I get lots of nice emails, but one really caught my eye…

Here is an excerpt:

Dear Kathy-
My name is Kari and I'm a CVS customer.  I was looking for cards for my friends and wasn't keen on the selection in front of me.  I struck up a conversation with the lady stocking the card shelves and she guided me to the section where your cards are and she further told me that her highest hopes are that she meets you before she dies.……….I spoke to the Tipp City CVS manager and he told me her name is Janet Pence and she has stocked the shelves every Wednesday for at least the past 15 years.  If you ever pass through Tipp City, OH on a Wednesday, be sure to stop in at CVS drug store and say hi to Janet.  I can tell she is special, just by our short conversation.   And I love your cards too!!

This is the kind of letter I couldn’t ignore, and yet Tipp City, OH seemed as far away as Timbuktu. The closest I ever came to Tipp City is Cleveland, where American Greetings World Headquarters is based. I usually have meetings there a couple of times a year, but even Cleveland is a four hour drive to Tipp City. I wasn’t sure whether I’d ever get there…

But, last week, prior to my visit to American Greetings, my husband and I booked a flight to Dayton, a short 20 minutes away from Tipp City and the CVS store. We had arranged to meet not only Janet Pence, the American Greetings employee who lovingly stocks the shelves, but Kari Prall, who took the time to write the thoughtful email. I must say, it was an absolute delight to meet them both! Janet brought her husband, Jim, to take photos (as did I), and Kari’s coworker Marilyn Rowe also came along to say hello. To my surprise, two American Greetings supervisors showed up to lend their support, as did two executives of CVS. Robyn Wolf and Pam Proctor of AG, and CVS store manager, Mike Cole and District Manager, David Fuller, rounded out our party!

We exchanged gifts, shared laughs and savored stories to last a lifetime. For that day I met two special ladies who touched my life in the nicest way.

Then it was off to American Greetings for my meetings. The four hour drive in a rental car through Ohio farmlands to Cleveland didn’t really seem all that long. After all, we had the glow of new friendships to help light the way.

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I find myself looking ahead at the shiny new year wondering what it may hold for me…as I’m sure you must be doing in your own life. 2012 has a nice ring to it, so I’m hoping for great things for all of us!

Often motivated by goals and resolutions, this year I am resisting the urge to make a list of things that may become unrealistic or limiting in some way. Sure, there are goals I hope to accomplish, places I want to go, things I’ll strive to achieve. But I hope to approach them with a relaxed attitude and be more accepting of myself and others.

2011 was a mixed bag of joys and sorrows, as most years are. But, having lost my mom a week before her 94^th birthday in November left me with a void in my life that nothing can fill. However, my mother’s positive attitude and her contentment and gratitude for life are gifts among many others that she bestowed upon me and all who knew her. I carry them in my heart into this new year and feel the comfort and acceptance that she would wish for me.

I came across the quote, below, that speaks loudly to me. It reminds me that life is short but so very precious. In lieu of a list of resolutions, I hope this simple mantra helps to guide my journey this year. I wish the same for you.

Happy New Year.

Dear Friends,

I have returned from a truly incredible trip to Africa! My husband and I had long been anticipating this journey, and it far exceeded our expectations!

We flew from Washington, D.C. to London, and then onto Cape Town. After spending several days of sightseeing there, we hopped on small planes to two private game reserves for safari adventures. There we enjoyed 2 thrilling game drives each day, and stayed in wonderful lodges with great views, fine food and friendly staff. I will never forget the feeling of falling to sleep listening to hippos snorting in the river below! The game drives were filled with amazing animal sightings and adventure in the bush.

To top off our adventures, we ended our journey in Zambia, where we viewed Victoria Falls from Livingstone Island at the precipice of the falls (no fences or barriers of any kind!). It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life!

By the end of our travels, we had amassed over 6000 photos! After much editing, I have prepared a slideshow with some of the highlights of our trip. If you have about 16 minutes to spare and are interested in accompanying me, I invite you to share in this adventure from the comfort of your own computer.

A few things to note:  you will see us in coats and hats during some of the early outings, as it is winter this time of year in Africa. Our temps ranged from the low 40's in early morning to the low 80's in afternoons.

Also, I must give credit to my husband, Peter, for most of the good photography and all of the interesting animal close-ups. His already sharp skills reached a new level of expertise with all of the practice he got on this trip.

The music I assembled for this slideshow includes:
- The theme from Out of Africa - the film
- Grasslands Chant, Circle of Life and The Lion Sleeps Tonight from The Lion King - the movie
- Baby Elephant Walk by Henry Mancini

Enjoy!

I will be following up with some retrospective blog posts and African proverbs, so please stay tuned!

All My Best,

I have always dreamed of seeing Africa – maybe it’s because of the beautiful wide-open plains, or the amazing animals, or the vastly different culture. (I have also had a secret craving to wear that loose khaki and gauzy white safari style wardrobe…especially the hat with the turned-up brim!)

I’m sure the film “Out of Africa” helped to fuel my fire back in the 80’s. (Robert Redford and Meryl Streep could sell me on almost anything, though…)

At any rate, my husband and I bit the bullet this year. We really cannot afford either the time or the money that this trip will cost…but I figure we can’t afford not to, either! For years we’ve talked about it, always as “someday, maybe…”. Every year there was a reason not to go. But, because each of us had a big birthday this year, we decided that our “party” would just have to take place on those great plains!  I want to be young enough to enjoy this journey of a lifetime, so there’s no time like the present!

While I am painfully aware of the suffering in vast regions of this continent, our trip will keep us mostly in developed areas or national parks. The famine, extreme poverty, disease and unrest in much of Africa are unbelievably serious concerns. I am hoping I will become more aware of the needs of this part of the world and discover some ways in which we all may be able to help.

For many reasons, we chose South Africa as our destination. Because of our limited 2 week time frame, we couldn’t go to all of the places that interested us, but our South African expedition includes a bit of everything; cities, small towns, wineries, waterfalls, and, of course, great plains and game reserves!

We’ve both been so busy that we haven’t even really had time to think much about the trip, let alone pack – or, for goodness sakes, read any of the fine books recommended to help us prepare for the adventure…but once there, we will have no choice but to detach and immerse ourselves. The long flights will be taking us far enough away that we will have no other choice!

We hope to have internet connection a good bit of the time, and if so, I will try to send some photos.

Now, as we approach the date of our August 5th departure……I’m filled with a sense of wonder…
How will this trip change my outlook, my work, my life?

I guess you’ll just have to stay tuned to find that out………

p.s. – I REALLY hope I get to see a giraffe!!!

"When you feel like you've lost your center, You must make the time...

and then take the time to find it again."

Time to share some thoughts in my monthly blog letter…so what does a wanna-be “Joy Scatterer” like me say when I’m having trouble finding joy for myself?

Let me first make clear that I’m not looking for pity here, but I’m assuming that you may be able to relate…and maybe even find something helpful in what I’ve recently experienced.

No one is immune to off-periods in our lives when things feel sort of upside-down. Not sure where mine came from…was it the worry over my mom’s illness, pushing myself too hard with work, a birthday with a number bigger than I can fathom, my fender bender and the culprit who fled the scene, getting out of sync with too much travel…or stress over business growing pains…?

Were my stars not aligned, my bio-rhythms out of whack, or am I just thinking about it too darn much?
Plain and simple…I just didn’t feel myself.

Maybe the cause was a combination of all of the above…or maybe there’s just no good reason, but I’ve felt off-center for a couple of weeks now.  And the worst part is the guilt I feel when I’m going through a down time… because I recognize how fortunate I am to be leading a very full life when many others are going through the really tough stuff…

I’m usually a big list maker, pretty driven…and spend my days soaring through tasks, projects, and personal pursuits. But my recent dip in energy, motivation and mood threw me off. I got out of sync with exercise, ate the wrong things, and felt tired. My work, which usually excites me, felt more like…well… work! Even my usual easy-going relationships were being tested. My moods were as unsettled as the weather was – mostly cloudy with some showers and little breaks of sun.

This season of the year is usually when I’m most in love with life, too... so the timing of my slump was off-putting. I cherish spending the last couple of weeks of June at the beach, with some focused time working on my writing and painting, some solitude mixed with family time, a birthday bash and celebration of summer.
Maybe my expectations were just too high…

How to cope?

Here are a few tips that helped me, and may help you, too, if you ever find yourself off-center:

- Talk it out – It helps to share feelings, it’s a little like letting some air out of a too-full balloon. Confiding in even one person can be very calming. When I shared my concerns with a friend, I felt a sense of peace. Whether you are asking for assistance or simply looking for understanding, talking does help.

- Walk it out – While I completely dropped the ball with my exercise schedule (thus more guilt), I did make an effort to go for a daily walk. Even a brisk walk around the block (or on the beach!) can shake you into a new mood and open you to things outside of yourself.

- Write it out – Spending even a few moments each day journaling your thoughts can clear your brain and help to sort things out. In her book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron recommends journaling 3 pages of free-flow writing each morning. While I can’t often make that goal, I do find whatever writing time I can fit in to be extremely helpful.

- Listen to music, read a good book, watch a good movie (or even some “bad” TV)  –Anything that transports you can do the trick. I enjoy music, but I’m not one who is always attached to headphones. During my slump, listening to music and reading some books really helped soothe my soul and lighten my mood! Good medicine.

- Meditate, pray, or take time to “just be” – There is no substitute for solitude, for the stilling of your mind and for opening yourself to answers.

- Self-medicate – OK – this sounds bad, but what I’m talking about here are simple treats that can lift your spirits. Ask yourself  “What one little thing can I plan to do today that will help make me feel better?” It may be as simple as making popcorn, a half-hour of reading, a bubble bath, a glass of wine or a shopping expedition. The key is moderation, of course, but these small rewards can go a long way.

- Accept – Give in to your feelings and let them work through you. Not everyday is a joy-filled experience.  Understand that even these down periods do have a purpose in our lives.

- Forgive yourself – Everyone is allowed to have a bad mood or an unproductive period. The fact that there is always someone who has bigger problems than you doesn’t negate your own experience.

- Do something nice for somebody else – Take the emphasis off of yourself. It really is true that by scattering joy, some of it naturally returns to you. Even sending a card to a friend gave me a good vibe.

- Gratitude – A gratitude exercise where you list all of the things that you do have going for you in your life is always a big eye-opener! My list runneth over!

- Lighten-up – “this too shall pass” - need I say more?

As July begins, I am happy to report that I am feeling much more optimistic now, and back to finding the joy in things both big and small. I’m getting excited about my work again and the world is looking so much brighter. My slump taught me some important lessons in patience, acceptance, forgiveness and reminded me to keep my expectations in check…and those are valuable lessons indeed.

Happy Summer to you all!!!

I recently attended an amazing event in Phoenix, Arizona hosted by my greeting card licensee, American Greetings.  Each year American Greetings plays host to many of their top clients, presenting what’s new in the world of greeting cards.

This year, the theme of creativity was featured by showcasing some of their in-house talent as well as several licensed content partners. An impressive outdoor display was set up for each artist and writer on the patio of the Phoenician Hotel where a cocktail reception was held for the attendees. It was so nice to meet and greet customers from places like Canada, Oklahoma and Portland, Maine.

Me with Tina Benevides, VP of Creative at AG

Talking with some of the other designers and writers who attended was such a treat! A highlight for me was spending some time with well-known artist Mary Engelbreit. Back in the mid-1980’s, as a former teacher and single mom trying to find my way, I wrote to Mary asking for advice on how to break into the industry. I still treasure the letter I received back from her. It was great fun to connect and finally thank her for steering me in the right direction!

Me with mentor and artist extraordinaire, Mary Englebreit

This creative line-up includes Brenda Walton, Me, Mary, and Bella Pilar

Lucky artists and writers in the AG family of companies including Papyrus
and Recycled Paper Greetings

Following the cocktail reception, we were treated to an extraordinary dinner and entertainment. The banquet room was transformed into a magical wonderland, fashioned after Tavern on the Green in New York City. Trees sparkled with tiny white lights, birdsong filled the air, and the tables were set to impress in an explosion of color and texture.

The American Greetings’ rose (as featured in their logo) came to life at each place setting. Red napkins folded in a flower shape were topped with a beautiful fresh red rose. Actual magnolia leaves transformed into circular placemats. The table settings were true works of art!

A beautiful place setting

A table in full bloom

A video was shown celebrating the work of American Greetings artists and writers, then each of us was introduced the crowd of 300. Dinner was a delicious affair, culminating in a dessert to die for! Chocolate greeting cards and stacked sponge cakes were garnished with faux flowers made of sugar. Amazing (and yummy, too!)

Dessert featuring chocolate greeting cards

But the real icing on the cake was James Taylor! He delivered an inspiring and touching performance specially choreographed for the American Greetings guests. His song “Shower the People You Love with Love” could not have been more fitting, and my personal favorite was “ Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from the show Oklahoma. James also spoke to us about the times in his life when greeting cards have touched him deeply. One was a Valentine card he treasured from a secret crush in the fifth grade, which he faithfully carried around in his jeans pocket until they ended up in the laundry. The other was a sympathy card he received from someone very dear to him upon the death of his father. He mentioned the fact that songwriting and writing for greeting cards is very similar in that we are all trying to connect to people in ways that touch their hearts and relate to their experiences.

James Taylor

It was hard to see the evening come to an end.

Upon leaving, each guest received a commemorative book featuring some of the creative talent that makes American Greetings so special. To say I was honored to be a part of such a wonderful event is an understatement. It was humbling, inspiring... and a true celebration of creativity!

A magical night at our Tavern on the Green in the desert, indeed…

In honor of Mother’s Day this month, I want to introduce you to one pretty amazing lady – my mom, Ruth. At age 93, she is in relatively good health, living in an assisted living apartment close by our home. While her short-term memory is not very good these days, something she never forgets are the names of our big white dogs, Mojo and Moxie. We take them to visit her on the rare days that they are clean enough! Ruth takes a lot of pride in remembering the names of those dogs…especially since she can’t recall the names of her fellow residents, even the ones she dines with 3 times a day.

Mojo and Moxie greet Ruth

Mojo givin’ a little lovin’

But, in spite of her failing memory, you will never find my mother in a bad mood. She makes the best of everything. Always. While Ruth was never artistic (one of her favorite sayings is “I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler”), I have to credit her with instilling positive thinking in me…the kind of thinking that I believe influences the art and writing I do. I’m not sure if that joy-filled content comes from something that I feel – or if it’s something I need to feel more of… either way, I have to credit Mom for drumming it into me.

Some of her “Momisms” :

      -  “there is no such thing as an ugly person”

      -  “hate is a horrible word”

      -  “I like anyone who wears a smile”

      -  “It is more important to be nice than it is to be important”

Having grown up during the depression, Mom has always been frugal and selfless. While these qualities are admirable, she unfortunately has a hard time indulging herself, even in healthy ways, always preferring to do without. This kind of upbringing caused a few issues for me in later years, since I so want to indulge sometimes without feeling bad about it.

I’d like to share an excerpt with you from my Scatter Joy book from the chapter called “Letting Joy Overcome Guilt”.

My mother has had a fulfilling and comfortable, if simple life, and she has definitely done more than her share of scattering joy. I just wish she could have learned that it’s not just okay to be good to yourself, that it’s more than okay. It’s actually good for you!

Shortly after my divorce when I was on my own with my two young kids, my mother stopped by to give me a hand as she (thankfully) often did. I had just returned from the grocery store and finished putting away the food when she came in through the back door to the kitchen. I was arranging the cut flowers I had just bought, placing them in a vase for the kitchen table. I could tell that she was troubled.

When I asked her what was wrong, she confronted me about the flowers, asking me if some new admirer had sent them (of which she would definitely have disapproved!). After all, the divorce was so very difficult for my parents to accept, and my dating so soon when I had two little kids depending on me would have been too much for my mother to handle. I thought I was off the hook when I replied, “No, I bought them for myself!” My mother looked absolutely stunned. Obviously she never bought herself flowers (how wasteful, frivolous, and self-indulgent!), and she couldn’t quite fathom that I had done so for myself—especially when I should be “in mourning” over my divorce and focused on my children.

Now, I love and admire my mother very much, and I will never come close to her good works and almost sainthood status, but I’ve become quite comfortable being my own best friend and not feeling guilty about treating myself well.

These days I try to buy myself flowers every week. Doing so brings me such joy! And when I buy flowers for myself, I often pick up a bouquet for my mother to brighten her assisted-living apartment. I think she might just enjoy those flowers as much as I enjoy giving them!

Wishing all moms the very happiest Mother’s Day. I hope you all get some flowers! (and if you don’t, it’s OK to buy some for yourself!)

This Easter may your senses awaken to the beauties of springtime...
and may your heart be filled with joy!
Happy Easter

Because flowers are my favorite subject matter for painting, I am always on the lookout for beautiful gardens, arboretums, flower shows and all things that bloom...which is why I made it a priority to stop by Longwood Gardens near Chadds Ford, PA for their Orchid Extravaganza and sale. Longwood has long been a favorite destination anytime of year, but since I recently revived my love affair with orchids in my own home, I didn't want to miss this show.

They weren't kidding when they called it an Extravaganza! Orchids adorned every nook and cranny of the Arboretum. I immediately lamented that I had barely an hour to spend there sandwiched into my crammed schedule...but at least I got to breeze through -and breathe in - the beautiful setting!

Sharing just a few of my favorite photos in hopes that they inspire you, too!

(Visit my Flicker Gallery to see more of these beauties)

Well, that groundhog sure knows how to tease!

The warm spring weather he promised is taking its good old time getting here. Hopefully, once it comes it will stay for a while before slipping into summer too quickly.

As hard as it is to believe today, I have faith that April will prove to be a glorious month leading up to Easter, and our patience through these cold months will surely be rewarded.

Sometimes our patience wears thin, and not just with the weather. I often get impatient with my creative process. Ideas frequently flood my consciousness... but the time it takes for them to germinate and bloom into art on paper can seem like an eternity.

My work schedule is always sporadic as I juggle business responsibilities and meetings with art direction and approvals… and then there’s my own writing and painting. Wearing many hats often takes me off course from where my heart is trying to lead me. Frustration with not having enough time for my creative work can sometimes overtake me.

What helps me to hold it together during those times is keeping a journal where I log any and every idea that comes to mind so they won't escape me. Sometimes the ideas in my journal can take years to come to bloom…some never take root...and others help to guide my work as soon as I get back into the swing of my writing or painting.

I've learned to make peace with this process. I guess you can call it delayed gratification.

Patience is always rewarded. In fact, sometimes ideas require breathing space for the good seeds to sort themselves out from those not yet ready for sprouting.

While I wish I could paint and be creative everyday, at least I free my mind by capturing my thoughts on paper. I'd be a sad puppy without a pen and paper (and yes, I do also log ideas on my laptop, but there is just something soothing about moving a pen across paper that calms me.)

So, as we look ahead to the most beautifully prolific season of the year... my wish for you is that your patience to be rewarded in all ways. May the carrot at the end of your stick come within reach…and may we all enjoy a SPECTACULAR spring worth waiting for!

May your patience be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.

I recently found this sketch for a card idea in one of my old journals. It seemed perfect to share with you for this April post.

In honor of the first day of spring, we'd like to share this short excerpt
from Kathy's "Scatter Joy" book. The chapter is "Joy Through the Seasons":

"Springtime is at its most glorious when the tiny, bright green leaves burst forth and the flowering pear, crab apple, dogwood and cherry trees create an explosion of pink and white blossoms. Wisteria, lilacs, and orange blossoms follow, perfuming the air with their fragrance. I love to walk in our nearby park, where the landscaping has been carefully orchestrated to allow each blooming row of trees to invite the next to follow its lead. Spring is a time or promise, hope, rebirth and beauty."

May spring inspire many things of beauty in your life!

I can feel it, I can see it, I can smell it...and I can almost taste it! Spring is waiting in the wings...and after another tough winter in the northeast, we are all more than ready. Finally, that groundhog got it right!

The growing light invites us all to stretch our wings after the winter season. For me, it means more energy, fresh new ideas and that joyful feeling that spring fever ushers in!We have so many new projects and ideas germinating at the Studio that I'm about to burst!

I am working on some colorful new paintings that I am anxious to share with you, and there are many collections of new patterns in development that we hope to turn into fabric. Just in time for spring, the other day we received samples of my latest gift bags from American Greetings, (which I hope you'll agree are bright and cheery) and we look forward to my 2011 Mother's Day card display coming out soon.

Also this spring, you can find my exclusive new line of cards and boxed stationery debuting at Papyrus stores. I am super psyched about that! In addition, we are anxiously awaiting samples of the new line of gift products we are proud to have developed with Westland Giftware.

MORE news.....
Our partnership with licensing agency Brandgenuity is about to launch, which will take the brand in exciting new directions! Plans are underway to open our own online store this year, and as if that's not enough NEW going on...this month we welcome Bill Lessa to our KDS team as Director of Community Relations!

Stay tuned to our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Flicker and You Tube so you don't miss a beat.


I wish all of you renewed hope and energy...and all the joys that springtime brings!!! Heartfelt thanks for your continued support and friendship.

All My Best,

What's Love Got To Do With It?

…How about everything? That four-letter word packs more power and meaning than any other! Since February is all about LOVE, I wanted to weigh in with a few thoughts on the subject.

Valentine’s Day is a time when everyone’s minds turn to love. We celebrate the love for our sweethearts and those closest to us with flowers, candy, special dinners, and of course, greeting cards! (thank you very much!)

But I invite you to think about love in the larger sense.

Love is that thing that fuels our passions, that inspires kindness, that brings us joy!
By bringing more joy into your life on a daily basis, you increase your capacity for love. When your heart is filled with love, it naturally overflows and makes the world a kinder, gentler place.

Here are 3 simple exercises to get you thinking.

1. List 5-10 things that you LOVE to do.

They can be as simple as “go for a walk”.
Next, ask yourself how often you make time to do these things. If your answer is “not often enough”, then think of ways you can make these things higher priorities in your life.  While we all have many demands in our lives, we DO have the power to make choices and changes – even if they are small ones. Little changes can make a BIG difference in the way we feel.

2. List 5-10 things that you would LOVE to do, but have not yet experienced.

Then ask yourself how you can begin to take steps – even baby steps- to start making some of these things happen. It may be easiest to choose just one thing from your list and set a realistic goal date to mark on your calendar. Even this small act will be an accomplishment and make you feel good!

3. List 5-10 qualities you LOVE about yourself.

This last question may be the most difficult one, as we are often so hard on ourselves and not used to thinking this way. But, go ahead…be your own best friend… even if just for a few minutes.

Take a look at these qualities…they are gifts in your life – and they need to be honored. Are you using these gifts to your full potential? Is there a way you can celebrate one of these qualities in a bigger way today?

I hope these little exercises helped encourage you to invite more love and joy into your life.

Make February a time to honor your heart. We give love most freely from a full heart. Keep yours full always.

Now it’s time to go share some of that love with the rest of the world.  It can surely use it.
Happy Valentine’s Day.

It's almost 2011 friends! Has anyone thought about their New Year’s resolution?

I'm always so touched by year-end reviews on TV ... especially the "Hail and Farewell" segments that feature well known (and sometimes lesser known) people who have left our world over the past year. These people have touched the lives of so many through their art, their discoveries, their celebrity, their gestures of humanity and through their life's work.

Of course, it is impossible to recognize the great numbers of people who have passed on and left the world a better place...the soldiers who have given their lives, the doctors who have saved lives, the entertainers and writers who have helped us to laugh, cry or be inspired...and the nameless "everyman" who has donated hours of time to help others in need. All deserve our heartfelt thanks.

I urge us all to be inspired by these lives as we take stock of our own. How are we living our precious days? Are we making a difference? Do we spend more time complaining than celebrating...by avoiding rather than facing...by wasting the gifts we are meant to share?

Are YOU living a life you love? Are you making choices each day that are right for you? Are you listening to your heart? Are you living your best life?

Sure, not everyday can be a celebration and not everyone of us can be a Mother Teresa. Sure, there are things we'd rather not do that can't be avoided...but are you paying attention to the simple joys in your life? Are you taking a moment to make someone else feel important?

If we all listen to our inner voice, open our hearts to others, and feel gratitude  for all that is going RIGHT.....each one of our days can be a gift to us.

May 2011 be FILLED with those kinds of days for you! Happy New Year!

All My Best,

Another bonus of our family day in NYC was a stop at Chelsea Market. In addition to the funky architecture (it was formerly The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) Complex), we enjoyed a tasty lunch at Cleaver Company’s The Green Table, marveled at the great shops and cool decorations...and found a wonderful seasonal shop called “Jingle”! Jingle is a holiday extravaganza that runs for three weeks featuring the work of independent creatives.

Was happy to find Jill Schwartz’s Elements and Ayala Naphtali’s funky jewelry among a huge variety of handmade finds! The "designer" chocolate with sea salt we sampled was absolutely memorable. Jingle’s edgy yet arty take on gift-giving is an inspiring way to scatter joy through art ...and giving!

imaginative decorations inside Chelsea Market include a tree made of CD's

archways framed with thousands of light strands

recycled paper cutout snowflakes and angels dance around a fountain

Our family took the day on Saturday to trek to NYC for some Holiday fun and inspiration. We are all crazy busy, and the holiday season is simply insane, but I’m so glad we set aside a day for being together and taking in some of NYC’s holiday magic!

The highlight of our day was the Winter Solstice Celebration by Paul Winter and friends at the cathedral of St. John the Divine. It is difficult to put into words what this event is like until you've experienced it. The cathedral is awe-inspiring and the talents of Paul and the musicians he assembles takes your breath away! I especially loved the Forces of Nature Dance Theater of Harlem, and the voices of Theresa Thomason and Armenian Arto Tuncboyaciyan thrilled the audience. The huge sun gong punctuates the event with its amazing energy. A cross-cultural celebration, the solstice concert unites people of all faiths by paying homage to our various seasonal customs. In Paul Winter's words, " In remembering the solstice, we align with the rhythm of the year, and allow our hearts to resonate with optimism that the light will overcome the dark.”

It is a privilege to witness the musical gifts of these artists who scatter joy to so many!

Tune in for Part 2 tomorrow.......

the sun gong inside St. John the Divine Cathedral

the Solstice Tree with bells, gongs and chimes – intended to symbolize the diversity of beings in the life family

After a week-long Thanksgiving respite in Mexico, I began dreading the
transition back to reality - with the added stress of the usual holiday
frenzy to deal with. But, at the airport in Cancun, my anxiety disappeared
when I spied these lively Christmas trees, all decked out in festive south
of the border flair!

They reminded me to focus on the joys of the season...and to leave the
worries and stress to Scrooge. My time in the sun was wonderful...but I now
look forward to what December has in store ...and I plan to take it one day
...and one joy at a time.

Feliz Navidad.