Handmade & Heartfelt: Holiday Recap

“You have no idea how hard I've looked for a gift to bring You. 
Nothing seemed right. 
What's the point of bringing gold to the gold mine, 
or water to the ocean. 
Everything I came up with 
was like taking spices to the Orient. 
It's no good giving my heart and my soul because 
you already have these. 
So I've brought you a mirror. 
Look at yourself and remember me.” ― Rumi

This year Satch wrote, illustrated and published a book as a Christmas gift for his cousin about her adorable dog, Frannie.























He worked on it during our Spring break road trip to visit family...a very long drive.

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Frannie viewing her book.

December brings with it a furry of creative endeavors.   There's our seasonal greetings and... 

our annual gratitude cards handed to everyone from the postman to barista making tea before the holiday parade and...
 

our family calendar project filled with snapshots from our favorite moments throughout the year.  (Below: a screen shot whilst working on the project.  September is Satch and the Wood Trush)













There's paper snowflakes, solstice parties, and holiday magic of every variety.

Farewell December, you creative crescendo of the year! 

Welcome 2014 and the blessings you bring.

A Garland of Pure Light: Christmas

When everyone had gone
And the garland of pure light
Stayed on, stayed on. - May Sarton






















Christmas eve with all the trimmings and so much magical anticipation in the air.  The sky north grew inky and there was a short flurry.  The boy reached for his compass and confirmed the direction.  "It must be from the north pole", he declared.

Meanwhile in the warmth of our nest (missed, but not forgotten) our ancestors smiled upon us from within the ornaments that we made to honor them.

Satch ran down to the studio remembering the clay feather that he made the week before and left to dry on the work table.  He strung it on a piece of twine and hung it upon our tree.

Our ornaments, mostly handmade, hold so much meaning for us...



















and memories too.  (Below: the shoes from my childhood doll)

  





















This year we added a felted heart from a new friend.

 





















Beautiful feathers that we found on hikes.

Fallen nests that we collected and preserved.

Santa arrived sometime in the night.  Not a creature was stirring.

In the morning, Christmas joy was caught in a reflection.

 

The boys presented me with a mysterious set of drawers filled with chocolate and some books to read during long winter nights.

 

Later, the kings of all wild things donned their holiday party crowns and lounged all day long...

Love & Joy Come to You: Season's Greetings Past & Present

Nine winters...

6th Annual Winter Solstice Soiree

A Friendship Blessing
May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself...
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
May they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth,
and light that you need for your journey.
- John O'Donohue


There were two waves and by the evening, the tide of cherished beings that graced our home was near 50.  Festive music surrendered to the sounds of joyous children running amok.  Paper flurries in the studio.  A large pot of  vegetarian chili completely devoured.  A swirl of conversation 'round a large rustic table by the glow of star lights and candles.  A lovely and lively gathering layered with many blessings.

Sometimes magic tugs shyly at your shirt & sometimes it pulls you impatiently by the hand.  You need only to smile and say - yes.

Getting Festive: Class Party

"Are you coming to our party", my son's classmate asked me.

"I AM the party", I replied, "I'm baking cupcakes and leading the craft."

"YESSSS!", the boy exclaimed.

He nudged my son and smiled.

Snow Day 2013

"as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending" - ee cummings

Silence With White Earth In It ( Ice Storm 2013 )

She tapped the branches of the tree with a broom removing as much of the ice as she could. The tree lifted slightly from its drooped posture as if to glance at the creature who freed it. Holding the edges of her star printed flannel pajamas, she lowered her head and curtsied.

"There was a paper flurry fueled by hot cocoa, holiday Jazz and star lights",  she said, "and Ella was singing Let it Snow...I wished you were here".