Does he look a little menacing to you?
22 days, my friends. That's it. And let's face it, though we all love the holidays (I love Christmas!), the mental load of joy-making usually falls on women.
What's mental load, you ask? Emma, the brilliant French cartoonist, explains it here. It's truly something to think about; click that link and take time to have a look. (I'm currently loving all things French, like my fabulous collaborator and friend, Helene Magisson!)
The solution?
A bit of this:
Sit down, lovely person. Sit down and take it all in.
Do what you can -- and rest as often as possible.
Between the gingerbread houses and the school plays, end-of-school-year in Australia and the gift buying and wrapping, in between the dips and appetisers and toasting with bubbly, tree trimming and catch-ups, work life and friend life and family joy...
rest.
Inhale the beauty all around you this season.
Look in the eyes of the people you love. Absorb what they're saying. Be present for your crazy-wonderful friends. For your family.
Hold each sparkly moment in your fingers.
And rest.
Enjoy your first weekend in December. We are all so lucky to be here.
Love, Catherine
PS. Last year's gingerbread house photos are here -- let me know if you want my sister's incredible recipe! This weekend, I'm in the middle of these ones...