Valentine's Weekend

After weeks of building up a routine and going through as many art commissions as possible, it was nice to give myself an entire weekend of rest and relaxation. We bartered art for a room in a local inn and stayed there Valentine's night. Zak and I aren't really too fond of holidays like this, but any excuse to find a babysitter and enjoy some alone time is great in my eyes. Especially because Odin is rarely away from me. Odin stayed with family for a few hours before rejoining us in our fancy inn room in our giant bed just in time for nursing to sleep. In the morning we went to a bakery that was just around the corner and had some breakfast goodies.

Last night, there was snow. Odin spent the night pretending he was a cat, running around naked, and jumping as high as he possibly could. As the winds picked up outside, we nursed Odin to sleep and Zak and I snuggled up to re-watch Game of Thrones.

It was a stay-cation weekend well spent. 

Christmas with Nana and Nana T

This was my first year spending Christmas away from my family. It was much harder than I thought it would be but I managed (through way too many tears) and was able to celebrate with them when I arrived in Florida earlier this month. 

We woke up at my mum's house, everyone had stayed there like we usually do on Christmas Eve. We all had coffee, while Odin and Kira sipped on their hot cocoas. They both received the loveliest gifts and spent the entire morning reading and drawing together before we set out to my Nana's. The festivities at my Nana's are always wild and so much fun. This was much more casual, but just as enjoyable! I miss my family so much, I can't wait for my sisters to visit.

Christmas at the Keller's

We joined family and friends in Madaket for a beautiful holiday celebration filled with much dancing and so much delicious food. A lot of our friends were there and many other new and interesting people. Odin, of course, had the time of his life romping around and dancing his little heart out. We made felt garlands and I made a few pipe cleaner crowns adorned with beads for friends.

December was full to the brim with festivities and celebrations. We celebrated the Solstice with our small family and celebrated the year with friends. We celebrated Christmas with Z's family and the new year with Angelica in Virginia. A few days into 2014 and we're in Florida with my family preparing to celebrate 2013. It has been an ongoing month of celebration, which more than any other year, seems oh so fitting. There were many big changes in 2013 for me and the year ended with my choice to stay home and make art. The year change has been pivotal for me and I am beyond excited to see what 2014 brings.

Much love in the New Year friends!

Christmas Day

This year was my first time spending the holidays away from my family. It was a rough few days, but being with my second family helped me adjust. We had a very low key day with Zak's parents in their beautifully decorated home. We had the most amazing dinner and time well spent with Aunts and cousins and our Meme. Our beautiful doll from our dear friend Angelica from Thunderclouds of Love also appeared on Yaya's doorstep Christmas morning. It was a beautiful day and made me even more excited to have a second Christmas with my family in Florida. 

Ian's Visit: Part Two, Winter Solstice

I've always been more spiritual than religious and Christmas has always been more of a celebration of the winter and the upcoming year for me, even when I was a little girl. This year we decided to celebrate the Solstice with Odin rather than Christmas. As we researched, we discovered that pretty much everything Christmas is derived from classic Winter Solstice celebrations. Our traditions aren't quite set yet as this was our first year but I've read some beautiful things that I'm excited to incorporate into our yearly celebrations. We plan to still celebrate Christmas with our families, but with Odin, the emphasis will be on the Solstice. Last year for Odin's first Christmas, we decided to go with the "Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read" for gifts. We still plan to follow that tradition as I truly believe it is a good one! I've never been a fan of the materialism associated with this holiday and don't want Odin relating the two. 

One of my IG mama friends told me that they string berries and decorate the trees with the berry garlands and apples as an offering to the deer and other creatures. Solstice is about the Earth and it's relation to the Sun and it seems so much more fitting to me than sitting in front of your new flat screen television and playing with your new iPad all day. Not that I'd judge you if you did, but I'm not a fan of material things in general so we like to avoid that sort of atmosphere! I also love the idea of twelve special ornaments to decorate the solstice tree in representation of the twelve months of the year. I'm excited to make them next year and also to research throughout the year and begin practicing some beautiful new traditions. Our friend Ian was visiting this Solstice and it was so nice to have someone with us in the morning. We gave him one of our few jars of honey from our bees and I made Odin a set of finger puppets as his something he wants. Last year I made Odin a beautiful quiet book but I didn't have as much time this year! Although, he's ridiculously in love with the finger puppets and I think I made a good choice in making him those. 

We spent the rest of the day outside. Meeting up with friends downtown and walking to one of our favorite spots, the Lily Ponds. The day was short and we were soon back home to get Odin down for his nap and bid Ian farewell. It was definitely the most perfect day.