Take a Cup...For Auld Lang Syne...

The hours count down to end this year and ring in the start of a new year.  The years seem to pass much too quickly and so much change occurs...there is loss and there are gains.  There is bad news and there is good news.  We can never know what any year will bring us, we just do the best that we can with what awaits us.

What remains a constant is hope.  There is always hope.

I wish for all of you prosperity, good health, joy in each day and abundant possibilities all 365 days of this coming year.

The Word Is...

(digital collage by me.  Background from Eena's Creations)

I've had 3 words running through my head, each one wanting to be chosen as "the word" that I will commit myself to for the year 2012.  They are all good words and the two that I have not chosen (runner up and miss congeniality) actually feed into the one I chose.  

My first thought was "order".  After a year of being here, there and everywhere and having so many "things" in this house and shifting "things" from one place to another, "order" seemed like a very good word.  I could use a lot of "order" in my life.  But the disorder was coming from other places and it wasn't so much a lack of order coming from me.  Mind you, I have been a little "out of order" in my own life, so "order" was a contender.  But alas, it has become "miss congeniality".

The next word that seemed to have echoes of possibility was "focus".  Ah!!  What I really do need is some "focus".  How many times have I changed the look of this blog this year?  How many name changes?  How many times have I started a project and failed to complete it?  How many online workshops have I signed up for an not even started?  "Focus" Sherry, "Focus"!!  My brain is jumping and flitting and can't seem to settle.  Because there are too many things I want to do and too many directions I want to go.  "Focus" and "Order" seemed to be one in front of the other.  I can't have "focus" if I don't have "order".  But "focus" wasn't the one nudging me to the finish line and it has become the "runner up".

I know that I will still use these two words when I am concentrating on "risk".  RISK.  R.I.S.K.  I will need order and I will need focus so that I can "risk".

I haven't been doing much of that in the last six years.  I've been hanging on and moving through life and in too many ways, playing it "safe".  Certainly I have broken out of ruts and I have done things I didn't dream that I would.  But on the whole I have been cocooned and done things to not make waves.  I've felt that if I was safely wrapped up and just going day to day and being in that day, that nothing "bad" would happen.  I have been trying to stay somewhat invisible, while also looking for recognition.  Those two things do not belong together.  You can't have recognition if you are invisible.

I keep thinking about what it is I want to do with this wild and unpredictable life, and where I want to be and that requires that I "risk".  That I "leap fearlessly" and that I make the commitment to myself to do those things that I have promised myself I will.  

The quote by Anais Nin has long been one that I cherish.  The word "risk" came back to me again when I thought of this quote and I knew that this would be the word that would be my intention for 2012.

I'm up for the challenge.

Finding the Right Words...

This is the time of year where many people begin to think towards the coming year and what that will mean, what it will hold.  Some people sit down and write out resolutions, and usually within the first week intention is there and after that?  It all falls to the wayside.  We set expectations that are too high and with the coming down from the holiday high and being into the depths of winter, it is extremely difficult to hold ourselves to those expectations.

Years ago I intentionally removed the word "should" from my vocabulary.  Oh, every now and then it creeps in and worms its way into a sentence but I'm mindful and when I hear that "sh" sound making it's bold entrance, I stop myself and think of a better word to use.  There are many.

In the last few years I have followed what many bloggers (and non bloggers I'm sure) have taken on board.  Finding a word that will be the intention for the year.  It isn't a matter of just plucking a word out of the air and saying "this one is good".  It's a mindful exercise of thinking about how you would like to see the coming year unfold and what you can do to commit to that and make it happen.

Tia Tuenge was talking about this on her blog and she has outlined a number of words that might resonate with you....you can see them here.

As for me, I will be sitting this week mulling over a few words I've been thinking about.  Deciding which one is "the" word is taking some time as I mull them over and think about what it is I hope to and intend to achieve in 2012.

Do you make resolutions or do you choose a word of intention?

Another One is Done....

Christmas Eve

The quiet of Christmas Morning before anyone else was awake.

I enjoy the time when it is just "me", able to sit at the tree with a cup of coffee (something seasonal, like a Candy Cane or Pumpkin Spice or in this case, a  Christmas Blend) and savour the silence and the atmosphere.  To think or dream, or say a few quiet words of prayer and thanks in gratitude for so much.

This year I participated in the Oh Hello Friend Lovely Package Exchange and shared a post about the gifts I sent which you can read here.

While I sipped my coffee this was the time I chose to open my gifts from Alison...and what a delightful surprise I received...from the way it was packaged to be mailed and how each item was wrapped.  I love each of the gifts that Alison chose for me, but I'm especially delighted that the proceeds from the purchase of little red and gold pillow box went to a local women's shelter.  THAT is what giving of the season is all about.

the pussy willows made me smile!

As for the remainder of the day -- the turkey in the oven, the boys opening stockings, the rest of us opening gifts, eating a large brunch and drinking mimosas...and then a nap and then dinner...I took very few photographs.

This was a different Christmas for us, the first where it was just the 4 of us.  We had no time schedule, no needing to have anything done because guests were arriving.  It did mean that the turkey was a little "over done" and dry (this is what cranberry and gravy are for, correct?) but we didn't mind.  My son the chef has become hooked on Jamie Oliver and so he prepared a Jerk Ham that was delicious...spicy hot, and very good.  It's nice to have help in the kitchen.  

Today is Boxing Day (in Canada, the UK and Australia), and we rest.  Some of us are still sleeping.  Some are watching a soccer match on tv and later this afternoon the World Jr. Hockey Tournament will be on television starting at 3 p.m. EST.  I would like to go and see a movie after dinner...but we will see.  It's just take it all as it comes this week.  I rather like that.

Wishes for Comfort and Joy....

I'm going to be off the computer for the next few days.  There is some baking to be done.  And many gifts to be wrapped.  There will be movies watched and meals shared in their simplicity.  And drinks to imbibe and music to be listened to.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.  Because that is what I celebrate.  For those of you who celebrate other traditions and other religions, I wish you a very blessed holiday season.

May it be everything that you wish it to be and may you find joy and comfort with those you love.

I've Got It...Have You???

Steve and Eydie.  That sound, that era.  They had "it"...could create the most beautiful music together.  I grew up listening to them as they were favourites of my parents and whenever I hear this song on the radio I am immediately transported back to childhood holidays and great memories.  It matters not if there was an argument over a toy, or fractured tempers because parents had too much egg nog and too little sleep the night before, or that by evening everyone was shattered.  The memories are of the good things.  It reminds me of what I was talking about yesterday...that memories of people no longer with us and times past can still be good ones...positive and joyful.  It's what we choose to believe and choose to remember.

They really don't make music like this anymore...although I admit, Michael Buble does an excellent job of recreating the music of that era. 

I've Got That Holiday Feeling....

Leap Fearlessly....

As much as there is joy and much to fill the heart with warmth at this time of year, there is also sadness.  It comes whether we want to accept it or not.  As the Grinch himself learned, you can take away all the trappings of Christmas, but it will come to us regardless.  I'm reminded of the Grinch this week.  I think cancer is The Grinch in every way.

We learned the other night that the mother of a young man my youngest son has known since they were 12, passed away.  She had had breast cancer many years ago and it is unclear to us whether this was a return of the cancer, cancer that had lain dormant for years and resurfaced or something completely separate.  And of course we do not want to pry.  It is heart breaking to think of this family, so close to Christmas and suffering such a loss.  It matters not that they were prepared and knew it was going to happen.  Every year they will feel this way as Christmas approaches.  What I hope for this family is that instead of feeling sadness and sorrow, that they feel joy and happiness.  That they remember their wife and mother and the happy times, the wonderful holidays they shared and the love that created their family. 

What is hard is that I know when something like this happens to someone we know, the thought runs through my children's heads and my husband's head and most likely my friends' heads...that old "what if that happened to us..." or "there but for the Grace of God..." and we are once again reminded that we will never be free of The Grinch...it will haunt us all the days of our lives.  And once again we are reminded...live.  Live, live, live.  Love.  Embrace.  Savour.  Enjoy.  Commit.  Rejoice.  Be.

I found this Kelly Rae Roberts angel ornament when I was on my recent trip to Michigan.  It was on a tree in the upstairs loft of a lovely little shop.  As soon as I saw it, I knew this angel was coming home with me. "Leap Fearlessly".  It is what we must do in this life, over and over and over. Sometimes we are too tired but we do it anyway.  Sometimes we leap with joy.  But no matter how we do it or under what circumstances we find ourselves, it is something we need to do.  It is what I intend to do.

I was outside taking photographs of our winter garden display and decor and when I was downloading the photographs I couldn't help but notice the heart created in the background of this one.  I don't know what was in the background that made that happen...but I'll tell myself that an angel was watching and wanted me to remember that even though there are people we will miss this Christmas, they are always with us.  In our hearts.

It's Easy to Be Happy...

The message here is "Be Happy"...and how could I not be?  I am the truly lucky recipient of this stunning piece of work by artist Diane Salter.  In honour of Diane's 2 year blogging anniversary, she hosted a giveaway which I entered and was so pleasantly surprised to discover that I had won!

I took photographs both inside and outside so you could see just how detailed, colourful and gorgeous this piece of art truly is.  Don't you love the knobs on top of the piece?  I can't wait to hang it.  Once the holidays are over and things are being put back in place I always re-organize and I look forward to adding this work to my decor.  Thanks ever so much Diane...a wonderful gift for me!

Diane has an etsy shop where she shares her work...please take a look.  You very well might find something to fall in love with!

Getting That Holiday Feeling..

A gift wrapped with love...and left overs (all of which she will appreciate!)...for my wonderful friend Barb, with whom I spent the day on Saturday...no opening until December 25th!

Time spent yesterday at the local garden centre to choose a tree...and enjoy the decor and the ambiance that has been created for shoppers...

The tree (a small one this year) is brought home, waiting to be put into the stand and decorated....

and some greenery outdoors to offer a warm "welcome" to those who come to call...

As for me, I'm starting to "believe".... are you???

It's In the Heart...

Being away for a few days this month means that I am way behind "schedule", if keeping a schedule was something I needed to do.  Decorating?  For the holidays?  I'm still trying to find places to put all the things from my mother-in-law's and from my son's apartment.   I just move things from one place to another.  The mess never really "goes", it just gets shifted to another room.  And that will have to do until after Christmas.

I'm keeping things simple and minimal this year.  It will be a different Christmas for us anyway with just the 4 of us, our first Christmas as our own unit.  We'll get a tree this weekend, even though I'm allergic, because it means a lot to my children.  Given that we will only have it up for a few weeks, I think I can cope and I'll have plenty of allergy meds on hand.  The day will come soon enough when they have their own homes and I will switch to an artificial tree then...although it really won't be the same.  It will be different.  Different can be good. 

Not much shopping left to do, and quite honestly I don't feel like being part of the masses at the malls and jammed parking lots.  I don't want to stand in line for a long time waiting to pay for whatever it is that I need.  If I don't have it by the 24th, I'll just do without it.  I probably didn't "need" it anyway.

This weekend will be spent sharing a day with a friend...browsing shops in a little town, celebrating my birthday (belatedly) and exchanging Christmas gifts.  Tomorrow night it will be dinner with good friends...she is a wonderful (exceptional!) chef and he is a delightful raconteur.  A gift and a nice bottle of wine will be in order.

With the weather so warm (unseasonably!) at this point in December, it doesn't feel like Christmas and it doesn't look like Christmas.  But then, it's in the heart and not in the outer trimmings and as long as I've got it in my heart...it will be just right.  Enjoy your weekend.

Continuing Change...

A few days away was good for the soul and good for clearing my head so that I could continue to think about the direction I am now heading.  As you will have noticed there is now another change to my blog look.  No longer a sidebar...for now.  Until I complete this "renovation" I am keeping things simple, clean and streamlined.

We headed south west to Michigan last Friday, and as we did the sun was setting in this glorious colour combination.  The sun behind the clouds and the stark contrast of the barren trees seemed so soothing and so warm.  I love the tints of gold in the clouds.  While winter is upon us within a few days, the golden light reminded me that there is still warmth to be found and enjoyed during the long, cold months ahead.

A few days in South Haven to just explore this little town.  I had read about it in the summer and someone had been talking about their stay on their blog.  I can no longer remember who that was, but she did message me and say I wouldn't regret a visit.  Our original destination had been Chicago, but with needing to go Windsor to finalize the transfer of the lease on the apartment our son had there and get that monkey off our backs (finally!), our travel time was cut so we opted to stay a little closer.

Quaint and charming is my thought about South Haven.  We explored all the shops, had a lovely breakfast in one of the cafes and spent some time at the Mistletoe Market -- a craft fair in support of the South Haven Arts Council.  It was exactly what you would expect from a small town art/craft fair.  There wasn't much that I wanted but I did leave a few dollars behind in support of the independent artisan.

something for the tree

a little something for me...

A trip down to the harbour to look at the water and admire some of the truly beautiful homes on the shore...

and my first look, ever, at Lake Michigan...a little on the cold side...

and I have now seen all of the Great Lakes.  Not that this was on my list of things to do in life, but living as close as I do to all of them, I'm glad to be able to say that I have witnessed their majesty.

There was shopping and there was dining.  And while we thought we might sample a lot of restaurants and cafes, it didn't really work out that way.  We found some spots that we enjoyed.  And we had one "picnic" in the room and bought some interesting desserts...

this poor, mad looking delight looks as if it was decorated by a child, or an adult who had been nipping into the "sauce"...

Shopping consisted mainly of finding Christmas gifts for the boys (I suppose they would prefer to be called men these days), record hunting for my husband who has gone back to his love of vinyl and we found a few stores that were carrying old 45s and LPs.  At one stop in Holland, Michigan while he browsed through dusty old records, I sat in a lovely little candy, ice cream, coffee shop called Kilwin's and had a peppermint cappuccino, inhaling the scent of chocolate all around me as I watched a young man dip pretzels and truffles and other wonderful treats.

From South Haven we headed to Birch Run/Frankenmuth/Saginaw... with stops along the way for more record shopping, outlet shopping, and a trip to Frankenmuth in the evening to see all the sights and the lights.

I fell in love with a number of items in the Pottery Barn outlet in Birch Run -- which I didn't buy -- I was afterall shopping for others...but I think I'll have to hit the Pottery Barn here to see if I can find a few of the goodies I liked.  True, I will pay through the nose but it is, what it is!  

And of course, a trip to Bronner's in Frankenmuth.  Christmas all the time.  I don't think I could have spent more than the hour we did in this mega barn of Christmas, and I certainly wouldn't have gone at any other time of year but it was delightful to see small children waiting to see Santa and feel the excitement they were exhibiting (not to mention the crying, the screaming, the tantrums, the parents wheedling and cajoling as siblings argued and pushed one another -- I know I was tired of walking that space...I would have been over stimulated even if I had been in a stroller and had someone pushing me)...

The angel trumpeting the sound of the Christmas season...she seemed to be saying to me...head home, see your children who are both now in the house and settle in to make this Christmas one that is filled with new tradition, new experiences and savour those moments together.  Forget what you bought or how you wrapped it -- it is being with those you love that matters most of all.

I'll save my comments about the foods I was able to purchase in the United States that I cannot get in Canada for another day....

Armed and Beautiful...

anyone who knows me well, knows that I am crazy about bracelets...whether I wear one at a time or pile them on, I don't feel "dressed" if I don't have something on my arm.  I wear bracelets only on my left arm.  I have no idea.  That's just how I roll.

This one is from my friend Lois -- a gift for birthday?  Christmas?  Birthday I think, a few years ago.  And those who know me well, know I have a "thing" about leopard print.

This one I purchased from Lorelei Eurto...only one of a few bracelets I have purchased from Lorelei.  Check her etsy here for some of her other wonderful designs.

This one I purchased from Pia Barile.  I love the citrines and chose it as a birthday gift to myself.  Wonderful friend that Pia is, she included a matching necklace as her gift to me!!  See Pia's jewelry on etsy here, and her other creations on this etsy site.

Last month I won a giveaway by Studio Regency...a gift certificate to apply to something I wanted from her shop.  So very hard to decide but I added a bit to the gift certificate and came away with this beauty.  You can see other designs from Studio Regency here on etsy.

I'm taking all my bracelets (perhaps more than these 4!) and going away for a few days, for a much needed break to catch my breath and regroup after these last few months.  I don't expect the Christmas holiday season to be hectic or crazy, nevertheless, a little time away to just sip cappuccino in a cafe and people watch, or a hot chocolate while watching mindless tv, browsing in little shops and just feeling connected to my life again will go a long way to rejuvenating my spirit.  Leaving my house in good hands while I'm gone, the first time we've been able to take advantage of having adult children living at home!

Wrap It Up...

This year I'm taking part in a holiday gift exchange through Oh Hello, Friend.  My exchange partner lives in Newfoundland and I hope that Alison will like these little goodies I have put together for her.

Receiving little surprises in the mail is a treat any time of the year, but especially at the holidays.  For packaging I re-used as much as I could, from the organza bag, to the boxes which contained other things originally and were the perfect sizes for what I put together for this gift exchange.  And no peeks...I don't want Alison to know what she's receiving..these are on their way to Newfoundland now!

Tissue paper, vintage seam binding, card stock and other embellishments are easy and inexpensive ways to dress up a gift and mean so much more because they are personal rather than just "ready to go".

And the table runner I used for the background?  Made by my friend Kathy who is a very gifted seamstress among all the other wonderful traits she possesses.

Ideas for other ways to wrap gifts?  Please share, I'd love to hear them!

Giving is a Gift...

There is something about this time of year that always makes me think of children, whether it was me and my younger sister as children, or my own children when they were younger or other people's children.

I've been at the mall a few times over the last few weeks and while it seemed very early in November to see Santa's village in all it's glory, and little ones lined up for their photos, there is no doubt that I was like mush watching them as they waited their turn to enter that "magical kingdom" and sit on the "great man's" knee.  Some faces were filled with rapture and awe.  Some faces looked like the bogey man had slid out from underneath the bed and might "get them" even while awake.  Fear because the suit and the beard are imposing?  Fear because the idea of Santa who sees you when you're sleeping and knows if you've been bad or good is right there, right in front of them, larger than life? 

Now I'll be honest.  I never once sat on Santa's knee.  Creeped me right out.  I'd do the deed of saying I would see him and my mother would have us line up but when it came to the bit and I had to walk that few feet and talk to Santa, to sit on his knee it was NOT happening.  No way, no how. And because I didn't go, my sister refused to go. I know it drove my mother quite frantic and I'm sure she was more than frustrated at wasting time standing around for something she knew full well was NOT going to happen. But bless her heart she always let me try.  What made me laugh when I was that bit older was my mother admitting to me that she herself had never been able to sit on Santa's knee.

Only one of my children ever managed that.  This one, up there in the photo.  My mother and my sister took him to breakfast with Santa when he was 3 and my mother FINALLY managed to get a child to sit on Santa's knee for a photograph.  In all honesty, he wasn't happy about it but he did it for his Nana.  The younger one?  It wasn't worth your life to try and get that to happen.  Even seeing Santa walk about the mall as he made his way to his chair was enough to turn that one to stone!

So WHY do we do it?  And how to do those parents who get the child on the knee manage to make that happen?  Bribes?  Candy? I hear a LOT of wailing and crying and screaming going on so I know that not every child who is led to "the chair" likes it or makes it there.  And there are plenty of photographs of crying, red faced children with that poor man in the suit.  Is it worth it for a keepsake memory?  And what about the guy in the suit?  All that screaming and crying to listen to...never mind the complex of being so frightening to little ones!

This weekend my oldest son (that one up there) will play Santa for a group of children.  He was asked by a friend if he would be interested as the Santa she had hired had bailed on her. He gladly said yes.  To help a friend and because he's good with children and intends to teach.  There will be no sitting on knees.  He will smile at them and talk to them if they wish. He has a soft friendly voice and has already decided how he will speak to them without all that booming "HO HO HO".  I'm sure there will be candy canes and small gifts to hand out.  I would also expect, depending on the age of the children that there might be some tears and some crying.  I hope he can handle that -- I'm sure he can.  He has the patience of a saint.  I think there are a few more "gigs" for this suit over the month and he'll do the big man proud.  Hopefully there will be no "chair"!

What pleases me about this is that it proves to me how children learn what they live.  Our children have grown up in a home that has included a very great deal of volunteer work for their many sports and for their schools.  We have managed teams, coached teams, fund raised, been parent volunteers on school trips, in the classroom and the list goes on.  And it is true.  When children see you giving back, they learn that being able to give is a gift all on its own.

*original photo has been photoshopped adding elements from Leora Sanford and from Prettiful Designs

Getting My Glam On...

I love this magazine.  My son brought home this issue for me from his recent trip to England and I read it cover to cover and then went back to re-read some of the articles.  I very seldom do that with a magazine, so there is something about this one that appeals to me on so many levels.  I especially enjoyed the article about Sophie Dahl.  Red is available on newsstands here but it was never on my radar...until now.

One of the articles talked about the fact that come the dry winter weather, women are best to stop using a lip gloss and revert to a lipstick.  Something I did not know.  In the Personal Shopper feature, Joanna Sykes, the design director for Aquascutum  mentioned that one of her beauty must-buys is MAC lipstick in "Hug Me".  When I'm in the process of change, one of the first things I look to change is my make-up and my lip colour is one for sure.  Whenever I've been ill or had surgery, a new lip colour added to my make-up bag always lets me know I'm on the mend.  I bought the "Hug Me" and I love it.  Subtle.  A taupe, rosy, nude it would look good on anyone.

The same day I was shopping for the lipstick, I went in to Sephora to collect my birthday gift (members are given a gift 2 weeks before or 2 weeks post birthday -- this year it was Philosophy Happy Birthday Beautiful body wash) and came away with a Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in Nude.  It's a travel size, perfect for sampling something that is otherwise expensive and not on my normal purchase list (1 fl. oz/30 ml was $24 Canadian).  Another great product.  It's silky, smooth, light weight and glides on easily, leaving my skin feeling supple. A little goes a long way and the coverage is excellent. Without a doubt you get what you pay for and I think I'm now a convert to the Laura Mercier moisturizer.

When you need a lift or feel like change is due (or long over due), one of the best ways to pamper is to try something out of your usual comfort zone...a different shade or brand of lip colour, a nail polish for your toes, sample sizes from shops like Sephora.  You get the idea. You spend a little to have a big impact.  I'm worth it.  Aren't you?