Brrrrrrrrr!

Well, they weren't lying, it's dang cold in Fairbanks in the winter.  The feeling of skin slowly freezeburning at -30 degrees brings me back to my days chasing polar bears up the North Slope.  We are lucky in that up at our house it's typically 20 to 30 degrees warmer so we can still get outside every day.  We are excited about the upcoming solstice celebrations and the return of the daylight.  We have a pretty simple celebration planned around solstice, a few simple "gifts" for Clarity and an advent spiral are the big plans.  Still struggling trying to figure out a way to celebrate the season without succuming to the commercial masses.  I would like Clarity to remember all the things we shared with family and friends and not how many presents were under the tree, but it's undeniably fun to watch Clarity's eyes light up when she gets to open a special gift.



Chocolate Praline Cake



It's been awhile since I have posted, glad my New Year's resolution was not to keep my promise of posting two times a week.  Lots has happened and nothing much is going on day to day.  We celebrated Michelle's birthday in November, Clarity loved helping make the cake although at the end of the night she was wound up as tight as a top due to sugar overload.  The rest of the cake strangely vanished that very night, much to Clarity's disappointment.

We have quite a busy schedule these days, Clarity is quite the social butterfly and her company is in high demand.  We are still plugging (and struggling) along with Waldorf homeschooling for Clarity, so much to learn and so little free time to do it in.  I've actually starting penning a curriculm for January, this would mark the first time I've actually been ahead since we started this.  Michelle assures me that things appear to be moving along, she may mean with my education and not Clarity's but I'll take it!

New things for Clarity recently: ice skating for the first time, learning to tie an overhand knot, getting her first camera.  She loves dressing as a fairy princess and has even created an alter ego for when she dons the uniform.  There is lots of spinning and posing and everything has to be sung and not spoken.

Still lots of baking and crafting, we're starting to learn to sew next month, I'm sure there will be plenty of tears, frustration, and poked fingers, but I'll be fine and hopefully Clarity will be patient ; )  We're nearing the time when we have to yet again decide where to head to next.  I'm not even going to bother you with the behind the scene negotiations and spreadsheets, you'll know as soon as we do.  Hope everyone's holiday celebrations are meaningful and of course fun, we'll hopefully be seeing many of you again soon.