” days. Let that give you the permission you need to just rest and be unproductive the rest of the year.

I’m at Eight Ounce Coffee for some reflection time - with delicious coffee (that tastes so bright and lemony!) and a new sketchbook and brush markers.

What was wrapped under our tree

What were our fav Christmas gifts this year? We had so much fun building anticipation and unwrapping and playing and let’s be honest, the living room floor is still covered with new toys and it’s so much fun.

I got a whole paint set from Trent and Aliyah filled with watercolor paints and acrylics and I can’t wait to learn and practice! Trent gave me the coziest sweater that feels like I’m wearing a knitted blanket.

Aliyah (5) and Coen (*almost* 2) each got a PlasmaCar (which they call “helicopters”) from Pop and Nana and they race around the kitchen all day. It’s the sweetest. Aliyah’s other favourite gift is the Bluey figurines which we gave to Coen.

What I’m thinking about

I just completed my annual tradition of reflecting on the year. If you’re looking for a simple way to do this - here’s my idea: Look through the photos on your phone and just take notes. Write down what you see - your photos are the noteworthy moments, big and small, and remind you what felt magical and beautiful. Here’s how I lay it out:

It’s meaningful to see themes, notice how I feel while I look at each month, and pay attention to the things that mattered the most. For 2024, I’m noticing that we went to the mountains a lot. And that while the year felt heavy with figuring out medical stuff for Aliyah, we spend a lot of time delighting in her and savouring time with both kids. I also noticed that at least for this year, we had some warm weather 6 months out of the year. That feels hopeful too.

What I’m brewing

You know I’m a hand brew kinda person. Even in the morning. Even before coffee. (I know, you’re as shocked as I am.)

BUT

Trent brought home a Fellow Aiden from a coffee competition a few months ago and I’m in love.

The Aiden is an automatic brewer (a SUPER fancy “Mr. Coffee,” if you will… although some people will cringe reading that). What sets it apart is that you can control so much of it - temperature, brew ratios, and recipes.

But guys. The coffee it brews tastes amazing.

So in these crazy days of Christmas and parenting, I’m loving it. I love filling the water and grinding the beans and viola, press a button and there’s incredible coffee.

The price point is up there, but Eight Ounce ships for free in all of North America (their website price is in CAD), and if you order from this link, I get a 6% referral reward!

What I’m Googling

simple beaded necklace (JVN was wearing one and I felt inspired)
harmony of the seas room layout (cruiiiiiiise in february!)
christmas morning wife saver (do you have a similar tradition?)

Until next year,
cer

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