Almost Out From Under

Welcome to our busiest holiday yet at the bakery. Let me just say this...

...we could tell.

My silence these past two days was out of self-preservation more than anything and the past 18 hours about resurfacing.

I'm almost there.

Until a proper post can be posted, I leave you with the wise words of one fat, jolly man of wonder...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!//

Reason #264

I've been wondering why the squirrels and birds haven't been around much lately. We've gone through next to no seed in the past couple weeks and now I know why...

 Oh my!

This beauty of a Barred Owl is apparently feasting at my feeders (sorry little dudes!) which is why the critters have been making themselves scarce lately.

In fact, we haven't seen a mouse in many days. Which could be on account of:

1) the peppermint/spearmint mouse-repellent sachets I put throughout the basement (mmm...minty fresh!),

2) the fact that we found a hole where they put the new furnace in two years ago and patched it up,

3) the new kitty...

...nope, probably not Bella, or

4) Mr. Owl.

My vote is for the owl...check out that stare.

He trained that focus on me while I sat on the floor at the patio door taking pictures...

...and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

Yikes!

According to my favorite regional bird book, the Barred Owl hunts during the day and eats mammals and small birds.

Check, and check.

They are also non-migratory which means he might hang out awhile. Which is actually fine by me. We had a pair of Great Horned Owls (I know, right??!?) when we moved in two years ago and the coolest thing in the world was meditating in the dark of the night and hearing the hoo-hoo-hoo-hooooo. I haven't heard the Barred yet, but I'm turning my ear to the sky.

I love the activity at the feeders and am sad for anyone getting caught unawares, but there's something about consciously being in the middle of the circle of life -- being present and witnessing nature in her own true form. Noticing things change and then learning the reason why.

Reason #264 that I adore where we live. I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

The best part?

I was actually home to see it. What a gift!

In the spirit of self-care and in an effort to get myself organized -- and feel more sane before the runaway train of the next two weeks leaves the station -- I played hooky today.

Positively dreamy!

I meditated, did yoga, wrapped presents,

listened to my favorite Christmas music, worked on a special gift for my sweetie (shhh...don't tell!), opened an Eddie Bauer package for myself,

(hey, nice sweater!) and never got out of my jammies (yep, chili peppers on my pants...I'm stylin'!). I got more done on a personal level in the past nine hours than I have in the past week.

Yahoo!

The sad part?

I probably won't even need to use a second of vacation time to get paid for the day. I mean, that's good and everything but...ah well, 'tis the season.

All of my progress was made without any help from these two rum-bums...

...which just made me wish I had made time for a nap.

I did, however, make time for lunch...a rarity these days. I figured there was no excuse since I was at home.

Quesadilla made with leftover roasted chicken, pinto beans, spinach, cilantro and cheese. Served with my favorite medium MinneSalsa -- locally made, microbrewed salsa. Fantastic!

Hey, who left THIS unwrapped on the counter??!?

It was mocking me...so I ate it.

No, not all of it. But enough to make today's installment of...

The 12 Brews of Christmas!

...taste like peppermint bark. Whoopsie!

Since I was alone all day (you know, minus the snoozing critters), I chose...

 ...Odell Brewing Company's Isolation Ale!

I really liked this one! No, not because of the peppermint finish : ) ...but because of the lighter hops. Burnt butterscotch, a little fruitiness -- is that blackberry? -- and just plain old tasty. Might have to pick up a sixer of this one to have on hand.

You know...just in case.

Mellow evening makes a perfect ending to a perfect day.

What holiday hubbub are you engaging in this evening? No matter what it is, just...remember...to...

BREATHE!//

I'm Frambozen!

Brrr! It actually felt like December today, which is saying something since it's been relatively unseasonable these past three or four weeks. 28*F, which wasn't too cold, but somehow it was really obvious it was below freezing. Funny how one becomes that sensitive to such things. A good reminder to wear my jacket (or at least a long sleeve shirt) when running from the bakery to my car.

Holy short-sleeved-shirt on December 1st in Minnesota Batman! Wowza!

I am so very excited it is finally the great month of December, because it means we must be ready for our first installment of...

The 12 Brews of Christmas!

Our friends at The Ale Jail have such an amazing selection of winter ales and Christmas brews...

...and they specialize in the "build your own" 6-pack concept that T and I picked out twelve of the most intriguing and fun looking winter ales and are bringing them from our house to yours!

Ain't blogging grand?

And I'm doing it in the beginning of the month so you can run right out and get your own to try them for yourself if you are so inclined. What better way to start the season?

Who knew December could be so much fun??!?

Well, the first brew of Christmas, that my true love gave to me...

...is Frambozen Raspberry Brown Ale from New Belgium Brewing Co. in Colorado. LOVE THEM! And this beer is so full of delicious Raspberry flavors...

...just look at the ruby red goodness! So pretty! T's not one for fruit beers which is why I chose this one for tonight -- he's off doing a wine tasting, leaving me alone to start this adventure on my own (shucks, I have to drink the whole thing myself!). This beer is fruity in the way a good herbal tea is fruity -- lots of raspberry essence without anything overpowering. And I love brown ale. Perfect combo for me.

It was another long, busy day at work but tremendously productive which always fills me with hope that I have prepped so well for the holiday I can stop putting out fires and start riding that wave! Coasting through the next three weeks, able to slow down, connect, be present and participate rather than react.

Think it can happen?

It will take a miracle!

(Gotta love The Princess Bride...anyway, I digress.)

Actually, the magic of the season is already settling in. I left work in a frenzy -- should I go to Target to pick up the few things we forgot for the cat last night (well, for me actually -- must have a pooper scooper for the litter box!!!), should I go get my oil changed, should I get some shopping done. Nope. None of it. Long day called for going right home -- one of my revelations from actually getting some sleep last night...self-care is number one!

Anyway, as I turned towards home at the top of the block, it just so happened that T was turning the corner at the bottom and we reached the driveway at...exactly...the...same...moment. There's no way it could have been more precisely timed if we had planned it.

Get out!

The look of surprise on both our faces was priceless. As were the immediate hugs and kisses when we got out. Love it!

Love him!

LOVE LIFE!

So instead of feeling tired and in need of a rest as I was when I left work, I was energized and ready to start prepping the house for she-who-has-not-been-named who arrives tomorrow afternoon.

We are in so much trouble!

As I vacuumed the basement (her special hidey hole) and organized where things will go...you know, litter box, food bowls, kitty bed, random paper bags, boxes, baskets that kitties love to goof around with (it is the basement after all)...I was transported more than twenty five years ago when I found my cat as a 6 week old kitten out in our driveway. Little Kitty (I know, original...right?) and her counterpart, Big Kitty (don't say it...) got into everything. It's what cats do.

It's been a really long time.

So I know it's impossible to kitty-proof the house. And yet, I can't help but try. I know we're in for a...a...an adventure tomorrow when our new Little Miss comes home for good.

Until then...

...we have received an incredible amount of catalogs in the mail the past couple of days and I should really catch up with my favorites because I don't imagine I'll have many tranquil evenings in the near future.

I'm actually almost done shopping so it won't do much good to peruse, but what can I say...I'm a sucker for a good catalog. Beautiful photography, fun items. Rarely do I purchase, but it's so much fun to look!

Here's to a peaceful night...who knows what wildness tomorrow might bring??//

What's For Dinner Tonight?
With T gone, I went for the standby -- flatbread pizza. Tonight's was homemade pesto sauce pulled from the freezer and defrosted in the micro with lots of veggies since there are plenty still left from our pasta adventure a couple nights ago.

Zucchini, mushrooms,

red pepper,

fresh mozzarella,

and asparagus...I blanched it by boiling about an inch of water in a pan, dropped the asparagus in, turned off the heat and covered it. It sat in the water while I prepped everything else and when I was ready for it, it was ready for me!

So is she!

I keep telling her her kitty is coming home tomorrow and she keeps looking at me like this...what 'chu talking 'bout mama??!?

People keep asking if I'm worried about how they'll get along and I'm really not. Trooper is such an incredibly sweet-hearted dog, and in their brief visit, the new kitty is as well. My intention for them is that they'll become fast friends.

As long as kitty doesn't get to sleep in the bed.

Um...well...we'll have to work on that.

While my pizza baked, I snacked on the rest of the asparagus -- perfectly crisp and crunchy! With a little pesto for dipping. YUM!

Ah, beautiful! Hey, where you going little asparagus?? Looks like he's trying to make a break for it!

Beautiful and delicious, too.

Snug in my reindeer jammies and the catalogs are calling! Ready or not, here I come!

Snuggle up everyone and have a great night!

Sleepykins

from http://www.kittenspet.com/yawning-cats/

Nope, that's not her, but instead exemplifies just how I feel...plumb tuckered out and like I could snuggle up and sleep for days. What happened? Weren't we just on a little break? Was turkey day honestly only a week ago?

Ever feel like you've lived a lifetime in one day?

It's after nine and I'm just getting home after a day full of the usual work day, helping this evening to build gifts and plan for tomorrow's special indoor market we're doing for work, and taking the only time T and I have together in the next 48 hours to purchase the necessary kitty accouterments before our new family member comes home Friday. Factor in a brief dining adventure at a little Mexican restaurant near the pet store and you've got my wild day in a nutshell.

Tired yet of hearing how tired I am of being tired?

Me, too.

Meditation has fallen a bit by the wayside. I waved longingly at the elliptical as I passed it after checking the mouse traps a few minutes ago. T's already snuggled up in bed. Thankfully, my canine partner in crime is curled up on the couch waiting until I'm ready to head upstairs. Which can't come too soon.

And what I'm thinking about is how I don't want, under any circumstances, for the next three weeks to be a rushed series of items checked off my to-do list. I put my foot down. Do you hear me??!? I just won't have it!

Ever seen a 41-year-old woman throw a tantrum? It's not pretty. And I'm within inches of making it a reality.

So, being the ever-optimistic and constructive soul that I am, I ask myself...

Self? What can we do differently here so that the holidays are manageable, and dare I say it, enjoyable?

Yaaaawwwwwnnnnnn.

Sometimes asking the question is the most important part. Have you found yourself asking it yet this season?

If my mind quiets down long enough to actually become acquainted with a REM sleep cycle for the first time this week, I might get lucky and some divine revelation will strike.

What??!? Stranger things have happened.

I'll sleep on it and let you know what I come up with tomorrow.

(By the way, newest Moe Marek came through surgery this morning like a champ and is resting peacefully at the vet's office for the next two nights...ready to go toe-to-toe with her puppy soon! Nighty night kiddo!)//

Into the Dark

Man, this change back to standard time is screwing me up!  I was having a hard enough time with the normal progression of things, getting used to going to work in the dark at 7am after so many months of early morning light.  Of course now with the change back we've got a few weeks of earlier morning light (sunrise at 7am), but it's getting dark at 4:30!  ACK!

I humbly admit to having a few issues with this time of year.  First, is that I have to make sure I take a walk with Trooper immediately when I get home or it will be dark before I get around to it. Of course pretty soon the snow and cold will be the bigger issue.  For now, I will enjoy complaining about the dark!

Second, is that I feel like a senior citizen.  Case in point, T and I were out running a couple errands this afternoon and were driving home as it was getting dark.  Dark = dinner time...right?  So we decided to run over to our favorite local go-to, The Roasted Pear, for a bite on our way home...only to find when we got there that it WASN'T EVEN 5:00!  We had to order a beer pretending we were there for happy hour to save face...otherwise it would seem we were there for the early bird special.

Ugh!

All that aside, as much of a transition as it is, I wouldn't give up living in a northern climate for anything.  I adore the definitiveness of the seasons, the reminder of impermanence, the joy of renewal and learning to embrace change.  The natural world is my teacher in all ways, and I am grateful to be this intimate with her cycles -- which are our cycles -- and to capture what wisdom there is glean from our interactions, which are different at every time of year.

Being present dictates shifting our lives in response to what is available in each moment.  It will take the next three months to get back to where we are light-wise in this moment.  Three months!  We are moving into the darkest time of the year, which for some is worrisome -- seasonal affective disorder at the top of the list -- and for others, can usher in a beautiful time of quiet contemplation, slowing down one's outside activity...or in my case, catching up on all those great books I've been putting off!  To be read in front of the fire, of course!

It can be a glorious time.  If we honor our bodies, minds and spirits and what they need as circumstances around us change.  Some of those changes can feel mighty drastic...like the change back to standard time for instance??!?

Here are my rules of thumb for this time of year...

When we're tired, sleep. There's everything to be said for a good nap now and then.  Me?  I prefer a sunbeam on a Sunday afternoon...or any afternoon I feel the need and can pull it off.

Take our supplements, especially vitamin D.  I supplement with at least 4,000IU daily, especially this time of year, after learning two years ago during my annual physical in January that I was woefully deficient.  Deficient not because of any underlying health problem -- simply from living in Minnesota in the middle of winter.  Not only does vitamin D deficiency contribute to fatigue, but it also interferes with the absorption of calcium (which is why milk is fortified with it) and for women especially, can lead to osteopenia and eventually osteoporosis.  The truth is, most of us in the northern states simply can't get enough vitamin D from the sun this time of year.  I'm no doctor, but in my experience, I would never spend another winter without my vitamin D ever again.  Ever.

Get out and enjoy the outdoors when we can.  Winter is one of my favorite times of year to be out walking/hiking/snowshoeing at the farm.  It's exciting to me to start chilly and after a short time walking, becoming warm and comfortable...while I'm out in the cold!  Positively exhilarating!  And exercise, being out in the elements when the conditions allow, will get those endorphins pumping, boosting your mood as well!

Enjoy the season of comfort food.  I adore cooking this time of year, however I am aware of the need to watch the cream-of-mushroom-soup-factor I told you about! : ) A hearty soup or stew with a loaf of fresh bread can beat back the chill and lift my spirits better than almost anything else this time of year. I love it! In my book, everything is fair game...and everything in moderation.

Pace ourselves. Winter is the time of year when the world slows down...it doesn't mean we need to grind to a halt, but in all our busyness it's easy to forget that it is our natural cycle to slow down as well.  Allow it as often as possible.  Rest, read, reflect, play games, cook...all of the things that get put by the wayside in the more active parts of the year.

The more we learn to connect with and listen to our bodies, the more we're able to respond to what they need, the more light we'll be able to shed on finding our way in the dark.  I'm all for that!//

What's For Dinner Tonight?
As I mentioned, we went to The Roasted Pear -- our locally owned, go-to. Most of the time, we have a fantastic experience...tonight, however, we did not.  Many factors play into the experience we had, most of all, that it was likely just an off night.

So minus the details, which again are incidental, I'd like to just take a moment to say a word about customer service.  T and I both work in service industries and while I do not under any circumstances believe that the customer is always right (what a destructive message that turned out to be...as anyone who has ever worked in a service job can attest), I wholeheartedly know that the customer is why we're in business. Customers are our business.

That being said, I do believe that when a situation unfortunately goes south -- which, let's face it, it does from time to time -- it is up to the employee/manager/whomever to know how to treat a customer well. We are all people, after all. The best question an employee can ask of themselves is, How do I let this customer know they matter?

In my opinion, a customer should never be expected to direct an employee(s) how to adequately resolve an issue...this only frustrates the situation and rewards people for making a stink. Personally, I'd like to reward the folks who understand an off night by offering something for their trouble first -- a gesture of good will -- rather than leaving it open-ended, requiring a customer to potentially take advantage of the situation in order to get any response at all. And when that customer is unwilling to make a stink, doing nothing and calling it all better.

Maybe I'm making my stink now.  (Eeeewww...what is that smell??!)

It boils down to this...loyalty is built upon relationships and relationships (our ability to relate) are based on service. On authentically showing your customers that you value their experience.  Better yet, that you value them. Tonight, some loyal customers walked out of a maybe-not-so-favorite-anymore haunt, not because of an off night, but because of lousy customer service.

And that's just sad. Completely avoidable. And sad.

Good thing we have some ice cream in the freezer so I can go make my own hot fudge sundae...(now, was that so hard?).

Nighty night!

Cracked

For such a crazy whirlwind of a week, I had the most incredible afternoon...at the chiropractor!  Not just any chiropractor...but the Twin Cities' BEST chiropractor.  In my humble opinion, that is.  Dr. Jo Becker-Puklich, D.C., owner of Live Well Chiropractic in Chanhassen has been my chiropractor for ten years and every time I visit her, I leave feeling stronger, healthier and more well-adjusted (hahahaha) than ever before. Today was no exception.

Given my migraine on Friday, and an over-full week, I was due for an adjustment.  My neck and shoulders were tighter than they've been in a while, and they responded well to the deep tissue massage prior to my adjustments.  After my "tune up", as I like to call it, Dr. Jo suggested acupuncture.  I couldn't possibly say no!

I haven't had acupuncture in about a year.  Each needle she put in were what I call "zingers" -- like an direct connection.  Every one in the exact spot it needed to be.  Ten minutes into my nap (grin), she came in to turn the needles to stimulate the spot the needles were in again.  And after the last ten minutes of my snooze, she took them out.

My mind felt so clear when I stood up.  Well-rested after a much needed nap, yes.  But it was more than that.  I felt lighter, calmer, so much more relaxed. So relaxed that I even wondered whether I should drive home! If that isn't worth the price of admission, I don't know what is.//

What's For Dinner Tonight?
Leftover chalupas, that's what!  Last night's were so good...

...how could we resist?

Have a relaxing and peaceful night!

Wanting to Fly

I had a dream last night that my dog could fly. In the dream, my husband and I were driving along a beautiful coastal road and the big fat moon was rising. We pulled over and got out of the car to witness the moon's journey, to catch a ray of moonlight on our faces, in our hearts. Trooper was with us romping around and paying homage to the beauty of the night. As Terry and I stood with gaped mouths and full hearts watching, Trooper took flight and was riding air currents under the light of the moon, tail wagging, undeniably joyful, liberated, free.

This dream struck me as particularly interesting because of an experience I had at work yesterday: as we talked about the holidays, the bakery schedule, all that needed to be done, a voice in my head began offering that I could work any and all hours, whatever was needed I would do. Keep in mind, "any and all hours" means beginning work some nights at midnight, doing such physical labor as to make one out-cold for the gatherings that holidays are built upon. This voice in my head is not unfamiliar. Traditionally, this is what I do...offer to go above and beyond with no thought to what I want or need. I have done this for going on ten years and while the holiday hoopla is a part of my job and a part I readily take on, it occurred to me yesterday that there was really no reason to draw attention to myself as a willing workhorse. What if, I thought, I could enjoy the holidays more fully because I was taking better care of myself? I would always do my job. I would always put forth my 110% effort when I was there. AND, I didn't have to selflessly sacrifice myself to make my contribution.

Hearing the voice that wants us to be more, do more, give more -- as if who we are, what we do and how much we give isn't already enough -- and knowing that doing what it prodded wasn't best for me in the long run felt like flying! Listening deeply for the voice-beneath-the-voice requires psychic space of sorts, the space that allows us to witness rather than react. If we can hear the voice of our inner wisdom, we have the time to consider it, to trust it and to act on it with intention.

Dog represents loyalty in Native American spirituality and as it often appears in my dreams, Dog has always represented loyalty to self. So perhaps in my dream, Trooper flying is a kind of psychic happy-dance -- Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer learning he can fly from sheer joy, realizing the love of his girl, Clarice. In my case, realizing the love it takes to hold myself and my highest good with respect. Maybe true liberation is learning to act on our own behalf rather than depending on someone else to see what we need and expecting them to do the work for us. Isn't our biggest task, truly, to be stewards of ourselves? To take care of ourselves, to honor what is best for ourselves and to act on that knowledge? To trust ourselves implicitly to know what we need, what is truly in our best interest?

If we think we're here, above all else, to take care of everyone else, I think we're missing the point. Yes, community and family are part and parcel of a full, meaningful life. But if we are all One -- all living beings in nature cut from the same divine energetic cloth -- and we only focus outwardly on others, we're missing the greatest opportunity to show respect to the gift of our lives by befriending, loving and taking care of ourselves. This is loyalty. And when we truly learn to care for ourselves as well as and with the same conviction as we care for others, we can fly.

And when we can fly, who knows what is possible for our lives?//