a perfect fit

Introducing... My first pair of tango shoes!



I had no idea what a difference it would make to dance in shoes made specifically for tango. They're wonderful. They're made of black laminated suede with a pewter leather trim. The leather is so amazingly soft it's hard to describe-- the phrase "soft as a baby's bottom" is accurate enough, but it doesn't carry enough panache to describe such sexy shoes. The leather sole glides over the dance floor like silk on silk. I thought I'd have to break them in, but ended up wearing them for five hours the first day I wore them (a tango intensive course) and didn't get a blister or so much as a tender spot, so I wore them for the five hours of the class the next day, too. If life fit me half as well as these shoes fit my feet, how grand that would be.

to know and be known

There is nothing sweeter than knowing and being known. For me, one of the sweetest ways I experience this is in the giving and receiving of gifts. Finding just the right thing to give at just the right time, and seeing it received with a soul-deep joy is truly wonderful. Being on the receiving end of that, the soul-deep joy end of that, is also sweet. Today I was blissfully on the receiving side of that kind of giving.

I am privileged to belong to a group of friends who believe that celebrating one's birthday is not a one-day affair. So it is that I was greeted this morning by balloons and a child-made "Happy Birthday!" banner fully a week before my actual birthday. Today was the day of my annual "Moaike's Babies' Birthday Brunch". This the third year of the tradition. Though several of my babies were missing for reasons of illness or relocation, six of the many children I've embraced as "my" special babies-- all of whom I've seen come into the world-- were present to shower me with cuddles and kisses, handmade cards, and enthusiasm for the celebratory waffles and cake! The presence of these little ones in my life is one of the most precious things I know.

The waffles were delicious, as always, with warm maple syrup, whipped cream and field berries. And the cake... the cake! My fabulous partner in fondant decorating prepared the most beautiful snowflake cake I could have imagined:








Yes, truly, it was that beautiful. It made my heart sing. All the more when I saw my little ones gathered around with fingers poised to sample the icing.

Eating cake after a meal of waffles is rather a lot like eating dessert after a meal of dessert, but the sweetness didn't stop there. My perceptive friends had decided to pool resources for a special gift for me. When I unwrapped a delicate package to discover tiny, hot pink, shiny high-heel shoe-shaped chocolates, I knew what was in the envelope...



They'd all pooled money toward the purchase of tango shoes! I love that my friends take pleasure in knowing that I take pleasure in tango, and I love that they figured out how to affirm that in a gift that is simultaneously extravagant and practical. Perfect.

It was a great way to launch into Birthday Week celebrations, that's for sure.