So grateful...

I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind people who supported HumbleLuna this holiday season. I really means a lot to me and my family! It is so wonderful to support handmade and the people who work hard to make a living that way. I hope someday I can make a living off of the work I create, it is my passion, and the best paying* job I can think of (besides a Children's book illustrator)!* Not best paying as in a lot of money, just best job that you can be paid for, unlike being a stay at home mama, which is the best job, but not a good way to make any money, unfortunately.
This is only my second Christmas season for my little Etsy shop. I am still new to this and learning as I go. I am also coming to realize that making homemade gifts for all of my extended family while running a business selling handmade crafts is very difficult. The problem this year was I was getting almost all custom orders, so that means I was selling things I hadn't made yet which can be very overwhelming. Can you believe I knit 57 pairs of fingerless toddler mittens?
One lesson I learned is that I need to stop knitting at night while watching foreign films with subtitles, I fear I will soon blind myself or go cross eyed.
Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I am very grateful, but still very busy.
I have a few large orders left to fill. Thanks also to the folks who were so very patient and ordered for after the holidays. Whew, is all I can say.
Also, a very special little man in my world is turning 3 on the New Year and this mama has a lot to get in order for that special day including a special request for a "Lellow duck cake".
A very safe and Happy New Year to all!

He came.....

Santa made it to our house!

Merry Making....

How cute is this little gingerbread house kit? I just love the little sugar people. We found it at Trader Joe's and even the box it came in was beautiful. Our cat Lola has been busted several times stealing licks off of it. Pretty cute!

We even found a spare moment to make some window stars for our Solstice party.

Solomon finally has a handmade stocking of his own this year. I have been putting it off because I have dreams of knitting gorgeous fair isle stockings with snowflakes and pine trees and reindeer for my children....with their names knit in too. But that hasn't happened yet and until I do this will be a good stand in.

Happy Winter Solstice....

I am looking forward to celebrating the return of the sun with some good friends tonight who are coming over for dinner and drinks, and to walk down a popular street in our neighborhood called "Peacock Lane" where every house on the street is decorated with lights. Hoping it won't be pouring tonight!
Did anyone see the lunar eclipse? It was cloudy here(shocking, I know).
Hoping that your longest night of the year is filled with light and love!

On the mend......

Well, my entire family ended up getting the stomach flu that my son had last Friday. Not fun. I am thankful that we had it then and not for the coming Christmas Holiday. It was a nasty one but now I am finally feeling like my old self again.
Too weak to knit and too dizzy to read which was a bummer cause I have several library books to finish up..or start eh hem, before I have to return them and wait another 6 months to check them out again.
But while I was sick I though a lot about people who are ill in hospitals or maybe at the end of their lives or suffering from terminal illnesses. While I was in the midst of my sickness as awful as it was I knew it was just temporary, thankfully.
Wishing peace to those who may be suffering from illness right now. The gift of heath is the greatest gift of all, one that I will not take for granted this holiday season. Sending blessings of health to you and your families!

This Moment...

(not my house)

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.