With Visions of Sugarplums......

Baby Brynn on her first trip outside to see the breeder!

Many years ago I was the Sugarplum Fairy in the Nutcracker Suite.  It was a magical time that filled my heart with pure and utter joy.  I was excited to put on a tutu, get exotic stage make-up and do some challenging lifts.  I can remember the feeling that I had.  Do you remember seeing a Christmas tree for the first time?  What about walking on the beach after a long cold winter?  Maybe it's the first time you ate a chocolate brownie while walking in the snow!  If you have never tried that...it is amazing.  The flavor of the chocolate is intensified by the cold air and the resulting feeling is europhic....to chocolaholics like me! It was one of the most incredible moments of my life....coming in second to the  time I danced the tango on the beaches of Morocco.  You can read about that on my website!

My newest happy moment came with this picture.  What a precious moment.  Brynn looks like a little baby cuddling her mama. I am very content to stay present in the moments of Christmas.  During this important holiday season, I choose to see the delight in a child's eye rather than listen to the complaints about the long lines and short tempered customers in the mall!

I think this time of year should remind us to love deeply, live strong, and dance like no one is watching. The truth is I do the last one many times a day, and the trick is to do all of it throughout the entire year. While you love deeply, and live strong and dance your heart out....don't forget to extend your hand to someone in need.  That's the real spirit of Christmas, and worth keeping alive in your heart the whole year long.



New Traditions

Preview of my new website photos

As I looked for my traditional Christmas cookie recipes, I was frustrated.  They were either in one of two places.....my bookshelf in the kitchen or my garage.  I couldn't find them and truthfully, I was upset.  Even though my children do not like anisette, I continued to make Grandma's anisette and chocolate chip cookies every year....because that's what I do...keep tradition.  Saying that, I really love change but the nagging little monkey on my shoulder was telling me Christmas wasn't going to be the same without those cookies.

Last year's batch of cookies!

Along with change, I like laughing.....especially at myself.  I'll find the recipes next year....but for now I started a new tradition.....new cookies at Christmas.  Change and laughter.....a delicious recipe for a joyous Christmas!

Serendipity

I always loved the word serendipity.  It is fun to say...fun to spell and it's definition is exciting.  Now you have to remember that I am a word junkie....these things are that which fuels my writing.

Accidental discovery.....blessing.....I don't know about you, but I love accidental discoveries and blessings.  I have experienced an abundance of them this past week. It made me wonder how it can affect one's life. Could it make a person do something unexpected and out of character? Could it change the course of your life? The words of Sarah Palin on the campaign trail, come to mind right now..."you betcha" it can change your life.

You have heard me talk about paying attention to the details of life so that you don't miss what is really important. Paying attention to an accidental discovery or blessing can be anything from a simple wake-up call.... that you only have one life and it's wise to live it fully.....to the fact that your life's journey needs to change and today is the day to do it. Taking chances to better your life with a new attitude and outlook will feel liberating.  It's like a woman with very long hair making the decision to cut her hair after 20 years.  She cannot believe how free she feels and how liberated she is from the daily rituals of taking care of that hair! I almost hear her sighing...."I should have done that years ago!"

I will be writing full time again in a few weeks and I think about my protagonists as part of my family.  I know they are in the mountains of Europe in a damp Monastery in the company of silent Monks. I know that they are missing their birth families back in Pennsylvania.  I know that with  Christmas coming, Hannah with her Amish heritage, is very mindful of her blessings. Anthony...a Muslim/Catholic from a mixed marriage is introspectful.....always wondering what his father would do in any given situation. He too is very aware of his blessings.....the most powerful blessing in his life lays next to him now....his Habibti....waking up and stretching like a cat....purring softly as she realizes her husband is watching her.

As is usual for them, she whispers in his ear...."Behebek habibi....Ich liebe dich."...their own special Arabic German declaration of eternal, undying love.

Brynn Sophia Who Tugs at My Heart

Grammy (that would be me) gets to babysit the newest addition to our family: little Brynn Sophia the English Bulldog.  My daughter adores this breed and asked for a little girl puppy for Christmas.  Her Dad and I agreed....with one stipulation... that I babysit for 1 week while she takes her first exams in lawschool.  Being proud of her, and loving animals....I was on board.

Let me tell you about her gourmet meals.  She eats pure pumpkin, mixed with whole milk plain yogurt and two different kinds of kibble. My daughter picked Brynn.....or rather Brynn picked her....and it turns out she is going to be bred because she is such a perfect specimen of a bulldog.  My daughter has her during gestation and then we get 1 puppy.  The breeders, Ultimate Bulldogs, in New Milford, NJ, have integrity and breed healthy bulldogs and care for them like their own children with love and respect for the breed. Anyone who buys a dog from a breeder should look for these qualities.  So technically the puppy has this very high class name....ULTIMATE BRYNN SOPHIA!

And....she is everything ultimate. ...the ultimate crowd pleaser...the ultimate Christmas gift for my daughter, the ultimate Granddog for me....and the ultimate puppy to tug at everyone's heart!

Introducing Ultimate Brynn Sophia:

Juliet, Juliet....Where for Art Thou?

Bella on her first professional shoot!

On the railroad tracks for professional photos

The answer to that question is.....on the kitchen island....knocking my new camera onto the floor!  I am not sure why  it was on the floor, but Juliet climbed onto the countertop...and the camera  fell onto the floor.  You do the math!

So until my camera is fixed (it's being evaluated now!) or exchanged...pictures on my blog will be few and far between. Oops...good news....just found my daughters camera and until mine is fixed I have a camera to use for the blog!

Here a few of my new professional photos for my website. I am giving it a facelift with updated photos. I am getting back to writing after my collision with a deer tick, and as you already know...the deer tick lost the fight.

It's this time of year that I am transported to a beautiful monastery in the side of the mountain. I am in my character's head...or she is in mine.  My view is spectacular and the smell of sweet clean winter air is almost intoxicating.  I think about what my protagonist is thinking as she ponders her future in this remote wonderland...knowing that looks can be deceiving.  She... and those she protects....are safe for the moment....but for how long? The truth is....she will never be able to save them from themselves.  It just isn't in her power. 

Stayed tuned for more details about what's happening with this story.  Finishing it will be my joy!

Lindsay 1.....Deer Tick 0

This has been an interesting couple of weeks! Who would have thought that a tiny little deer tick could stop me in my tracks!  October 13th two of my puppies, Juliet and Bella began licking my left cheek upward.  I kept pushing them away...but they were insistent and refused to stop.  Finally, I just let them do it.  Two days later, I woke up with facial paralysis on the left side of my face. I wondered....did they know?

For the next few weeks, until the paralysis left, they continued this behavior....while laying next to me at all times.  I was blessed with good doctors, the right combination of meds, and early diagnosis, and angels in the form of puppies.  I was bitten by a deer tick carrying a neurological strain of lyme...based on extensive bloodwork, which nerves were paralyzed and a doctor's extraordinary knowlege.

Facial paralysis is devastating: I couldn't smile, speak or swallow...but with early intervention the symptoms began to disipate in about 5 days.  Now they are completely gone. 

Angels were everywhere....a nurse in the hospital, in my puppies, in my friends....and in all the well wishers that send me healing and prayers. Thank you for reminding me....during this very special time of year....how truly blessed I am.