I’m ba-ack!  The funny thing is that the boys had a snow day today, so everyone is home when I’m trying to buckle down and get back to work!  While I’m enjoying the snow, it’s hard not to get pulled into the snow day spirit and take just one more day off, but it’s time to hop back in.  I have to say, I feel a little bit like a kid having to return to school after a long break.  I feel slightly reluctant, and a little rusty, but I also know breaks are sweeter when sandwiched between good work. So, what did I do over the break?  The first week was spent celebrating Christmas followed by days that were completely free of obligation (short of feeding the animals and taking Sebastian on walks.)  We ate leftovers and spent all day in our jammies.  I worked on a puzzle, read

While I love the decorating, crafting, shopping for presents, the build-up of anticipation, Christmas music, and the yummy foods, I think what I look forward to most about Christmas is the downtime we have once the bag of wrapping paper is taken out to the trash and the dishes are done.  We do puzzles, watch movies, eat leftovers, and live in our jammies.  We sleep in, don’t put anything on the calendar, and mostly stay at home.  I just really love that unhurried, unscheduled, open time with complete permission to rest.  I also take the time to paint, draw, read, knit, and take art classes.  In a busy world, it’s a sweet, slow time that I thoroughly appreciate. In addition to my Christmas break, I’m going to take off the first two weeks of January for a creative stay-treat.  I guess that’s a thing!  If you can have a staycation,