Hug The Dog

I'm a hugger! Hugs can turn the worst of days around; can make a broken person feel whole again; the warmest of hugs sending a message straight through your heart and soul. And I would know. My kids hug me ALL day long and my dearest of friends and family make everything better. But did I forget to mention... hug your dog?

 

My awesome boys made this sign for me this past Christmas.

 

 

When I started sleeping with my dog, it was because she was cold. The winter fire hadn't been lit and she lay shivering in the dark corner of my bedroom. I myself laid awake with chronic insomnia and cold.  I lifted up the corner of my duvet and she slithered under the covers. We slept so soundly that night, huddling for warmth. Every morning my husband gets up at 4:30 to go to work. Hubby out, dog in. This is our morning ritual.

 

 

I'm With Virginia Woolf

I'm with Virginia Woolf when she said,

"Knitting is the saving of life".

 

 

(Hot off the knitting needles, I love this new hat.

If you look close you'll see the skulls!)

Although Virginia committed suicide at the age of 59, she spent more than 30 years knitting and (I hope) letting the practice of knitting soothe her soul. I learned to knit during a winter storm. The storm was unexpected and my husband was caught in the middle of it on his motorcycle. The anxiety and helplessness I felt were overwhelming. I felt compelled to grab an ancient ball of yarn and two bent knitting needles (both inherited from my grandmother), and a child's knitting book. By the end of the evening I knew what Virgina knew. I was soothed and artistically satiated. Knitting soon became one of the loves of my life; it's meditative quality making knitting downright therapeutic. Knit wear warms the body, knit gifts warm the heart and knit blankets encourage huddling and cuddling. But for me and Virgina, the very act of knitting can stave off depression.

 

(This painting of Virginia Woolf knitting was painted by her sister Vanessa Bell.)

Love, then trust (a huddling for warmth post)

 

"Love, Then Trust"

Frankie and Louie huddling for warmth

 

Artist Trading Card

$20 or trade

 

 

 

January: Huddling For Warmth

William Shakespear once told winter, "Thy breath be rude." I suppose it's true. Winter can be cold, windy and bleak. But I see winter as an excuse to huddle for warmth.

A time for comfort

and home fires,

friends knitting,

family sitting.

A time for reading,

needing

cuddling and huddling

for warmth.

 

Mason and King Louie

 

 

 

"Huddling for Warmth"
8" x 8"
magazine pages on wood
$65

Each month I will be introducing a new theme to you and sharing works of art I have created for that theme. This month, January, will be known as the "Huddling for Warmth" month.

Please read all blogs this month with a steaming mug of hot cocoa.