make it work – part 1

Bim Willow sounds like the name of a charming character in a delightful children’s fairy tale. Instead, he’s a taskmaster of tree-limbed furniture whose not-so-whimsical workshop we attended one early Saturday morning in November.  The Chicago Botanic Garden, which hosted the session, offers classes in everything from drawing to yoga to nature-walking. …

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make it weird

Spotted: this confusing mashup of holiday icons in the window of a thrift shop.

make ready

I scurry around the house looking for the usual suspects. Bottle of wine? Candles? Coffee mug? Picture frame? Does this ornament look used? Does this book look read? I don’t have time to bake cookies. Those earrings I never wear? This fancy box of tea that I never opened? Does …

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make a memory

I think it’s time we talk about Santa. Because honestly, I love the guy.  I love him as St. Nicholas, aka Nicholas the Wonderworker, a fourth-century Christian saint and protector of sailors, orphans, prisoners, and everyone in between, whose prayers brought about miracles and whose secret gift-giving is the origin …

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make a difference

It’s Giving Tuesday on Day 3 of our holiday countdown. Here’s a look at just one of the women’s arts organizations making a difference in our world.  The morning light slanted through tall windows that lined the second floor of the 1903 Renaissance Revival building, spilling down the marble staircase …

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moment of zen

Snowstorms to the east, windstorms to the west, there’s still so much turkey left and someone brought all their leftover pies to the office. If you’ve fled Holiday Day 2 reality for the online storm that is Cyber Monday, here’s a lovely photograph of a meadow in summer. Make it …

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our countdown begins

Welcome to mutterhood’s third annual holiday countdown. In the past we’ve waxed nostalgic and focused on gifts as our themes; this year we settled on make, which we kick off today with a story about how shopping local can unlock some early holiday magic.  With Cyber Monday less than 24 …

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