Sea much clearer...

As we embark for our annual family camping trip to the sea, I am busy packing all things necessary for us to keep warm, fed and busy (games, crafts, books) as well as some important Mum items which include;  these, a new handmade journal, sketching book, a timely arrival of this, various knitting projects and walking shoes...I am excited to do my annual craft project with the kids (stay tuned) and spend time with friends and family.

This time of year, as we embark on a fresh, new horizon, seems to bring some longing for shift, change and focus...and somehow the sea seems to make me see more clearly.

Since resolutions have never quite worked for me, I tend to be left feeling like I did not live up to a promise to myself (never mind not wanting to tell anyone for fear of inquisitions on how things are going with that 'resolution')...my little word of intention was a simple, quiet and constant for me throughout the year.  

so...

Dear Trust 

I have held you close all year and you have been a beacon of strength and reassurance, 

you are not forgotten & will stay with me now more than ever,  for you have brought me to a new space and you quite simply made this gal a wee bit stronger.

Last nights sketching/painting in my journal titled; 'She had the whole world in her hands'...

Thank you Trust, now make room for the next intention for it is soon to arrive, perhaps as I sit by the sea, cold wind in my hair (well, if I had hair), ocean crashing, mind clear.

So from the sea I am sending you wishes to your wee corner of the world for the most happiest of New Years, dear,  kind ones, filled with all you love most and maybe a special word of intention?

If the Angel 

deigns to come

it will be because

you have convinced

her, not by tears but

by your humble resolve to be always

beginning to be a beginner.

Rilke

Perhaps...

I was going to pop in here today to share a yummalicious herby homemade tomato soup recipe, 

discuss a recent realization I had while teaching art to 4th graders, 

ponder on how many fun handmade christmas projects are in the making, 

share how often I feel overwhelmed these days in various facets of daily life...

however, that all just seemed to fade to the sidelines, 

as this morning it occurred to me that all this thought of Christmas 

and what to get and how much there is to do, 

the places to go, people to see...

well, it is just downright overwhelming indeed...

and then I thought about gifts I would like to give and receive, 

truly give and receive...

gifts like...

Peace

Faith

Trust

 Forgiveness

Joy

Compassion

 Acceptance

Second Chances

 Courage

...aren't these really the gifts that fill us up (with happiness)?  

And so, as much as I know my 7 & 9 year olds will not understand that I am giving them a gift of Patience...

I plan to quietly, continuously work on this gift and a few more to give throughout this Season & New Year.  

With that said, I will probably have to find that Lego set and those special earrings along with my other gifts of Comfort & Joy.

Tis' the Season fine folks...Tis' the Season

starting to feel...

a lot like Christmas...had some time today to sew up a wee holiday tree made from an old felted sweater, up cycled and relived into a sweet little diddy, 

adorned with  sweater scraps and vintage embroidered pieces...just to make any coat, shirt, blouse or sweater yell 'Hey, tis the season!!'

Here is spreading a little holiday spirit your way!

small, little wonders...

i was gifted my first Rilke book of poems by my beloved and most awesome sister in 1985...that seems so long ago now..but I have held this book and his writings (countless to number), 

 close to my heart for as long as I can remember..

when times get tough (recently a bit more frequently) 

I open up and dive in, nourished and enlightened 

and brought back to a focal point within...

so, in case you are not particularly familiar with Rilke, 

I thought I would share...because oh, my how I love him so...enough so that we put his words into our wedding vows...(not these below), 

'If only we arrange our life

 according to that principle which counsels us 

that we must always hold to the difficult, 

then that which now still seems to us the most alien 

will become what we most trust 

and find most faithful.'

good night and be kind to yourself...