I have been busy arranging snow clothes by the wood stove, sinking my hands in warm soapy water three times a day-minimum, putting the couch cushions back together (over and over), breaking up fights, teaching those around me to be patient even when I don’t feel so patient myself, feeding medium-sized humans, and nursing tiny ones… I am attempting to tame the beasts.

Oh but the gratitude.  The gratitude is as thick as the foam on my homogenized milk latte. (Did you know you can’t froth raw milk?  I didn’t until recently… but a little tiny container of store-bought, homogenized milk just for mama’s coffee or tea is quite a lovely treat of the late for ultimate frothy satisfaction.)  That, along with walky talkies that stretch to our best friends house, giving away maple muffins to cheer up us Bernie mourning Vermonters on our hill, snow, little boys who are big enough to put on snow clothes and cross country skis without help (that my friends is a feat I have been waiting for), and of course the next few days with family and friends, are all making up for the tally of hours placing cushions back on the couch (tell me, why do I bother?) as well as the time spent coaxing two-year olds to let me change their diaper.

Sending love and peace to you and yours this holiday.

I leave you with a BLOG POST my friend honed in on that made the holiday feel that much sweeter to me…