LIFE BLOG — DECEMBER 2007
12.18.07 | APPROACHING THE SOLSTICE
The winter sun in the southern sky,
Follows its low arc across the horizon.
As the solstice approaches I'm reminded,
Light always returns.
I will return to this blog in 2008. Happy Holidays!
12.17.07 | MORE ORNAMENTS
I gave this one to Eric the year he made a guitar with my dad.
Clockwise from top left: Another favorite from my childhood. The first ornament I gave to Eric in 1993. Made for me this year by Bryni. Hand-made by my mother. I cross-stitched this one for Eric the first year we were married. Rosemaled (Norwegian painting) by my mother-in-law.
12.14.07 | A VINTAGE ORNAMENT
This is one of my favorite ornaments from my childhood. The back of the sleigh is full of adorable little presents. I don't think I ever noticed before that this little guy has wings. I guess he (she?) must be a fairy.
On the bottom of the ornament is a piece of masking tape with the initials MW - I took it to elementary school one year to use on the school's tree, and I wanted to make sure I got it back!
I'll share more ornaments from our family's collection later. I hope you're enjoying the season.
12.14.07 | GRATITUDE FRIDAY
I awoke the other morning to my girls literally yelling, "FIRE!" The fire wasn't at our house, but it was very nearby. I don't know those who were affected by this fire, but they are in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season.
I'm grateful for my Bryni. Grateful that she's doing fine after suffering a severe allergic reaction last week. Grateful that she's healthy. Grateful that she's sweet. Grateful that she has blonde hair and blue eyes. Grateful that she looks just like my mother. Grateful that she likes to put tights on her head and laugh. Grateful that she's mine.
I'm grateful that Ani still believes in Santa. Here she is having a heart to heart with the old guy.
I'm also grateful for Sonja who, even though she knows the truth, visited with Santa for her little sisters' sake. She even passed on Bryni's Christmas wish list, since Bryni was terrified of Santa yet again this year.
12.12.07 | SICKNESS AND HEALTH
I've felt under the weather for the last few days, so I haven't had the energy to pick up the camera and take a pretty picture of anything. I've mostly just coughed and sneezed and slept and snoozed. I've tried to rest as much as I can, but I have also completed some freelance work and even done a little Christmas shopping.
Through the coughing attacks and the moments of hustle and bustle I'm trying to attain balance. Balance. Balance. Balance. Do you find it hard to achieve balance? I certainly do.
Part of me thinks that keeping my life balanced should be easy. But then I think about keeping physical balance - with both feet on either side of a seesaw as a child or balancing on one foot in tree pose last week at yoga class. Maintaining balance is not easy. And what happens at the end of our lives? Oftentimes, the beginning of the end for an elderly person is when they suffer a fall - the ultimate and final loss of balance.
A friend of mine recently told me that she feels lucky because throughout her life she has almost always been blessed with health. I wondered if I could say the same. I don't think I really can - certainly not mental health! And, of late, it seems I've been sick more often than well. This friend, perhaps not coincidentally, is also my yoga instructor who can stand on her head and hold beautifully in dancer pose for what seems like forever. Balance.
I'm seeking, searching for, wishing for balance during the holiday season, in the new year and always. I'm a mother, a wife, a lover, a woman, a writer, a photographer, a designer, a blogger, a volunteer, a sewer, a knitter, a cook, a baker, a singer, a daughter, a sister, an aunt and a friend. How do I balance all these roles? Finding balance, I believe, is a lifelong quest.
I figure if I don't have my health, I've not achieved balance. If I do not have peace in my heart, I have not achieved it. On the days when I have peace in my heart and health in my body, and of course those days do occur, I will feel I've achieved balance, at least for that moment. And I will always continue the quest.
12.10.07 | KISS (OR HUG) COOKIES
You all have probably already made these cookies. I see them everywhere, but had never made them myself. So, I googled them, found them at cooks.com and couldn't believe how simple the recipe was! Now I know why I see them everywhere all the time. They were so fun to make and the girls loved pushing in the Hugs. (We used Hershey's Hugs instead of Kisses.)
Here is the simple recipe:
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cups of smooth peanut butter
- 2 cups of Bisquick
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- granulated sugar
- Hershey's Kisses (or Hugs)
Mix sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter together. Add Bisquick and vanilla. Form into 1" balls and roll in granulated suger. Bake for 6-8 minutes. Push Kisses (or Hugs) into the center as soon as you remove them from the oven. Enjoy!
12.06.07 | THINGS I LOVE
I love this doormat. I found it at Target last night for $8.99. It fit all my criteria: less than $10, sturdy, attractive and usable in all seasons (although obviously best in fall). The best part though, is that it is made of recyled tires, so it's good for Mother Earth! It's also friendly and sparkly and leafy. I love it.
Do you think I need new slippers? Yes, I was outside in my slippers. And yes, those are my jammie pants. I'm an at-home mom, I'm allowed!
I love the sight of my Christmas cards heading out in the mail to all those I love. These little bundles include a christmas letter and cute photos of the kids. Decidedly standard fare, but I love sending them, and I really love getting them in return.
12.05.07 | OATMEAL
I think it's really hard to take good photos of food, but I liked how this one turned out. I love eating oatmeal with my girls on chilly winter mornings. Quite satisfying.
12.04.07 | BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
I didn't realize how long our skies had been gray until I awoke to these blue skies this morning. They were definitely smiling at me. The view of the mountains in the distance was spectacular with the peak at the right shining in the sunlight. Good morning, world!
12.03.07 | OUR CHRISTMAS TREE
It looked pretty Charlie Brown-ish when we picked it up at the church yesterday. Not too many branches and very few needles on said few branches. But the magical touch of some lights, lots and lots of ornaments fancy and funky, a popcorn string and the love of three little girls made it beautiful.
