Peace Hunting

So, we're to the manic part of December. The part when I am counting down the hours I have left to get ready and saying over and over and over..."If nothing more gets done, it's okay. If nothing more gets done, it's okay. If nothing more gets done, it's okay. If nothing more gets done, it's okay. If nothing more gets done, it's okay. If nothing more gets done, it's okay. If nothing more gets done, it's okay."

Traveling is a lot of  pressure, celebrations are a lot of pressure, big multi-point execution plans are a huge amount of pressure. Especially when you aren't really a big picture person. I get all bogged down in the four thousand details I dreamed up...the pages and pages of recipes for cookies I want to make, the many little ideas I have for meaningful family traditions, the lists of ideas for gifts I dreamed up, the swathes of thoughts on fun games for kids in the car and what to wear on Christmas day, and all those cards that I still haven't mailed. *pant pant pant*

Am trying to let go...and find moments, swathes even, of peace wherever I can. If I don't, I find that I suddenly hate all those brilliant ideas I had. I want to enjoy all the activity and yet not drown in doing instead of being. This week I'm not going out much, we're going to just be here at home, and we're spending time working on making handmade gifts, wrapping things and reading extra stories.  We're busy, we're on a Peace Hunt.

Here's to taking a little extra time to think, sip, digest and close our eyes and let the pressure slip off. The idea that it's all on us is a complete illusion. Nothing rests on any one person but the imperative to live meaningfully, so, "Peace on Earth ya'll...and goodwill toward all mankind." That's what it's about.

Foraging is Contagious

Gosh, it sure feels great to look at this picture of my clan...foraging madly for a snack, without my even coaxing them to. Wild food is the best and eating it together, at peak ripeness is its own brand of joy. For those who wonder, in this picture we're eating Juneberries (if you're in my family) and Sugarplums (if you're in A's)...common names are like this. Lots of people also call them Serviceberry, Saskatoon Berry or Shadberry. Take your pick. Whatever you call them, they're tasty and the trees were loaded this year! The robins and the Armstrongs were very happy.

All of our berries went straight into our mouths because we were in a hurry to make it to an appointment with a realtor to see a house but, if we'd have had time or the trees hadn't been handily stripped clean by the birds when I made it back a couple of days later...I'd have tried making this tart. Doesn't that look delicious?