Advice from Elizabeth

I was very saddened today to hear the news of Elizabeth Edwards' passing. Nothing gets your priorities straight like words from a person whose days are short numbered, a dying woman with young children~
Whatever your political leanings, you have to wonder, why can't men keep their pencils in their pockets? Why do women prey on married or "famous" men? Yes, these are somewhat rhetorical questions. Yes, I know 'tis a complicated story. Yet I am floored by some of the haters on the internet following her death. People, this is not what this is all about.

"But I have found that
in the simple act of living with hope,
and in the daily effort
to have a positive impact in the world,
the days I do have
are made all the more meaningful
and precious.
And for that I am grateful."
~Elizabeth Edwards via Facebook 12/6/2010

There are other excerpts on the Internet; I think the key is "to have a positive impact on the world." There are other references to enjoying every moment of life, the daily life that we all go through. I think this is what she wanted more than any thing, to just do what she did last week for one more week. Gives you a new appreciation for the mundane, no?

This gives a definite perspective to my Christmas season.
Can we make another "Christmas to remember?"

Yes, I am sure we can!

Can we give some simple yet meaningful gifts to those we love,
to those we appreciate?

Can we gift as if this might be our last,
with care & thought & love,
within our means?

It is my wish that we could all open our hearts
and enjoy the true meaning of the season.

Oh, and can the holiday spirit and kindness please last all year?

Maybe that's a tall order~

not for some of us, you know who you are.....

last Sunday I assembled a series of gift baskets at the market~

and here you see some of the results...

this was a collaboration
with many wonderful farmers and purveyors.
You see them here holding
the baskets I made for their tables
with their produce & goods.
Did I mention we all had fun and joy doing this?

Ooooh; Salt Farm does popcorn with gourmet sea salt!
Everyone had something special to add.

Another basket, a simple one of "sauce" goodies
I forgot to get a clove of garlic in here;
this was $5 worth of produce in whatever basket you have~

Add in a Metis set of dishtowels for pretty~

and tie it all up in a bow~
and party and hug each other
like it's our last.

that's what we do in my family.
I can't wait to show you the prep
going into our Christmas party.

Thank you and God Bless you Elizabeth Edwards for your reminder
of our mortality and each precious day.