Cracked out...

...on BABY TOES!

Got to nibble them,
soon.

And see la bella mammina,
soon.

Peace and Merry Christmas to you.

Merry, merry...

Today I breathe a huge sigh of relief.

The tree is up.
Most of the present are bought, even though some wrapping still has to be done.
The big boxes are sent off to Texas.
My Man is here, safe over the passes which are now treacherous and snow bound.
My custom work is done and delivered.
AND, she is here!

My granddaughter, Georgia Belle has made her appearance and is safe in her Mom's arms.  She's already wrapped her Daddy, her Grandpa and her Uncle around her little finger.

I'm counting the days until I get to hold her, for now I get daily pictures.

A joyful heart doesn't even begin to describe the feeling of this baby, this daughter of my daughter.

Love pours out of us, once we let it go and stop damming it up.  I'm so in love, with breathing, and the scent of the steady rain, woodsmoke, baby fingers, fresh green Christmas trees, his hand on my body, the cold noses of the dogs and their eyes watching, family, children, good friends far and near, banging on metal, planning a meal for all, hot coffee and cold beer, and this incredible baby.

Today I wish you Peace, in your heart, which is where all good things start.

Big Sky Country

"I wanna meet you in the big sky country
Just wanna prove, mama, love can last, yeah.
Like hallelujah in the big sky country,
Just like forever and ever is why,
Be getting over in the big sky country, 
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye,"

Big Sky Country by Chris Whitley

The big expanse,
surrounded and embraced by
tall snowy mountains,
holds me
softly,
with the clouds
and the sweet
mooing of cows 
late at night.
Stars shooting,
cold air,
we wait
for more
and not knowing,
we hold our breath,
exhale in 
wonder,
There, see!

Peace

Chest Deep

Pretty little Corgi in the snow,

hunting for the perfect Christmas tree,

so says Mom,

what he's looking for,

doesn't smell like a

tree.

We go here,

we go there,

wet feet,

anointing

frequently,

this one Mom?

Nope she says,

standing under,

shaking the

snow off many,

she's very snowy

too.

Ach, she cries,

no anointing that one,

it's going home

with us.

Ok,

whatever,

we're

empty

anyway.

Peace

The forest in the trees -

(Click on the photo to make it bigger.)

Our abundant rains have brought back GREEN in a big way.  I like to keep an eye out for the moss on the trees and rocks.  It gets less and less vivid as the summer progresses and then bursts out at the first good rain.  The little tendrils unfurl and reach out  to catch more moisture.  The trees put on their holiday finery, green velvet skirts of living moss.

Peace

Water Baby

Last weekend was very wet here, major flooding wet.  Our backyard (otherwise known as the Empire Mine state park) was a lot of fun and a little challenging, at least for those of us who don't like getting their feet wet.

Bode just tries to keep his tail dry, easier to wag that way.

Peace

Collaboration

My friend Susan wants to be on my R&D team.  She's a dream come true for a designer.  She comes into my studio and says how about this and what about that and then she walks out and the fun starts.  She's also an incredible artist so my ears perk up when she starts talking.

Just about the time I'm almost burned out, whacking out a dozen of something just because I need them,  now I can't keep the ideas from dancing around and I'm itching to get back to work.

These came from one of her visits and I think they will go in all sorts of fun ways.

The tendrils will get crazier and maybe some small hammered flowers will appear soon.

So, even though it's after 6pm I'm going back to work, or play, as the case may be.  That's when the studio is most wonderful anyway, quiet and private, just my kind of place.

Peace

Special Exhibit

Starting on (Cornish Christmas) Friday, December 7th and continuing through December I will have a special exhibit at Avanguardia Winery Tasting room in Grass Valley, 209 West Main Street.

Here's their link: Avanguardia Wines

They make a great wine called Cristallo that is blended with the varietal Rkatsiteli which is just a great white, crisp and steely, one of my favorites.

I'm so excited that these nice people are interested in displaying my jewelry.

Woot!