Dreaming of a White Christmas

Dear Santa,

How are you? I am doing good. For Christmas I would like snow, art supplies and surprises. Thank you. Merry Christmas.

Love, Chloe

Santa's did his best to be clever in granting snow: a weather stick, a can of make your own snow, a snow bunny and a book on the history of snow. The look of disappointment on her face could not be erased. And when she heard her best friend asked for a hamster, and got one, the sadness was even more intense. I could see her thinking, why didn't I ask for a hamster, pokemon cards, a laptop for crying out loud!!! Snow!

Oh, but this Chloe's belief makes me teary. She told us all how she made a mistake and didn't ask for a white Christmas, that she wasn't specific enough, and each day she looks out the window, slightly begrudingly at her weather stick and says quietly, "no snow yet." Because Chloe believes. She won't open her book on snow until the moment she sees her first snowflake, all the knowledge in the world won't bring you the giddiness of seeing your backyard covered in white.

She believes in a way that I used to, and still rather do. She believes with a fierce love and intensity that makes your heart hurt when raindrops fall from the sky instead of snow.

This is what Chloe's request means to all of us: It is a lesson in faith, in believing so deeply that your wishes will come true, even if you have to feel the sadness and pain of waiting and the tug of wanting. Dreaming of snow is stepping into the anticipation and longing of where you want to be. What a beautiful lesson for her in learning to be hopeful, to feel the excitement of the first snowflake on your tongue, rather than wallowing in what isn't. 

This we should all be doing. Chloe will get her snow, if I have to pack up the car and drive her to Maine, she will have her snow. When you look out the window and in your mind's eye each time see snow, (and feel the joy that snow brings, not the sorrow of not having it) snow will appear.

You won't know when, you don't always get the details on how, but it will appear.

Do you believe?

Raw Coconut Lemon Pudding

Raw Coconut Lemon Pudding

• 4 meyer lemons, sliced in half, flesh scooped out, seeds removed

• 16 oz raw cashews, soaked for 4 hours

• 1/2 cup coconut oil

• 1/2 cup agave

• 1 tsp vanilla

• pinch sea salt

• 1/4-1/2 cup water

• 1/2 cup coconut flakes

In a high powered blender, or you may use your food processor, combine first 6 ingredients. Slowly add water as needed to keep the mixture blending and smooth. This should be pudding like so add the water until you get that consistency. Once blended really smooth, place in small cup or bowls, about 1/4 cup each serving. Sprinkle generously coconut flakes on top. This made about 11 servings for us. Great for company.

My Favorite Things - Monday

I'm borrowing from Oprah and doing a week of my favorite things. Sorry that I cannot gift all of my readers with the things I love (I'll work on that) but we will have some awesome giveaways. My intention is to highlight some of the businesses, people and products that I support and feel good about. Some have changed my life, others make it easier and more enjoyable. All giveaways will be open through the comment section until Tuesday, Dec 14th at 5pm Eastern. After that winners will be drawn with a random number generator and Wednesday, Dec 15th winners will be announced. Don't miss a day, because it is going to end with a BANG!

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You know that moment before you walk out the door or are trying unsuccessfully to negotiate with a 3 year old? (I know, why do we do such things.) If you say instead, "Show me with superhero speed how fast you can get your coat and shoes on," it is awesome. Today's giveaway is from Lynne Ghenov, a beautiful woman, artist and mom who has emerged as an entrepreneur. Lynne has generously offered a wand, crown and cape for our giveaway and the winner gets to choose the color! I asked her to share some thoughts on pretend play with us. This is one of my favorite things because our home would not function without costumes, made up characters and hours of pretending.

You can visit Lynne at her Etsy store and website. Thank you to Lynne for taking time to share a bit about herself and her children with us.

HM: What brought you to creating these products?

Lynne: My son, Galliano, started to be interested in superheroes when he was around 2 or 3 years old.  He is now 5.  He had only seen pictures of Batman and Superman, etc. and somehow he could embody the essence of the superhero.  Being a very good actor he asked me if he could get a cape. I have a backround in sculpture, where I sewed many of my pieces of art and installations.  So I thought "sure, I will rig a cape out of a jacket"  The capes evolved from there into my own design.  Since then I am always looking for ways to enhance my kid's "pretend play" experience.

How does pretend play influence your children?

Galliano and Mia LOVE to "pretend play" or "make-believe".  It is an amazingly safe and joyful way for them to explore this world.  I notice that if I "pretend play" with them, my day as a mom, goes smoother.  I can show them in an enjoyable way, to do the mundane activities that are not usually fun.   Like a princess brushing her teeth or a queen getting dressed!

What do you remember about make-believe as a child?

As a kid, I remember feeling limitless or free when playing "make-believe".  What is better then making up your own utopia or story.  I definitely would have killed to have an accessory like a cape or crown or wand but I used whatever was around to create stories.

I remember a childhood friend who had these wonderful costumes, hats and dress-up shoes at her house.  Her mom would get thrift store clothes and alter them into kid's play make-believe clothes.  It was so inspiring to me!

What are your future plans for your business?

I am currently working on some new designs for a boy-inspired line of capes and superhero cuffs.  I plan to expand and create more make-believe clothes, hats and toys.  I also have many ideas for woman's accessories that will eventually be made as well.

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For a chance to win Lynne's giveaway, please leave a comment below.

Thank you Lynne!

Event From Hannah's Harvest

$5 Teleclass... January's Resolutions Approach

From the end of October until the first of the year time seems to speed up. It's Holiday time and before we know it the champagne toast on New Year's Eve finds some of us stepping on the scale a few pounds heavier. Before I shifted my health and that of my family, I would actually not fit into my jeans after the Holiday eating. (That would spiral into my seasonal yo-yo dieting.) I have learned ways to celebrate without binging, moderation is a friendly word and I do a lot of the cooking so that I have something I can eat nearby.

We all know someone (or are someone) who is struggling with their health, weight or seasonal depression. Are they waiting for the magic pill, the New Year's Resolutions or next year to get healthy? Are you ready to change your life and the health of your family? Would you like support and accountability?

Join me for a teleclass discussing changing your patterns and habits through simple steps and accountability. We'll talk about goal setting, how we do it and why we do it. You'll have a chance to hear from people who have changed their lives or are in the process of getting to their ideal selves. We will talk about accountability and it's importance in creating positive change. I'll tell you about an upcoming group program that can bring your health to the next level.

Join me in your p.j.'s from the comfort of your home. Get some Holiday Inspiration from others who are ready to make a change!!! Make 2010 resolutions into goals that work. Your time is now...and it's simple.

Pass this newsletter on to the people in your life that need support and encouragement.

Holiday Resolution Teleclass

$5.00

Wednesday, January 6th

7:30pm

Send me an e-mail to register for the class and then I will send you the conference number.