an hour or two with fabric

today (a bit outside). tonight (a bit inside).

taking care of me

a break in the rain, a trip to the mailbox

i am making up my own rules as i dance around participating in daisies "december views." i feel moved to focus on snapshots of my days. but, i also know that sometimes i need my words. so when i feel moved i will still speak a bit here, but i will also be keeping quiet and just sharing images that represent a small piece what today is to me.

tonight, i feel very aware of the importance of holding loved ones and even those i do not know who are in need in the arms of healing blessings. i also feel a bit aware of my own need for this.

sending you, wherever you are on your journey, peace and light...

a (crafty) (sacred) sunday

silver-dollar-sized white stuff fell today

five (really) good things. right now.

1) The house is still clean! Which means the floor is clean. Which means I have space to dance. And this morning I did.*

2) A clean house means a clean kitchen. A clean kitchen means I want to cook. And, so I am. Using the veggies from our (new) organic delivery to make vegetable soup this evening.**

3) Currently on the counter of my clean kitchen, next to the veggies, are freshly delivered preserves. An anniversary gift from my dad that arrived today. Have I mentioned how much I adore peanut butter (or almond butter) and jelly sandwiches? Well, I really love them. I have been known to bring them to potlucks, and people smile when they see them and then talk about the good things of childhood.***

4) Along with the preserves came my delivery from Zappos. Am I the last person to explore the wonder that is zappos.com? Order them yesterday, arrive here today. Try them on and send back (for free) the pairs that don't fit. I bought another pair of these because they are like slippers. But, the other two didn't work, so I will be looking again.****

5) I am getting close to being done with my Christmas shopping. Deliveries are coming everyday lately. So fun to do most of it on etsy and other fantastic online shops...buying handmade is a lot easier than it might seem.*****

What are your five good things? Can you name five right now? Go ahead...I want to hear all about them.

*While listening to Marc Broussard sing "Home."
**Inspired by daisies, I am making it for Jon in the hopes that whatever illness latched on to him last night will decide to ease on down the road.
***Want to come over for a pb&j right now? We can have tea...
****I am looking for two kinds of shoes: a) a sneaker meets a comfortable walking shoe meets something really cute that can be worn with those low running socks. might try another style of keens as my mary janes can't quite pull that off. b) a sandal or sandal-like (and don't wear socks with) shoe that can be worn for walking long distances that is comfortable and doesn't rub (like tevas can) or need to be broken-in. oh. and i want them to be cute too. Any ideas/suggestions?
*****Current favorites I've found while looking for gifts:
these sachets
this print
these earrings (created by this blogger)
this ring
this stationery
this squid (created by this blogger)
these ipod cozies (i love mine!)
this scarf

the lightness and the darkness (self-portrait challenge}

my soul sometimes does not know where to land...in the dark or in the light. the darkness can feed the melancholy and uncertainty and pain. the lightness can feed the same at times. do you notice this? how the lightness can feel heavy when the clouds hide the blue. but there is beauty in both. the light in the darkness can force an unexpected shift in perspective. a cloud can invite relief from the glare. there is hope in the light and the dark.

today, i wear the lightness.

as the rain drips steadily this time of year, i seek the lightness. when the sun sneaks out behind that steady drum of wetness, i seek the warmth. i look out the windows until i find a little spot of sunlight; then i put on shoes and zero in on it. even if it means standing in the street.

i want to wear the unwavering lightness of the sun.

today, i wear the darkness.

as the darkness envelopes our little home, i feel cocooned in evening. the ritual of closing the blinds and lighting candles and straightening a bid. a ritual almost forgotten but remembered today as evening knocked at the door.

i want to wear the darkness of twilight and dancing candlelit shadows.

(see what others are wearing at self-portrait challenge)