See her...

See this lovely lady...she is wise. (Even that is not a big enough word...) She gets things far beyond her years and really brings me back to what matters. I asked her why she was so excited for Christmas...reminder here she is 9...she doesn't list off all the presents or things you might expect...she says to me, "I am excited to go to Grandma and Grandpa's and see their faces on Christmas morning. I love everyone's face on Christmas day they all seem so happy." SHE IS NINE!!! And when she saw Santa this year she told him..."You are magic and I think you would know best what I should have." I am amazed by her and am grateful that she reminds me of what is important.

Today I had my girlfriends stop in for tea or coffee and we sat on the comfy couch and giggled and vented and just rested for a while and of course we ate!!! We all just needed the time to sit and it was good for my spirit. December has been a test for me and I have pretty much failed most of it or have yet to see my lessons I have been supposed to learn. But I am making it through and with a few more obligations and a 6 hr. drive in my future I will get time soon to sit and be a slug...I truly look forward to some time on the couch with some books or even some good ole chick flicks...but till then wishing everyone a very Peaceful Yule. A Merriest of Christmases and very safe travels and some sitting time!!

Where did December go???

Where did December go??? Why oh why did my Christmas Spirit fail me so?? I wasn't a Scrooge but Bah Humbug fit me much more better than Ho Ho Ho. I did gift, I did make some things, I did decorate, I socialized, I santa'd, I caroled, I tried so very hard to breathe...but this year it just didn't come. I felt like I was moving through December in some kind of bubble...I could see it all I could appreciate it all I just couldn't feel it all...

I don't quite know what happened. I do know that those two by the igloo and me and that Irishman in the bottom photo are getting on a plane on Friday and winging our way to Ireland. Once again I should be excited and looking forward to a trip many people only dream about, but I am tired so very, very tired. I am simply numb. I am hoping when all the pressure of the holiday and getting everyone ready for the trip is over that I will relax and have a truly wonderful trip...it is Ireland and they are Irish people so all the potential for laughing and letting go and moving on are really there. Just will I be??

And not helping any of this emotional stuff is my back. I am not even comfortably couched. I have meds that work but cannot work with the meds...so am hoping I can get myself back onto an even footing that the pain can be managed so as not to eclipse so much good. But tonight it is a gianormous eclipse over the good...I really just want to cry...and now the Irishman has the weather on and it looks like weather might mess up our trip just a bit more...I am not sure my normally strong self has much coping left...think I could come up with a big ole two year old sized temper tantrum but not much resignation and peace with any impending situations...sigh...I will keep shovelling!!

Hope you all are having a truly restful and very happy holiday season! Hope to give a bit of an update once we get across the pond...

The Quiet...

The quiet that happens this time of year, you know the one, when the decorations are up...the lights and candles lit...that time when you can put on the Holiday music and curl up on your favorite chair with a snuggly blankie and a cup of tea and just breathe it all in...and take a break from the swirl of Holiday events and activities and just soak in the quiet...the peace...the beginning of Winter. The time for rest and reflections on where you have come from and where you are going to. A time to think on all those we love, have loved, and a time of gratitude for all the blessings we truly find ourselves with. I know I get consumed with all the external events, people, places, and feelings, so I truly need a seasonal kick in the pants to look around and see how really, really, good my life is!! May you all find a moment out of the craziness to soak in some quiet and enjoy all your hard work you have done all year. Holiday wishes for blessings and peace.

Decadence

Quote from my Yogi tea today "The only tool you need is kindness"

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." - Mother Teresa

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." -Edward Everett Hale

So I am having a day of total decadence...you see that top photo, that in fact was my lunch today! Marietta's and butter, chocolate covered edamame, chocolate covered blueberries, and a lovely square of Paul Newman's dark chocolate and espresso (thank you Michelle!!), and a cup of yogi tea. I felt so very special as I climbed into what the Irishman titled my nest in my big ole purple chair by the tree on this snowy day. I was surrounded by candles, incense, tea, beautiful ornaments (I always put my most favorites on the side by the purple chair!!), blankies, and new reading Mary Janes Farm magazine (www.maryjanesfarm.org) which I just discovered at a seasonal trip to one of my favorite stores yesterday (Tractor Supply Company). If you have never looked at any of her books they are really lovely and full of information and ideas and recipes...but be prepared you may want to chuck it all and move to a farm.

I have all ingredients set out for cookies, that I have yet to toddle my way into the kitchen to bake but will make sure to do today, it feels like a cookie day! And I need to make something a little heartier than chocolate for dinner! I am thinking lasagna or black bean and sweet potato burritos, maybe both that would cover food for the weekend!!

Hope all are enjoying their Friday's. And hopefully all are safe and a little less buried than us with our foot of snow (did I mention it is still snowing!) Although, I am finding it delightful to watch out the window and really pleased that I could stay snuggled in my nest today and not have to skate to work!!

Holly Jolly...

So this year I had it in my head that I would really, really like to have some fresh holly to decorate. So while I was happily entertaining two lovely ladies, my Irishman tipped out and came home with a large bundle of holly. I was so excited. I know those of you who have access to it all the time will not possibly understand the excitement over something as simple as holly but it is a novelty for us city girls!! I am a very lucky woman! And I truly love the effect it had tucked in and about the nooks and crannies!

The first photo is two of our Christmas decorations having a mid-day snack with a new bear that came home to live with lady Ella. One of the things I enjoy about having kids is these little surprise scenes you sometimes find around the corner. You just never know who might be enjoying a meal in your home!

Hope everyone is enjoying those special details that make the holidays special. Now I need to sort out making my Christmas gifts but I just cannot get motivated! I have a lot of peeling in my future!!

New York Funky Style

Ok so I found me some New York Funky Style (see SNL) shoes...but there may be a slight problem...I live in Michigan...and see those shoes...that is not a backdrop that is snow!! And I am wondering if my New York Funky Style shoes will be able to be worn before Spring....

And I would show you some better pictures of New York but my camera is no longer mine...someone has found a new lovely Sony digital camera with all my photos and stunted my continuous capturing of every detail of the trip. But let it be said we came, we walked (a whole lot), we shopped, we oohed, we aahed, we saw two shows (Ave. Q and Wicked), we got to see an art flick that will never be anywhere near our little town, and thankfully we ate a lot of really, really good food!! I even had my first taste of Spanish food and I think I am a fan!! I got to go back to old favorites (Crif dogs and the Puck Fair) and found some new lovelies (L'Express and Grey Dog) and a big ole thanks to Aunt Elaine for the place to lay our heads! And after a surprise overnight in Chicago (gotta love flight delays!) I am happily back home.

At this exact moment I am sitting among the chaos that is our house mid-Christmas decorating... I hate this part, it truly looks like a huge disaster! But the ladies are so excited and ready to take it all over, I might just let them...nah probably not that is not in my DNA!!

Hope all had a restful holiday and are easing into your holiday season!!