My secret

A couple Mondays ago I got up and got the Bug off to school and then bundled myself up with long johns and mittens and a fuzzy scarf.  I got into the car a drove a couple hours northwest even though the weather was bleak; foggy and with intermittent freezing rain falling from the sky.  I love days like that though.  Fog makes it possible to imagine so much more.  What is or isn't beyond your little limited view.  And the air always feels full of magic to me.  I will admit to not loving freezing rain or the temperatures that go with it very much.
As I made my way deeper and deeper into the countryside it felt as if the magic was getting stronger.  The perfect little vistas with barns and old farm houses.  All cuddled in a blanket of ice covered snow.  I'm not usually the kind of person to say such things but it brought tears to my eyes a couple of times seeing such picture perfect places and thinking, however briefly, of all the lives that have been lived in each home.
I found the driveway I was looking for and turned down it.  It went on forever.  I kept thinking, "This must be it!" and being wrong.  When I finally made it to the end I knew, without a doubt that I had arrived.  I went to the door and was greeted by a lovely woman named Sarah and the largest dog I have ever seen.  His name is Tundra.  I think his head is wider than my waist and just as tall.
After a little tea and getting to know each other we headed out to the barn.  Sarah gave me some hand warmers to keep in my pockets so I would be able to use my hands and touch everything.  As we came in I got some curious looks.  Sarah told me if I stood still their curiosity would overcome them and they would come check me out.  The barn was full of mamas and crias (babies) about 3 months old.  It was here that I finally got to meet my first alpacas.  They came in all colors: black, silver, brown, fawn and creamy white.  Many were wet from standing outside at the trough.  They were smaller than I expected.  That day I learned to catch them, helped give some shots, helped mark down the weights for the crias and even got to see orgling and an attempt at mating.  I got to see what the fiber looks like when it comes off in the spring.  I felt the foot pads.  It was a great day.

 

I had gone to see if the little fantasy I had always harbored of having a few alpaca for fiber was something I really thought I would like.  I came away sure that if it was fun and interesting on a cold and gloomy day I would love it every other day too.
Thank you Sarah and Long Acres Alpaca Farm for spending the day with me.  We are planning a return trip in March for the next batch of crias and so Senor and the Bug (and Moriah too!) can come meet all my newest friends.

 

Ps- I took only a few, not very good pictures.  Go to the website of the farm to see how amazing it really is there.

Quilt Pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

I've been working on a quilt.  With wool on the inside to keep me nice and toasty. And big summer flowers on the outside to keep me cheerful all winter long.  I got this fabric about year ago.  The wool that I used for the batting in actually a fabric someone gifted me from an old stash.  It was a huge plaid I couldn't imagine ever using but it is so warm and such a nice wool.  I knew it must have some use.  And 60" inches wide even after washing!
I practiced my embroidery to keep it in place.  I finally got the chain stitch down.  I think it is funny I waited so long....  it is so easy and pretty.  (I always say this.  Why did I wait so long to try x?  It is so easy!)
Desi liked the quilt from the beginning.  You can see the evidence on all the pictures....  That white hair really does stick.

(ps- there are even more pictures if you click on any one of these.)

Bagel Muffin!!!

We had a great weekend in Raleigh with some of our very favorite ladies.  The Bug had a blast in the giant tub with jacuzzi jets and a "fishing" activity that kept him very, very clean.  There were about a thousand dolphin shows.  :)
We were also spoiled with amazing homemade food every day.  Have you ever had fresh made english muffins?  We had them two days in a row.  The Bug now calls them "bagel muffins" and the first day home woke up crying that needed them.
We also went to Monkey Joes.  Oh, my!  We all had way too much fun there.  Don't believe what they say about adults not being able to play.  We all went down the big slide several times.
The next day we went to the Natural History Museum and saw dinosaurs, butterflies and many other bugs.  He cried more when we left there than the jumping place.
In the mean time I am trying to get pictures off of the camera but the little converter has been broken (hmm, wonder by who?) so I have to wait. 
But I wanted you to know I haven't fallen off the side of the earth.
Loves!

Finding my way

 

It is interesting to step into new chapters of life knowing you are on a particular path.  Of course, you can only see the parts of it you are planning and so you don't get to see the whole picture until afterwards.  I never think of myself as the type to plan much (but I think that may not be reality either) and so I feel especially neat and powerful when I am looking ahead with intention.  Even if all the things I see are hanging in an ever changing tapestry and what is completely true today will be completely untrue tomorrow.  It only matters that the dreaming goes on and the effort to live right now is done with intention of your path held also in your heart.
In trying to quiet the many voices vying for attention I have started spending one evening a week in meditation with others (called a sangha.)  This gives me the chance to set aside the time and choose to silence the competing dreams so that I may more easily follow the path that is best for me (and therefor best for my family and community.)  It feels just like magic.  The next day things are clearer.  I am a calmer, more present parent and wife.  I can see the future without grasping for it in the now.
Senor gave me a wonderful book for Christmas that helps me keep the magic each and every day.  Each day is about a page and has suggestions for meditation at the end.  All are simple and clear so far.  Things you know already, presented in a way to deepen your understanding of the importance.  If you are looking to add a little peaceful reflection to your days I recommend it.

A moment with you.

I've been dying to share this Christmas gift.  I have such a hard time keeping secrets. 
Our little Bug is very Papa centric.  He often tells me to go away when they are playing together and I show up.  One day when Papa was out I pulled out this big canvas and had him paint the whole thing yellow.  After waiting for it to dry I asked him what color he'd like to paint with over the yellow.  He said purple.  I mixed up some red and blue and came up with this color.  I let him paint however he wanted until the paint was gone and then directed him to other paper to get the rest of his painting desires out.
I had the goal of keeping the canvas simple and not turning it a sea of mixed brown paint.  I had gone through a whole bunch of quotes looking for the best one.  When I came across these words I knew it was the right thing.  I printed it out in a font that looks like my handwriting, only neater.  I pulled a light box out and traced the words in a silver pen.  After a week or so of looking at it I decided it needed a little black outline.
It came out better than I ever imagined.  I feel like it looks like a small group of people tied together by the halo around them. 

Water

Water, originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed.

You know when you have that wonderful feeling that it is going to be a great year? I have it right now. I love it. I cultivate it.
I am lucky in so many ways and so I have never been tested as so many people I know are. I have everything I need and most of what I want. I have started a meditation practice in the last month and found a doable yoga class to fit into my schedule yesterday. I have lovely people in my life. I even have a cute dog.
I know 2012 is going to be a landmark year. Full of new experiences and challenges. My goal, my only goal, is to flow like water through it. Powerful, graceful water. Moving through the hard places with strength and speed, lingering and stretching out in the peaceful moments.
Thank you all so much for being with me in 2011. I hope you'll flow with me in 2012.
Happy New Year!

December 29th, 2011

Home again, home again.  Camelids on the brain.