and the winner is ...

Heather Dakota!

Thank you everybody for your comments, for sharing the link with others, and for virtually visiting Apifera Farm.  The story of the Misfits continues and I hope that like me, you enjoy the benefits of supporting such heart-centered work.  Thank YOU Katherine for being such an inspiration!  And more importantly, for delivering to the barnyard all our messages, care packages (cookies for a donkey, sunscreen for a pig), and love.

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A little something for your week: 



(I am taking Katherine Dunn's Capturing the Essence ecourse and have been inspired by the puppets of Apifera Farm.  And the fun just keeps rolling me along ...) 

coming soon: adventures from Squam!

our winter break

The entire family is off this week and we've been busy enjoying ourselves. There have been many nights spent in a pup tent ...





A bounty of Christmas cuddles ...










and high jinks ...

Despite the cheeky expressions,
these two "good" kids received a remote controlled helicopter
which has logged in hours of flight time already

Last minute sewing (it seemed like a good idea on Christmas Eve to "whip up" a couple more holiday crowns ...)

I followed this tutorial for our crowns

I avoided last minute holiday shopping by becoming obsessed with creating the latest addition to our family - Sock Moose!

inspired by the puppets by Katherine Dunn
who so wisely noted in her book
"Puppet making is the antithesis of creative block."

I can just imagine the adventures he will have in 2012.

The usual arting and crafting has been taking place. Cowgirl has expanded her repertoire to include sharks (they have teeth) and whales ...

Cowgirl brought home from school
over 2 dozen of these cut-out aquatic creatures!

Along with her perennial favorites, Monster Trucks Blue Thunder and Grinder.








I've been taking the time to reflect upon the year behind me and setting my intentions for the year to come using this great workbook.








I've also created the cover for my Books of Days project inspired by the free year long workshop with Ms. Effy Wild. I've settled upon my word for 2012: Clarity and marinating in all the possibilities it implies.

In these final days of what was my year of Shine, I am celebrating what was while calmly anticipating what is to come - another year to stretch myself, roll up my sleeves, get messy, have fun, and seek out Joy.

Of course I am also finishing up a couple of gift projects which I have every intention of finishing before the year end. I see some nights of sewing ahead of me ...

Santa brought Cowgirl a Shark kite

... unless the sharks get hungry and eat my supplies. In which case, I will just keep Wassailing!