Bang Pots & Pans at Midnight (yup, we do that)

You had better get yours while there's still a few left. It's a tradition here to bang pots and pans outside at midnight. And let me tell you, we make quite a racket! I want to imagine every home on every street in every country - heading outside right after the ball drops in NYC. Grab your coat, put on any hat and scarf, skip and struggle and topple over piles of boots and get them on your toes at least - and start banging. Trust me, it's the most beautiful sound in the world.

There's No Place Like Home

To bring in the New Year. To find peace and friendship and love. To reflect on new people that graced your life. To say goodbye to those who left. To make plans for the future. To discover what's real and true and right. To have a new baby tucked into her own cradle, in her own room on the starry eve of 2009. Welcome Home 'Joyce Hannah'. What an incredible life story you've had (so far). We love you. There's no place like home.

Carole Foret (Claire Kayser) & Wine Painting

I was looking for something fun for my header to bring in the New Year. While googlin' I found this fantastic photo (Libertys seen in the header) taken by uber-talented artist Carole Foret. I had not heard of her before (obviously Annie Leibowitz knows her), so I dug a little deeper. Carole is a painter and photographer from Athens, Alabama. I want to run away and create with Carole. I want her accent to rub off on me. (plus I'm going there to steal her sister's camera lens) I love an Alabama accent - it's my all time favorite kind! Her dog Gus even talks this way. (watch 44 sec. video) You can also learn her painting techniques on her YouTube channel. And Wine and Paint Parties! Come on! Be still my heart! Oh my! And to my surprise we all get 2 for the price of 1....Carole is an indentical twin! Check out her and Claire's website - get ready to boogey! (Did you notice they both have 2009's Top Hair Style Trend? - The dark and chic Pixie Cut!)

How to Survive 2009

You've got to love Di Overton's take on the New Year! (Designer, owner of Ghost Furniture - bringing quality furniture back from the dead and making it hauntingly beautiful.) Read Di's 'good news/bad news' here. (By the way...is your personal assignment completed yet? - the '08 clock is tickin'.)

Norbert Rosing and Polar Bear Fever

Majestic. Mythic. The white knight of the north. The loneliest creature on earth. The polar bear. Two thirds...yes I said 2/3's, of polar bears live in Canada's Arctic. What a responsibility! This beautiful animal is now the world's mascot for Global Warming, thanks in part to Al Gore and his An Inconvenient Truth. (Thanks also to President Teddy Roosevelt who adored these cuddly, lovable looking bears - so much so in fact that he would not allow anyone to hunt them - hence the birth of our modern day 'Teddy Bears') Over the last 25 years these White Ambassador's for Climate Change, have gotten smaller, weaker and younger - with shorter lives. (If you can, watch this documentary with your family & friends. Shocking. Wonderful. What the heck are governments doing?)

Arctic Tale - set in the vast snow kingdom at the top of the world, Arctic Tale is a real life adventure from the people who brought you March Of The Penguins. Join narrator Queen Latifah as she follows two very different arctic creatures, Nanu, the polar bear cub and Seela, the walrus pup, through exciting and harrowing struggles for survival. Armed only with their natural instincts and mothers’ guidance, these inspiring animals face countless trials and challenges in a beautiful icebound world that is rapidly melting beneath them. (book a ride on Canada's Tundra Buggy to witness polar bears in person.)

If you want to know who is the highest-ranking champion for the plight of the polar bear cause it's American Robert W. Buchanan. What a man! Learn more here.

Ever wonder how much ice is left 'up' there? Watch is 10 sec. motion graph. Unreal.

Norbert Rosing is the one photographer on this planet who has travelled in risk and threatening adventure to capture some of the best images you will ever see. (some of his most famous ones here) I can only imagine the pages of this book. How lovely. And how sad that the Polar Bear has become the 'canary in the coalmine' - the first to go before we all realize it's too late.

Paparazzi Free Zone

I thought I would share a Baby 'Joyce Hannah' update. (She is my new granddaughter who was born 10 days ago.) She is still in the Special Care Nursery, but she is making great 'tiny strides' each day. Her feeding tube is out, the I.V. is gone - the contraption that was covering her face - breathing for her is gone. She has a few tubes on her still and some testing wires to check oxygen levels and heart rate, but other than that, it's full steam ahead! I'm also happy to report that she is breast feeding nicely and sleeps like an adorable little snuggle bunny for 4 hours at a time. She is getting very tired of cameras peeking into her world, so now she just puts her hand up and I've been told that she requested a 'Paparazzi Free Zone'.

Planning 2009

One of the things I do every Boxing Day (since I can remember) is begin to plan the coming New Year. It's an exercise I do because I enjoy visualizing my goals. I love the smell of a new planner. I prefer one that fits nicely into any handbag; a week at a glance vertically - this way I can see the whole seven days with one flash look. I feel more centered and organized this way. I can also see the days that are way too full for my creative liking. I normally think about the following categories: family, health, business, spirituality, finances, creative projects, giving, travel, home, friends, activities, goals, dreams, must-do's, want-to's and what ever else pops in my head during the process. Hop on your bed, turn on some wonderful music, sip wine or tea; sharpen the pencils - even toss some favorite magazines into the mix. Snipping out photos and tearsheets that symbolize your ideas. Perhaps you will do better working on this while you take a walk in your local park or beach. Try not to rush this planning. It may take you from today to midnight on Dec. 31st - just be sure you have it completed by the time that ball drops. Don't be afraid to write down your wildest dreams and interesting, private desires. Do you want a new hair colour and style? Are you wanting to mix up your fitness routine, throwing a new method into your program. What will you do with each child this year? What letters will you send? New recipes? Entertaining? Creating a new outdoor room? Getting the nerve to ask someone for something? This is the year. Here are a few of mine. (keep in mind I'm just getting started)

1. Master making Yorkshire Pudding

2. Host Cinco de Mayo and set out gigantic guacamole bar

3. Make tutus for my 3 Granddaughters

4. Publish a Book ( love this one and this one and this one)

5. Be a better Blogger

6. Get back to Pilates

7. Believe in the sexiest President ever. (yum)

8. Produce an outdoor photo exhibit

9. Change my hair to 'dark blond' and longer.

10. Invest in more photography equipment

11. Celebrate my family heritage (Frederick Law Olmsted was my GGGUncle)

12. Order some signature Liberty Post branded pencils like Charlotte's.

13. Live a handmade life.

14. Plant succulents in aged terra cotta pots. (or I'll use blended yogurt, buttermilk, moss & beer painted onto new pots....place in shaded, damp area outside to grow the new moss)

15. Stretch my talents.

16. Find my Bonnie and Clyde for my photo project. (I got the location!)

Well, my friend, tell me your secret plans for 2009!

Oh yes, and thank you Yellow Tail Wine for featuring my blog on your website. (see Dec 13th) !

Cool.

Christmas Eve & The Special Care Nursery

I sit looking out over the snowy front lawn, past the wet.rain.drift pine branches, across to the twinkling lights on my neighbour's beach house. It's cold and misty here tonight. I will be 50 in 2009 and for the very first time I understand exactly what is important. No material gift can replace life or family or loved ones. I smell fragrant fresh fruit from the abundant basket my Brother and Sister-in-Law dropped off a few hours ago. Narnia is on the telly and both boys, young and old (well, 40ish) are in bed; television flash lighting fills their merry, cozy rooms. My thoughts are with my new Granddaughter, Joyce Hannah, who is lying alone in The Special Care Nursery at the hospital. She will be 1 week old tomorrow on Christmas morning. I have been far too upset and worried and unable to share this with all of you. Her lung collapsed the day she was born. I have not been able to hold her yet. Her features unidentifiable from tubing, tape, IV and monitors. She lies under blanket in 33 degrees. She has not yet worn clothes. Naked all but a tiny diaper. Did you know that the name Joyce means 'Experienced in Battle'? I did not know this until a few days ago. How appropriate. Her middle name Hannah is Hebrew for 'grace'. Again, a perfect name for a sweet baby girl. I know Joyce Hannah is a fighter in every sense of the word because she is making baby steps of improvement every day. She is our miracle girl. White blond and fair. Soft and fragile. Full of love and the 'feeling' of wonderful holidays. My greatest wish for tomorrow morning is that she awakes knowing we are with her and love her and miss her and hope for her that she comes home soon. (and that her parents are strong and full of faith) Good Night Sweet Baby. Bubby Loves You. Merry Christmas. xo

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glisten and children listen, to hear sleigh bells in the snow. Merry Christmas Everyone! Sending you love and happy wishes to you and your family. Liberty Post xo

Photo: Domino Magazine, via HWTM -

Cakes and Header Photo by Miguel Flores Vianna

6th Ave. New York City Christmas Eve 1910

Almost 100 years ago. It is obvious that even back then, men waited to the very last minute to shop! Click to enlarge to have a hoot.

A National Christmas Tradition

If you re-visit the Christmas Across Canada posts I've published in the last 10 days, you will discover a common theme; a fine thread of tradition that exists no matter where you are in my country during the holidays. Can you guess what it is?

Canada's North at Christmas

Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut are the 3 jewels in my country's north. Family time in cozy homes - the people celebrate the holidays with warm, comfort foods and enjoy outdoor activities. White is the signature colour of this region, where heavenly skies touch the moon.