Breath by Breath

Holiday Haiku ::: 11

Celebrate the Solstice

Let go of what's not needed

Welcome light and love.

Holiday Haiku ::: 7

Little bits of sweetness

Baked across generations

Treasured traditions.

Holiday Haiku ::: 6

This is the eighth year

Gathering for the Solstice

Tamales...love...light.

Another kind of interlude

This time the interlude has a name -- Influenza A.  Silas was hit hard January 10th but his resilient little self, aided by quick dosing with 5 days of Tamiflu, meant he was ready to return to school a mere 7 days after his first symptoms.  I, on the other hand, did not get the Tamiflu and am still symptomatic about 10 days later.  Today I recognize myself a bit for the first time, despite the fact that cleaning toothpaste splatter off the bathroom mirror winds me.  But, I showered (!!!), made kale egg salad, cleaned that mirror (!), and walked the dog for a few minute.  I think I'm back among the living.

So, today I am cataloging the benefits of an enforced interlude of mostly homebound bed rest--an interlude marked by broken routines (limited dog walking, piano practice, meal preparing, school and activity shuttling, cancelled lessons and yoga clases) and added stuff (novel reading, Lego sticker book "reading", interminable games of Sorry and Battleship, lots of Hulu and Netflix watching, more football than I care to think about...).

But the broken allows for a clean sweep and the benefits of the influenza interlude are many.....lots of practice in letting go of control, inviting people to help me, sitting down whenever necessary, two good novels read (Elizabeth Street and Caleb's Crossing), detoxing from sugar and wine, inspiration to more courageously practice my art, parenting and yoga, renewed appreciation for beauty and order in my environment, saying "No", slowing down, rebooting my priorities, getting the calendar organized for the spring, etc.

So, I am slowing regaining strength in cycles of 15 minutes on and 45 minutes down.  Slow and steady wins the race, someone once said.

 

Vintage sunglasses courtesy of my mother-in-law.

 

 

Advent ::: Days 21 through 25

"Little House Christmas" at the Main Street Theater in Houston. Silas and I read all 9 books together this year, so it was fun to hear is very detailed analysis of all the liberties they took with time, place, persons and events.

We FINALLY got to ice skate at Discovery Green and Santa showed up!

Afterward, we had a quick bite at our favotire Mission Burrito and went to Silas' piano teacher's family concert, full of piano, basoon, bell choir and lots of singing.

 

Silas, the Star Wars lego-loving Ninja (new balaclava and ski goggles in his stocking this year!).

Taking the break from the holiday joy, wearing new safety glasses from his very own real took kit and his new sweater & pj's.

Oh, no!  Auntie gave Silas the new version of "Battleship"! 

On Christmas Eve I did a lot of food prep for Christmas and we enjoyed a lovely evening of holiday cheer with friends at their gathering.  On Christmas morning we had a slow and sweet time with gifts for our tiny family, a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, and later a festive lunch and rousing game of Timeline with family, and an adult viewing of the Christmas premier of Les Miserables.  Foosball, lego and other fun stuff ensued for the little one and his daddy.

I hope everyone had and continues to have a peaceful, companionable, and joyful holiday season.

 

Advent ::: Days 13 through 21

 

Scenes from the Season

Dinner with a dear old friend and Mr. Darcy.

The funny pancake maker!

Gingerbread men & such.

Making tamales.

Silas takes a portrait of his family.

Traditional Christmas miniatures.

 

Silas finds a home at the North Pole.

Some making at Silas' school Christmas party.

Note card making.

Singing in public (!!!) at the Solstice Tamale Fiesta.

Not pictured...reading "Cops & Robbers", watching "Rudolf" & "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", wrapping presents, giving presents, the beautiful Solstice Tamale Fiesta ceremony (fire & candlelighting outside this year), making snowflakes for Newtown, and on and on....

 

 

Advent ::: Days 9 & 10

Day 9 ::: The cookie party

My first experience making and using Royal Icing.  Suffice it to say, I learned A LOT!

Quite a few salt dough ornaments were painted and decorated, but I only have this picture (mine), since I got a little distracted and separated from my camera.  Can you imagine?

December 10 ::: A day of rest.  Decorating a little, making a little.  Testing out the hot cocoa mix recipe for inserting in the mugs.

I liked the cocoa.  Not too sweet, even better with a tiny bit of milk mixed in....