restful

holiday scene awaiting all visitors to our home

 Mae's new nonnie-made baby boy, Thomas.  Oh my.

 Iris' new sewing machine.  Go girl.

newly nonnie-knit sweaters from our sheep's wool

 sledding fun with grampy

 waiting for santa

 hauling more wood.  Brrrrrr.

And just when you're having loads of fun and excitement with new gifts, and family and playing outside, and another trip is just ahead to see more family and friends, you get sick.  Just low down awful sick.  As Iris has said plenty in the last few days, "it's just not fair".  It was pretty disappointing.  No trip to see Nina and Poppy for Christmas, no time to skate and play with city friends.

Instead we're parked by the fire.  Close by the fire.  (Dang it's cold around here.)  Two days of solid fever and tummy trouble will stop you right in your tracks and tell you to just lay down.  Right here, right now.  All day.

Plenty of tea, snuggles, lots of stories, naps, knitting, more tea and toast, violin concertos, more knitting and snuggles, some very quiet playing while sister sleeps again, more stories and early to bed. 

Not exactly our plan for ringing in the new year, but it wasn't hard at all to see the blessings in this day.  A nothing matters but this sick girl kind of day.  A day when the list doesn't find its way to the top of the pile, not even once.  A day for dreaming but not doing.  A day for staying close to one another.  A day of nourishing food, even if only a little.  A day of slippers and pajamas.  A day of quiet.  A day of rest.

A reminder in this new year, (once again, and again) of slowing down.  That we grow each day in the company of one another and that working towards our best selves is such worthy labor.

May the new year ahead be full of good health and the change you wish to bring in your lives and for this world.

Happy new year all.