breathing

I do not understand the mystery of grace--

only that it meets us where we are and 

does not leave us where it found us.

-Anne Lamott

perched...

...at the top of the toboggan run.

will she or won't she?

early evening snapshot

the spotlight confirms what the howling wind is telling us.

sideways snow is racing over the clothesline and 

around the corner of the house.

the flames in the home comfort stove hum and crackle.  turkey soup simmers on the kitchen stove. the paperwhites have opened to their fullest and their light is reflected in the dark windows. laundry dries on the wooden racks downstairs. batman is stretched out in the "comfy chair" with a library book in hand. the cat dozes. gretta is curled up in her den, laptop spinning a disc of "west wing". there are still clementines and dark chocolate, signature treats, waiting for dessert. we listen for the shushing of the plow on the road. but we won't be going out tonight. we are snug and content and blessed, right where we are. 

some handmade holiday gifts

grocery totes

a yoga mat tote bag,

made with fabric purchased at nido .

lined with an old marimekko  bed sheet

(many thanks to stew and dawn, my greenie repurposers).

i used an extra long zipper.
{and used my own tote as a prototype...
measured and sketched out a pattern from it.}

a set of babushka napkins.

i also made some coffee cup sleeves,

but forgot to take pictures of them

before i sent them off. 

a gingko zippy tote.

and another dala horse zippy tote.

a chunky mohair cowl,

gifted along with a pair of turquoise, 

handknit muttons.

now that they have been opened, 

i am happy to show you some of the fun and simple gifts 

i've been sewing and knitting.

it's been snowing off and on again here on the hill.

:-)
so pretty.

have you recovered from the seasonal festivities?

girls' day out

Lindsey, Gretta and I went over to Fat Toad Farm today, to hang out with the goats and do a bit of shopping at the farm store. Gretta and I had never been, so we were pretty psyched.

All the sweeties perked up when they heard us come into the barn, and they were super friendly and attentive. They had great names like Willow, Patty, Scarlet, Bumble and Oreo. At least forty of them are expecting kids in March, so we may go back over early in the spring. It would be fun to go for a walk in the woods with the girlies, too. We bought some goat's milk caramel and some "olive lovers' chevre", which we will be enjoying this evening.

Do you think Gretta looks like she is smitten? She wants to be an organic farmer and goatherd when she grows up. We made her get back in the car without a goat or two hidden behind her back.

Then we zoomed up to Burlington and did a bit of fabric shopping at Nido. They are one of the few shops in the US that stock Ink and Spindle fabrics, so, of course we had to get a picture of Gretta with the display. I bought a little bundle of 7 different fabrics from Lotta Jansdotter's ECHO line, for fresh New Year's projects.

Check back tomorrow if you'd like to see pictures of some of this year's  handmade gifts.

Did you have a fab weekend?

wishes

Peace on earth,
goodwill to all.

what it's all about

wishing you could stop by for

tea, sugar cookies and clementines.

we could work on our last minute projects

here at the table.

we could share recipes and 

celebrate this special season together.

there are so many ways to celebrate...

lighting advent candles, the hanukkah menorah,

the yule log, solstice bonfires, 

sending loving kindness...

i am comforted to know that all of us who are held together by 

the web of this global and diverse online community

are illuminated by the universal light of hope and love.

wishing you peace, dear friends.

xo