the in-between

how quickly 

that time does pass

from the cookie making
and packaging

to ornament decorating

and personalizing

the guests arriving

beautiful girls

in pretty dresses

gift giving

family dining

to

the in-between

when the home landscape

remains

frozen in time

waiting

with drinks 

on ice

furniture

rearranged

welcoming one to 

sit...

rest a bit

decorations

shining brightly

in a holding pattern

for the coming

eve.

Until that day we

will enjoy the pause

and bake some more cookies

today

a breakfast bar

because...

well...

shouldn't every day of the

in-between

start out sweet?

making way

Yesterday

 we found this package

nearly buried in snow...

saw the footpath of the one who

delivered it

and we,

well me,

decided that the walk needed

to be cleared

(not nearly as much fun

as plowing the drive with the quad!)

Loving the changing landscape

at my back door

as I

bundle-up in my lined jeans

snow boots

gloves

and

woolly-acrylic-non-itchy hat

before discovering

the mild temperatures

the morning did 

bring

no wind

really a perfect day to 

work outside

the walkways are shoveled

the boxes and bags

can now find their way

safely to our 

door.

Back inside

with coffee in hand

 weather channel on

hearing

 the sad, sad news

of warmth

and rain

that is heading our way

I become that little girl

wishing for a snow day 

with fingers crossed

and

 a prayer on her lips

that some of the white

will stay

for that 

one special day.

Won't you join me? 

morning moon

There are those 

days

when necessity dictates

 the alarms be set

earlier than usual

as was the case with our

4:45 a.m.
wake-up call

During the coffee shift

I became enamored with the

setting moon in the

western sky

I want to learn how to

capture that orb

in an attempt to explain

why it woos me so

With the determination of one

who was denied her rightful sleep

I bundled-up for the single digit morning 

camera in hand

but alas

 this was the best

of the bunch

which is a far cry from 

the marvel

I was witness to.

And so I turned my attention

to the shifting light

as 

night 

gave way to 

day

As blues

gave way 

to

violets

and thoughts of returning

to bed

gave way to

the promise

of a beautiful day

filled with snow

twinkling lights

and

sunshine...

and a second cup of 

cafe latte.

Hello, Monday!

this moment

always 

looking up

joining soulemama and friends

in celebrating

the

now.

:)

to be or not to be (____)?

in this space
i am often faced with
that very
question
where the blank takes many different directions
dependent upon what is happening
in my life.

and i ask myself if
i should open that particular door

to be or not to be

vulnerable?

to share my fears 

and deepest concerns

 insecurities

or will i only show

the sharpest images 

those that are focused and crisp

often feeling 

the deleted tell a clearer story

and are a better reflection of how i feel

even if my worry is one that

i know connects us all

today's,

 the passage of time

remembering when i ordered a Christmas

stocking for my sweet newborn babe

or having all my boys with me

under the same roof

all the while

knowing how quickly my now will

change

to be or not to be

confessional?

when i am so hyper focused

on the newest

curve ball

of life

should i use this blog to tell all?

does discretion block me

 from helping others who may need to know

they aren't alone

maybe...

just maybe 

i could

find a hand to hold

with words from

a been there...done that

perspective.

not alone

but together 

can we sort through

the stuff of

life

that touches us all

disease

aging

divorce

death

messy life

stuff

?

to be or not to be

honest?

 will i present a still life

rather than show the

complexities 

i always strive to be genuine

because i know my readers are smart people

and would see right through

anything less

but

am i strong enough to boldly proclaim

that which is important to me

things

like

my faith

or will i

in an attempt to not offend

to not turn people off

to be politically and socially correct

check

and double-check my wording?

keeping things positive and

up beat

in a world where

negativity flows rampant

a balancing act that 

has me feeling

wobbly

struggling to find the right footing

questions

that i am

fearlessly

authentically

honestly

boldly

opening the door on

if only but a crack

jolly

Are you finding yourself

wondering what that

looks like?

Funny how this season

can have you feeling both

overwhelmed

and 

underwhelmed...

almost simultaneously.

Due in large part to

the list

which began slightly

before

Thanksgiving

and is gaining speed and momentum

with each passing day.

I don't know if you heard

(are you from planet earth?)

but Thanksgiving landed late

this year

robbing us of

shopping days

and 

needed weekend time

precious time

to get

the

list done.

there are garlands to

be hung

decorations

to unpack

crafts

to complete

wreaths 

to adorn windows

and doors

trees to trim

cookies to bake

cards to send

yeah...

that list.

So

back to the original question...

what does jolly look like?

Well,

slap a smile on your face, baby

hum a Christmas tune

nibble on some of those cookies

say yes! to the eggnog

enjoy the snow

catch a snowflake on your tongue

stick your nose in close and breath in the Frasier fir

get some holiday hand soap

(just do it)

dance like no one is watching...

at the work party!

buy a flavored coffee with every outing

or better yet

pack a thermos of hot cocoa

suck on a candy cane

because in the midst of

all this hustle and bustle

that I will go out on that precarious limb and say is

hugely self-induced

you will find yourself

smack dab in the middle

of

jolly.

That's right...

it's all in the attitude.

Once again...

it isn't about the destination

which somehow always

arrives

right on time

the joy is in the journey.

Hoping and praying

we each find 

jolly 

as we busy our days

preparing

the

way.

with a thankful heart

table is set

turkey's in the oven

I've reached that moment

where I can relax

because I know it will all be ready

by 2 p.m. as planned

and now my heart can swell

with all that I am thankful for

simple things like

waking to a snow flaked world

holiday music filling the house

nibbling on the most delicious

chocolate chip cookie

that a friend recently shared with me

there was something different 

about that cookie

I insisted

and she shared

willing to tell me her secret

(thanks friend)

milk chocolate chips

and oh what a wonderful dance

it does play on the tongue

thank you, Jennifer!

remembering my yesterday

James helping with the cleaning

 mom helping in the kitchen

chopping and laughing and storytelling

together

what fun the preparations can be

when there is someone there to talk to

she washed as we went along

we taste-tested

and shared a coffee

at the pauses

with those warm buttery cookies 

sister Sue joined us

and stayed for a pizza dinner

that Joey drove to get

love those young...eager...I'll do it drivers

had some holiday cheer

Rudy and James willingly went to get

the necessary ingredients

Crown Royal and Vernor's high ball

 more talking 

more laughing

Hallmark watching

first thing this morning

I got a phone call from my baby sister, Mary

asking for the turkey hot-line

with a turkey too big for the roasting pan

together we came up with solutions

look for another pan

un-tuck the wings and make that bird fit

just cut those dang things off

shared a good laugh

across the miles

commiserated

like only sisters can

and once again

with each passing year

I clearly see

it truly is the simple things

that make my heart 

sing.

Enjoy the symphony!

Happy Thanksgiving.

grateful

sometimes...

words just get in the way.

:)

November Soup

I know...
I had you at soup!

With a kitchen full of 

fresh vegetables

after a recent visit to 

Toledo's Farmer's Market
it was

time to get busy.

Creamy Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup

fresh

broccoli

cauliflower

carrots

it's all in there

but wait!

to make it extra special

whipped up some biscuits 

that had my boys

thinking I stopped at

Kentucky Fried...

psych!

it's all vegan.

it's all so good.

biscuits 

warm from the oven

that you tear in half

sniff the wafting steam

dollop on the Earth Balance

 drizzle a little honey

yummy

plated for the photo op

and for easy transport 

to the living room

where I'll sit by the fire

watch tv

enjoy

with lots of

  mmm's

two of the major players

What?

Does that say chicken seasoning?!

Yes. 

but wait...

a quick look and I found

chicken "style" seasonings...

no chicken.

All the flavor...no meat...

perfect.

All my family-favorite recipes

gathered

altered

made into vegan goodness.

Share worthy stuff.

(click to enlarge and read)

the flip side

for directions.

serve 

AND

enjoy.

almost forgot the biscuits

which trust me

will make any meal better.

6-Ingredient Vegan Biscuits

1) 2 cups unbleached flour

2) 4 teaspoons baking powder

3) 1 tablespoon sugar

4) 3/4 teaspoon salt

5) 1/4 cup coconut oil (room temp)

6) 1 cup almond milk

Preheat oven to 450.

Whisk dry ingredients.

Cut in coconut oil.

Stir in almond milk.

Knead gently on floured surface, 8-10 times.

Pat dough into 3/4 inch thickness.

Cut into circles with top of drinking glass.

Arrange on baking sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes.

seriously.

 good. 

stuff.

Now go to your local market

and get your soup on.

(you can thank me later)