my everyday joys ...

I've been really excited for Dana's link-up party to finally arrive ... she announced it via this post a little over a week ago ... when I read that post about Dana's pledge to find the real joy of Christmas through all of the stress and to-do's, it really spoke to me. Since then, I have really looked forward to reading her posts to see what she chose as her daily joy with each day that passed. It inspired me to find my own joys each day because, just like Dana, I too feel like I am barely squeaking by with a C- each Christmas. It's so easy to grumble and groan and get buried underneath the endless to-do's and chores that lead up to Christmas. Ba-humbug ...

But of course there are joys at Christmastime - plenty of them. It goes without saying that I find my greatest joy in my two little ladybugs ... seeing the magic in my little one's eyes each morning as she finds Toddy the elf, hearing them laugh together, seeing them be thoughtful with one another, hearing their voices when they sing carols ... those two girls bring me more joy than I ever thought possible.

But there are also less profound joys - yet still joys nonetheless - that can be found right under your nose if you just open your eyes to see ... at this time of year, I have found great joy in simply driving around town and seeing all of the cheerful homes and businesses all dressed up for Christmas. So I thought I'd take you for a drive so you can see what I'm talking about ...

First of all, as you're leaving out the side door of my house, we'll pass by this happy little pinecone wreath ... then as you step out onto the porch, you'll see this pepperberry wreath that cheerfully faces the street - I added a starfish this year since we're seaside ... next year, I think I'll change the red ribbon on the pinecone wreath that same starfish and leave the pepperberry wreath plain ...

As we pull away from the house, you'll see the eucalyptus wreath on my front door (that never ever gets used) ...

And as we keep driving we'll see several other cheerful houses on our way out of the neighborhood, each with their own unique joy ...

Isn't it fun to see all those different personalities that live at each home? I especially love this house - each and every street-facing window has not only a wreath, but also a bright red ribbon and lights ...

This house is on the corner at the 4-way stop just down the street - so this is your view out the passenger window as we turn left to head out ...

This beautiful home is your next noteworthy sight - it's the view out your window as we head down the hill to the next stop sign ...

Since I don't know this family, I was too chicken to get any closer than the curb ... they completely re-did this house a few years ago from a very plain 70's brick-front box and transformed it into this beauty you see here. Each wreath is covered in starfish and red velvet and the wreath on the front door has a sailboat in the center ... I also love the way they've placed the kids paper snowflakes in the 2 large windows ... dreamy house, isn't it? ... * swoon* ...

Once we get to the stop sign at the bottom of the hill, we'll turn left onto a busy street that'll take us out to our first stop light, where we'll turn right and head into the downtown area of my little seaside New England town - first we'll pass the church, then a few local businesses to run our errands ...

As you can see, the daylight is starting to get dim ... the sun sets shortly after 4pm here at this time of year ... and although the early darkness is difficult for me, fortunately there is still joy to be found in the incredible beauty of a winter sunset ...

Now who could possibly overlook the joy in all of that? Each and every one of these photos are everyday sights for me ... the things I pass every day in my car as I slug back and forth to schools, grocery stores, post office, mall, etc ... it can be so easy to stress out over the crush of holiday errands and chores and completely miss what's right under my nose. Lately I have tried to make an effort to relax and take a breath when I'm in the car, to try to calm my racing mind and really see the things around me. After all, there is so much joy right outside my window ... you just have to open your eyes to see it ...