Simply having....

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time!

  

Wishing you a wonderful, fun, laughter filled holiday season!

And big, big love!

Looking up to the Winter Night Skies...

Ah, winter...

It really is the harshest season, isn't it?

Especially in the North, though its harshness has spread more south than usual in the US this year as well.

I am feeling very blessed this year.

My usual depression brought on by lack of sunlight and my hibernation mode hasnt really appeared.

(Knock on wood !!!!)

I think some of it may have to do with this incrediblely cute little boy ladybug baby.

There is something so instantly soothing, calming and heart filling about holding a little guy in your arms. 

And this little cutie definitely has my hearts strings all tangled up !

I have been spending a lot of time with Jayden, helping his mom, Amanda, when she needs childcare.

I am so grateful that my niece and I have developed a trusting, caring relationship and that she genuinely appreciates the bond that I have made with her son.

It has brought so much joy to my life.

I haven't been spending much time creating artwork these days though.

I am missing that.

So yesterday in the midst of a busy day full of prepping for a trip to Montreal, 

I made the time.

I grabbed my old Rock Beings journal, sprayed some inks, sloshed some paint, and made some marks...

then I collaged a Rock Beings shape made from old dictionary pages, and some found poetry on to my page

and "Winter Night Skies"  came into being.

"Winter Night Skies" - Rock Being Art Journal, February 12, 2014

It felt good to get my hands a little dirty and to dwell in that creative place for a little while.

I need to keep making that time happen !

David and I have headed north to Quebec early for a Valentine's Day weekend with our other favorite kiddos, Kate and Thomas, and my sister Kristina and her hubby John.

We wanted to miss driving in this next major winter storm that will hit today in the North East.

Today, David is working from my friend Suzanne's place and I am just hanging out. Tomorrow, we will head two more hours north to be with our peeps in their winter wonderland of La Conception.

Looking forward to seeing Katie's new smile, minus her front teeth ! That famous kindergarten smile of cuteness !

So to those facing the storm, espcially those in the south who are far less used to its kind of wrath, please be safe.

And to all of you Beautiful Ones,

a Happy Valentine's Day !

Be kind and loving to one another !

I am giving thanks…

Just little bits of sweet joy from a long Thanksgiving weekend in Quebec…

We got to meet Patine, my friend Suzanne’s new baby Old English Sheep dog.

Man, is she cute !!!

Chica was a great older auntie dog to her, playing a lot but also showing that little one some limits.

So much fun to watch !

Sunday, we traveled to my sister Kristina’s in La Conception. Quebec (near Mont Tremblant).

There we got to see this little cutie, Miss Kate, who Uncle Dave and I adore !

Dave loves her so much, he even lets her decorate him.

I am sure he won’t mind me sharing this pic of him on the internet.

Right, Honey ?

Along with Katie, her brilliant bro and fire keeper, Thomas, and their mom and dad, we had a Thanksgiving feast with 18 other lovely members of our family !

Such an amazing group of people. So much good conversation, great food, hugs, laughter and good family loving !

 

I was too busy soaking it all in to take too many pics, but I did capture a few, like my shiny Mom and and sister,  Kristina, Natalie squeezing her daughter Jessica tight, and Miss Katie hanging with her other aunt, Natalie.

Along with Thanksgiving, there was a continuation of the birthday festival for me !

I am so blessed !

These are just some of the sweet and loving birthday gifts I received !

I think the glow from this wonderful weekend will last for a long while…

Happy Tuesday, Beautiful Ones !

Enjoy the gifts of this fine Fall day !

Share the Joy–Dear Hearts

From this week’s Joy List :

My great joy is realizing how many sweet places my heart calls home.

(self-portrait and message to my self, heading north to visit family and friends)

(Beautiful birch at Lac Vezeau, Quebec)

(My favorite 4, almost 5 year old in the world, Katie !)

(Happy Breakfast from bro-in-law, John to his son, Thomas on Easter morning)

(Felted fun with my friend Suzanne, the felt artist)

(Tea for me from e.b. – a delicious time.)

(Lake Champlain, with winter winds fighting off spring in vain.)

(Sweet Chica-Lulu, welcoming me home.)

For me, Home is where the dear Hearts are.

And I am so blessed with so many amazing Ones in my life.

 

**********************

Settling back in at home after an amazingly sweet time away.

I think spring may be arriving today in NH.

Better late than never.

I hope your Thursday is filled with heart-felt joy !!!

Big Love !

Haiku My Heart–Solstice 2012

Solstice, darkest day.

Celebrate the light inside.

Let your Soul light shine.

 

******************

The winter solstice comes in with lots of wind and heavy rains here in New Hampshire.

I will get my white Christmas up north in La Conception, Quebec, where they have a snow day today and are expecting about a foot of of the white stuff. So far, our travel time to head up there is looking clear, so that is a relief.

I have been describing the whole vibe around this holiday time as tender. Hearts feel tender, and the balance of light and dark feels tender and tenuous. Tender isn’t bad. It just means staying as present as possible and paying attention to actions and words, I think. I am working on it !

Today is for gift wrapping – making it simple with lots of reusable gift bags.

Between packages, I am baking cookies to give as gifts to the in-laws. Again, a simple recipe that is festive and works for everyone except my sister-in-law, Sue, who has celiac disease, and who will receive a special batch of gluten free chocolate chocolate brownies just for her !

All in all, I feel satisfied with my Christmas preparation this year. I have limited the stress and the expectations really well, I think. And a few of my gifts have that special Kim-touch that means so much to me. (Like that little embroidered wool pouch pictured above that will hold eco-dyed silk “Sweet Dream” herb and dried flower sachets that I have made for some special ladies !) That has worked to keep my heart light and my joy front and center.

So, I and my tender heart, wish you and yours a beautiful and bright solstice ! Keep those Soul lights burning !

Big love !

 

For more haiku and more solstice celebrating, join me at recuerda mi corazon.

This Kind of Living…

My journey brought me here :

where I brought little gifts to a dear friend.

The time we spent together was precious to me, mind, body and soul.

There, I gathered, with some help from my friends,

many a treasure.

Feeling full, supported, loved, and connected,

I created an energy bundle.

With my bundle carefully packaged for travel, I brought it north

to these two amazing spirits.

Together, we three put the energy to great use.

And for this kind of living,

I am so very grateful.

**************

Happy Sunday, Beautiful Ones !

And Happy Canada Day to my fellow country men and women!