December Album: The prep pages!

I have been a faithful December Daily Album maker for the past several years. I love the process of documenting this wonderful and magical month. If you have a look at my tag cloud, you will see December daily links for 2010, 2011, 2012 and I am adding one for this year as well. Here is my flickr gallery links to:
December Journal 2010
December Journal 2011
December Journal 2012
December Journal 2013

This year, my album was created as a garden project for 2peas. I love the foundation pages and how the cover turned out. You can see more by clicking the December Journal 2013 link. I will post the pages as I finish them to 2peas and my blog in the month of December.

Here's a look at some of the products I used:




Stay tuned to some exciting news happening here tomorrow! A little hint!

Wilna Furstenberg
iheartblog

December journal | 23, 24 and 25

I finished up my album and feel a little spent. Right now it feels like after having a baby... not sure if I want to do it again! But then, when December rolls around next year I am sure I will be up for it. Thanks for joining my journal journey...

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | TwentySix

This is my final page for my December Journal album. I made it earlier this month for an October Afternoon Challenge. I inserted it in the front of my album. I think it's a fitting page for the last page of an album that will forever remind me of December 2011.
Thank you for being a part of my album journey.


love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | TwentyTwo

Today's page is a collage of pictures from my Instagram feed that I took with my iPhone camera. It documents the little moments of December and I loved adding them to a page in this album. Thanks for stopping by today.

Luke 2: ¹⁰But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.


love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | TwentyOne

We bake cookies every year for the dance teachers and close friends. We enjoy it so much even when the gingerbread men is absolutely not perfect. we love the mess, the tastes, the togetherness. And of course giving them out. Can you believe it's almost Christmas? I am watching all the Tyler Perry movies (Madea) and they are my favorites. seriously. I LOVE those movies. heller?

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Eighteen

Somehow, I forgot to put this page on my blog! well, better late than never! It's about Kirstin and she is my darling and seriously, the sweetest girl in the world. I really wish sometimes that my girls never grow up... my heart is so full right now.


love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Nineteen

Day nineteen is all about some inspiration. Who have not discovered Pinterest? it's one of the wonders of the internet world. When I wanted to paint our front door yellow, I did a pinterest search and got so much inspiration. When I was looking for ideas to set a Christmas table, just go to pinterest. It's a happy and glorious place! Thank you for stopping by today! till tomorrow!

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Sixteen

This is Tia. She is my oldest girl. Ask anyone who knows this girl and they will tell you she is the most beautiful girl inside and out. She is kind, sweet, incredibly funny, wise and clever. The clever part I know because I teach her algebra. The only thing I cannot. understand. Is that she wants Justin Bieber for Christmas????? (see what I mean funny?)
She is a wonderful dancer... (advanced ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical. but NOT hiphop) and she loves to bake. I asked a friend the other day who bakes amazing cakes in our town and she texted me back... Tia? Yes. So happy to have her. Love you Tai. (our nickname for her)

Till Monday...
love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Fifteen

I took these pictures Monday because the snow was falling in soft fluffy flakes and I had to do a sketch challenge for October Afternoon today. You see, I adore OA's Holiday collection...  You can see the sketch challenge here.

These 3 girls are my heart and soul. My loves. And these are only a few pictures I took of them. See how they have grown up from last years' snow pictures.

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Fourteen

Picture by Dani van Steelandt

From Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Today is our 20th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful! When I read this story, it touched me deeply. Even though our marriages and relationships are flawed and imperfect and broken, sometimes we have to step back and realize that we still have a wonderful life. And thank God that He still makes His home within us. And that makes us whole and perfect and strong and incredibly loved.  So, for the next 20 years, I ask for Strength, Grace and Wisdom. The end.

And Jaco Furstenberg, if you are reading this, no one will ever love you more. (if your read this blog, you will totally get this line)

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Thirteen

The other day I had a list of all my favorite books of 2011 on my blog. That had me thinking when I had to decide what to do for this day's page. You know the end of the year lists that all the magazines and channels like CNN does? It always fascinates me. So that's what I had in mind with these pages: The books (or should I say some of the books) I read this year.
Oh and btw... have you seen The 45 Most Powerful Images of 2011? I cried at number 20. Seriously.

Can you list your top 3 books of 2011? That would be an awesome read for me.


love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Ten

This is Jana, my youngest girl. She is a handful and provides this family with constant zingers, one liners and laughs. I decided to do this page about her because she is 10. I am doing a page about each of my girls this year with a list of what they wanted for Christmas. It's always fun looking back to see what they wanted! I am sure by now you realize that my album is not reflective of the doings of everyday. But it's more reflective of moments and capturing those. Luckily there are no december daily police going around, right?

Taking a bit of a break! Until Wednesday! Over and out.

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Nine

I don't know about you, but my dogs are such a big part of our lives. I simply cannot imagine my life without their wonderful warm love. We have 2 Miniature Schnauzers: Mac (the big boy) and Abby (the spunky girl). We often joked we should have called the prozac and paxil because they are instant anti depressants. I adore this picture of Mac in front of the Christmas tree. It's such a beautiful portrait of the awesome dog he is. The end.

See u tomorrow!
love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Eight

Photo by Dani van Steelandt.

Today's page is not so much about me as it's about my heart. Looking back at 2011, I am so thankful, grateful and overwhelmed. I just sat down and wrote it all out as a prayer.

If you want to use it and make it yours, click on the image and right click and select "save image as". See you tomorrow!

Happy Birthday to my dad today on his 72nd birthday!


love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Seven

Today's page is about me. On my Mac there is a program called Photobooth. It's just a fun app to take some pictures with. And while taking self portraits with my camera is a mayor pain for me, with photobooth it's instant and fun. Almost every time I get my hair done, I take a picture. hehe. So looking back at this past year's photobooth pictures, I decided to make a page about it. This was the year I turned 40, so I think subconsciously, when I take a picture it's in the hope that I don't look older. HA!

Till tomorrow!

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Five

This event happened over the weekend and took lots of pictures. We made tea, ate coffee cake, turned up Justin Bieb's Under the mistletoe real (really) loud and danced around with little lights and made funny faces.  I loved making this page and that picture? Says it all.


See you again Thursday. Today (Tuesday) I am going to be cleaning house and take some pictures and cook lamb-stew. the end.

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 Posts.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Three

 

This day was all about home. It was cold outside... not in temperatures but in wind chill. I had a wonderful friend (and photographer) Dani over for coffee and coffeecake. Jaco was home in the morning doing some medical CME's and my girls worked in the schoolroom. (which reminds me that I have some tests to score). I added this blog post as journaling by printing it out.

There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein. Today was one of those ordinary miracles. I am having some time alone and are enjoying the solitude. Listening to Yo-yo Ma playing the Missions: Gabriel's Oboe. As beautiful as a thousand sunsets. 

Through the journey of documenting my Christmas, I have come to realize that I simply cannot do it every day. I need a break here and there for other important things and to not feel overwhelmed and resentful. So I decided to only document 19 days out of the 25. I added this little calender to my sidebar more for me than anyone else to remember which days I am documenting and which days I am taking a break. Today is one such day. I think I am going to say in and read the whole day!

Here's a few of the books I read this year and loved: (from my Kindle and actual library)

1. Steve Jobs. Probably Number one on my list. (✭✭✭✭✭)

2.The Hunger Games (i only read the first one. I had a feeling the others will bore me) (✭✭✭)

3. focus By Leo of zen habits. (✭✭✭)

4. Warrior Soul: The Memoir of a Navy SEAL (✭✭✭)

5. Black Hawk Down (✭✭✭✭✭)

6. Roberts Ridge (this is an amazing book if you are looking for a stocking stuffer for your husband) (✭✭✭✭✭)

7. SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper (✭✭✭✭✭) (ok, so I got into this genre of war stories and couldn't stop reading... Lone Survivor (✭✭✭✭✭) started it all...)

8. One Day (✭✭)

9. The fifth witness (excellent) (✭✭✭✭✭)

10. The Lincoln Lawyer (better than excellent) (✭✭✭✭✭)

11. The Reversal (✭✭✭)

12. The Brass verdict  (✭✭✭)(ok, so I got hooked on Mickey Haller... maybe because Matthew McConaughey is so cute! # 9, 10, 11 and 12 written by Michael Connelly)

13. THE HELP!!!!!!! (my second favorite book of the year) (✭✭✭✭✭)

   

I will see you again on Tuesday!

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 | day three.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | Two

Today is Christmas Card day. Every year i send a bunch of cards just because it gives me so much joy. It's not a burden or an obligation with me... I enjoy everything about our Christmas cards: from the design to the mailing. We had our family pictures taken this year and it was the perfect one to use. Today I want to take some pictures of the house and how Christmas is making it's appearance here and there. We hope to have our tree up by the weekend. It's a process. And the good news is that it does not have to happen in one day.

Psalm 23: ^1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction.

love and a kiss

Links:
Grace for today
December Daily 2010
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

Grace for today.

I open the door. the gorgeous guest
from afar sweeps in. in her hands are
her gifts - the gifts of hours and far seeing moments,
the gift of mornings and evenings,
the gift of spring and summer, the gift
of autumn and winter. She must have searched
the heavens for gifts so rare.
-Abbie Graham.

I love what Sarah Ban Breathnach calls December gifts - custom, ceremony, celebration and consecration. They come to us wrapped up, not in tissue and ribbons but in cherished memories. This year has been a tough one for me... emotionally and marriage wise (i will write on that later this month)... and I made a decision that this month, December, is going to be a month of exactly all the c's: custom, ceremony, celebration and consecration.

Custom: those little self invented traditions that sits around your shoulders like a well worn comforter. Little customs in my life: baking cookies as gifts to friends and teachers. Lighting candles at dinner time because in Saskatchewan it's pitch dark but 5pm. Reading: getting lost in a good book is certainly one of the greatest joys in life. Christmas cards: sending a love and a kiss over the seas. Food: cooking together. Preparing food that loves you back.

Ceremony: Getting dressed up for setting up the tree, setting a pretty table for Christmas eve. Praying together and blessing each other with kind words... not in a formal manner, but in an everyday manner. Rom 12:2 Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

Celebration: Recognizing and celebrating His life in me. to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do... Seeing with new eyes that He is near to you. In your heart, in the words you speak, the thoughts you think. Rejoicing that He is drawing near to you all the time. That small voice in your heart? listen. rejoice. forgive. Where there is Love there is always miracles. Ask. I think the one thing that makes God's heart jump for joy is when we ask.

Consecration: For in asking we declare: we don't know, have the answers, we are on the end of our rope. "We have to accept that we have uncreative moments. The more honestly one can accept that, the quicker these moments will pass. One must have the courage to call a halt, to feel empty and discouraged - E Hillesum" In asking God to help us, give us wisdom, give us an answer, we consecrate ourselves to Him. We declare our dependance upon him.
Matt 11:28 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

December: days we once called common, we now call holy. -Sarah Ban Breathnach

love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 | day one.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com

December Journal | One

And so it starts. I love December. I try to clear my schedule to make time for my family and some heartwarming traditions: this journal, baking, decorating, wrapping, cooking, dining and general cheer and joy. Today I start off with a tradition that the beautiful Shimelle began: A Christmas Manifesto. All this is, is a statement of what you want to do or remind yourself of this festive season. Last year I made one that you can download here (just right click save as). This year I wanted to add some color and images. This one picture says a lot about me... (even Scrappy features there...tee-hee)

The last 2 days of November I worked on our taxes to get rid of any mental clutter for December. I am not done but I did a huge chunk and are super happy about it! So today I am going to plan a bit more and think of how I want to finish the album. My husband is sitting with me in the office while I work and the dogs are playing around our feet. I am so thankful! Speaking of thanks... I am really grateful for all the beautiful comment on my album! I think the only way to describe it as honestly as possible is that it's a labor of love for me.

Be blessed! I am also  super excited to see your albums! It's part of the creative inspiration for me! Something that I have been contemplating on: Eph 1: ^15-19That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Until tomorrow!
love and a kiss

Links:
December Daily 2010 | day one.
Ali Edward's Album.
www.wilnaf.com