Look, it's starting to thaw out!

Spring must be right around the corner...

see you in the spring!

This might seem a little abrupt, but I've got some

scheming/planning/learning/thinking/rearranging-of-life to do...

therefore,

I have designated February as my official Hibernation Month.

(Hibernation in this sense, of course, being an active endeavor... no sleeping here! More of a 'holed-up-inside' definition, know what I mean?)

I'll be back on March 1st.

...and who knows?

I have a sneaking suspicion that a few things might be changing around here... :)

Happiest of Februaries to you all.

xoxoxoxo

Ms. Rose Calfo

Once upon a time there lived a sweet little chicken named Rose.

She had glossy black feathers and such a bright ruby-red comb that roosters from miles around would hold daily crowing contests in her honor, in hopes of seeing the tiny smile Rose kept neatly hidden at the corner of her beak.

But that smile, and Rose, belonged solely to one Mr. Calfo, and Mr. Calfo loved his pet chicken.

One day, Mr. Calfo's dear girlfriend asked me to paint a portrait of Rose as a Christmas present for him. I was honored and did my best to recreate Rose's charming looks, especially her tiny secret smile.

To my relief, Mr. Calfo and his girlfriend deemed it a success!

Everyone lived happily ever after, even the roosters, although they still won't give up.

oh, and I love watercolors more + more.

days 23-25

(yummy lavender-scented wooden beads)

(a really beautiful piece of printed cotton cloth... it's so lovely I feel like I should frame it!)

And for the grand finale...

after all the other sweet, beautiful, lovely presents I knew the 25th one would be very special,

but I was expecting something like a kawaii letter set....

but no,

it was

TA DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

Words cannot accurately describe how surprised and utterly thrilled I was to receive this.

For someone who treasures Studio Ghibli films close to her heart (as I know many others do), who sees them as beacons of fresh air in the often-moldy world of popular cinema, who proudly identifies herself with Kiki's struggles and cries along with Chihiro and Haku as they fall from the sky, it was a true joy to devote my Boxing Day afternoon to this wonderful concert commemorating the dynamic collaboration between Joe Hisaishi and Hayao Miyazaki.

I laughed, I cried, I sang along.

The following picture doesn't do it much justice, but yes, that is a 400-person chorus and 200-piece orchestra.

I think my favorite part (besides the music, of course) was when Miyazaki walked down and grinningly (is that a word?) handed Hisaishi a bouquet of roses.

So let's all hear it for Shinz and her gift-giving skills!

♥ Thank you again, Shinz!!! ♥

it's a little while after Christmas, but...

...I didn't want to keep you guys stranded any longer. :)

I decided to take advantage of this incredibly delightful, beautifully warm hint-of-spring weather and have a little photo shoot with the rest of the presents!

Of course Christmas has come and gone and I really should've shown you these about ...oh, er, a month ago, but nonetheless... here they are:

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(day 21 was an adorable little Christmas-themed snowglobe, but alas, it is already packed away in the big plastic Christmas Box. This giant one is pretty cool, though!)

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You can't really see it very well, but the pretty blue ribbon from Day 18 has sparkly silver edges. Also, the purple star windchime has a suction cup at the top so I can stick on a window, and I haven't tried out the spiral-drawing set but it looks so exciting (I remember playing with one when I was younger!), and hurray for glow-in-the-dark stars!

I hope you had a truly marvelous Christmas + New Year.

How was it? Were any new traditions or adventures created?

(my sweet little tree)

I'll be back tomorrow with Days 23, 24, & 25, I promise! :)