I'm 40!!

I've entered a new decade in my life and I'm soo excited! New Beginnings, new opportunities, life changes!
I feel like I'm starting the second half of my life, like I'm being reborn somehow, but this time into a woman.

I had a very nice birthday, my girl Katie took me out to lunch at Panera, she met me with flowers and balloons,I had my favorite broccolli and cheese soup in the bread bowl with green iced tea, she gave me the lovliest incense burner and incense and a beautiful pendant crystal. I've been wearing ever since. I really adore that girl, I could love her any more if I had given life to her.

Jason and Charlie made me dinner, eggplant parm and spaghetti with a nice salad and a delicious chocolate birthday cake from BJ's...and my Shelby came, YAY!
Jason got me a Flip, oh the fun I'll have with that, LOL and Charlie gave me a Brighton charm bracelet XD, and earrings, (picasso) for those of you into Brighton, and a mouse for my laptop. I'm very loved...just look at my facebook wall, LOL.
It's great being 40 <3 but even greater being me!

Is it Spring Yet?

It seems like the cold weather has really just taken hold here on Long Island, but I've already had enough. My RSD is screaming...with a neck issue and what appears to be a muscle spasm in my mid back? I visited the doc yesterday and he gave me a few trigger point injections which killed! It's too hard to tell if they relieved any of the pain, haha.
I'm going to make some wrist warmers tonight, I really need them and I've been procrastinating long enough.
I'll be happy when the warm weather is back and my aches lighten up again. As for now though, we're expecting some sort of storm this weekend...fun fun fun :O)

Yule Celebration

We had the most beautiful get together on Wednesday 12/23, one I was certain wasn't going to happen! Originally planned as a Yule ritual for the Winter Solstice which was Monday, when Mother Nature decided to send a blizzard our way the 2 days before...I was convinced my firepot was buried under 2ft of heavy, wet snow. How was I to burn my Yule log amid this?
When I told the kids the ritual was cancelled the disappointment I received in return was more than I could bare. So...what started as a Yule ritual ended up as a Yule ritual/Christmas dessert party...a house full of my family.
My children, their best friends, which have become my children as well, and husbands. Everyone was excited over their gifts!

The ritual was short because it was freezing outside, but it was comfortable, and well received, and everyone loved it, I'm begining to consider inviting them to subsequent solsticice events!

I can't remember when I felt at such peace with the Goddess.

Exciting new project!

As many of you are aware, I am an avid reader. I often enter book giveaways and have even won a few! Well today I was contacted by a lovely author Fiona Robyn, I had entered the giveaway for her book Thaw, but unfortunately didn't win. Well Fiona wrote to tell me about an exciting new project she is beginning on March 1st of next year, that I can hardly wait to begin! She has published the first page already, I guarantee if you read it you'll be hooked!

Fiona will be publishing her entire novel here Read Thaw in blog format.

If you're a blogger and you'd like to join in, email fiona at fiona@fionarobyn.com. Once you're on the list she will add your blog to Friends of Thaw .

I am so excited to have the opportunity to help out this wonderful author while joining in on this groundbreaking experience, I sincerely hope you all will come along for the ride.

A talented designer I discovered!

So...while checking out crochetpatterncentral.com's newest free patterns I happened upon THE most creative designer on Etsy I've seen yet! I don't know how I've missed her and her breathtaking doilies since now, but boy I'm sure glad she decided to share that free angel pattern!

http://bellacrochet.blogspot.com/

and her AMAZING patterns can be found at her Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellacrochet

I just had to share, and you all know I don't do this very often, but this lady has talent, and it's original talent. Not your everyday creations. Maybe you'll find that holiday gift you were looking for?

Christmas already?

I can hardly believe it's almost Christmas! I am totally unprepared this year, it's December 8th and I have not purchased one single gift yet, can you imagine? That is so unlike me!
I better hop to it, I also started making my crochet list. I've decided I'm not putting any additional pressure on myself, but there are a few presents I really, sincerely WANT to make!! It's not the type of year where I'm dreading making gifts and I have the deadline hanging over my head...I have chosen people I want to create for and I'm looking for the ideal pattern and when I find it, I'm hoping it will actually be FUN!

I'll be creating a list of quick and easy gift suggestions for last minute gifts I've often used in the past for those of you that like to make homemade gifts for teachers, bus drivers, the mail carrier, etc. So be on the lookout for that...also feel free to add to it, I can always use a few suggestions as well :O)

Welcome Fall

Fall seems to successfully made it's way in and taken over the nights, while the days are still warmed by the strength of the Indian Summer sun. This is most definitely my favorite time of year. My yard is full, and I am not exaggerating when I say FULL of acorns from just one mighty oak tree.
Pumpkins are everywhere you look, yes the fire dept. is having their annual sale! The kids are so excited, already deciding what they will be for Halloween...Samhain...the New Year, we will have a beautiful celebration, it's a Saturday this year there is no excuse not to prepare a great day for everyone!
The gourds are especially interesting this year too!

This chilly weather is great cooking and baking weather too. I am finally getting back in the mood to make soup and chowder, bake bread, so nourishing not only to the body but also to the soul.
Stay tuned for my favorite soup and bread recipes, they'll include soup for the crock pot and bread for the bread machine. Also, if you have a recipe you'd like to share...PLEASE feel free, as long as it's vegetarian friendly.