I'm just beginning to cool off after a huge hike (on snowshoes in the deep pow-pow) with the dogs, but my hair is still sweaty behind my ears. It feels so good, this post-exercise feeling when your muscles are all warm and relaxed-- it's one of my favorite sensations.

In one sense, my days are staggering of late, steeped as they are in splendor. Since there are only four days left in this month (and it's due to snow tomorrow anyway) I am going to go on the record and say this was a MOST fabulous, glorious month. Seriously. We have had full-on sunshine from morning til night and I have savored it. Savored it.

I have rolled in it, dipped myself in breadcrumbs and fried myself in it.

In another sense, my days are staggering of late, as I begin to get a sense of how many people are finding Squam Art Workshops to be an important and helpful creative resource to them.

Things are gearing up as registration opens on Monday, Feb 2 (we've already begun receiving the registrations from outside the U.S. and it thrills me beyond measure) and one last small event to get the word out are some giveaways that are happening at some wonderful blogs. (I'm not telling you which ones-- surf! SURF! my little birds and find them all!) And it occurred to me that it's only right that I make the same offer to YOU, my dear (long- suffering readers) of bp.

So here it is:

Up for grabs are TWO copies of Roots and Recollections: A Century of Rockywold-Deephaven Camps by Megan Thorn. It recounts the extraordinary creation of the RDC camps that was founded in 1897 by two amazing visionaries: Alice Mabel Bacon and Mary Alice Armstrong.

Published in 1997 to commemorate a century of stewardship and continued success, the book features stunning, archival photographs of the people, the distinctive architecture of the camps and above all the dramatic beauty of the Squam Lakes region. Naturally, the book is also replete with stories and anecdotes about this unique family camp that is grounded in such rich tradition.

(All the photos you are seeing here today are from the book).

So if you want your name thrown in the hat, all you have to do is leave a comment. Giveaway closes at 12 noon on Friday, January 31st. Names will be drawn on Friday, January 31 and announced the same day.

Meantime, as I am headed to school (GOD! I am loving this class I am teaching, people-- fairy tales, I kiss you on your darling, warted head-- SMOOCH!) and then down to Boston, it may be a bit before I am back in here, I wanted to share some new (to me) sites that I am really enjoying.

Michele Maule

One Perfect Thing

Jill Bent (Definitely check out her blog, too!)

And the etsy shop of a woman in Northern Italy larimeloom. How much do I love this apricot minidress? Oh. SO. Much.

Bisous et a bientot! ~

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