Around Here: January 2023

I'll be frank, this year has been a tough start for my little family.  There isn't a single day of 2023 that someone hasn't been sick.  But, at least we have each other!

So, without any further ado, here's the round-up for January 2023 -- I have changed up the format, as I usually do at the beginning of each year.

Notable Family Event

Obviously, the trip to California is the most notable thing we've done this month.  In particular, we made our first trip to Disney as a family. 

I should say that I am not a Disney person, but my sister-in-law is a cast member and so my brother's family goes to Disney a lot.  So we went with them and it was great.  My son loved everything and had amazing stamina.  We stayed until the park closed (and remember, there's a three-hour time difference from the East Coast) two nights in a row.

Notable Personal Event

I turned 46 this month.

People are always surprised by how old I am.  It always makes me wonder if I ought to be more mature or further along in my career or something. Though, I suppose having a three-year-old helps with the confusion.

Notable Work Related Event

I'm really proud of the mixed media collage monotypes I've made this month (and the Studio Vlog that goes with them).  They feel like a step forward to me. And that's always exciting!

I've been sharing them on instagram for the past week, and I've got a big blog post filled with photos coming later this week.

A Recommendation

My Mother is the Queen of skin creams -- she has tried them all -- and she gifted me with a face cream that I am now **obsessed** with!  It's from Tatcha and it's called "The Dewy Skin Cream."  

What looks like a bow on top of the container is actually a tiny spatula in a holder.  It's to help you understand just how little of the cream you need to use each day.  I put it on anytime I wash my face and it is super moisturizing.  I have an oily nose and very dry cheeks and I find that this cream keeps my face moisturized without making my nose super greasy and shiny.  It just fades into your skin.  I've been using it for a few months and I love it!

Finally, we (me, Steve, and our son) are participating in the Winter Walk to benefit Women's Lunch Place.  Women's Lunch Place is a day shelter that I have supported for more than a decade, both financially and through volunteering.  They offer hot breakfast and lunch, as well as social services to low income and homeless women.  They treat all of their guests with dignity and respect.  You can watch this short video about the good work that they do.

If you'd like to support Women's Lunch Place with a small donation towards my Winter Walk goal, you can do so here.

So, that's the scoop on life around here at the moment.  If you're a Monthly Member, both the January personal and studio vlogs are up in the classroom.

Thanks for stopping by! 

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P.S. In case you don't know, I send out a weekly newsletter on Fridays.  You can subscribe HERE.