hope.

I haven't posted in awhile because I am still mentally recovering from last week, which happened to be the worst weeek we've had in a long time. To make a long story short, our house caught on fire during a simple plumbing procedure (we are remodeling our bathroom. Be extra careful when "sweating" pipes in a very old house). Soon after the fire trucks had left the scene, we received the most horrible news about our friend's father. And it continued to go downhill from there.
But it is a new week. Our house is intact. And I'm hoping that the healing process has begun for my friends, and their family.
I bought myself some spring bulbs and made a little arrangement to cheer myself up. As the hyacinths scent the air, I am reminded that spring is just around the corner. A time of hope, and rebirth.

dreaming...

My neck is sore tonight from pouring over tear sheets, and other various research I've lovingly procured for some upcoming floral design jobs. I should be working on collages/scanning in works to my soon to open etsy shop, but I have to number my priorities and keep them straight- beautiful flowers call. I think I dream in flowers lately, and I am completely obsessed. Cymbidium orchids, tulips, gloriosa lilies en masse. Peonies in all of their ruffly goodness; the camelias that are blooming in my yard right now- a salmon pink- I clip them, gather them by the arm fulls, and bring them in.... where I can see them always, enjoy them, study them, LOVE them. I can sense the beginning turns of some daffodil shoots stirring just beneath the earth- this year will be the biggest show of my favorite flower in our yard. The bulbs multiply each year- they have babies. I can't wait to carry those babies in, en masse! Ah, flowers. It is funny how life twists and turns and delivers us into our passion (despite everything we've been conditioned for) if we listen closely enough.
Henry has been so sweet lately, swimming and dripping like melted caramel. All boy, but such a sweet, loving and affectionate boy. I blow off other things (laundry, dishes) to sit on the floor and wait for him to tackle me with hugs and kisses. I savor this serious display of devotion because I know one day the tide will change and I'll have to coax it from him. But yesterday and today, and hopefully tomorrow, he unabashedly wants to smother me with his love. He lounges in my lap, runs his fingers through my hair, climbs across me like I'm the best jungle gym he ever knew. Ah, love. My whole life I knew and loved this little boy, I felt his potential brewing up in me. And here he is. Even the most mundane task (waiting in line at the grocery store) is illuminated, made exciting and grand, by his very presence. He flirts with the stern old ladies in line behind us, and it makes me laugh. He makes me... less serious despite myself.
It is supposed to snow tomorrow night and I am just beside myself. I'm not sure how many times I checked the projected hourly weather report today, but it was ALOT. I yearn for snow... When you grow up in a city wherein "beach" is part of the name of said city, snow is a very. big. deal. I am so hoping and praying for a good show tomorrow night (a projected 3-5 inches!). We'll see. It will be Henry's first real snow.
That arrangement above is one ma mere and I did before Christmas- they wanted a "garden-looking" arrangement of pinks and greens.

The Story of Stuff

I came across this interesting little gem online today- it is a very informative video that charts our patterns of production and consumption. It is worth watching, and may make you think twice before consuming, well, more "stuff".
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

"A picture of santa, two weeks into January?" you ask. Well yes, I am just now getting around to checking back in here. The detritus of Christmas has been tidied up and packed away, and we have re-settled back into our regular routines. This past holiday was at times joyous, at other times tiring and stressful. Christmas means normal twelve hour workdays for my husband, and this leaves me feeling a little too thinly stretched some days.
Henry is still into the "wow!! a box AND tissue paper!" stage as far as presents go. Which is fine by me. On Christmas morning, once the gifts were opened, it appeared that Elmo had exploded across nearly every surface area of our home. The kid really loves Sesame Street, what can I say. I did get some great things for him through a company named "Brio"; fabulous wooden hand-crafted toys from Sweden. They are really his favorite toys out of the bunch, and mine, too. Who knew that even a 30 year old could be so amused by modly-painted wooden blocks?
As I bid farewell to 2007 I am remembering a year of many amazing firsts (Henry's first words, first crawl, first steps, first temper tantrum), and also feeling a sense of pride at having lived through it with a full head of hair. This whole raising a child and being a stay at home mom thing is nothing to sneeze at. I am excited to see what happens next, and welcome 2008 with wide open arms outstretched. I will officially trade in the "stay at home" title to "work at home mom" (wahm!) as my floral business continues to thrive. I also have a new venture up my sleeve, namely an Etsy shop to open soon (hopefully). Handmade collages overfloweth around here, and it is time to get them out there. I am very excited to begin working on this in an official capacity soon.
Oh yeah, 2007 will also forever be remembered in my heart as the year my husband gave up his beloved country crock for pure and natural butter. Unbelievable! I leave you with a picture of Henry bounding into 2008. Another year of many spectacular firsts, I'm sure.