Day One, 2011

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Peace. Good Health. Happiness. Prosperity. Healing. Hope. Revere Nature. Love the Earth. Dream.


All these, and more. Blessed Be this New Year.

The Eve

Please have a safe and sane New Year's Eve. Celebrate, enjoy, be happy.

Winter Camping in the Adirondacks

My son Nicarus went winter camping with his best friend. They spent two nights in the Adirondack woods of New York. The first night the temperature was 8 degrees F with winds blowing against their little tent.

They built a fire gathering the fuel from fallen logs and branches, thanking the trees for their gift. It was the only light for miles around. The stillness, the quiet must have been almost deafening.

Nicarus ready for a day of hiking

They walked across a narrow wooden bridge over a frozen pond, leading to a path through pines and birches, oak and other dense forest growth.

The path opened up into a view of a frozen expanse of lake surrounded by the forest, with mountains in the distance. One can imagine how beautiful in the other seasons this spot is, summer green, autumn glory. In winter it seems stark, gray, lonely.  A silent place, frozen in time, but with an austere beauty that lends itself to  deep thoughts and philosophical stirrings.

A tree adapts and grows around a massive, ancient boulder

I love and revere nature with all my heart and soul. It is an integral part of my religion. I am proud of my son and his friend for their intrepid undertaking of three days and two nights in a harsh, cold environment. Where they met with an unforgiving landscape of snow and ice and came through unscathed and inspired to meet other challenges. And looking forward to doing this again.

I, on the other hand, would never even think once about camping in the cold icy wilderness. I will find my inspiration from the comfort of a cozy chair, by the fireplace, with a hot cup of tea. In this case, there is absolutely nothing wrong with living vicariously!!  Thank you Nick, for inspiring me!

No Camera

My son took my camera with him. He has gone winter camping in the Adirondack mountains. In a tent, in the snow and single digit temps. I do hope for beautiful photos, but also...eeek, camping in the cold and snow. Not my idea of fun, but then I am not 22.

So here's a photo of my sweet Sheltie, Gwennie

Seed catalogs have been arriving in the mail. So in my mind, as I peruse, I have probably spent over a thousand dollars. And I will need about 15 acres to plant everything I would like. Which I don't have. Still fun to dream, and I do love to day dream about vast fields of flowers and vegetables, trees and shrubs.

The Yule Tree is beginning to drop needles. It has been in the house since the Thanksgiving weekend. Unfortunately, it seems to have stopped taking up water. Even though we drilled holes in the trunk before placing it in the stand. But it is time to say farewell to the holidays. I am going to ask my husband to stick the the tree in the snow by the birdfeeders, to give them someplace to hide from the hawk. We will recycle it in the spring.

And here's a photo of Lexie, our big girl.

Peace to All.

I feel like I have been lost in a Christmas snow globe for the last week. The regular day to day routine has been completely skewed. But that's okay, because, thankfully, this only happens once a year, and it is good to shake up the routine. 

New Year's Eve is charging at us at a high rate of speed. It is amazing to think that 2011 is actually here. Do you make resolutions?  I make "suggestions" to myself. And of course LISTS. Love to make lists. Definitely going to be about simplifying and bringing more order into my little nest.  I still have to work on the Dreaded Craft Corner, which I talked about back in November. That is Number 1 on the Agenda! 

Time also, to get back into the Magickal Realm...more spellwork, improving the way I keep my Book of Shadows, and finding ways to increase my connection to the Gods and Goddesses.  There is a lot to do and no time like the present to get started. I am inspired and ready to have at it. Looking forward to a New Year of great discoveries!! Glad I have you all to share it with!!!!

http://karenswhimsy.com

A Merry Countdown (very loosely based on the 12 Days of Christmas, sort of)

Beautiful arrangement...gift from a dear friend

Merry Christmas Eve!!! Here is a little fun thing I put together..a kind of a Christmas card to everyone.  Hope you enjoy!!!

12 Things For Christmas

12Chocolate Kisses

11 Rosehips (more or less) for decorating

10 Festive postage stamps

 

9 lovely Christmas cards

8 Things for baking

7 mugs for cocoa

6 sticks of myrrh incense

5 favorite CDs

4 jolly Santas

3 clementine oranges

2 gingerbread people

and only one Lindt truffle left

 

A Gift Basket

A beautifully wrapped gift basket arrived on Tuesday. From The Traveler at Lost in Astral Space blog. I had won her giveaway.

As I unwrapped it, the most delightful aroma wafted out and swirled around me. Included was an adorable homemade card, signed by The Traveler and her family.  The basket was full of the most creative homemade gifts: Sunshine in a Jar Lemon Butter, Sweet as Honey Apple Butter (can't wait to try this!), reusable tea bags and home mixed teas, Lemon Sugar Face Scrub, hand dipped rose petal soap, and a list of the ingredients in everything, and instructions for use.  What a great gift, and I would like to formally thank the Traveler and her wonderfully talented family for this terrific basket!! A perfect Yule gift. Blessings to them!!

Take a look at these icicles hanging off the roof, outside my bedroom window. I feel like the Ice Queen!

A day of baking for me today. And listening to all my favorite music of the season.

Enjoy your day, too!