So a few people have mentioned how delicious the cookies Susan made the other night were, and we've had requests for the recipe.  So she'd share it with me, and now I'm sharing it with you.

Susan is a local author, with 2 books on sale at EarthWorks -The Liberation of Apartment 6B and TC, Key Lime Man, by SC MacDorman).  She's also a super  voice to have working for us in our humble little area (which I sometimes feel is trying to be the Savannah of the mid-atlantic!). 

We have her to thank, along with the AG, for the removal of those contraversial AP fee's from our parental budgets! (read about that here - maybe my reimbursement will be negotiated in the way of ZERO senior dues after 4 years of AP fees paid!) Thanks for that Susan!

Susan also heads up Loudoun Veg, and is doing great work getting that started.  She's been working tirelessly visiting LoCo's restaurants to try and get one true vegan dish on every menu.  Good for her!  Have you seen Forks over Knives yet?  I don't know if Dew or I could ever go totally meatless, but we're definately becoming very aware of the health and social benefits of being more veggie friendly!  We're hoping to host a bake sale here for the group before too long.  I hope I get free tastes!

So, here's the recipe for those yummy vegan Carrot Raisin Spice Chewies from the book "Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar" by Chandra Moscowitz. 

Ingredients:

1/3 cup nondairy milk
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1/2 cup canola or peanut oil
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange zest
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely shredded carrots, lightly packed
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins

For the Lemon Glaze

1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Generously grease two baking sheets or line them
with parchment paper.

2.  In a large bowl, beat together the nondairy milk, flax seeds, oil, brown
sugar, sugar, orange zest & vanilla.  Sift in the flour, baking powder,
cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & salt.  Stir to moisten ingredients & fold in the
carrots, coconut, walnuts & raisins.

3.  Drop generous tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheets, leaving about 2
inches of space between each.  Bake 14 to 16 minutes until the edges are
brown and the tops are firm.  Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet fro
10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to complete cooling.

4.  While cookies are cooling, whisk together in a bowl the powdered sugar,
lemon juice and lemon zest. (If it seems too thick, just add a little water
or nondairy milk.)   Use a fork to drizzle it over cookies.

This recipe yields about 2 1/2 dozen treats - enjoy!

 PL&BB-

Pen

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Oh man, laughing is good ain't it babe?  Dewey McMahan, 2012

Last night was the first of our planned bi-monthly "Meet the Artist" nights at EarthWorks, and it was fun.  We are so happy that Mark Routt agreed to be our first.  He and Christiane are good peeps, and they bring alot of good to the store. 

Mark & Christiane helped us meet and greet folks, and it was fun watching Mark talk to people who appreciate his work.  Especially the young photogs-in-training.  Heck, he's even out shooting today with TC in the icy wonderland.  I think she was up at dawn in anticipation of what she might learn, and when the other photogs learn she got to go with him there's gonna be a few pouts.  LOL. 

Thanks to them, and also to Susan Sedlazek (local author and provider of vegan baked goods), Michael Burn (Mystical Crystals) and TC Tavenner (Photographer) for coming out and supporting their fellow artist! That was extra special. 

It was a win - Even with Topper Shutt and his damed doppler radar telling folks to go home after work.  Well Topper, you know it takes more than a few inches of ice to keep LoCo's in on a Friday night!  And it didn't even start to snow until after 10pm, so there!

The vegan cookies were a hit, I learned about GeoCaching and we even met a new artist that will be bringing you all some watercolor like you haven't seen in a while! Oh, and we sold some art.  Good Times. 

One thing I did consider a fail for the night - I didn't get one picture of the fun.  And neither did any of the photographers in the room for that matter.  So, lesson learned.  No matter the acclaim or skill level of the artist in the room I will be snapping blurry and off center photos on my phone so that we have photographic evidence of all the fun.  Haha.

Who knows, maybe I'll get some tips from Routt and become a photographer myself.  Except I'd have to have a cooler name.  Like TC.  Maybe PT.  PT Walker - Photographer.  hmmm.  Fat chance, unless there is suddenly a market of folks who want to buy blurry and off center photography.  Oh, and I wouldn't be tromping around in the woods taking pictures of icy things.  I would only be a photographer when its warm.  And dry.  On second thought, maybe I'll just stick to spreadsheets and soap.  LOL.

Next up?  Why, a book signing event with the lovely Leah Cole on February 3rd.  Her new book, The Victor Way, is out and it's good!  I encourage you to stop in and pick up your copy soon so you can read it before you meet Leah.  And I think everyone should meet her.  She makes you happy just being in the room. 

PL&BB-

Pen

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It's hard to believe it's been two weeks already, and it's time for a new "What's New".  I'm so proud of all of our artists - even after the craziness of the holiday's they are working hard to make sure you've got some beautiful things to keep or share!

With Valentine's day just around the corner, you can really see the inspiration coming through.  Even yesterday, Amy rearranged the jewerly so that we have a "Valentine" theme going on already!  And Kathryn Dyche brought in 4 new pieces that you should probably buy as a set, IMHO.  I would hang all 4 in my bedroom year round!  (gotta have alot of hearts to offset the gi-normous skull collection that a certain man has amassed!)

And in the last 24 hours we have signed on two new artists that I'm very excited asbout - Laurien Dowdy's acrylics and Monika Mayer's 2nd Chance Glass.  Those who have known me for a while understand how I'm over the moon about Laurien's acrylic pieces featuring Roosters and Hens, and as well 2nd Chance Glass' functional kitchenware made from recycled bottles (yes - wine, vodka, corona - you name it!).  You guys are going to love them as much as I do.

So, take a peek at what we've added since you were here last.  And be sure to stop by tomorrow evening and meet the ever popular Mark Routt (ya'll know -Selma Plantation, Dew on the Ginkos, Old Dory Lane . . .).  He'll be here from 6pm until 8pm.  I'm so excited to spend the evening with him and the missus that I"m going to get cookies.  And maybe some cheese to set on one of those 2nd chance glass trays.  And I wonder if Christiane likes wine from a box . . . (LOL). 

Click here:  EarthWorks - What's New - 01/18/12 Edition

PL&BB -

Pen

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"We are in relationship with ourselves, and everything around us all of the time.  Relationships bring us opportunities to learn and grow, to see and be seen, and to feel connection with the world around us."  Leah Cole, author of The Victor Way

This weeks featured piece is a book by Leah Cole, local author and artist.  Hot off the presses is The Victor Way, and I highly recommend it for everyone. 

I can't say it much better than this, taken from the back cover of the book: 

Find and embrace your personal power, Release painful memories, Move through any illness and suffering, Receive the goodness and gifts in relationships, Build happiness in the midst of a changing world, And more!

The Victor Way will improve your relationships, your health, your happiness and more. Your choice to read The Victor Way is the beginning of a wonderful adventure to enhance your experience of life as your own beautiful creation.

As I read the book, I found myself smiling alot.  Of course, at the appropriate humourous places but as well  when I recognized my own self (or my own stories) in a few places. 

I found myself reflecting on "my stories", and how they had and have effected my own life - the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Now, on my second pass through the book I'm using a high-lighter pen and a journal for my thoughts not just on the meditative excercises, but also my thoughts on the words.  And how learning to walk my Victor Way has led me to a place where I can look at each day and say, "Yes, I am happy."   Even before I knew I was walking my Victor Way. 

This is a book that everyone should read, and re-read.  The excercises and journaling moments are good for all ages. 

And the great news is that you can buy the book here at EarthWorks today, and then come back on February 3rd when Leah will be here for a booksigning event!  Stay tuned for more details on that night. 

Learn more about Leah and The Victor Way on her website!

PL&BB -

Penni

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We are just loaded with headlines - forty ga-gillion cable channels and on-line sources for news are right there for us to grab every day.  Half the stuff is just so much bunk. 

I can't tell you how many times I've clicked on a link that promises to tell me about foods that are bad for me and find out it's a list of the ten worst foods to eat while driving.  Guess what?  A baked potato is one of them.  

So today I'm having fun with the headlines.  I'm making up the "teaser" from real headlines from today.  Here we go. 

• Jay-Z raps about Blue Ivy.  Singer writes lyrics to warn the world about a new strain of plant.  When incubated inside  the body, Blue Ivy will first cause symptoms of nausea and bloating.  A light balm will keep skin from stretching, however, if left untreated, Blue Ivy will cause years of sleepless nights.   Doctors confirm that Blue Ivy is a real pain , but after a few decades  will be able to live indenpendently of it's original host.
• Venus to dance across sun in rare June skywatching treat.  Tennis star has confirmed that she will appear on the new reality show, Dancing on the Sun with the Stars.  Keep your eyes on the sky this summer . . .rumour has it that the Kardashian's will be evicted from the earth, and will likely invade the sun - which may cause Venus some ripples!
• Scientists look to bats for answers on white nose fungus.  The world's top scientific minds reveal the results of a year long study on the effects of lime dusting around bat caves.  They will lobby congress for millions in government funding to assist in what they call critical follow up to prove that regular flushing of the bats sinus cavity with a neti-pot is the cure.
•  Arrest at Lohan's home.  While the world awaits news that there is a cardiac arrest at Lohan's home, this is not it.  She was just arrested again. 
• Snoop Dog arrested for drugs.  Yes, it's Monday.  And now, for a look at the weather . . .
• Grounded ship sinking in New Zealand.   This just in.  A ship that was grounded in New Zealand is sinking.  Authorities indicate that it will be weeks before they understand how a grounded ship might sink.  Un-named sources indicate that it might have something to do with a hole in the hull of the vessel, but this cannot be confirmed.  In other news,
• FMLA & Beer Pong.  An employee of a prestigious Wall Street firm, earning pay while on leave under FMLA was tagged on facebook in Cabo with his "boyz" playing a rousing game of beer pong.  His nurse, sporting a string bikini and a tribal tramp-stamp, stated that the activities were a part of his OT further explaining that Beer Pong was "like super-duper " therapy for people needing to enhance their fine motor skills.  Sources within the firm  neither confirm nor deny the young exec's bonus will be pro-rated or paid in full. 

Its a funny world, ya'll  (if we try!)

PL&BB

Pen

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Alrighty – It’s time for me to get really annoying about the impending birth of my first grandchild, Ella Grace.   She’ll be making her earthly debut in early to mid-march, and my baby girl (Ella’s momma) is starting to feel the strain of the 3^rd trimester.   I’m going to make an effort to make her life easier the next 8 or 9 weeks by cooking some meals and using my wheels to keep her nourished and massaged and loved! 

If you’ve ever cooked a baby inside you for nine months, you know the last few weeks are tough.  You have zero energy, which is a surprise after a 2^nd trimester of general good feeling and euphoria.  You have serious doubts about your readiness and your ability to keep a child alive when any plant you have ever owned has died under your charge. 

I know my girl is feeling double the strain since she’s been battling a sinus infection for the past month or so.  She’s tired, and she’s 23, she’s sick and about to be a first time Momma.  Her brain has gone to mush.  She’s losing things and one of them is her mind.  She thinks this is just her –but it’s our job to tell her that she’s doing just fine! 

I recall my pregnancy with Theresa as fun.  I felt great, even with little Ash running around.  Ash was just barely two when T-Luv made her debut.  And the story of her birth was great.  She came into the world in a slick minute after being about a week past her due date.  T-luv was due on 10/31/88.  Halloween.  I didn’t like that, and hoped I’d go a day or so early. 

But on 10/31/88 I found myself feeling nowhere close to going into labor.  So I did what every silly 21 year old girl would do.  With her Dad standing on the safe side of the fence (and not being real happy with me) I hopped on a horse and went for a ride.  I hoped that a good trot would work the kinks out of my body, and get my little one moving.  This activity was not sanctioned by anyone I ever knew. 

My own Momma was giggling (she knew I was safe) but Brian and Grumpa Dave were shaking their heads and thinking I was more crazy than they had ever suspected.  And I suspect they were wondering what they would have to do if I fell off and the baby popped out.  I imagine I looked a fright – a full term preggo in a sundress riding bareback on a horse with a rope tied to a halter as reins, 15 miles from the hospital.  I was desperate OK?  Seeing a due date come and go is not fun.  LOL. 

Alas, Brian and Grumpa were spared delivering our girl in a field.  A week later, my doc told me I could sneeze and go into labor.  I asked what I could do to cause a sneeze.  She laughed and told me a teaspoon of castor oil mixed into a cold beer might not cause a sneeze, but wouldn’t do any harm and might just jumpstart the eviction of my little bundle of joy from my belly.

So that night, Grumpa cooked up an amazing feast of streak o’lean (which translates to non-southerners as fried venison tenderloin).  There was mashed potatoes and fried okra – yum!  Also on the menu was a cold PBR (gifted to me by Grumpa) with a teaspoon of castor oil mixed in.  It was an oddly nice drink.  Smooth . . . . LOL. 

 Bri & I crashed at about 10:00 pm.  I was crushed that after all that effort of going to the doctor, and the drugstore and then actually eating a full-on southern fried meal I hadn’t gone into labor. 

I was convinced that giving birth to this child wasn’t ever going to happen.  I would remain 42 weeks pregnant for the rest of my life.  Brian rubbed my back and dried my tears and probably prayed for deliverance.  Then 1:00 am hit.  WOWZA – I shot out of bed and ran to the bathroom certain that Grumpa’s streak o’lean was not agreeing with me. 

After about 10 minutes I realized that your back doesn’t hurt when the venison is bad, and that we were well on the way to finding out if we had a Bobby Larry (southern for Robert Lawrence)  or a yet-to-be-named-girl-child.  Brian’s massage had masked my labor pains for an hour or so and I slept for an hour or so and then OMG.  Game on!

Bri drove as fast as he could while trying to counter my complaints that I was, indeed, wrong and did not actually want to give birth again - ever.  By 1:45 am I was rethinking the whole thing, and Brian was trying to find a parking spot at the hospital.  I was pissed.  I think I actually told him I refused to give birth to his child because he made me wait at the door while he parked the car.  Oy.  I was only 21.  Please forgive me my idiocy . . .

Anyways, and hour later we were in our “room”.  Brian was using my back to sign the paperwork when the nurse came in to check my “progress”.  She was thanked for her help when my water broke just as she bent down to look.  (I swear I know it’s not funny, but really it is.  The girl was soaked from the top of her head to her mid section!)  I’m guessing that to be about 2:15 am. After drenching the nurse, they wheeled us up to the room where we deliver the baby.  (it’s not like today, girls – and I don’t want to hear a moment of bitching from any of you!). 

As you might well have guessed, I’m a natural child-birth kind of girl.   No drugs for me, no drugs for my baby.  Just Tylenol afterward.  Well, I think I might have begged for drugs at some point, because I remember someone telling me I couldn’t have them because it was too late.  I’m certain that person walks with a limp today. 

But about an hour after that, I was holding my baby girl in my arms.  Brian was snoring softly in a chair and the nurse brought me the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten in my life.  I was the happiest girl in the world.   After being a week late, my girl flew into the world in less than 4 hours of labor!  And she’s been blowing my mind ever since.  Except  on 11/04/88 my girl didn’t have a name.  I was sure she was going to be a Bobby, and Brian and I had nothing that fit for a girl.

At a reasonable hour I talked to Daddy.  He asked if I had a name, and when I said no he offered that he really like the name Teri (short for Theresa).  Since that is the middle name of my favorite aunt whose name starts with an E, as well as my own middle name I thought it was good.  Brian agreed and we signed the birth certificate Theresa Marie.  Our girl had a name inside of 24 hours of taking her first breath and we loved it.   Really odd if you look at today.  I’ve known Ella would be Ella since before she had skin!

For years we called her Teri, and T-bone and T-luv.  When she was in the 1^st or 2^nd grade, she came home one day and announced that it was too difficult to go by a nick-name at school and that we should all just start calling her Theresa.  And we did.  It took a few years, and now,  some 20 years later there are only a handful of people who still call her Teri.  Grumpa is one of them.  And Grandma Marion, and Tam.  They’re allowed. 

So now, my baby is having a baby, and times have sure changed since the last time I was a preggo.  Surely since she was born.  I saw Ella live in color and 3D a few weeks ago at the doctor.  I could actually see the features in her face, and it was a gift like I’ve never been given.  My grand-daughter safe and sound and beautiful in the protective womb of the girl I tried to shake out of me on horse-back just a short 23 years ago! 

So, my T-Luv;  at this point in the creation of your first child, and my first grandchild, I would expect you are confused.  You are tired.  You can’t tie your shoes.  Even if you could reach them.  You can’t sleep at night. You are never comfortable.  Your feet may swell for no reason.  You may start to hallucinate and while thinking you are skinny you may try to wear “real clothes”. 

But Ella still has a few more weeks of growing to do before she greets us.  She’s barely 5 pounds by now, but she can hear you.  She knows your voice.  If you sing to her now, she will know the song for the rest of her life. You won’t be sleeping well for the next weeks, so spend that time reading and singing to her.  It will calm both of you.  When she is born, it will be soothing to her to hear Momma sing the songs she heard these last weeks in the womb. 

I promise in the next week or two, breathing will be a bit easier.  She will drop down a bit.  She will get off your lungs but sit square on your bladder.  Get used to peeing your pants.  That will happen from here on out, for the rest of your life.  Haha!

So, in the next weeks we’ll uncover more of the mysteries, and make sure you know it’s not just you.  You are now a member of an elite club of millions.  You are a Mom.  

In sisterhood –

Mom

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My guy got busy in the garage the last few weeks, and he's been on a roll.  He added 4 more peices to the dragonfly series.  Two of them are smaller (8x10) and the dragonfly's are from chipped mirror pieces on wood, but the 11x14's on canvas with the copper babies. . . those are the one's that I love the best.  And so do you guys.  They're really special. 

He also did two more in the Light House series, with the ocean horizon at night.  They really pop with the candle feature when the lights are down low (ooh la la). 

And oh yeah, I guess the little fishies are a series now.  He did a new one of those that is adorable. Everytime I look at it I go "bloop, bloop, bloop".   Unlike the stained-glass bass that adorns one of my beautiful sunny windows, I like this little guy.  (Ms. Striker hasn't yet been forgiven for that gift, LOL!)

But one of the new ones is really cool, and its not like one he's done before.   My guess is that he was in a reflective mood, and feeling grateful,happy when he created it.  It's my feature this week.

Today, as I study it and think of what Dew's inspirations were, I also am being drawn to recall a bit of Ephisians that T-Luv was sharing this week.  When we are doing what we are called to do, we see with clear and focused eyes and we are given extravagent gifts that include endless energy and boundless strength.

On a 16x20 wrapped canvas, there are footprints (anything with footprints gets me, ya'll know that).  They are extending from the red and into the yellow on the canvas.  Hello - from the fire to the spirit, ya'll!  It's extremely calming.  And as one customer said when he was hanging it, a bit of the Buffett rings thru.  That must be the other thing that draws me.  Spirit, reflectiveness and steel drums.  Ha ha.   

The frame is copper tubing about one inch off the canvas  (like I had to explain that there is copper somewhere in a McMahan peice) and affixed to the copper tubing there are 5 approx. 4 inch square blocks in each of the primary colors for the elements of the earth (red, green, blue, white and yellow).

I asked him if I could have it.  He said no.  I asked him if I could buy it.  He said yes.  I asked him if I could have some money to buy some art, and he said no.  So there I am.  I can appreciate it while it's still on the wall here, and then all I'll have are the pictures. 

He says he'll make me one for myself, but we know from the dragonflies that this never happens.  And I looked really hard under the Christmas tree and I didn't find one of Dyche's sun peices under it.  Hmph. 

Check out his gallery here.  Oh, and we've just launched Kitchen Wizard's new web page .  Go check him out there too (the domain is still being registered, so it may not work until tomorrow though).  And follow him on Facebook and Twitter You might get some good handy-man tips.  He's just the best, and he can do anything. 

PL&BB-

Pen

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Did ya'll see this nice little write up from Talk Loudoun?  It's a bi-monthly ezine featuring all the good news in Loudoun.  You should check them out at http://www.talkloudoun.com/ .

And it's important to note that they did get Dew's last name wrong in the piece.  Poor baby.  But he did see a small bit of humour in it, and that's why I love him.  Dewey McMahan.  And he didn't want me to call the reporter out on it, because she's new to the magazine.  It did bring up that fun old conversation about changing my name, but what a hassle . . . Momma McMahan does have a nice ring to it though. 

Anyways, we loved the piece and just totally dig all the good news we hear all around LoCo.    Hope you do too!

 PL&BB -

Pen

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“If anyone had been paying attention to the signs, they would have realized that air turns white when things are about to change, that paper cuts mean there's more to what's written on the page than meets the eye, and that birds are always out to protect you from things you don't see.”  Sarah Addison Allen (The PeachKeeper)

I try not to be a particularly superstitious girl - black cats, ladders, broken mirrors, spilled salt -none of these things really scares me.  But I'd be lying if I didn't say I take a mental note when there is an incident along these lines.  (And if no one is looking, I will throw the spilled salt over my left shoulder - just in case . . .) I make a mental note so that if something bad happens I can blame it on the cat, or the salt, or the mirror. 

Things I've always known about New Year's are these little gems:

• It is bad luck to leave the Christmas Tree up past New Years Day
• Whoever you kiss at mid-night is who you'll be with for the year
• You MUST eat black-eyed peas on New Years for luck and prosperity.

 I can trace back a to few particular years when I flew in the face of these superstitions, and I fully blame my bad luck and poor fortunes in those years on my failure to adhere to these three simple rules of a New Year.

One year I left my tree up till March, kissed my ex-husband on New Years Eve, and didn't eat even a legume on New Years Day - never mind a BEP.  Upon reflection, that was one of the worst years of my life.  Conincidence?  I think not! I did it to myself - and not because I made poor choices that year.  It's all because I left the tree up, kissed a skunk and ate steak and shrimp. 

So, having learned a few lessons the hard way I can assure you that today I unplugged the pity-tree and it will be back in the garage by sundown tomorrow.  I have just the right amount of the Christmas ham (and the bone) left to make the BlackEyes scrumptious by Sunday.  And I will gladly be kissing Dewey from mid-night until 1am just to be safe (but I'll have to set the alarm so we both wake up at mid-night, hehe).  I want to hedge my bets and make sure that we start 2012 off right!

So, friends - heed my advice. 

• Toss that tree right out the door tomorrow night.  No need to push it and wait for Sunday. 
• Be very picky about who you kiss.  Don't just be kissing someone to avoid standing there at mid-night NOT kissing someone. 
• Eat some Black Eyed Peas at some point on Sunday.

If you don't know how to prepare them, here's my simple recipe.  I want to make sure that you, like us, have all the tools to start 2012 the right way. 

(Some folks, those who are really superstitious, will also throw a penny in the pot just before the beans are served.  The person getting the penny in their serving will have EXTRA good luck in the year to come.   I don't know about all that.  I do, however, pick up every penny I find on the ground.  Face up or not.  Other folks will add a bay leaf, but in my house bay leaf is only used in Spaghetti Sauce - it's good luck to whoever gets it, and I don't think I'd care for it in the beans.  Sage is good.)

Maybe I'm a bit more superstitious than I thought.  Or maybe I'm just traditional.  Hmmm.  I'll go with Traditional. 

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of dried black-eyed peas (about 1 pound)
• 28 ounces of chicken broth 
• 1 1/2 cup of water
• Diced Ham - as much you'd like, but at least a cup.
• Onion to your taste (maybe 1/2 fresh onion or a 1/4 cup dried minced)
• Dash of sage
• Dash of thyme

In a large saucepan, boil the black eyed peas for about 10 minutes.  Drain the water and rinse them well.   If you have your shank and bone left from the Christmas Ham, boil these with the peas so that the extra meat and juices slough off the bone. 

In your crockpot, add all the ingredients together then 'Set it and forget it'!  On low will take about 12 hours (but check them from time to time)  Set on high, it should only take  about 4 hours, but you'll want to stir it around a little more frequently). 

I serve it with sweet corn-bread. And for desert, you can never go wrong with cake! Oh, and any ol' wine you like will do, but I like a nice Zinfendel.  (Sweet Tea if you don't imbibe.)

Now, I've got to go work on those resolutions.  Or resolution.  Can't it be just one?

PL&BB -

Pen

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Well that was fast!  Almost an entire month since I've written anything except price tags on products and name tags on gifts.  I've missed writing sentences.  Half the stuff that comes into my head never gets published (which is good for you!), but  I love to do it and feel cranky when I don't. 

Oh, and thanks to those of you who sent notes reminding me that I'm a slacker (except for one particular jack-wagon).  I'll pick up the featured pieces again next week, and we'll have a whole new "What's New" right in time for the New Year.  We also have big plans for something new we're calling  'Feature Fridays' to get out to you!  So please stay tuned and I'll keep you up-to-date!

We had a great holiday season both at EarthWorks and at home.  We decked the hall at home with a few of my fave decorations, plugged in the pity-tree (ya'll remember that story, right?) and put the Christmas Scarf on The Pooch.  Home was sparkly and bright, and Shanny made alot of cookies.  The store was filled everyday with customers, and we saw lots of good cheer and merriment for the last 6 weeks.  Our first "Holiday Season" with a store was amazingly fun and rewarding. 

My favorite day was, I believe, Christmas Eve.  It was hopping and we were filled to the max, but no one was stressed.  Just a store full of shiny, happy people. 

Dew was making one of our customers feel love - she lost her husband this year and the approaching holiday was proving difficult.  Since the comfy-couch had to be moved into bathroom to make room for holiday products they had to chat standing up, which made me feel bad.  Sitting is much better when trying to make someone feel better.

Anyhow, Dew filled her up with encouragement and she just glowed.  He's the anything-whisperer.  He makes people happy, and how he knows just what to say is a gift. (insert mushy lovey dovey feelings here).  But she's not the story, she was just one of the customers who needed to witness the people in the story I sat down to write.   That, and you know how I love to brag about my man and his gifts . . . Anyways, as always I have digressed.  Here we go.

We have a favorite customer who is always breaking her favorite necklace (made by your's truly).  So this month when she came in (so I could perform a bit of surgery on the necklace) her teen-aged twins and husband were along.  They are a happy family, and it was clear their Hannukah blessings were all over them like fairy dust. 

Mom was bouncing around the store, encouraging the kids to pick that days Hannukah gift, and the kids were having alot of fun making fun of their parents.  Then Mom dropped a glass ornament on the floor and it shattered. Ooops.  The store went completely silent (not awkward for her at all). 

I laughed and said it was Dewey's job to break things in our store.  Then everyone but Dewey laughed.  But here's the best part - right before she could blush, her husband took her into his arms and planted a big wet smooch right on the lips, right there amid the glass - A Hollywood Kiss!  The whole store erupted into spontaneous applause (even their twin-teens!).

I get the feeling Mom might be known in her family to be a bit dropsy and breaky, but her husband and kids adore her.  I loved it.  And so did our customers. 

I suspect our other friend, the one from the beginning of the story, felt not the loss of her husband emphasized, but rather great hope and encouragement in witnessing the love that filled us up in that moment! 

So, now I feel better having put a few sentences together, and sharing that great moment with you all. I'm still playing catch up on alot of my techy tasks still, but the laundry is almost under control.  I'd say we're ready to bring on the New Year!

Look for my recipe for bean soup (like you need to follow recipe for that!).  Gotta have your black-eyes on New Years Day, ya'll!

PL&BB-

Pen

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