Thanks to all of you in & around Chicago that came out to the Renegade Holiday Craft Fair – what an event! Five (!) rooms full of incredibly creative, crafty fabulousness… huzzah!
Sarah was quite possibly the most hospitable, generous, warm, fun & darling hostess with the mostess a girl could ask for! I felt so incredibly welcome, supported & comfortable the entire time. Seriously, I can only hope that I am this great of a host for my guests. She’s awesome!
And, I love that her home was so full of the holiday spirit!
Do you live in or near Chicago… or have friends & family in that area? Well, give them the heads up, this weekend is Chicago’s Renegade Holiday Craft Fair! Held in the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse both days this weekend, Dec. 6 & 7, and I’ll be there (my table is on the 2nd floor, FYI) with all my WilloToons merch!
This is my first time traveling to a show! I’m very excited, but because it changes a lot of what I usually bring, it should be interesting. I’m also delighted I get to stay with my awesome friend Sarah Hatter, who apparently is already planning to make us delicious omelets for breakfast & a yummy chili (hi bed & breakfast fabulousness), AND who is going to help me at my table over the weekend. yay! love her.
I’m a little nervous about the weather, but I’m confident that my warm new jacket from my brother’s store, Om Gallery will keep me warm. Well, that and Sarah said homes there are actually insulated & have good heating systems. huzzah! So maybe I won’t die from the freezing cold. Ooh, and total bonus, she has a snuggly kitty named Cooper, too! You know me, add a snuggly kitty to the mix & I’m happy. :)
Ok, gotta go finish cleaning & packing. Remember, if you can’t make it to this event in Chicago, be sure to listen for when there’s a similar type show near you so you can buy unique & affordable holiday gifts from independent artists. Actually, I’ll be traveling to LA the following weekend (which will be a welcome change in temp!), so maybe I’ll see you there! Click here to see all my upcoming events.
I was just talking to my momma & she’s making bacon wrapped shrimp appetizers for the Thanksgiving dinner she’s going to today. Nice, mom! I don’t know if you’ll be having bacon today – or if I will, at the orphan dinner I’m going to – but regardless, today is a big day for feasting on many yummy foods we love. We are very blessed!
I’m so thankful for all my amazing friends and family around the city, state, country and world. For my snuggly kitty who gives me so much joy, entertainment & snuggly love. For my health and good fortune of having this beautiful home, a creative spirit and willingness to be open to the lessons life and relationships have to offer. And, of course, for all of you who take the time to visit my site, and support me & my dream business. Seriously… thank *you* for reading right. this. second! :)
I am sending you all big love & warm holiday bear hugs… as well as compassionate, loving, healing thoughts to all of those faced with hard times. Life can throw some epic challenges our way, but whatever you do, just keep the light of love in your heart and hold on. We are not alone. We are all connected. Feel my love & hugs through the internet right now? See? We’re totally connected. :)
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, everyone!
xo
p.s. OK, I cannot resist giving you one last thing… because nothing says Thanksgiving like a Pinecone Cheeseball.
I’ve been crafting like crazy lately, preparing for the holidays… I’ve been sewing totebags & pouches, making jewelry, gocco’ing greeting cards & more! So fun!
Recently my peddle foot stopped working on my machine, so I took it apart (hi, McGyver!) and somehow got it to start working again!
Crazy that this little part is all that powers a peddle foot, huh?
“It says in the Bible that marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman! As a Christian, what other parts of the Bible would you like me to just ignore?”
Let’s say that I don’t want you to ignore any, and that we’ll take a strict interpretation of the Bible as the basis for laws concerning marriage in the United States. I’m happy to report that your amendment now reads like this:
Marriage in the United States shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5) Marriage shall not impede a man’s right to take concubines, in addition to his wife or wives. (II Sam 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chron 11:21) A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deut 22:13-21) Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30) A contract of marriage is for life. Neither this Constitution nor the constitution of any State, nor any state or federal law, shall be construed to permit divorce. (Deut 22:19; Mark 10:9)
I feel more marriage-inclined, how ’bout you?
– Lance Arthur responds to comments from CNN.com which are pro-Prop 8. That is to say anti-gay marriage. His entire post is quotable, so just go read the whole thing.
On Thursday night I went down to Santa Cruz to see my awesome brother, Max, his gorgeous & wonderful wife, Samara & the cutest baby girl ever, Miss 8-month old Sylvyanna! Sylvy’s crawling now & so much more…. she’s sooo cute!
In just 24 hours & I managed to get 116 photos & 27 videos… Can you tell I’m quite smitten? :)
she’s so fun to play with right now. she’s taking everything in… singing, talking & giggling.
This is probably why I shouldn’t have kids… there’s not enough hard drive space in the world! haha
This video is amazing… stop everything, and take five minutes to sit & look into this man’s eyes & listen to what he has to say. It’s so beautiful, heartfelt, integrous & true. I want to hug this man.
Also, this is the first I’ve discovered Keith Olbermann. I don’t watch a lot of news, so that’s why, but wow… what an incredibly solid, heartfelt speaker.
Here’s more, very well said, dialogue from an email I just received from Courage Campaign:
In this emotional statement on “Countdown,” his nightly news program on MSNBC, Keith eloquently expresses why the passage of Prop 8 is so tragic and then directly addresses supporters of the proposition.
Olbermann poignantly asks those who voted for Prop 8 where they “stand, on a question of love.” That’s why we hope you will share this YouTube with your social networks — your friends, family and neighbors — and especially those who may disagree with you on marriage equality (and we all know someone who disagrees, for whatever reason).
This video is a great way to spark an honest dialogue and begin the work towards our collective long-term goal of persuading more people to vote in favor of marriage equality.
Usually, after an election, political discussions wind down and life returns to normal. But Prop 8 is not about politics. It is about love, equality and civil rights.
Californians are standing up for marriage equality and speaking out against enshrining discrimination in our state’s constitution. But, to build a grassroots Marriage Equality Movement — the civil rights movement of the 21st Century — we need to start changing the conversation across California and our country. That means talking with our family and friends.
Changing the conversation in California starts with you. Please watch Keith’s comments, share it with your friends and family, and then ask them to join over 100,000 people in signing our pledge to repeal Prop 8:
Studies have shown that the most effective way to swing a voter to our side is to talk to our friends and family about the meaning of marriage equality. The path to repealing Prop 8 starts now, with you and the discussions you have with the people in your life.
Thank you for everything you are doing to restore marriage equality to California.
