What I’m Digging

Happy Friday, friends! Oh, the wind in this cove last night. THE. WIND! I honestly thought, what with all the creaking and shrieking and moving and shaking going on outside that we might have a tree come down. Or the roof blown off. Or the power go out. And yet, thankfully, none of those things happened. We did, though, get a tiny, whispery, taunting dust of snow. It’s the first real snow Huxley has ever seen. He seemed to dig it, yelling every time he saw a bit from one of the windows in the house “Snow Mama. Two snows!” (he says “two” of anything whenever he wants to indicate more than “one”-hilarious, and yet, brilliant!).

For those of you interested in such things, today is the Celtic first day of Spring, or Imbolc. On this day, ancient Celts would celebrate the imminent return of spring. In the Irish climate, the early indications of spring’s arrival appear in February. On Imbolc, the Celts paid homage to Brigid, a goddess revered for her gifts of poetry, healing, and metal-smithing. The fiery Brigid invoked the notions of fire and rebirth.

On these dark days of winter, so cold and frosty, it’s important to generate heat, both literally and figuratively. I’ll be gathering with several lovely ladies tomorrow, to photograph an event for my book Handmade Gatherings (due Spring 2014, Roost Books). It’s entitled “Heartwarming”, and will include such warming activities as hot fires, candlelight, blankets, warming comfort foods, hot libations, crafting heat-generating body care products and, last but not least, dancing. Because, truly, what gets the heart pumping more than some good old booty shaking?

In other news, here’s a smattering of this’s and that’s that caught my attention this week:

*How gorgeous does Aran’s trip to Sitka look? Sigh.
*Jessie & Melanie render their own lard.
*Thinking of starting a blog? Victoria’s got some great advice.
*Exquisitely gorgeous.
*The story behind Bee Man candles.
*With foraging season approaching, I’m on the hunt for a great pack basket.
*Winter citrus!!!
*I’d like one of these.
*And while I’m pining for things, I’ll take one of these, too.
*Fentinman’s Rose Lemonade is one of the most exquisitely delicious things I have ever tasted. Get you some.
*These ladies show you how to make your own tinctures!

Wherever you go this weekend, whatever you do, and whomever you do it with, may it be grand!

I always post a photo of Huxley here on Friday, because, truly, he’s what his Papa and I dig the most!