Friday, December 14, 2007

Socially Conscious Christmas Gifts

If anyone is interested, there are some really great bath and body products that are hand made by residents at Magdalene (a 2 year residential community for women with criminal histories of prostitution and drug abuse) located just outside of Nashville, TN. The women create natural and organic handmade products from lavender fields in which they help tend and maintain. 100% of the sales proceeds go to support the residents.

Erik and I had the privilege of hearing Becca Stevens, an Episcopal Priest and founder of Magdalene, speak a few years ago. We also got to meet and hear stories from some of the women who's lives have been changed as a result of the support at Magdalene. It really is a phenomenal ministry that is making a real difference in the lives of women.

Here's the link:
www.thistlefarms.org

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Skiing on the grass!


So, usually when we ski in Maggie Valley there is considerably less GRASS. This past Saturday, Erik and I went skiing (well, of course Erik snowboarded) with my friend Regina. It was totally spur of the moment on Friday night, we were like "we're going at 6:30 tomorrow morning!" That's how we roll...

It was just funny to me to see all of that grass under the lifts. The runs were nice though, a little icy at first, but it turned out to be a great day for the first ski of the season! Maggie Valley, N.C. is only about an hour and 1/2 from us. That's Regina in the white pants!

Beautiful views from the lifts!