There are dozens of days throughout the year that are celebrated in the Wainik house, but December 21st is always the most special.  So why does this particular day rise above all the rest?  Because it's the shortest day of the year which means every day after it is one step closer to lightness.  We love winter - everything about it - except the darkness.  So when the Winter Solstice rolls around, it embodies the best of the season for us - crisp air, snow, stillness, but most importantly, that start of longer days.

Growing up in Oregon, beavers and ducks were some of the first animals I remember seeing as a child (at least cartoon images of them) thanks to Oregon State and University of Oregon, respectively.  At the time, a cartoon beaver was just like any other cartoon animal for me, cute and captivating.  But over the years, my appreciation for them has grown tremendously.  Yes, they are technically rodents.  And, yes, some people may see them as a nuisance.  But I see them as another amazing example of nature's wonderment - small, yet resourceful; simple, yet industrious; primitive, yet progressive.  So here's a shout out to one of nature's best engineers (and artists).  #beavercleaver

Boat napping has become one of our favorite pastimes this year.  No, we aren't stealing boats.  We're actually taking naps on our small fishing boat in the middle of the waterway.  What first started out as a joke, quickly became a favorite hobby of ours throughout the summer.  Sure, we did plenty of fishing and cruising, too.  But there was just something special about falling asleep, curled up on a tiny boat, with the sun beating down on us and the waves pushing us from side to side that really made us smile.    #haveboatwillnap