“Happy Holidays to all of you out there!

We celebrated Christmas eve by meeting up at Tom’s house and joining him for a fine, well-prepared feast. Afterwards, we took the streets, caroling with all of our might. Another wonderful round of star-gazing was made possible by telescopes from our Japanese friends.

Then a week of relative calm followed, with staff coming and going. Several smaller, long-worked on projects were completed, including the construction of a fan-blade flower in the garden and shower-house wall repair.

Then came the coming of the new years, rung in with a massive celebration. The deck of the old library was pulled out, with a large christmas-tree fire placed in center of it. We danced and drummed around it, welcoming in the new year. Champagne was opened, fancy dressed were pulled from good will, and smiles widened. Several false countdowns prompted laughter and many rounds of new-years smooches. The labyrinth was lit up with tea lights, creating a beautiful glowing art piece to play in.

With so may marvelous friends and family around, fun was had everywhere. Large games of telephone pictionary filled the common room, as did a dance party. Drums were played at the out-back firepit and poetry was read. We had a few improptu sweat lodges, including one lead by a guest, Eric Kasynski. We have another sweat coming up, on the 11th, and spots are filling up for it. Make sure to call soon if you’re interested in attending!

The garden is starting to produce winter-salad greens. Radishes are being pulled regularly, and the sweet potatoes are still rolling out. New seeds are being ordered for the next rounds of planting, and plans are being crafted.

Things are beginning to fall “back to normal” as they say, after a week of giagantic circles of thanks. Oddly, normal seems to include record high temperatures. Its currently sunny and warm, with folks chilling at the lake and mosquitoes forgetting that its winter.

Thanks again for all the fun times and help you all have offered us in this week of celebration!