baby bird

 Little blue-eyed boy, you are joyful and sweet, inquisitive and mischievous.

Everyday you climb a little higher, run a little faster, and make our lives infinitely sweeter.

fields of feathers

This is a picture Félix snapped during a walk we took together. It was a beautiful, crisp, sunny day. With all the sunshine and far-below-freezing temperatures that we had over the last few weeks, the snow covering the fields had bloomed into huge, delicate, feathery crystals. It was stunning.  The beauty in nature never ceases to amaze me. What's amazing to you these days?

keeping it light

And, I'm back. I fell into a blackhole of winter colds, flu and bronchitis accompanied by a sleep-striking toddler.  Let's pretend like that never happened because really, I wish it hadn't. So back to blogging, this list of 33 Ways to Stay Creative had been keeping me inspired and motivated before the winter flu black hole attacked.  I saw it on pinterest awhile ago and wrote up my own. I have it propped up on our counter, tucked behind a vase and everyone that comes over for a visit seems to gravitate toward it, picking it up and reading through it, which really surprised me and made me smile.  It's not perfect but it's a fun, colorful reminder to lighten up and look around, a reminder I seem to need daily. The full list:

 1.  Make lists

 2.  Carry a notebook everywhere.

 3.  Try free writing

 4.  Get away from the computer

 5.  Be otherworldly

 6.  Quit beating yourself up.

 7.  Take breaks

 8.  Sing in the Shower

 9.  Drink coffee...or tea

10. Know your roots

11. Listen to new music

12. Be open

13. Surround yourself with creative people

14. Get feedback
15. Collaborate.
16. Don't give up
17.Practice, Practice, Practice
18. Allow yourself to make mistakes
19. Go somewhere new
20. Watch foreign films
21.Count your blessings
22. Get lots of rest
23. Take risks
    24.     BREAK    THE          RULES
25. Do more of what makes you happy
26. Don't force it
27. Read a page of the dictionary
28. Create a framework
29. Stop trying to be someone else's perfect
30. Got an idea? write it down
31. Clean your workspace
32. Have fun
33. Finish something

What would you add?

mini musician

There is no shortage of musical instruments in our home. Clover plucks guitar strings with Félix or they play the piano together, the pint-size pianist sitting on his papa's lap. The little man likes to tap out notes on his xylophone and bang away on the tambourine. However, he has shown a certain affinity for this old, J. Richard organ, but after watching a bit closer, I found it is not so much for the organ’s musical merits. Clover has deemed it the perfect hiding spot for his toys, tucking them in a hard-to-reach space behind the  wooden foot pedals and when he plays on the keys it is merely intended to distract prying eyes from discovering his secret stash. Sneaky, little music man, very sneaky.

digging out

Once everyone leaves town after the holidays, life slows back down again in our ski village. And, I find it is very easy to feel snowed under by the New Year lull.  Here are some of the ways I've been combatting the inevitable beginning of January slump:   

• Putting Clover in the pack and going for walks
• Going for an afternoon crêpe in Chamonix with my two boys
• Skiing in the sunshine with Félix
• Keeping an eye out for photos I want to take
• Meeting friends for coffee in the morning
• Putting on some good music
• Dancing to some good music
• Watching Clover dance to some good music
• Having friends over for tea in the afternoon
• Researching new projects that I can take on
• Going looking for shooting stars
• Celebrating our wedding anniversary – 5 years with Félix, already!
• Signing up to volunteer at a ski race
• And when I don't have the energy to get out and go for a walk, I say yes to the people that do.  (Thanks, A & A!)

Reading back through this list, I easily forget that I was ever feeling anything less than joyful about the arrival of January. In fact, I quite like this time of year.

finding a fresh start

Happy New Year! I'm wondering about all that 2012 holds. So much possibility. Will it be filled with clearly marked paths, or winding, narrow passages, maybe it will be brimming with small hills or require climbing mountain after mountain?   Right now, it is feeling like there will be a lot of peaks to climb but then again, I like the mountains. The view at the top is amazing and always worth the effort.

I snapped this picture the other day, the Mont Blanc panorama as seen from my friend's beautifully restored farmhouse. Clover got to play with her adorable twin girls. It was perfect. All the little ones were exhausted by the end of the afternoon. And, sharing cake and coffee with a good friend always does wonders for me, too. I hope that your 2012 is off to a healthy, happy start and whether it be peaks or valleys that the year will hold, may you find beauty in the view.