this moment

right

this very

moment

 on my way

home

an everyday moment

that i never

tire of.

:)

happy friday!

speaking of which

or is that

witch

as i continue

preparing
today

 a concoction

or rather decoction 

of elderberries

that when blended

with

cinnamon

clove 

and ginger root

resembles a 

good ol' fashioned

brew

a brew whose purpose it is to

prevent cold and flu

with its antiviral

properties

or if needed

to ease cold symptoms

yea

you had me at hello

after simmering the above

ingredients

in 2 cups water

until it is reduced by half

it's time to strain

pressing out all the

goodness

from the elderberries

and finally adding

the golden elixir

ah

honey

sweet, delicious

honey

that will coat your sore throat

if needed

and taste great

while doing it

then

ever so carefully

pouring the

Elderberry Syrup

into a jar

to be stored in the frig

when cooled

just a spoonful of syrup

each day

to keep the bugs at bay

or

1 tablespoon an hour 

if symptomatic

i've gotten in the habit

of dating my 

medicinals

because

as we know

time has a way

of sneaking

slipping

ticking

running at

breakneck speed

by.

To make your elderberry syrup

go to you tube

for a great mountain rose

tutorial.

(Although it is said that it keeps for

2 weeks, respondents claim

it is good for

the winter...which is my

experience)

To your health

my pretties.

preparing

as i challenge myself

to find

just the right word 

for this time of year

preparing

seems as good as any

our days

are filled to the brim

with

a battening down

of the

hatches

in hopes that the

hatches will

hold 

last minute details

to secure the fort

from the cold

that has slowly ebbed its way

in

causing a roaring fire to

appear each

 morning

and

night 

since i stubbornly refuse

to turn on the furnace

which sucks precious

humidity

from our home

and causes a shock wave

when the bill appears

so 

stoke the fire

i say

 right along side

closing the pool tightly

storing lawn furniture 

sealing the drive

painting the trim on the porch

( a job that summer couldn't be

bothered with)

trading petunias for pumpkins

replenishing the dogs straw bedding 

hoses and spades

taking a break while the

rakes and shovels 

clock in

even the baby shower

of yesterday

speaks of

what's to come

preparedness

like readiness

so not to be caught off guard

what would we do

without

those jiggly bouncers

that imitate mom's arms!?

hmmm...

funny

when asked to share 

a pearl of wisdom

with the

mommy to be

i wanted to say

forget all those silly shower gifts

you already have all you need

instead

i told my sweet niece

to ignore the naysayers

because

the family bed is the best

way to ensure a full night's sleep.

i think i hear the

amen sister

from all my 

attachment parenting

le leche league

supporters

of yesteryear.

sadly

by its very nature

preparing

can steal away from 

the now

of things

thinking too much of what's

to come

rather than 

what is

for today

i vow

to look out my window

and see

beauty on the golden path

that lies at my feet

rather than

see the raking that need be done

before

the snow arrives.

another challenge

that i will

take on

boldly.

Monday madness.

Meatless Monday.

Make a Memory Monday...

yeah,

let's go with that one.

this moment

right 

this

very

moment

upon

opening my door

to welcome

fall

happy weekending!

this moment

right 
this 
very
 moment...

won't you 

sing along?

Happy Friday!

take heed

a cautionary tale

whose beginnings

were founded

in the leaves of a book

a book that spoke

to my

natural tendencies

spoke to the healer

within

the nurturer

the earth mother

one who follows

her intuition

or so i thought.

Maybe the telling was in 

the simple desire 

to purchase a book

on 

healing remedies

and an innate

need

to learn more about 

the power of 

botanicals

and so i studied.

taking it in

gathering essentials

a modern day 

wildcrafter

foraging

and then

on a warm early fall day

headed out to clean the yard

when a small voice warned

these are not the right shoes for the job

and i responded

defiantly and went about the

work.

which came to an abrupt 

halt

when my foot

met up with

a 4" galvanized nail

two inches of which

found its way into the arch of

my foot

and i turned into a 5-year-old

with a boo-boo

face

quickly followed by

rinsing

soaking

bandaging

and a next day

doctors visit for a tetanus shot

and a bout of antibiotics

ah,

but the tale ends

not there

one week passes

and i go for a

walk/run with james

(whom i wish were as young as

the pic above...damn that ticking clock!)

all is going well

we just left the gym

feeling strong

deciding to incorporate a cardio routine

on this beautiful fall day

the

is within feet

and again i hear 

that voice 

which 

 tells me to remember

this trail has a black walnut tree

up ahead

and maybe i should...

and that quickly

my ankle gave way

to a nut

and i had to be escorted

to the car by my

(thank God he's grown so big and strong!)

teenage son.

R.I.C.E.

rest (yea, right!)

ice

compression

elevation

and

more ice

Lavender Ice.

which aids in healing

bruises 

reduces swelling and pain.

all that is left is the wondering

why did i stubbornly ignore

a simple warning?

Is it to prepare me for

something i must

not disregard

so lightly?

a not-so-gentle reminder to

pay attention?

 and so

i take this lesson in

listening

as if foraging a wildflower

and carry it with me

for

i will most definitely

be listening

to that

still

small

voice.