Happy New Years

I wanted to give you a glimpse of 2010--snap shots of our year! Thank you for all your love. The support. The friendship. I got a little misty-eyed putting this together. The year has been so full. Science courses at the community college, horrible morning sickness, small creative endeavors, Andrew graduating from law school, packing up our apartment, giving birth to baby William, moving across country, exploring our new neighborhood, meeting new friends, rejoicing in the goodness, the wonder, the magic of a little boy! It's been so good. And next year? I can already tell--it's going to be spectacular. I'm going to sit down and finish my journal entry--making my New Years lists! Wishing you all a wondrous New Years!

Sending you heaps of love,
Jewels

. . . . . .
2010



January--Green Chrysanthemum



February -- 21 Weeks



March--the start of Baby William's Quilt



April--Duluth



May--Raspberries



June--Quiet Nook



July--Baby William (2 weeks old)



August--First walk in the Moby wrap



September--William's Walk series begins



October--Studio shot



November--Chestnut Hill Coffee Shop



December--Winter rose

. . . . .

New Years Tradition

I'm already thinking about my New Years journal session--the one where I sit down with a steaming cup of tea, my blue ball point pen, a new journal and record some of my new year aspirations. Yes, I'm a sucker for this tradition. It's a list--right? And I love lists. Ridiculously so. It also helps me focus on the things that have been milling around my brain for the past couple of weeks. Things like new music, new explorations, creative endeavors, friendships. Sometimes, if the mood is right and the pen writes smoothly, things start unfolding on the pages of my journal. Dreams start taking shape--maybe a little fuzzy around the edges, but they're there. And the steps to accomplish them slowly appear. Slowly. It's good.

Image from this beautiful Etsy shop

William's Quilt

The snow is swirling, piling, knocking over everything in its way. It's marvelous. Andrew has a snow day, William is napping sweetly and I'm contemplating making butternut squash soup or pesto perogies for lunch.

We had a wonderful Christmas! It was a blur. Lots of family, funny babies, one hyper Bernese Mountain dog and tons of crinkly wrapping paper (William's favorite). My Christmas gift to baby William was his quilt. I started it last spring, when I couldn't touch my toes, and never got around to finishing it. I did, however, find the time the day before Christmas. My first quilt--so don't look too close--but it's snuggly and full of bright colors!

I hope you all had a wondrous holiday! Thinking of you!

Merry Christmas

Many, many Christmas blessings to you and yours!

With all our love,
Jewels, Andrew and Baby William

Solo Hike

I went for a solo hike on Saturday--left the boys to hang out, play with monkeys and lions--you know, the usual. There are a number of trails on the Wissahickon that I haven't had the opportunity to explore, so I picked a route and set off! Sometimes I forget how vital the woods are to me. How rejuvenated I feel when I'm next to a bubbling creek. Or how comforted I am by the resin-like smell of pine needles drying in the sun. I don't ever talk about God here--mostly due to the fact that I wouldn't consider myself a religious person. But, when I'm standing beneath a huge beech tree, dwarfed by it height and girth, or feel the cool, crisp quiet of an empty wooded trail, I can't help but feel God. Whatever it is, however it moves and breaths--I feel it most keenly in the woods. By the water. In the quiet.

Candy Shop

Good morning! Just a quick post today. I'm doing a little bit of research, could you help me out? What do you think of when you head "Candy Shop?" And if you say 50 Cent... ugh.

XOXO,
Jewels

Layers

We are remarkably layered individuals. What you see on the surface is usually just one of many layers. It's fascinating--just think about the different kinds of friends you have, each one connecting with you in a special way. We have skills, talents, and gifts that are completely unique to us. I was struck this morning with a immense desire to divide this blog post up into Red Otter, Mama, Adventurer categories. Each one filled to the brim with the workings of that layer. I think it's easy to define ourselves solely by what we do--professionally or not. I'm a mother. I'm a student. I'm a designer/teacher/writer/architect. Not really understanding the power and the magnitude of all the other layers we're made up of. Thank God! Thank God I'm more than just one of these layers.

Sending you love this morning,
Jewels

To do today

On my list of things to do today:

1. Buy Christmas candle--so our apartment smells balsamy--we're still boasting our "Law School" Christmas tree. Next year: real one, baby!
2. Bake sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, peanut butter blossoms and chocolate chocolate chip cookies with dear friend and her baby.
3. Wrap packages--oh you mysterious amazon boxes!
4. Drink egg nog. First time in years!
5. Write Christmas cards. I'm determined to get them out. Before Christmas, I promise!

Hopefully all serenaded by my plethora of Pandora Christmas stations. Yeah, I think we're up to our eyeballs in Christmas!

Images from here

Giant hello

White pines are without a doubt my favorite conifer. I think. The blue spruce is right up there. Anyways, the softness of the white pine, the way the needles float, gently waving hello. That's what I love--they're very friendly. And the ones here in Chestnut Hill are massive, so the hello is giant!

NYC

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves! They're in chronological order by the way.

I had such an incredible time on my first adventure to New York City. Cindy kept laughing at me--every time we turned a corner I would gasp and say something like, "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" I'm sure she thought I was going to pee my pants. *sighs* Tourists! It was startling to see all of these things in person--all of these places I've only ever seen in movies or photographs. Of course, the whole experience was amplified by Cindy--sweet and ever dear, Cindy. She really made the trip for me. I can't tell you how amazing it is to finally meet a long distance friend for the first time--goosebumps! I nearly cried when we found each other at Penn Station! So many blog posts, emails, letters--and there she was in front of me. It was such a special day!

By the way, the boys did fabulously well at home while mama was off traveling. William wasn't too much of a crab and Andrew conquered the naps and applesauce. But, I think I was missed.

William's Walk

On William's Walk last night I spotted this pale pink rose--still alive--untouched by our December frosts. So lovely and elegant. And surprisingly hearty.

Sorry I've been a little absent this week. Much going on! I am trying to stay on top of Red Otter orders, get our wee apartment Christmasy, and prep for my big trip tomorrow. I'm heading to New York City for the first time. Ever. Not only to see and partake in the delights of the season--New York style-- but to meet a long time blog friend, Cindy from Quaint Handmade. I can't tell you how excited I am. Positively giddy! I promise to take heaps of photos!