New Year, New Things, A New Way

This is what greeted us at 2:20 in the am at the shop the last day of 2010. I don't mind saying goodbye to

the year that was! Vandalism in the form of a drunk forcing a chair through my shop window and causing much damage, made me sad, resigned and sleepless.

The chair that was pushed through my window.

The sad trail of broken glass.

Where the window used to be over my cash wrap.

Normally the whole window thing would upset me greatly, but after losing all three front display windows this summer due to wear and tear and age; I could handle this. We all worked from 2:20 until 5:30 in the morning to clean up the broken glass and then dashed home for a couple hours of sleep before returning to the shop for the rest of New Year's Eve day. Even Jacob was roused from deep sleep to help. 

It could have been worse but thankfully, the building's angels and resident ghosts watched over us. No one gained entry, wood was found to plug the hole ( plus scraps of carpet ) and life moved on. 

Sweet wonderful life! No matter what it throws at you, ( a chair through a window? )  it is just that - sweet and wonderful! Happy Newest of Years!

HaPpY NeW YeAr - 2011 whoop whoop

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." Benjamin Franklin


I can always count on Benjamin Franklin to provide me with sane and rational quotes with respect to life. What a practical man even if the word man should really read as " person ". The new year rapidly approaches and although I have not made any resolutions and certainly can not remember any from last year, I sit here and think that the past year has been a good one. I have laughed and loved and lived and created. I have immensely enjoyed all my days - even the challenging ones. I remain grateful that I have a life and blessed to be doing what I love and calling it work. 


For the world, I am wishing for peace, medicine for the sick, food for the hungry, care for the neglected, love for all of us. I am wishing that we all treat each other with kindness and respect, keeping our good humor intact. 

For my family and co workers, I want a year of health, prosperity and joy. I can ask for nothing else, but can be grateful for all. Happy New Year!! With love, Lois

A Winter's Day

I am a weenie and will be the first to admit. I had some oral surgery yesterday on my front teeth complete with stitches and I am so sore, miserable and sick from the drugs, stitches and antibiotics; I can barely function. Since I was up at three am - I caught the beginnings of a light dusting of snow. At seven am, a wicked hardest - I - have - ever heard hailstorm hammered us. If a hailstorm can wake a sleeping teenager; you know it is a loud one! Beautiful round bits of hail over the light snow turned us all white outside.

Studio Deck

Little Blue Warehouse

Studio front window 

Sidewalk to studio

More writing, when I am feeling better. Enjoy the waning days of 2010.

Three Forest Trees & the Noise Beneath Them

It is the evening of Christmas day. Late. Nearly midnight. At last  the house is quiet, the TV silenced, Jake long since given up his video games and snuggled into bed. Phil is snoring in the living room recliner. The day was full of love, peace and sunlight. We feasted on belgium waffles from Jake's new waffle maker with which he proudly proclaimed, " my first kitchen tool. " Gifts were opened, we did our yearly search of something is missing, this can't be all, wait there are gifts still hidden in the studio. The sun allowed us a nice walk in warm temperatures and Daisy was our constant companion. The day moved sweetly, slowly and became a beacon of peace, an oasis of family in our busy life. I love days like this one!

Merry Christmas!!

Bundled up for a cold, wet December's Christmas Eve.
( note the studio apron I am wearing )

The solstice moon seen with Christmas lights from the studio.

My favorite of favorite-est Santas!

Jake opening his Christmas Eve package from his sister Paula
& family. 

Phil with my birthday gift book from Paula. 

Wishing all my friends and family who peek in at this blog a very Merry Christmas and a season of love, peace and healthy blessings. I am so grateful to have all of you in my life.

Hallelujah Chorus -Quinhagak, Alaska

Happy Winter Solstice!

The evening feels kind of magical as we wait and hope that the sky will be clear enough to see the lunar eclipse and the solstice. What an event the heavens have forecast for us on this dark winter's eve.