30 Nov MOVING DAY
Today’s the day.
It’s good and sad all rolled into one. This house is the longest space we’ve ever lived in as a couple and a family, it’s going to be hard letting go. Not sure what the next chapter will bring… we’re open to all possibilities.
I made a film for our goodbye, just some simple iphone photos and a little conversation from the boys. Not the finished product I’d hoped for or planned for, but you know what… it’s enough… it’s enough for me… it’s enough for us… I showed it to all the boys last night, and I cried (of course), not because it’s particularly emotional, it’s just the end of a chapter. That’s what a Time Capsule is for, taking your memories, telling your stories and making something you can hold on too.
As a celebration of our move, fresh starts & making Time Capsules… I’m going to do a give-away! One spot on the new self-paced version of Creating Time Capsules… leave a comment here, telling me what you find difficult letting go of, or a moving story or even just say hello. Whatever takes your fancy!
I’ll announce the winner next Wed… when there’s one week to go till 12.12.12… are you on board?
See you on the other side…
susan
Posted at 13:21h, 06 Januaryyou have such a beautiful way about you xanthe…thank you for sharing! xo’s ~ susan
Rachael
Posted at 03:05h, 20 DecemberThis is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Jennifer
Posted at 01:40h, 06 Decemberi have a hard time letting go of friendships and spaces that are familiar and comfy… but i guess if there is always another place to go and find and settle into, its not so bad, after all. The people can never been replaced, though. They just seem to fit into those spaces of memories, you know… but its all good! ;0)
Lisa
Posted at 17:45h, 05 DecemberCan you say beautiful?! Gosh, made me tear up a bit. This has made me realize I REALLY need to start shooting a little video more often. I am a def “crazy picture mama,” & as much as I LOVE photos… there are those little things that a photo just can’t capture. Like how crazy cute my munchkins little voice is right now! You are a blessed mommy, & have such beautiful memories to hold on to. Your kiddos will cherish this.
I always say I want to bottle up my little 4 year old at this moment right now. He is just becoming his own little person, & I love his wild, genius, wacky character! I would make a time capsule all about my little man!!
Wishing you the best in your new home, & lots O’ new memories!!
lee i.
Posted at 01:05h, 05 DecemberThis is just so beautiful. It made me tear up even though I do not know anyone of you personally. Makes me wish I were more committed to taking photos and journaling my family’s journey. But it’s not too late, right? Thank you so much for sharing.
aimee
Posted at 00:44h, 05 DecemberI love your video. This is how we feel when we have to move every three years. My parents still live in the house I grew up in and I had wanted that for my children. But I feel in love with their daddy who is in the Navy on submarines, so they have to move around alot. My daughter who is eight has lived in five different houses and states. We decided home isn’t where the house is but where the family is. Thank you for sharing with us a new way to hold onto old memories while we make new ones.
Tehmina
Posted at 22:58h, 04 DecemberHi Xanthe,
I came across your link from Epiphanie’s facebook page. I’m a photographer and I love reading photography blogs too but I never came across any amazing work like this by someone living in the UK and discovering you made me so happy! When I looked at the video I bawled like a baby maybe because this is what me and my husband have been talking about lately, we too might be moving soon, I love my house dearly not only because it was our first house but also because I had 2 babies in this house and so much more attached to it. This just came in the right time for me, I have taken loads of pictures of us in the house and I’ll continue taking loads more. Thankyou so much for the inspiration,people like you amaze me beyond words when you share work like this! I wish I could hug you!
S patel
Posted at 22:04h, 04 DecemberIm having a hard time letting go of each day with my baby as she just keeps getting bigger and bigger!
Ginger H.
Posted at 21:43h, 04 DecemberI am new to your work, saw your video posted a few times today and decided to take a moment to check it out. SO glad I did. How BEAUTIFUL. We rented a home while my husband changed careers and we brought two babies home that house…I wish I had thought to make a video. We moved in as family of 3, moved out as a family of 5. So many great memories.
Good luck on your next chapter, in your new home. I look forward to seeing more!
Elisabeth Patterson
Posted at 21:33h, 04 DecemberGorgeous photos, I love this video! It brought tears to my eyes. I’m very sentimental, this made me regret not taking enough pictures of people and places over the years. Life changes so quickly and it’s usually after the change that we can truly appreciate all that we had during the time. (in this case, in your house.) Good luck with your future house, all the best!
Kelly
Posted at 21:11h, 04 DecemberThis is gorgeous. As someone who moves around a lot it’s the letting go of friends that I’ve turned into family. I still see them, but Skype is never the same as a coffee catch up.
Kimberly
Posted at 21:02h, 04 DecemberLove this idea. I find it hard to let go of people that were in my life, but for various reasons and circumstances haven’t connected with in a very long time.
Melanie
Posted at 20:58h, 04 DecemberHi Xanthe (RAD name btw)! I am in love with you time capsule video… so endearing & inspiring. You have totally inspired me to TRY & make one. I’m one of those crazy mom’s ALWAYS taking photos of my babies… so much so they just run every time I get out my camera! I will give video a try, I think they’d like that.
Last year we had to pack up & sell my beloved Grandpa’s house, after he passed away. Best man I’ll ever know. SO many wonderful, sad, funny, just the best memories I’ve ever had were inside those walls, & out under my favorite pear tree in the backyard. Immensely hard to let that go… but I now have my sweet family, & a beautiful warm house to call home. Truly thankful. We always have our memories! I sure wish I had a time capsule of all of it though. Never too late! Lol… now I’m rambling, sorry! Thanks for the awesome chance to win an Epiphanie bag. CRAZY for those pretty bags! My Canon wants a new cozy home. Wink!
jD
Posted at 20:52h, 04 DecemberI think pictures and music are the most important memories you can give to anyone. Its a moment, your moments captured. Relived again and again…passed from generation to generation. To look over on a gloomy day.
I’ve lost not ONE but TWO houses to FIRES! One of them when I was 4 and the other when I was 13. My house burned down ON CHRISTMAS day. Many of my childhood memories…GONE. I strive to provide this for my daughter and drive the hubz and the kiddo nuts with my phone camera and my Canon! ;P One day…in the distance she will understand and love me for it. I just hope she never has to experience the emptiness of a house fire.
Your family is lucky! This is fantastic that you do this. Awesome!
Shalet
Posted at 20:50h, 04 DecemberAck! This is right up my alley. I *love* all these little snippets of life. And moving — scary as all get out but what an adventure! Enjoy the process.
Omega
Posted at 20:50h, 04 DecemberI’m expecting the arrival of my second daughter on the 20th. Just the other night as I was thinking about this, my two-year-old stirred in bed. I turned to her and my eyes burned with tears. I realized that in a little over two weeks, it will no longer just be the two of us, no longer just her that will occupy the sacred confines of my heart and soul. This is both an amazing and difficult fact to embrace. My time and attention will be split, between my two beauties. I wouldn’t change it for the world though, and I am certainly blessed to soon have two girls.
Cherish
Posted at 17:50h, 04 DecemberHi X. You know your work has always inspired me. Thanks for putting it out there and sharing your gift with us. I wish you happiness and peace in your new chapter.
I find it difficult to let go of some family baggage. It’s old and weathered and it’s time to put it away. Easier said then done.
xC.
kris allbright
Posted at 15:30h, 04 DecemberOh how I love this. All great things come to an end, so new and wonderful things can arise…
Leigh
Posted at 14:56h, 04 DecemberYour videos are so inspiring Xanthe! I would love to learn how to make them
Charlene
Posted at 14:27h, 04 DecemberXanthe…the one true blessing in all of this change is that the root of that house lives inside all of you and you get to take it with you wherever you go. The love and warmth conveyed in this video comes from you…not the house. Big love from across the pond…go on now…make some more please <3
sky
Posted at 23:24h, 03 Decemberp.s. the song in the moving day time capsule is beautiful!
Chloe W
Posted at 23:02h, 03 DecemberLovely video and sweet memories!
sky
Posted at 22:03h, 03 Decemberit is so beautiful to see how your sweet boys are growing and expressing themselves. they are reading, jumping, exploring, playing music, cuddling cats, grappling with feelings. thank you for sharing! i have two boys and love how you give them room to be full people 🙂 and i so relate to the sense of wanting to hold on to every precious moment, torn between the bittersweet sensations of greeting exciting change/new beginnings and mourning closing a door for the last time/finishing a chapter in life. many good beginnings and opening doors to you and your family, xanthe!
Karla Smith
Posted at 17:43h, 03 DecemberWhat a lovely video and I’m sure you will love this when you look back after your move. Moves are not easy and understand what your going through as I’m in your shoes theses days as I live from place to place out of my truck with most of my house in storage.
Hangs in there, as I know good things are coming your way.
Hugs,
Karla
Leanne
Posted at 03:39h, 03 DecemberThat is so beautiful- what a lovely collection of memories.
Meghan @ Life Refocused
Posted at 21:16h, 02 DecemberI would so love to win a spot in your course. I find it so very hard to let go of “the way I want it to be.” I have so much I want in life and ways I want it to go, that I have a hard time letting go of what I want and accepting what is. Hope the move is going beautifully. xo
Bonnie
Posted at 03:55h, 02 DecemberI love your video . . . I wish you all the best in your new house . . . I’m sure you will make it your home quickly!
JenEve
Posted at 20:32h, 01 Decemberso so good – i’m emotional now – wishing i was introduced to you 3 years ago! Then i would have known to do a capsule when we said goodbye to our house where nic did K-12. i miss that house for the memories created.
Fresh starts are beautiful too – hope your move goes smooth and 2013 brings you much joy in your new place.
xo
JE
Suzette
Posted at 19:59h, 01 DecemberHaving just moved from a home and space filled with peace…tears are streaming down my cheeks…
I took a photo of the front of the house before we left it and posted it on flickr with this quote…”This day has ended. What was given us here, we shall keep.” ~ Kahlil Gibran
Blessings to you and yours as you make your new home.
{hugs}
Mariella
Posted at 10:45h, 01 DecemberHi Xanthe, I just moved house myself and it was a very difficult thing to do for me, the whole process was very emotional. I wish I made my own “time capsule” out of it…I wish I had even more pictures, more movies in that place. I would love to be able to join one of your classes!
Julia
Posted at 05:05h, 01 DecemberLovely, thanks for sharing and good luck in the new place. I believe changes is always good!
mosey (kim)
Posted at 04:40h, 01 Decemberthat is lovely and evocative and eloquent, my lovely. x
Sarah
Posted at 03:19h, 01 DecemberI just made my first movie in iMovie and someone linked me to you. I’d love to win a spot in your time capsule course! I’m so inspired!
Joey
Posted at 23:17h, 30 NovemberWe moved in December three years ago. I sobbed through the entire closing, with teardrops on all the paperwork. Of course we quickly made our new house our home, full of boys, kitties, and love. All the best to you and yours!
Sue T
Posted at 22:20h, 30 NovemberHi Zanthe
Friends have said for ever, “you must do Zanthe’s Time Capsules”. Right ho I said, and then a once in a lifetime chance came up to go to fly to New York for a long weekend…..to take pictures……. and make videos! Where to put my pennies? Hobson’s choice! I wanted both. In the end, my saved monies have gone on a little video camera to go with my DSLR and some dollars for smoked salmon bagels and going up to Top of the Rock. I am beyond excited. I am making my own ‘big move’ and letting go of my comfort zone for a new adventure.
I so hope your move is a good one too and look forward to ‘seeing’ the new home, maybe on 12.12.12. Good Luck
Ana Eugénio
Posted at 20:49h, 30 Novembereverything you touch turns beautiful Xanthe, I’m sure the new home will be a sweet home soon. I would love this free spot as my Christmas gift from the Universe 🙂 xxo
Colette
Posted at 20:41h, 30 NovemberSo beautiful. I had tears at the end.
Looking forward to seeing your new adventure in your new home.
Debra
Posted at 19:43h, 30 NovemberI find myself wishing there were a 24 hour “All Cosmo All the Time” channel. Another lovely time capsule, my friend. All the best with the move and settling in the new place. xo
justine
Posted at 17:15h, 30 Novemberwhat a wonderful video, it was fantastic and something you will treasure. Moving is always full of so many emotions but it’s good!
Beth
Posted at 17:04h, 30 NovemberHi Xanthe,
Our houses hold so much of us don’t they? I guess that’s part of what makes them a home and then so hard to leave.
I can remember moving from my house that I had lived in for 25 years,it was hard, but I still have so many good memories and pictures to go along with them. That’s what will get you through and on to making new memories in your new home. Best of luck!
Cathy
Posted at 16:47h, 30 NovemberThis is so beautiful. Such a great way to capture your memories. You will make new ones and I can’t wait to see you new home. It will feel like home in no time at all.
Uta
Posted at 16:43h, 30 Novemberoh my. and this video is oh so lovely. such a good way to say good bye.
Uta
Posted at 16:38h, 30 Novemberxanthe. i can’t wait to see the new place. letting go is a big topic here right now. in all possible ways…
Terri Porter
Posted at 15:51h, 30 NovemberOh, Xanthe, this is just amazing! I often wonder if you realize how gorgeous those boys of yours are or if, in the day to day with raising them, you don’t think about that. With three grown sons, I don’t think I thought about anything but getting through the day when they were small! But these time capsules will be such a treasure to you when they are grown! When Cosmo says “actually” my heart just melts! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I can’t wait for 12.12.12 to do a time capsule of my own!
Kristina
Posted at 15:45h, 30 NovemberOh Xanthe that was just beautiful. I wish I did the same thing when we moved from our house in San Francisco to the suburbs. What a great way to honor this chapter in your life. This time capsule is absolutely beautiful….I love the touching photos, the wonderful music…it is all so good. xoxoxo
Jill
Posted at 15:42h, 30 NovemberI would be thrilled to win a spot in your class!!! Thrilled! I made my first GIF yesterday and posted about it on my blog here:
http://www.jillruth.com/2012/11/our-granddaughters-first-gif.html
jen downer
Posted at 15:37h, 30 Novemberxanthe, i cry with every time capsule… and i’m not much of a crier. its just that you have such a gift for capturing and creating a snippet of what its all about. with a beautiful, quiet, meaningful way about it. about you. xoxo
Karla Pitts
Posted at 15:03h, 30 NovemberOh, my, Xanthe . . .so very moving. Love every image, every second of this. It brings back my own tender memories of moving from a house where we brought each of children into as infants. Looking forward with your to this new adventure in the life of your family.
Melanie
Posted at 14:35h, 30 NovemberWhat a beautiful memory and keepsake. I have been following your blog for a couple of months and the count down to your move so all the best with your new chapter.
And as for me, we lost our beloved cat this year Alfie he was 7. We got him when he was 7 weeks old and had been in this house for one week.
7 months on I miss him every single day and he is buried in our garden in his favourite spot. We are not planning on moving any time soon but if we do I know I will dread leaving him behind. I only wish I had recorded a time capsule of his time with us.
Love the concept on 12.12.12 and have shared today on my blog too. All the best to you and your family in your new home. Melx
Julia Goss
Posted at 14:32h, 30 NovemberXanthe, I love your work so much. I used to do video editing a long time ago, when I was basically still a kid/ teen. I just loved walking around with a video camera, back when I lived in germany. After starting my family here in the US I fell in love with photography but forgot about filming. Now I am falling in love with filming all over again,creating memories out of both. Your work has been soo inspiring to me, I have watched your videos so often and they are so inspiring. I often struggle with finding the right pace in our live, wonder if we even live in the right country and where our path will lead us. Anyways your work is amazing and I love yo visit your page 🙂 Lots of luck in the new house for all of you !!
Karen
Posted at 14:22h, 30 NovemberYour time capsule is beautiful and fun, Xanthe! I’m having a hard time discovering what it is I’m supposed to be doing, or what I’m here for. My children are grown now, my beloved pets both passed on this year and I feel so alone now. I’ve moved to a place I love and I’m hoping being here will inspire me to find what it is I’m searching for. Photography has become a new love for me and I’m enjoying discovering my new surroundings and documenting my new life here. I’d love to learn how to do something like your time capsule I just watched! I think it’d be so much fun to a “memory lane” video consisting of pictures of my children as they grew up…! Karen
life in eden {amy}
Posted at 14:16h, 30 NovemberThat was beautiful Xanthe! so bittersweet.
I missed saying goodbye to our first house. We raised our oldest there, 5 years. But I wound up in the hospital with complications from the twins, and the house was sold and done while I had them. We drove by once after, but it wasn’t the same as a proper goodbye.