You'll pardon the shortness of this post, and the short break I'll be taking from blogging (just a couple of weeks, fear not), but we said farewell to our darling Indy, aka, Indiana Jones, aka, "We named the DOG Indiana." She bravely battled chronic lymphocytic leukemia for almost a year. She was first diagnosed last October, and through many ups and downs, she fought bravely, always with a wagging tail and an eagerness for ear scratches, belly rubs and to be loved, loved, loved. She was truly the best of us.

We've of course over-documented this Year of Indy through social media, and you're welcome to revisit her good days on Instagram. And I even had her "Tweeting" - I wasn't sure if I would keep the account once she passed on, but it became a weirdly wonderful way to share moments from her perspective, so I welcome you to visit Indy's Twitter. 

Please take this time to hold a loved one close. Express how much they mean to you. Take the time to be with them. The greatest lesson we learned from this whole experience is that time is the only precious commodity in the world. It can't be saved or stockpiled, it's constantly being spent, so spend it wisely on meaningful moments and loved ones.
 
 Jaunty Fine Print: Photo by Denise Sakaki

Thanksgiving musings from the Magpie comes to one simple thing: be grateful for the present. You've probably already seen Tweets or Facebook posts regarding our dear, beloved dog, Indy, who is thankfully still with us, but has leukemia. It's been an emotional time, but the most significant thing to come out of it is a renewed sense of desire to live presently, with joy, with enthusiasm, and to not hold back on love. 

Summer Lovin' having a blast... summer lovin' happened so fast! This Bird never thought she'd say it, but I'll be a little sad to see the summer days end. I know there's still likely another month's worth of beautiful sunsets, warm afternoons and the twilight hours stretching much longer than they would in the dearth of winter. But I can already feel that slight nip in the nighttime air, a crispness that signals an autumnal approach.  

Maybe it was too many years spent in the crazy heat of Arizona, but summertime was never my favorite season. I loved the idea of being on break from school, but I remember by the time August would roll around, I would be in a state of constant dread, already mourning my loss of lazy days and no homework. Thankfully no more studies and pop quizzes, just a steady pace of balancing work and taking time to fall back in love with a season full of color-explosion sunsets and lazy afternoons. Speaking of lazy, I'm off to enjoy the rest of the day -- see ya!

Jaunty Fine Print: photograph by Denise Sakaki

It's Kismet that a Jaunty Post Day falls on Valentine's Day, so this Birdy is making the most of it! Sending you all warm n' fuzzy thoughts of hearts, flowers and plenty of smooches and air-kisses. Valentine wishes to all you sweet darlings who visited the Jaunty Magpie today, amid the holiday rush of making sure your dinner reservations are set or a last-minute rush to find a gift for your sweetheart. Even if you're not with a Special Someone on this day, don't ignore the opportunity to reach out to a loved one -- all holidays should be a great excuse to celebrate an open heart. Yes, even Arbor Day, if the mood strikes you.

To inspire you on this J'adore-worthy Valentine's Day, here are some quotes you can jot down to impress your date tonight:

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!
- Thomas Hood

Many are the starrs I see, but in my eye no starr like thee.
- English saying engraved on poesy rings

Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.
- William Shakespeare

Who, being loved, is poor?
- Oscar Wilde

As a special treat for all you Anti-Valentine's Day folks or for those who are as much in love with the site, Handmade Ryan Gosling, as I am, here's a peek at a special Handmade Valen-RyanGosling-tine I made for a friend. We often peruse the craft supplies and say with our best Ryan Gosling voice, "Hey, Girl..." whenever we see baker's twine, glitter or a super-pack of gluesticks. Don't take the note too seriously, I still think Bradley Cooper is cute, it just sounded really funny. 

Jaunty Fine Print: graphic design by Denise Sakaki, quote by John Lennon

Valentine's Day?! But Maggie-Pie, it's still January, have you totally lost your Bird-Brain? Let it never be said this Bird is not thinking ahead. Also, Valentine's Day really sneaks up on you -- we have the end of December and November for typical holidays, but February 14th is coming up faster than you can say, "box o' chocolates." The holiday is about as stealthy as a Cupid's Arrow being shot right into your behind, so get your tailfeathers moving, Lovebirds, and send some sweet St. Valentine notes to Special Someone's!

I was blessed in early January, by my good friend and fellow blogger, Radish and Rose, who sent me an early Valentine, a sweet stand-up paper doll card made by illustrator Brigette Barrager. This totally inspired today's post, because it was a sweet reminder that Valentines don't have to be romantic -- give a handmade or hand-picked note to a BFF, a relative, a totally awesome workmate who always buys your latte when you hit the Starbucks. We are all blessed with Special Someones, so why not send them something clever in the mail? 

So here are some Jaunty picks that I thought would fit anyone, be it friend, family or the one who is lucky enough to have your precious heart: {1} Guitar Valentine Card Kit from Paper Source, {2} Dress Shoppe, 12 Paper Doll Notecarcds by Brigette Barrager on Chronicle Books, {3} Hand-drawn Valentine cards from Creation Faeries on Etsy, {4} XOXO Robbie Robot Mini Valentine note cards by Papertivity on Etsy, {5} Love: King and Queen of Hearts stamps from US Postal Service

Jaunty Fine Print:  images from listed shops above - get those Valentine's Day notes ready!

Consider this an open letter to Mom, as her special day is this upcoming Sunday. This Bird is long past the days of macaroni-strung necklaces and cards with a handprint on the front, but my heartfelt thoughts for Mom have never changed over the years.

To Mom: you didn't just bring me into this world, you helped attach meaning to it, so that I could begin to understand the importance of being a part of it. You helped me appreciate the process behind things and to truly earn the knowledge; to build something from one's own hands and take it from start to finish, whether it was a simple crafting project, or the building of a career. You gave balance to heartfelt emotion and pragmatic common sense, that there is a time for tears, but there is also a time for action. Failure is not mark of shame, merely a lesson to learn from and an encouragement to move forward.

Everything I have accomplished is as a result of your guidance and care. I know I never need to prove anything to you, that you will always be proud, but I will never lose the desire to achieve greater and better things, because they are a tribute to you. They are just a small measure of thanks for everything that you have done and the sacrifices you have made. While we don't live close to one another, we don't let the distance get in the way of being as close as when we lived under the same roof. Nothing will ever change the fact that we are family, but it is a rare gift to say that we are friends. I am thankful that you are the first person I want to share good news with, as well as the one I know to trust with my secrets. This is the greatest treasure I feel blessed with, more than all the riches in the world. I learned to love with the strength of a dozen hearts, because that is how much I love you.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- I hope you get a break today and sleep soundly knowing the kid is doing just fine.


Jaunty Fine Print:  photo by Denise Sakaki