Friday, November 21, 2014

A Small Offering: Totems







 Perfectly simple.  
Handcrafted from start to finish.

Made with love.
xo Blue Gnome

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Happy blessings






So we've recently received news that my sister-in-law and her husband are expecting early next year!  How amazing to hear..and what a delightful surprise to look forward to as I believe they're waiting to meet the wee bean to see if all the wrong gender specific baby gifts will have to be returned.

I received an adorable message from her just the other day, she had gone to see her midwife and heard the heartbeat for the very first time.  "..so it's definitely in there.." she wrote. 
 I had to laugh when I read that because I remember the first time we heard Leo's tiny little heart beating..and one of my first thoughts were, "..so I'm not getting chubby for no reason after all."  

It's amazing and wonderful and oh-so-foreign all at once.  
It's overwhelming and unbelievable and not just a wee bit frightening all at once too.
  
What the both of them probably don't realize right now is how amazing they will be as parents.  
How much they both have to offer this very special and fortunate little person they will call their own.  
How this tiny creation will be exactly one half of her and one half of him..and when they hold this little being in their arms for the first time, their hearts will break in half and each of their halves will come together to make a whole one for this brand new family member.  

Because this is what happens.
  
You're never quite whole again without your child, no matter how much of an independent spirit you are.  When they leave your reach and sight, you are constantly aware of the missing half of your heart..and when they're old enough to rebel and break their curfew, you'll wait up on the couch pretending to read a book until they come back home into the safety of your nest, and your heart is once again whole.  
Just as my parents did and theirs as well.

There will be so many milestones to look forward to and to cherish even before the big arrival but hearing his/her heart beating within you for the very first time is an experience like no other.  When you can hear the steady beat of your own heart in the background..faintly but strong..and although their wee heart is beating so much quicker than yours, there is a moment when the two hearts beat in unison..when there is but only for a moment, one strong beat within you.  

This carnelian pendant is inspired by that one moment.  

When the two hearts beat as one.  
The small heart shaped opening in the back allows this crimson stone to glow as if lit from within, like the tiny heartbeat inside of you that will light your own heart afire with so much love and awe that it's almost too much to bear.

Happiest of blessings to you U&C!  
So excited to be a part of this journey with you..so looking forward to meeting this little bean!

xo Blue Gnome



Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Dance to the music in your heart.

The one hour time change this past Sunday has really thrown us all for a loop here - it makes me realize how tightly committed we are to every hour of every day, a rhythm of busy whirl wind lives where we're expected to be somewhere, doing something specific every precious hour of the day.  Thankfully Leo, like his mama, is a lover of sleeping in and there have been no rude 5:30am wake up calls..but the little man likes his food (also like his mama!) and meal times have been a little insane as his little bodily clock insists that meals have been an hour behind schedule these past few days.  Canines too don't function around the wall clock in the kitchen..and the kitchen's been packed with hungry family members, two legged and four, all milling about waiting impatiently for their lunches and dinners.  
As 5pm brings about almost total darkness outside, my internal clock seems to have slowed right down..winter nesting instincts have kicked in and I find myself using warmer spices in my cooking and baking such as cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander and cumin, making this house possibly one of the most fragrant on our street.  
Wonderfully fragrant. 
 It warms the heart and soul.

Perhaps it's the changing climate and the awareness that in just a couple of months we will once again be bidding farewell to yet another year, I've been feeling retrospective lately.  The last 10 months have not been without their drama..the amazing people I've met, the friendships that have proven time and time again why I hold them so dear to my heart..then the friends who have stayed just long enough to leave their footprints on my soul.  
Two incredible unions I was fortunate to have been a part of and witness, a dream trip to Ireland with loved ones and an opportunity to dance my heart out with my best friend at her wedding reception.  

2014 has also been a year of learning - learning patience, tolerance..forgiveness.  Realizing that family, like branches on a tree all grow in different directions but our roots always remain as one.  Although we lost my Grandpa Jones this spring, we've recently received news from my sister-in-law that there will be a new member of the family making his/her grand debut in April 2015.  
And just like that, the circle of life continues.  
It strengthens the idea and need to live each and every day with no regrets.  

Dance everyday to the music of your soul and heed not to those who can't hear it. 

xo Blue Gnome