This is going to be my first Minnesota Christmas in many years.  And although I don't have any plans to return to blogging, I still wanted to get back in here and share something really special with you.

If you look at the young TJ in the powder blue over-sized robe on the floor you might be wondering what I was playing with.  The second I looked at it, I remembered exactly what it was.

That was my very first printing press!! 

Did anybody else have a Fashion Plates Toy that kept them busy for hours on end?  I can still remember peeling my crayons and breaking them to the desired length to fit into the little plastic “brayer” that allowed you to rub over the paper that was laying on top of the 3 interchangeable printing plates.

The crazy part about finding this picture is that I recently applied to become a member of the Artist's Cooperative at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts where the possibilities of paper and print are pretty much endless.

I kept it mostly to myself.  I didn't come in here and tell you.  I simply waited.

And when my German son was a little skeptical of Santa, I had no choice but to demonstrate the whole process, and while I was at it, I told Santa my wishes...

And apparently he was listening because I got an email welcoming me to the organization...

Dang.  That fella really is magic!!

Did you tell Santa your dreams this year?  There's still time...

Seventeen large boxes are all that’s left of Studio Mailbox.  They’re nestled tightly in a garage storage unit.  I’ve been contemplating what to do about this and I still haven’t come to any conclusions. 

I came across these photos which made me want to say goodbye to my old space.    I’m pretty sure these are the last pictures taken there.  I remember being very stressed while sorting and getting rid of things.  I selected each and every tiny thing very carefully before deciding if I should pack it or not.  I put as much effort into it as if I had been asked to save the human race.  I worked among half-filled boxes, chaos and indecision for a long time.

Some of the stuff was really hard to let go of.  I wouldn’t exactly call myself a hoarder, but I do make attachments to the strangest things.  You can’t believe how tough it was saying goodbye to my paint cup, so much so that I clearly felt the need to do a photo shoot before I threw it away.  Years and years of watery glue was stuck to the lip, which had a way of enclosing layer after layer of paint drips.

So now that you know how hard it was to let go of a cup, image how hard it is to tell you that I think I'm done here.

I've been kicking this around for awhile, and I'm pretty sure it's time.

When I moved to Europe all those years ago I waited anxiously for the container with all my worldly belongings to arrive.  And when it got there, I had dishes that didn't fit in the cupboards and pans that didn't fit in the oven.  I had sheets that didn't fit the bed and I had appliances that couldn't convert to the electricity.

Right now, this blog feels exactly like one of those things that isn't going to fit into my new life.

I'm letting you know because I think it's horseshit to disappear on people and not let them know what's up. You've all been so good to me, I'm not going to leave you hanging. 

There's no question that I'll miss you. 

"Tschuus" is the informal goodbye in German.  It's not the dramatic, embracing, wipe tears away "Aufwiedersehen."  It's just "see you later."  

That's all this is, a casual "cheerio" until our paths cross again.

For the first time I can remember in years, I am home for Thanksgiving.

In the past, no matter where I was, I always made a ceremonious dinner of gratitude.  Even the time the German butcher and I had a BIG misunderstanding between pounds-versus-kilos and he presented me with a bird I could not physically carry home. We had to break bones and tie it down to get it in tie oven, no joke. 

I have been lucky enough to share my country's custom with many friends over the years, always with lots of laughter and love around our table.

But this year, it's going to be with my family.  I can barely stand it.

One of the things I'm grateful for is the amazing autumn we've had since moving home.  Up until last weekend, it was sunny skies and unseasonably warm weather.  It really felt like Minnesota was welcoming me back and putting on her very best, just for me.  So here are some random shots from my iPhone to share with you.  A few of the moments where I gasped from the beauty of it all and how lucky I am to be part of this one crazy life, wherever I happen to be.

Minnesota is so pretty this shit should be illegal!

My best wishes to you and your families this Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for this year?  xxx tj