a little inspiration

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!

Home again, home again.  Camelids on the brain.

We followed tradition and ate at Gillies before we left.  He told the waitress (loudly) what he wanted to eat all on his own.

He burned his hand on a light under the tree but that didn't keep him away.  I always love seeing her, she is such an amazing person.

He talks about how Oma makes the big fires.  I love that this will be part of the story of his childhood.  I love that she is so cool.

We laid around and lined up ducks all day.  And train tracks.  It was a good day.

  We stopped at the river to throw in some rocks.  It was soooo cold and totally worth it.

Drive, work, wander, haircut.  Presents!!!  Tomorrow we leave.  I'll be back to fill in the gaps in this space next week.  All my love to you all!  Merry Christmas and be good to one another.

It was a hectic day.  Full of excitement and sadness.  A dear fuzzy friend left us.  I was sad for her loss and it made me think of our Zo Bear. 

This morning I was told it was "santa hat day" at school and asked to whip something up.  I didn't have any red or white around that would do the trick.  Only an old black sweater someone had felted by accident and handed over to me.  I had just read the other day about machine couching and so I grabbed some red wool roving and added that.  Senor insisted it needed a pom-pom so I made two. The scarf is his Solstice gift.  I cut into some beautiful wool and cotton blend plaid from Liberty of London that had been gifted to me from a vintage stash.  Papa got one and I made myself a shawl.  Now we all match!  I am so happy to have found something so everyday useful for this beautiful fabric. After getting ready for school we had to drop by a neighbors house and give her a Christmas card. Happy Solstice everyone!!

This morning the sky was a perfect peach.  I noticed so many tiny details and was able to enjoy each moment of my walk.  The day after the sangha is magical too. (ps- happy haunukah!  A bonus picture is here .)

  The crisp, golden light you find on winter mornings is unlike any other time of year.

It was a lovely night.  We met a boy who is so much like the Bug I feel like I already met his 6 year old self.  I liked the rest of the family very much as well.

(Two today because I missed yesterday completely.)  I love Saturdays better than any other day.  First e helped Papa making waffles in the big kitchen, then Papa helped e make rubber duck soup in the little kitchen.

I had been feeling very good about myself.  But then she mentioned it was only ten days to Christmas.  And I realized there are some important people that I have only thought about and done nothing for.  Now I have to remember to breath. 

They sky looks like a giant's bed of pillows.  My socks are also so very pillow-like.  I am embarrassed when people look at the camera hanging around my neck.  I can't quite figure out why.

The sun was bright and harsh but oh, so welcome.  The leaves were still wrapped in microscopic glittering shells.

A dolphin show makes any day better.  I think know there is something going on that we don't understand.  I hope we figure it out soon or it gets over.

Today he takes her home.  It has been nice having her here.  He will enjoy the quiet time with her in the car and the luxury of the drive back all alone.  I'll try not to go crazy.

This is cheating.  I didn't take this picture.  But I thought you might like it anyway.  Thanks Papa!

Stockings were hung with care.  And glitter too.  I've found that, recently, sparkle has become very important to me.

Another day where I was afraid.  But the night wrapped up nicely.  It was much too exciting to stand still. 

A dozen lavender and chamomile eye pillows off to doubledutch Boutique tomorrow.  Buy local.  Support handmade.

We drove both ways in the rain.  It was nice to talk about everything.  Now we celebrate with champagne.

I finally went.  It was different than I expected.  I was the only woman.  It was really nice.

He wanted a tea party with candles before breakfast.  We are looking forward to a busy day and his first time meeting Santa.

We cleaned and rearranged the living room.  I think it is a success.

dec22011.JPG , originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed . It was really busy all day. I met another mom with a child born the same day as e.

This morning he said, "Mama is crazy."  He was right.

Lucas over at Baltimore Health Coach asked me to write an article for him a few weeks ago.  Go here if you want to see my thoughts on beginning a mindfulness practice. I'll be back tomorrow with the first post in my December photo project.  See you then!

Ok- here they are.  Surprisingly, they came out just as I had imagined (when does that ever happen?) I am excited to see the boys use them.   This blog has been really quiet this year.  I expected to have more time for it after e started school but somehow I've managed to over commit myself outside of the home.  I've also taken so, so few pictures this year.  I'm still not really comfortable with the "new" camera even though I have had it for a long time. In an effort to work on both of these issues I am going to do a December photo project a la habit blog.  Every weekday a picture and a few words.  It is my birthday present to myself.  A way to be more present in the small moments.  (hopefully, it will be nice for you too ;)

I rarely have pattern ideas drifting around in my head anymore.  Mostly because I think there isn't room for them with all the rest of life rushing by me.  The other day, however, I was trying to decide what to make for the Bug and his two cousins for holiday gifts.  Because we all get together for Thanksgiving, I always need to get a jump on these things.  And this year especially because I am working so much outside of the house.  The Bug has a new, wonderful, fascination with stickers and markers.  Senor and I now can sit through dinner and chat or enjoy the food (imagine!) if we have a sheet of stickers handy.  Markers are more interactive, often requiring one of us to be directly involved.  But still, generally a quiet, low banging activity that can last ten or more minutes. On our upcoming Thanksgiving trip we will be spending more than 24 hours in the car total.  Twenty six I think.  Le sigh.  We love all you people and can...

  : make a perfect jumper and turn it into my 'uniform' for the season. : make a bunch of long sleeved shirts to go under it. : make some pants for e.  Easy up and down ones without all the hassle of snaps and zippers.  (What's up with that- he is two for goodness sakes!) : add a few more hours of useful time to each day.  That means, hours when it is still light out. : remember to be grateful everyday. : see my friends more often.  Hello friends!  Are you out there?? : take good pictures again.  remember when I used to do that? : have a child who is healthy for three to five days straight.  Not even a runny nose. : Stop this list before it gets out of hand. What do you want?

 You: :love to play your "dukar" guitar.  You have band practice every night you can with Papa. :love Papa the most.  When I walk in and you are already home with him you tell me to go away.  It makes me giggle. :always want to go see the bands on the weekend. :are really good at jumping and you love to do it.  Especially off the radiator cover in your room. You even "stick" the landing now and stay on your feet most times. :like to stay up late.  Sometimes we make you jump 100 or 200 times on your bed in an effort to wear you out.  It doesn't seem to work. :still love applesauce and yogurt. :are getting pickier about food.  Luckily your back up dinner is still peas. :Cannot pick up a stick without making it into a microphone. :are entertaining everyone. :really like stickers and markers.  This has been really wonderful, we even sometimes get a quiet dinner because you are peacefully stickering. :have just switched over to being ...

Here is a recipe I made up last week  and we have been enjoying.  It is perfect for rainy days and the dark fall evenings.  Enjoy! 2 smallish butternut squash, peeled and cubed 2 cans coconut milk 1 container of extra firm tofu, cubed 1/2 cup water 1/2 inch ginger, chopped  2 tablespoons coconut oil (or sesame oil) 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon curry powder* salt and pepper to taste Add oil to large cooking pot.  Turn heat to medium.  Toss in garlic and ginger and heat till fragrant, about 1 minute.  Add curry and stir for 30 seconds.  Add squash, coconut milk and water.  Cover and turn heat up to medium high for 15 minutes. Uncover and turn heat down to simmer.  Add tofu.  Simmer until squash is tender (about 15 more minutes.) Add salt and pepper and serve like a stew or over your favorite whole grain.  This makes enough for two people to eat a few times and freeze a little too.  That way you cook...

I spent a while this morning trying to get a good picture of my new 'do. It was just me and the auto timer. Set in the normal place on the bedside table. But I was aiming for just the head really. And using the zoom, which I don't usually do. So it was a little tricky.  And the light was bad... Turns out the first one was the best. 

I have been on it over here.  New clients, good food, crocheting and sewing.  In addition to working in my favorite two boutiques in town.  How lucky am I?  Completely. There are a number of items from the store that have made there way into my closet and it is a constant source of inspiration.  After only getting out with out the child one day a week (at most!) for well over 2 years it feels great to be picking items which are both practical for my daily adventures and fashionable.  Imagine!  And while looking good isn't so important to me philosophically, feeling confident is.  And if looking good leads there- well, there are worse things!   When new things come into doubledutch and I unpack and steam them or help write up descriptions for the website (don't mind the type o's) I find myself falling in love with so many of the pieces that it would end up with me paying them to work there if I let it get out of control.  So I tak...

Today Desi got a sweater.  She is so cold she sleeps under the covers with us.  Happily.  Zo was so much harrier!  I can see Desi's pink skin right through her hair on most of her body. I was looking on ravelry to find something new to do with the yarn I had been knitting into a sweater.  Yeah- that whole knitting thing didn't really work out for me.  Maybe the next thing I try will be smaller.  I definitely can't count :)  Here is what my sweater looks like now: As I was looking I stumbled upon the pattern for a granny square dog sweater and figured- why not?  With crochet I can easily finish something like this in a couple of hours and whala!  Here you go. Isn't she sweet?  Her transition into the household is really going well.  I even bought her some balls to play with because she is finally getting playful.  And frisky.  And she isn't too afraid of the Bug as long as he doesn't have a drum stick in his h...