http://www.leakeylife.com/blog Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:14:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en One might be surprised to learn the holiday season in Kenya is celebrated with traditions similar to those in Western cultures.  Maasai children wake up early on the 25th of December and excitedly urge their parents to hurry as they make tea and cook breakfast so they can open the presents.  ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/76-honey-beer-and-the-holidays-with-the-maasai-in-kenya.html We have several "MacGyvers" in our Leakey Collection family such as TLC manager Kristan Fazio and my husband Philip (to name a few).  A "MacGyver" is a remarkably talented person who know how to make something from nothing  much like the television hero; and of course fix anything with his Swiss ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/73-meet-philip-macgyver-leakey.html   This week we stop to give thanks for our loved ones and enjoy full houses, full hearts and full bellies.   It inspires me to share an experience I had with one of the many celebrations that happen here.  One thing you may not know about the Maasai- they ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/71-giving-thanks-for-maasai-celebrations.html           I am happy to report that Miss Tiggywinkle is doing much better now that she has moved to her new digs, an outdoor 40’ square pen with trees and tall grass.   We were very worried about her last week but this week she is over ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/67-an-update-on-miss-tiggywinkle-the-amazing-hedgehog.html      One last effort to ask our wonderful and amazing supporters to please vote for The Leakey Collection in the World Challenge 08 Competition before Saturday, November 22.  For those who have voted- we thank you for your support!  Receiving this grant will allow us to put $20,000 towards a hydro-electric dam in Kenya ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/66-3-more-days-to-vote-in-the-bbc-world-challenge.html        This is the story of how an unlikely friend found us in the Rift Valley Kenya and made her way into our hearts.  The very fat and lovable Miss Tiggywinkle came to live with us in the bush about 2 weeks ago.  Rescued by our daughter and her family as a tiny ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/56-the-tale-of-miss-tiggywinkle.html Sometimes my husband and I think we must have gone mad to start such a business, but we see the hardships brought to the Maasai by the relentless flow of urbanization and know that without a bridge to join the modern economy, these people will not be able to afford their lifestyle ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/54-living-and-working-with-the-maasai.html Doing something from "nothing" is the most exciting aspect of creativity for my husband, Philip, while designing with elegant lines and rich colors, using materials that radiate light, is my passion.  Our visions were joined together by an unexpected event:  a devastating drought during the late 1990s in Kenya where ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/51-something-from-nothing-the-beginning-of-our-journey-with-the-maasai.html  Friends, Please vote for The Leakey Collection in the World Challenge 08 Competition.  We are so very proud of this nomination and need your support!  Winning this competition will allow us to put $20,000 towards a hydro-electric dam in Kenya reducing our dependency on fuel oil and helping the Maasai thrive for generations ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/49-vote-for-the-leakey-collection.html Today, my thoughts are on the fast approaching Season of Giving- also known as "the holidays" in Western culture.  For many, the season of giving is preceded with a season of healing.  In the Maasai culture, healers are known as the Laibon.  The Laibon apply their healing ... http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/46-the-season-of-healing.html