Yule Greetings - the start of the earth's renewal . . .

Best wishes for a wonderful Yule from Tom and I. As I write we are certainly blanketed well with snow. Tom is out with Geeko trying to snowblow the 6 inches which arrived last night - thick heavy wet snow not at all like the fluffy inches the previous storm brought - It will soon  turn to rain according to the weather man. Hopefully not for a long period as it makes the roof snow (almost 20 inches worth) way too heavy - imagine just the start of winter & we have shoveled it once already.

Yesterday we braved last minute holiday shoppers with a trip to Peterborough - left early morning and left just as the forecasted snow began - very busy in town with too much snow and raod salt mixed with milder temps making the world slippery - on the way home however few cars on the roads - so travel was easy -  just took a bit more time. Had a wonderful lunch at Swiss Chalet - always a treat.

Stopped in at Costco for some seafood - some monster  scallops and shrimp and even crab claws - a yearly treat we both have enjoyed immensely these past few years as we watch sit and watch movies and goof off - it is always much easier when our children  spend Christmas with their children around their own trees and forge their own traditions. 

With my Chemical Sensitivities I find all the new stuff - new clothes - new toys even the wrapping paper inks not friendly things to be around setting me back days on end after even short visits. It was hard learning to say no and not do all I used to do.

That does not even take consideration the residue from shampoos - and laundry detergents - perfumes etc. which makes even normal visits hard to endure. Adding in this new intense "no energy" and multiple alternate health problems from Lyme Disease added last spring - this year it makes even more sense just to stay home. 

Tom and I spent most of the summer reading to learn about this incidious disease - such a long learning curve - we have now formulated a set of plant with which to start dealing with it as soon as my adrenal glands come back to life. The process of dealing with Lyme will take a few years according to my Ottawa Docotor. 

I always feel like such a Scrooge at this time of year  but taking everything into consideration - it is just easier to stay home - then we do not even have to think weather or traveling.

The prettiest card I've seen in ages ; flipped and joined made the neatest fractual - reminded me of the interesting patterns one saw through a kaleidescope when young.

Tom spent another year waring with the beaver as the water level was so high with all the rain it was an extended relationship this year with neither winning - Geeko and he have become inseparable - even with snow blowing Tom gets followed for hours - the dog always about 10 paces behind. . He has become a worthy replacement for Brian with interesting quirks of his own and a huge need for love and attention like us all. He does such a great deal I am continuously amazed - especially when I see people no where near his age who do so much less.

I just had my last customer for this year -  a number of people  pop in to shop these days if they are passing by - we have become good friends with so many of them - opening my studio to the public has become a good thing in many ways - not just sales. 

I have almost finished redoing my website and hope to start an online shop at Etsy right after Christmas worth a try since oomph is low - yet computering in small doses is still possible. 

Had a fantastic studio tour this year making records sales. Was so enjoying having money in the bank for the first time in ages and then my computer decided to leave the world - back to being broke after purchasing a wonderful 20" iMac which I love to death just begrudge the $$'s it cost. 

Oh well next year if all goes well perhaps I get to enjoy a similar thunk for a longer period.

Having one's joy of making not only pay for itself but make a profit while sitting at home in a wee cabin in the woods has to be high on anyone's list methinks.

Tom and I have had a good year even with the bits of health negatives. I find this year our enjoyment of each other has intensified another notch - I didn't think it was possible to get any closer - we are so fortunate our relationship continues to grow.

- we have also become more hermitized this past year as the effort it takes to go and do is better spent staying home and doing what we fancy. Tom's hands have become a bit arthritic and a shoulder isn't moving well but it is amazing what we do get done - lol and what we don't. 

Soon we'll have to be posting a job list hoping a few visitors notice and help out. Most times they are too busy relaxing and enjoying we never mention unless asked. Nice when some do ;-)

Even with the wet summer the garden grew well - the growing room helped - in fact we still have tomatoes and red peppers ripening in it plus other plants brought in for the winter do well - almost time for a thorough tidying and starting of lettuces and greens both for salads and stir fries - and of course lots of sprouts - plan to try some wheat grass growing this winter as I now have a wonderful Green Star juicer to do this and more.. something decadent about picking a salad several times a week in January in Apsley with snow all about - organic ones to boot!

We are hoping to see Tim and his family in from Montreal  for the New Year if weather permits - picked up a hunking big ham just incase they and or a few others show up - I buy ham these days and immediately see a thick pot of ham and pea soup with the left overs. I purchased a new crock pot so hope to make a pot of beand with the dredges of maple syrup harvested a few years back. Perhaps Peggy and her crew will also make it.

As life moves on chores like fire wood - shoveling roof tops - even house work - seem to gain a complexity not seen when younger and more agile. On the other hand we are looking forward to learning how to fly out several new remote control helicopters - a wonderful gift from a friend who works for a toy company - this will help our brains and small motor skills - they have infared light which disables the opponent if hit accurately - a running bet as to who can land on the dog first is in place - we are at the watching the DVD stage of the learning curve - it is supposed to show us the "how" to do part.

All in all the year has been interesting - we are so fortunate that we have such a wonderful place to live with everything we fancy nearby and easily accessed. 

I sit here with a vase filled with red roses and pine boughs and wish you were all closer to come and enjoy them with me and have a cup of tea. Perhaps a piece of tortiere - home made gluten free pie crust imagine.

We hope this year has also treated you our dear family and friends  gently - as winter descends a deep quiet reins supreme through out the forest - with this silence - renewal begins and a gathering of fresh energy takes place. We sit and contemplate what we have done and plan what we hope to do. Thus with warm hearts and wishes Tom and I  send to you all our best - hoping the upcoming year brings all that you hope and dream to pass.

Swiped these wonderful photos off an email which came through earlier in the season - gorgeous.. got to enjoy this thing called internet - how it has changed our lives.

Love

Luck 

& Laughter

Sharon & Tom