Pink Coyote

Roots

Since my stomach bug of two weeks ago, all I want is ginger. My friend told me over the weekend that ginger is served with sushi because it kills bacteria and parasites. I love that my body told me what to consume in order to heal. I've tried every ginger beer and ginger brew I can get my hands on and this is one made with agave instead of cane sugar, but it wasn't as pungent as my favorite, made by maine root. Now I'm addicted. I want it instead of coffee, which I've only had once since that fateful week, and other than water, it's been just about the only fluid I've taken in since.

And aren't our intestines so much like roots? They are located at the bottom of our trunks, winding round and round, and having the ability to ground us when they are being nourished properly.

When you're out of alignment with your roots, don't you "feel it in your gut"?

Bottoms up.

 

Springtime Goodness

There are still a few spots open in my Friday Muse as Mask class at Squam AND the Medicine Shawl class. Jump on board and return from the northeast forever inspired.

Loving this Cherry Blossom Essence offering from my friend MaryBeth and Three Sister's Alchemy. It's the perfect, Keep Me Present and Grateful in This Moment elixir. Thank you, Goddesses, for your magic and your positive energies.

Absolutely flipping over the relaxing power of chocolate. Yes, I did say relaxing. Lisa Reinhardt, of Wei of Chocolate, sent me a tube of passionflower and bird of paradise-infused organic RELAXED chocolate and the kids and I are HOOKED. I'm also over the moon about JOYFUL. Thank you, Lisa, for your generosity and for creating chocolate that heals, when I seriously thought chocolate couldn't get any better.

When women honor their ability to make magic, my heart soars. It seems Springtime is bursting open all around with mystical, intuitive healers popping up like fresh daisies.

 

Valentymes Giveaway Spectacular

Winners chosen for the giveaway using www.random.org.

Nicole Knavel-greeting cards

Maria Norcia-earrings

Stephanie Ladd-earrings

Darlene Kreutzer-head wrap

 

Congratulations to you all! Please email me with your mailing addresses so that your goodies can be shipped to you. Thank you for playing :)

**You should know that Julie Keefe is running a Valentine's Sale, through February 14th, while supplies last, on the little red earrings AND if you use coupon code PIXIE, you will receive another 10% off of your entire order.

Yip yip awrooooooooo!

 

 

I am feeling mucho amor from the comments, emails, facebookage, etc., about my recent vlog and entry about living the inspirited* life of a creative mama. Thank you all, I'm so grateful for this beloved community of readership.

And now, time to give something back. Leave a comment and if you win one of the four giveaway items, I'll contact you for your mailing address. Winners will be drawn Thursday afternoon. Good Luck!

From me, one winner will receive a set of two greeting cards, including the Lightseeker:

Another lucky winner will receive one of Julie Bartel's awesome hair wraps! I exclaim this because I happen to be a big believer in this hair accessory. Julie puts her blissy yoga mojo into them and this energy is precisely why I love sharing her artisanship with you.

 

Seen here on the delicious Terri Fischer:

 

And two lucky contestants will have the good Chinese New Year fortune to win a pair of Julie Keefe's* earrings! Again with the shouting because I was lucky enough to win a pair of Julie's earrings with the superior closures during her holiday giveaway. They are so comfortable and my hair doesn't snag the hooks up and out. No more lonely, lost earrings. The best thing, however, about Julie's work is that she is an energetic healer and knows her stone people very well. She, too, infuses her work with the best in her heart and positive vibrations. Read below to learn a little bit more about the woman behind Jakk's Magic Beans of Life.

 

 

Julie Keefe of Jakk’s Magic Beans Workshop may seem like a typical suburban wife and mom in Ohio, but rocks have been whispering their ancient stories to her since she was a little girl.  Now long grown, a Reiki teacher, Master Crystologist, and, like you, a traveler on life’s journey, she has a deep appreciation for the abundant blessings and tools that the mineral world and all of nature so generously offer to support our well-being.  Crystals and gemstones have taught her that this need not be such serious business … there’s plenty of room for playfulness, too, because you just never know what may serve as the catalyst to a positive shift.  Julie is honored to be of service to you through her arts, be they creative, healing, or both.  You can visit her Etsy shop at http://jakk.etsy.com and her blog, Jakk's Magic Beans Life, at http://magicbeansworkshop.blogspot.com.  She welcomes your e-mails at [email protected].

 

Video: Sacred Tools

I present to thee, sweet goddesses, an informal video introducing a few sacred tools that I use in my practice, including the medicine bundles which are making their ways out into the world. It's a simple demonstration of smudging and a few words about the intuitive process. Enjoy!

 

Self-consciousness is not allowed here at the Jack White School of Vlogging for Coyotes, despite my urge to critique. However, did you catch a quick glimpse of the very cute, cosmic batik-printed, perfect, dread wrap I was donning? I hear tell that Julie Bartel is making some new ones, so perhaps I'll have a link to her shop soon.

Back to sacred business!

In this video, you saw:

White Sage and Cedar Bundles made by Sarah Jane Owen, of PowWowLodge

A sweetgrass braid by Juniper Ridge

Organic Tobacco by Natural American Spirit, though I want to add that dried lavender or other herb you love can be used in it's place.

 

I loved sharing this part of my world with you and have so much gratitude that we get to meet here to stretch and grow together.

 

 

chopstix

When I opened the fuschia tissue paper, I lifted it up to my nose. I have this funny habit of smelling things I'm falling in love with. I can get a feeling for the home or store they came from. Often this keeps me from washing clothing items for days before I put them on. I tied this baby on straight out of the package after giving it the smell-test. It's scent was of roses- no, better than roses, a rose scented incense that reminded me of Morocco, though I've never been.

Her shop is a delight to the senses and I love that she repurposes scraps to make beautiful, expressive, artful clothing. Where you find your favorite feminine swirly skirts?

Batik Gypset skirt, ChopstixWaits.

Poe's Tobacco

Poe's Tobacco by TOKYOMILK.

It was a toss up between Let them Eat Cake, Dead Sexy and Ex Libris. I loved the raven and the deeper spicy notes of this one. I spray it on my toes so my superhuman olfactory sniffer doesn't get overwhelmed. I love the names of these creations!

Fun, no? What is your favorite scent to wear?

Somerset Life

How amazingly fun to see my photos and work in one of Stampington's publications today! Working with this team has been not only delightful, but really warming to know that they truly do serve artists. They work so hard to make us look so good!

 
I want to thank Thea Coughlin, who took the photos of me with my family for the piece. If you feel inspired, flip through one of Stampington's publications at your local bookseller's. They are packed with inspiration and amazing photographs from an array of clever artists.

 

buffalo gals + check in

They are officially listed, the buffalo girls of 2009. I'm rather proud of their tiny bigness!

I wonder if I'll complete any more paintings this year, or if they will be my last...?

Oh! ptb=powers that be. *wink*

The natives are restless as my faithful coffee and I sneak in here to post this so I'll have to keep my check-in brief:

Poor little Willow needs mass positive wishes as she just had emergency exploratory surgery yesterday to remove F.O.U.R. pieces of stick from her throat area. She had a tragic accident last Sunday and while we think she's out of the woods now, it will be a painful recovery. (Dear dogs, please stop growing old, feeble, arthritic, ill and clumsy. Just for a month or so. Save risk-taking until after the new year, I beg of you.)

Kids rooms are moved. New creative space assembled.

Soup is off the stove.

Hurricane winds stopped.

Christmas bins are inching closer to the actual house.

Sage has been burned, prayers sent up.

Noses quit running.

Hair has been chopped.

Adoring thoughts of this family and their labors of loves have been shared.

List of errands and to-dos threaten to jump off my desk and into the wastebasket in favor of running outside to kick yellow leaves and holler sweet affectionate sentiments at the blue Autumn sky!

The day calls.... 

Happy. Joy.

 

Someone was very happy to attend two birthday parties this weekend: Baby Gavin turned one on Saturday, and Justin (my husband's friend from high school) turned forty. Justin's mama makes the best a mean gourmet potato salad (ok, not better than my mom's, but very good, indeed) and she also made her own rosemary bread which I would have maimed someone for more, had there not been strawberry cake coming my way across the table.

The weekends have a way of turning into a mad rush to get "things" done while there are four adult hands on deck, so it was very good to celebrate and be festive instead of being workaholics. Miles ran around shooting squirt guns on the grass with a couple of other kids and continuing to hatch out of his reserved little shell. I love being out in the world with these children.

In other news, I own far too many pillows. But that hasn't stopped me from coveting OIive. I must've clicked through a front page listing of hers and proceeded to lollygag around dreamily for an hour clicking back and forth, unwilling to close the window. I'm obsessed with cottages and buildings of all kinds and her little house pillows are so charming. I hearted her. Then she tracked me down and fell in love with one of my paintings and put it on her blog (check out her beautiful home pics, too). I love it when mutual hearting happens. It just feels good. Is it possible for virtual stores to exude good energy? If so, then hers does.

Happy, happy. Joy. Joy.

Snowcones, etc.

It is ungodly hot here. It feels like what I imagine Death Valley to be. There's really no point in complaining about it except that I don't feel like I belong in this town and so rather than try on my best *in the moment* coping skills, I default right to whining about it. I can deal with it, for the most part. My chief complaint is for the kids. Miles gets this red face in a beard pattern when he's out for just a little while. And Ivy just turns wet-even in the dry heat, that child sweats. It's been all about the popsicles. Trader Joes Carribean Fruit Floes, to be exact.

But THIS is what I'd like to see crusing up my dirt road, tooting some sweet song. I'm mojito green with envy that Kansas City is home to Fresher than Fresh. Can you think of anything more lovely on a hot summer's day? The trailer is a Shasta, so similar to our Santa Fe (the unwitting Tiki Ti). More still to love about tiny trailers peddling all-natural snowcones in flavors like Blackberry Lavender and Watermelon Basil.

photo Rich Sugg/The Kansas City Star

What tickles me the most is the business part. Just how much fun was creating this happy enterprise? Her packaging is brilliant, her simple logo and so my fantasy is that she enjoys focusing her energy on the amazing syrups. Oh, I've got her all figured out!

Giveaway: Taking Caramel

Late nights abound as I continue working on a small series of paintings that I'm happy to be creating. I find that when I'm focused on painting, I don't have many compelling things to say here at Coyote. I'm in lost in the zone. That being said, I've been feeling rather clever lately about filling those gaps with interviews and giveaways. I need a wee break and you get treats. Everyone wins!

I'm so beside myself about introducing you to gorgeous Heather Sadler of La Bella Caramella! She has graciously answered some invasive questions of mine, and, by her own suggestion, agreed to ship a mixed pound of her AMAZING sea salted caramels to the winner of this giveaway! Thank you, Heather! (Check out her  Facebook page and enter to win a half pound there, too-woot!)

As per usual, leave a comment on this post and we'll draw a lucky number on Monday.

Good luck!

How did you begin the business of being a confectioner?
It actually happened by mistake. My Mom has always been a huge
influence. She has cooked meals and baked from scratch her whole life.
I grew up where my Mom was always in the kitchen and cooking all day
for our family was "normal". I myself have 3 children and I find
complete and utter joy in making things from my own two hands for
them. I also do the same for my pups :) I love making things for gifts
and love to bring something I made whenever I visit family and
friends. My caramels happened on an accident, I completely altered a
recipe I had to fit what ingredients I had in my pantry and crossed my
fingers and hoped it would turn out...but if it didn't it was fun
trying. I was shocked when I brought them to my Mom and she claimed
they were the absolute best caramels she had ever had! I decided to
give them as gifts for the holidays and in turn got bombarded with
people begging for more :)

What's it like running a home business with children underfoot?
It is a little difficult at times. Especially during the summer when
the kids are home from school. My mom is a HUGE help in that aspect.
And my husband is wonderful when he gets home from work if I have to
go and work on orders. My kids are great with helping out whenever
needed and love to help watch their younger sister when mommy has to
work on her "caramel stuff".

Are the kids your taste testers and chief feedback providers?
My kids are my biggest fans. I am so lucky to be able to do product
development with them around, who else will tell you exactly like it
is! My husband is a great help too, and I have plenty of neighbors
that have deemed themselves my official guinea pigs. The best part is
the feedback from complete strangers though, Etsy is wonderful in
connecting the buyers with the sellers.

How long have you been operating La Bella Caramella?                                                              I officially sold my first box of caramels in October of 2008, but have been making
treats and candies for as long as I can remember.

And what has your response been to designer treats since the economic downturn?
I came into business later than most that have taken a hit due to the
economy, so I have not much to compare to. I have heard from a lot of
other business that they have felt an impact. I myself have been
amazed with my continued sales and all my return customers. I am
blessed to be able to make my hobby into a career.

Was being featured in Etsy's Treasury as helpful as you thought it would be?
The treasury has been an awesome tool for us Etsians. I have been
featured in several and made it to the front page on quite a few
occasions. It absolutely boosts traffic to my store, and has helped me
in so many ways!

What is your mantra while at work?
"You get what you give". I put work, creativity and love into my
business and I believe that I have gotten more than I could ever ask
for in return. I have met so many wonderfully creative, inspiring
people along the way that makes my little hobby so worth while! I
have been so happy with where I am at and what has come my way.

Her "little hobby" is going to make my dentist a lot of money. Thai Coconut and Lemongrass? Heather, you're killing me. Pray she includes Almond Cardamom in your package, people. Cardamom has never felt so proud.

Little House

The lovely explorer, Keri Smith and I share a love of tiny houses. I excitedly read her blog last week and began another tear through tiny home blogs, Jay Shafer's awesome site of Tumbleweed houses, gypsy vardos, and hobbity little earth dwellings.

 

The XS

What is it about the wee house that we love so much? From a simple little living room fort to a backyard yurt or tipi, a private treehouse or beautiful boat, I can't get enough of small spaces.

My godfather in another life, Carl Jung, said, "Everything in the unconscious seeks outward manifestation". One could run in any bloody direction with that, Carl. But as it applies to "stuff", I think it's worthwhile to investigate how we collect, what earthly items we cherish and what houses we dream of.

I'm dreaming of a tiny house in a wooded glen at the moment, as I'm deeply missing the trees once again...

And as for earthly items I cherish, here are a few:

1.Hairpins from the vintagebelljar

2.Jeans

3.My favorite mug and this tea

4.Perfect lip balm

5.Sewing machine

6.Yarn/needles

7.My collection of big feathers

8.My grandmother's cast iron skillet

9.Blockprinted dishtowels (sneaking in functional art wherever I can)

10.My worn-out copies of (surprise) Women Who Run With the Wolves, Gift from the Sea and Walden.

I'll keep this list going and encourage you to create your own- bearing in mind that if you only had 200 sq ft to live in, what would you bring with you? What are you afraid of not having?

Blissed Out

 

While I anxiously ride out the ten day period in which all dairy is supposed to leave my system, I am loading up on THIS which, if you are, or have ever been vegan, is your new best organic friend. 

I'm one handed tonite, gotta keep it brief.  Go try this yumminess at once!!!! More tie-dyed Oregonians revolutionizing my tastebuds.

Skittling Across the Floor

 

Since all but swearing off plastics in M's toybox, we've been casually on the prowl for fun toys for him to play with that are made by artisans and craftspeople who are taking care of the planet while honoring their art.

We were thrilled to find Camden Rose, who have a beautiful story behind their imaginative children's company.  (I'm crazy to try their Demeter-certified baby woolens just to support those passionate people practicing agriculture properly!)

We ordered the above pictured birch skittles set for Miles from Palumba, who have a gorgeous catalog full of yummy natural toy offerings.

There are lots of games that can be taught to a three-something, but we have been having the most fun just setting up the pins and knocking 'em down American ten-pin style.  The set came with two balls and ten pins inside a little cloth bag, sweet!  We've taken them inside and out, on the grass, the sidewalk, tabletops, anywhere the pins will stand.  The pins are only 5" tall-but we found they were just the right height after using them for a bit.  They come unfinished, but you can shine them up with a bit of beeswax.  We opted not to, considering you-know-who-on-the-way  is going to have her baby lips wrapped around everything she can find by next winter.  That makes these sorts of toys even more fun.

We give this wooden skittles set points for encouraging counting, imagination, balance study, and accuracy.

Now, if only I could get all of the plastic out of my grocery cart!

Keep It Non-Toxic

I've added a couple of categories to the right margin and am attempting to get a bit more organized over here with my posts.  I want to  share links to two important search databases that you might find useful when selecting cosmetics or children's toys-both allow you to search by product name and see what toxic chemicals have been reported.  And both offer shocking information about what is used in our homes daily that is poisoning us.

Skin Deep is the cosmetic database, and they even give safety ratings for your products. If you're, for example, using California Baby sunblock on you and your little one, you can see how it sizes up to the other major brands out there. (California Baby does very well with most of their products).  Surprisingly, anything anti-bacterial with the ingredient of Triclosan is now on the all-thumbs-down list.  My germophobe mama friends will not be pleased to hear this.

Healthy Toys is the kids toy search tool and it is very helpful when choosing birthday or shower gifts for someone you know who is conscious about such things.  My hope is that you will try to eliminate from your child's toybox those items containing lead and known neurotoxins sooner than later!  Might want to rethink the Hannah Montana lead heart pendant, if you catch my drift...

Hopefully, you'll find them useful. This week I'll be reviewing a non-toxic classic toy that has become a favorite of Miles: Skittles!

Be well, yo.

Neptune's Daughter

     

Months ago, when we found out that our little bean was going to be a girl, Miles glommed with all of his heart onto the name "Triton" for her, because he loves the solar system and Triton is one of Neptune's moons.  We tried to entertain it, even for a middle name, and to his deep dismay, we shan't be using it for our daughter.  We have a little party planned at a local eaterie this Sunday in honor of his rite of passage into big brotherhood and one of the gifts we gave him this week was a little Waldorfy Cuddle Doll, which he quickly named... you guessed it: Triton.

Today he wanted to take her out into the world and share her in his silky sling (hand-dyed by the amazing Wendy Cook).  He has been nurturing her and practicing all of his big brother skills since we presented her to him.  (She is a fair-trade cotton and wool Peppa Cuddle Doll and we got her on ebay, but they sell them at Down to Earth).  He got a lot of positive little coos from the grandmotherly types, but can I tell you, in that hat, everyone thought he was a girl.  Are boys who nurture that unexpected??  I have to ask.  Maybe it's his eyelashes...

It has been really fun preparing him for this change because he is so nurturing and STINKIN' SWEET. He tells us how much he can't wait to help with the diapering, holding and nursing (!) and it just makes it even more exciting that he's so into it.  There have been times where it's felt like this baby is more for him than for us.  I know I have a few who will fight for the right to this title, but I'm pretty sure I'm the Luckiest Person Alive.

Some Kind of Balance

 

all the leaves areALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN! andthesky is greyAND THE SKY IS GREY...

Have I ever shared here that it was our good friend Joe who made the infamous ham sandwich for Mama Cass? He was singing backup on her comeback tour and was staying in her flat (because in Joe style, he thought they were playing the Hollywood Palladium instead of the London Palladium and needed last minute accomodations...oops).  Did I also mention that he cooks often for us? 

I'm headed out to the market for cucumbers, steel cut oats and celery for a juicy clean out.  I think I ate too much sugar this weekend or something, my insides just don't feel right at all.  It was probably the dark chocolate covered toffee rolled in pistachios that did me in, oh, and the coconut chocolate chip cookies.  It was kiwi, fresh squeezed apple juice and dry toast for breakfast today and I'll do some more juicing and soup this afternoon to keep it clean.  Baby girl needs something heavier, though, so I may do a bottle of plain kefir before I leave.

I wanted to give a plug to another amazing women-owned and operated company, Holy Lamb Organics in Olympia, WA.  They made a custom-fitted wool and organic cotton pad to fit our baby cradle and they did a mindblowing job.  The pad sent with the Cariboo cradle gifted us (THANK YOU!) was a horrible thin latex pad, fire retardant (meaning: soaked in chemicals) and the search for something totally non-chemical was quite a task. Our wool pad is gorgeous!  I am really paranoid about chemicals around the babes and because we live in the most air-polluted region in the country, it gives me some sort of comfort to know that when she's not sleeping in bed with us, she'll won't be inhaling invisible fumes into her tiny lungs (infant asthma is very common here). 

 

I was one step away from buying materials and making my own, but when I found HLO, I was glad to not have to add one more lofty ambition to my list of To Dos.  If you go there to replace your chemical pillow with a pure wool one, tell them I sent you :).  Oh, and no sheep are killed to make their wool products, they strictly shear. Plus they're a zero-waste company and that makes me so giddy.

The To Dos are piling up, so I made a list on the opposite page of To Bes, just to make sure I am creating equal room for things less do-ey and aligned with pure joy.  Otherwise I've been trying to stuff every moment with "important" tasks.  I have to remind myself that stringing beads with no purpose, reading for fun, choosing great music, and taking naps are balancing to me and deserve to be given more time.  If only I could remember this when I'm not pregnant!! Seriously, every book I own is a how-to!  I need help.

Off we go on a beeauu-full (M speak) sunny CA day, to market, to market, jiggety jig.

  

Bead by Mamacita.

Thank you, for honoring me and remembering.  I feel totally adored!

Six weeks out and counting.  I am wishing, hoping, praying, holding space for the ability to give birth in the manner that is sacred and affirming to me and knowing that it is my privilege to do so.  Birthing a baby, a book, a piece of art, must always be done on one's own two feet.  And so I go forth, only fearing those who would stand in my way and not the birthing process itself.  That I feel divinely in sync with!

Many contractions that are getting a bit more uncomfortable, but nothing to fret about.  It is excellent practice for slowing down and breathing deeply, the kind of business actual labor calls for.  So I guess I'm getting a bit of a head start!  Do I sound anxious?  I think I'm a little anxious in this moment.  Not about contractions with no meaning, but about hospitals and doctors who aren't in the practice of hearing women who intend to homebirth. 

I will distract myself with making dinner...anyone have any good cheesy books to recommend?  Got any girl names you love and want to share??

xo

 

And the Mother of the Year Award goes to my dear friend Christine, who has pumped enough breast milk to get her 8 month old daughter through the next few months in order to begin trying to conceive another baby!  Her husband just had to go out for another freezer.  This milky mama was diagnosed with MS just after Mari was born in May of last year and is being urged to complete her family sooner than later.  Here is the darling Mariko over the holidays:

 

Seems like the whole world is having babies right now!  I hope that she has good luck, please send her a positive thought!

Things are looking good for us to have a homebirth with our little Stellie star, and my mind is a whirling blender of how to prepare for it.  I wasn't as prepared last time, not having any experience with it, but this time around I'm hoping to make it not just comfortable, but really special as well.  I've also been juicing vegetables like crazy and I feel great.

I'm lovin' Gentle Moon for supplies like Mastitis Compress herbs and some of the lists at motheringdotcommune from mamas who homebirth regularly.  I plan on soaking some pads with comfrey root tea and freezing them for help with my sore bottom parts when all is said and done. Afterease is on my list, as well as some other postpartum care items from Wishgarden.  We used the herbal cord care product with Miles and his little cord healed up really fast with no issues whatsoever. Arnica gel, Rescue Remedy cream (for the ring of fire!), liquid chlorophyll with mint, coconut water (which surprisingly mimicks the composition of human blood plasma), some Merry Mother tea, vitamin water, raw honey and herb balm, and soup made by someone other than me (!) will be on my list for birthday, too!

Birthing From Within is still my favorite prenatal book, with the Sear's Birth Book running in close second.  Both give realistic accounts of what is at risk and what is to gain by having fewer interventions.  I can never say enough about the Sears-they just know their stuff, and they advocate gentleness, which we can always use more of with our births and children, in my opinion.

I now have the time to read and start thinking about any new fears that might be coming up this time, which is so strange.  Every birth brings a new set of thoughts and dreams, and though it is the most magical and exciting time I've ever experienced, it also challenges all of my control issues, each and every dirty one of them.  I have anxiety each time I go to the doctor, because unlike last time, homebirth and non-interventional choices are frowned upon in the facility I go to.  I literally have to come home and drown myself in Peggy O' Mara and Ina May Gaskin to center myself after the ordeals.  Some might ask why I even bother going to the OB at all.  That is one of my control issues-I want to see for myself that all is going well according to western expectations because it fortifies my decision to birth at home.

As I was hippying out to my yoga dvd this morning, and lying quietly in svasana pose, the soothing voice of Shiva Rea instructed me to:

SR: Now focus on your crown chakra.  Imagine a melting sensation down over your forehead.  Relax your nose and the sides of your tongue...

Miles: Hey! This movie is not about tongues and noses!

Thank you, Prenatal Yoga Police, for the feedback.

Namaste!

 

aHH, the other side of Christmas...here are a few highlights from our week of holiday peace meets chaos:

*Mailing most of my packages on time!  Having so much fun making or choosing just the right gifts. Making the packaging from old grocery sacks and random fabric.

*Dark, dark hot choc drinking chocolate with gourmet marshmallows on nights we needed to stay up late to finish assisting the elves in the workshop.

*Hiding treats for my sweets.

*Sitting up knitting next to the tree and smelling it's yummy fir-ness.

*Discovering Kirsten Cram, loving her name, and buying one of her prints for a wee in my tribe.  Then spotting her again at SouleMama! 

*Onion dip. Onion dip.  And, oh yes, onion dip.  The kind that comes from a little foil packet and mixes with sour cream.  Mmm.

*BOMBdiggity buckwheat warming goodliness from my girl, Nina.  More of her beautiful sewn cards...thank you my love.  Felted snowbawlz from my gal, Wen and beautiful handmade coloring stones...I love you dames. Cards and pictures galore papering the fridge.  Peanut butter cookies.  Plum cake. 

*A new laptop.  Pink.  WOO HOO!  Santa was very, very good to me.

*"Holly Jolly Christmas" one million four hundred sixty seven times.

*Hobo trippin' to the movie house to see Desperaux with my little man. Discovering long lost gift certificates to movies in post-holiday nesting purge...free movie!

*Kisses on the lips.  Snuggling up close and smelling morning baby's breath.

*Sinterklaas stories, and tales of a Yule Goat for fun, and because I like to say Sinterklaas and chuckle to myself. 

*Hearing a name for my baby girl over the beautiful, cacophonous din.