Oh joy!

We have been away for the holidays in our beloved Maine and it was just wonderful on all accounts. The snow decided to wait and come the day after we left which was not very nice but oh well. J's family took the time off and so everyone was home and our days consisted of coffee, fires, good food, good conversation, relaxing, and visiting our favorite people and places. It was my favorite to have J all day and sleep in every morning together, something that doesn't happen very often (our bedroom also overlooked the river and sunrise which was lovely).

While in Maine, J's mom and sister threw me the sweetest baby shower and it was just perfect. It was intimate, casual, with good food and sparkles. It was a book shower...which there is little I love as much as children's books. I am not one for games, activities or any attention on myself for that matter so they had onesies and wooden blocks for people to paint if they wanted which was so sweet. People also filled out these sweetest cards guessing the babies name, weight and so on but also writing down their intended role in our child's life which was incredible to hear and I will share another time! It was very joyful and here are some of the treasures of the evening! 

The classics. The original illustrated version of the Velveteen Rabbit, a Peter rabbit to start my collection of Beatrix Potter books, and a treasure Winnie the Poo book. A Child's Garden of Verses is I think my favorite of all time and this is the Tasha Tudor illustrated version. My grandmother gave me another copy where old children's book illustrations accompany his poems, which I have always treasured! 

My twelve Maine Christmas Days was illustrated by one of the art teachers from my high school. Where The Wild Things Are was given by a dear family friend of the Cavanaghs and is one of their old children's books and it is worn and has obviously been well loved. 

Dahlov Ipcar is just the best and I am so excited with this collection already!

One of the Cavanagh's friends gave us this book and painted this beautiful little stool to go with it! I die! This picture does not do this treasure any justice. The sweetest.

My favorite articles of clothing! My friend knit me that sweetest hat and mittens.

My aunt and cousins also hosted the sweetest very intimate gathering and dinner for me and J and I received these treasures.

My grandmother gave me this absolute beautiful set of stacking blocks, too beautiful to play with obviously because i don't ever remember seeing them in our childhood.

My cousin and aunt gave me this treasure. She said it has been in her shopping cart since the beginning of time, just waiting for the perfect reason to buy it...I am very honored to be that reason! I can't wait to see this hanging above our little cutie filling his imagination with wonder and adventure.

These itty bitty socks came with my ship and then J got me a matching pair for Christmas and I just can't handle it.

The above only barely scratches the surface of what I received. I was very well showered the entire vacation. My cup (and book shelf) runneth over!