def create_node(**kwargs):
    '''
    convenience function to make the rest api call for node creation.
    '''
    name = kwargs['name']
    size = kwargs['size']
    image = kwargs['image']
    location = kwargs['location']
    networks = kwargs.get('networks')
    tag = kwargs.get('tag')
    locality = kwargs.get('locality')
    metadata = kwargs.get('metadata')
    firewall_enabled = kwargs.get('firewall_enabled')

    create_data = {
        'name': name,
        'package': size['name'],
        'image': image['name'],
    }
    if networks is not None:
        create_data['networks'] = networks

    if locality is not None:
        create_data['locality'] = locality

    if metadata is not None:
        for key, value in six.iteritems(metadata):
            create_data['metadata.{0}'.format(key)] = value

    if tag is not None:
        for key, value in six.iteritems(tag):
            create_data['tag.{0}'.format(key)] = value

    if firewall_enabled is not None:
        create_data['firewall_enabled'] = firewall_enabled

    data = salt.utils.json.dumps(create_data)

    ret = query(command='my/machines', data=data, method='POST',
                location=location)
    if ret[0] in VALID_RESPONSE_CODES:
        return ret[1]
    else:
        log.error('Failed to create node %s: %s', name, ret[1])

    return {}
convenience function to make the rest api call for node creation.