more fog...

Today is our third annual "friends and family" cut-your-own-tree party up at our "bit of earth" in Vermont.

And tomorrow we host a modest tree cutting fundraiser for the Vermont Land Trust.

But woe is me!

This germ fog that Gretta and I have been lost in these last few days is very thick.

We cannot find our way out.

We are housebound in Connecticut.

Batman and Lindsey (who are healthy and in Vermont), report that there is fresh snow and a sunny, crisp day, perfect for sledding and sawing.

Gretta and I have created our own "bit of earth" here in Connecticut, with Santa serving carrots to the forest critters... 

Sometimes the devil fools with the best laid plans, eh?

So, for heaven's sake, people...hydrate, get enough sleep, and eat healthy, OK?  

And HAPPY HANNUKAH, to anyone lighting candles on a Menorah!

coming out of my fog

recipe for recovery:

• camomile tea
• dry toast
• sleep
• henry's 24/7 vigil

repeat as needed.

funny how sometimes you have to take a break from life whether it's on your "to do" list or not.

i get it, mother nature. OK? 

++++++++++++++++++++++++

P.S. totally unrelated,

but if both my friend chris and my daughter lindsey send me the same youtube link, it's gotta be sweet. check it out here.

my best friend

some minutia of my morning:

• mad, crazy road construction traffic.
• waiting in line at the post office (what was i thinking?)
• confusion about a dry cleaning order (we rarely go there).
• dropping the dry cleaning in the parking lot (you know, the slippery plastic?)

i started to feel my shoulders creep up towards my neck.

i started to feel snarly (yuck!) and my jaw tighten.

you know the feeling, right?

so, i needed my very best friend.

luckily, she is with me day and night, yet sometimes i forget her nearness.

she comes through for me time and time again.

i depend on her like no one else.

her name is goddess of the deep breath.

i love, love, love her.

and i'm happy to share her with you,

especially this time of year.

giveaway winner

there were 264 comment and 2 email entrants!

the winner is...

heidi. 

check out her fun blog here.

congratulations, heidi!

thanks to all of you for sharing your wide ranging ideas 

for what to do with the stack of fabrics.

what a crafty and clever group you are!

snowfall

Keep thyself first in peace,

and then thou wilt be able to bring others to peace.

-Thomas A Kempis

dear readers...

last night i just had to sit down, take some deep breaths,

and calm myself.

sometimes even keeping lists, managing my time and 

readjusting my expectations

doesn't keep the "how can i get it all done monster" at bay.

honestly people,

it doesn't all get done.

i may be a heretic, but i think that's o.k. 

+++++++++++++

yesterday was my 300th post.

whew!

lurkers, followers, regular commenters...

please tell me what you would like to see more of here

at sew and sow life.

what is it that you come here looking for?

i am so interested to see what you have to say.

many thanks.

and don't forget to BREATHE!

this morning

the blustery, wild winds last night pushed in a mild and sunny day. 

it doesn't feel like early december...

henry snickerdoodle has taken up one of his

favorite winter spots anyway. 

gretta and i will have leftovers from moosewood for lunch...

giving me plenty more time to work on gifts.

this one using up precious vintage scraps...

this had faded to nothing,

but a rest in the dark coolness of the garage and a bit

of fertilizer brought it back.

it was a gift from a friend years ago, and it travelled

all the way from illinois when we moved east,

so i'm glad it came back.

and i found the perfect words this morning, 

for a very tough situation.

He prayed as he breathed, forming no words

and making no specific requests,

only holding in his heart, 

like broken birds in cupped hands,

all those people who were in stress or grief.

-Ellis Peters