May your home be filled with all the joys of the season
There's a stillness to the day. It is overcast and very cool for SoFlo.... just today and tomorrow. Over the weekend we head back up to 80º.
Did I send out the holiday letter last year? I think life was on hyperspeed. Don't think so. Packing and moving 30 years of Minnesota life, where did this year go? The Heart House is sold and we are now well settled into a new home in Cape Coral, Florida–the OZ Oasis. So grateful for all our blessings. I was able to travel for five weeks with Sitka in the ZiOs mobile and now, it is good to be home with Gerard and creating a new chapter in this life. We have our studios set up and we are back to creating. Re-doing a few of the spaces in this new house to make it our own. This weekend is the last of this year's painting projects. I will have a white kitchen! (It was an avocado green) Lighter and brighter feels good. I so enjoy time with nature... walking the beach and kayaking canals. We have made connections with neighbors who are caring and supportive. It feels great to know we have each other's back. It feels good to know these few blocks are safe and welcoming. Doing my best to find peace in silent spaces.
Emotionally, this year has been trying personally and globally. In that silence, we both hope to find our way to make a difference in this world.... find a way to have love win. It is a good space to be in as we come in this holiday season.
The house is decorated. It is a coastal Christmas for sure.
No red Santas, no velvet or evergreen trees. Seashell garlands and driftwood trees feel much more fitting to this environ. The holiday baking has begun. So looking forward to our upcoming gatherings. My mom arrives the 14th. She will be down here through March, I expect. My sister, Suzi and hubby Matt arrive the 17th. Marguerite and my nieces arrive the 23rd. Chaz and his family arrive on the 30th. The house will be full of love, laughter, food and wine....lots and lots of wine! I was hoping to take a quick trip back north to see my g-baby boys. My daughter Erin and family can't make the trip down...yet. I seem to be running short on time to be hopping on planes. I have joined an art guild and have been showing our creations at small festivals and we have two pieces showing in a gallery in Naples!
Since my dad's transition the feeling around the holiday has shifted. SoFlo is where he wanted to be. We know he is with us in the wind and waves. We seem to crave the water and sand and new traditions are emerging. We will always hold close some traditions. Gerard and I start the 2 day process of tamale making and my mom will make the tostadas. Christmas Eve we'll gather at my mom's in Naples and Christmas Day we will play in the pool and build a fire on the dock here. We'll bring the new year in with grand babies and more playing in the pool! Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be here in SoFLo on the water, in glorious, green surroundings, in so much sunshine and warmth.
From our family to yours...We wish you all love, sun and warmth for your heart and souls.
With much love,
Catherine and Gerard
