thankful, outrageously

in the spirit of

giving thanks

we often look at the biggies

life

love

health

for which i am truly blessed

we may look to the small

often overlooked 

beauty

nature's bounty
of sunrise and sunset
flower and fauna

clean air and water

for which i strive

to consciously

give due notice

and then

there are those

glimmers of perfection

that almost take your 

breath

like that first

taste of the turkey

that has been filling your home

with roasting goodness

and it is declared 

delicious

by all who sample

 gathered around

in the smallest room

to be together

for those last minute preparations

rolls in the oven

gravy made to utopian standards

(thanks, susie)

the traditional sides

kept warm

and plated for serving

why

 even the dogs

know

that something great

is about to happen

and they stay

close

while mom and sue

help every step of the way

cutting and chopping

stirring and tasting

providing the necessary dose

of laughter

sons who graciously help

wherever needed

a husband who not only carves

but cleans the dinner dishes 

as well

wow

a time for

thanksgiving

indeed

good food

good drink

good company

fun words

served up with the 

pumpkin pie

and 

after dinner coffee

wishing it wouldn't end

that we could stall time

just this once

then

as if in answer

the snow began to fall

temperatures dropped

cold enough to store beverages outdoors

making room in my 

crowded frig

road conditions worsened

and just like that

the fun was extended with

an overnight guest 

holding onto this time a bit longer

we watched a movie

drank a hot toddy

before

finally giving in to sleep

waking with mom

  enjoying her morning presence

over a coffee and a 

big

breakfast

remembering childhood dreams

prayers

that a day

could somehow last

forever

and like any prayer

God answered

and granted a memory

that will do

just that.

amen.

courage and creativity

there are
those days



that regardless of the weather
quite possibly
because of the weather
you come to the
decision

yes!
let's go

sure
you're already succumbing
to the call
of hibernation
and it seems such an effort
to go out
in the evening
which is quickly balanced by
the knowledge
that the winter is oh so long
and you
go

to see

to hear

a beautiful woman

speak to a hall

packed with other women

and a few men

who have pulled themselves from

their respective couches

as well

to brave the weather

to leave feeling

renewed

inspired

to write

dance

sing

create

their hearts

joy

words and ideas

freely shared

without apology

authenticity has a way

of speaking to your heart

and you just know

you should take note

the only pad 

at my disposal

to review

reflect upon

relive

remember

a story shared about

finding joy

susan

a woman in her 40's 

who couldn't recall

the last time she felt it

then

she saw her 15 year old self

skating on ice

and was determined to 

reclaim that spirit on the surface

she had left years ago

finding a rink

making the time before work

making it happen

doing it

she humbly returned 

with

 gangly young girls around her

and there it was

right where she had left it

joy

now she continues

her gliding journey

this is where

the story 

ended

it's not about

achievements or awards

making the Olympic team

or other grand

destination

it brought her back

back

to her hearts

 song

finding it

singing it

dancing it

sewing it

drawing it

writing it

doing it

in spite of 

fear's voice

 telling you

not to

for every reason imaginable

because in that 

unknown place

where fear resides

joy is often

hiding

waiting to reveal itself.

reason to take

note

indeed! 

this moment

taking pleasure
in the now

with a still life

a trio in waiting

What child is this?

our family favorite...

Play a song.

Sing a song.

Let your voice be heard!

Enjoy the stills 

of your weekend.

xo

fwinter

with record breaking temps
 in the teens

not to mention wind chills

that chill to

the unprepared bone

a new season emerges

"fwinter"

with pumpkins and autumnal wreaths

under a blanket 

of snow

that somehow

even after all those

preparation posts

even i!

was found caught off-my-guard

and the hose

that was carefully drained

and left to lay in the sun

hangs waiting to be

put away

as do the 

few garden stragglers

wilted cabbage

a sweet batch of parsley

that the local rabbit

is happy to have

at his disposal

for that 

i am happy

as well

but

 its the snow covered

lawn furniture

that really

hurts

reminding me

every time i leave the house

that

there is still much to 

be done

then 

on my return

mr. gnome

is there

with an expression that once spoke

 a warm welcome

today stares back 

mockingly 

ah

what's one to do...

as the snow begins to fall again

like a ready or not

war cry

i will

sit with it

and celebrate this 

new season

with a warm

holiday

brew.

Stay warm this

snovember

day!

kaylee's day

how blessed i am

to live right up the street

to have the privilege
of making the
 "important people
 who can pick me up
from my pre-school bus stop"
list

an early afternoon

can't sit still long enough for a picture

cookie break

a silly time

break

a glam it up

posing

break

a catch me in 

a blink

break

a giggly

great big smiley

break

a sweet as can be 

slice of life

break

a "take a picture 

of my shirt"

break

take another

just to be sure

break

basically

a grandma break

that began with my

Kaylee

four years ago today!

What can I say...

i'm in love

and 

oh

so

sweetly

blessed.

dear diary

sorry i haven't
been writing lately
but some weeks
 get away from you

ideas and thoughts
will pop in my head
and i feel that old
excitement
to share them here

family

work

play

passions

all have a way of 

compromising my commitment

to you

one constant

food

because you have to eat

no matter how busy

pretty greens 

on vintage corelle plates

somehow

grab hold of the inner photographer

the consistent blogger

who thinks

wouldn't it be fun to

give some of my vegan favorites

a post to shine

not a spectacular

ah-ha moment

but one bite of avocado toast

will win you over

a don't knock it till you've tried it

perfect way 

to start the day

the secret is in the vegenaise

seriously good stuff

always planning what's next

and its a safe bet

the recipe will require

cashews

so get 'em soaking

to transform them

into a creamy base 

at a later hour

dinner hour

cover with a corelle

plate

and let the planning

begin

until then

have a muffin

a double banana walnut

muffin

light and moist

and tempting me to

have

another

a hold me over until

lunch

an absolute favorite

potato, cauliflower, chickpea

curry soup

it just doesn't 

get any better

then

as dinner hour arrives

get those cashews blending

with

miso

nutritional yeast

lemon juice

to create a creamy

dare i say it

cheesy

 base to make

broccoli cheddar-ish soup

served alongside

crusty bread

and picture ready

on yet another classic

corelle

and so

as the last of the leaves are collected

 halloween stored away

to make room for thanksgiving

hallmark channel's countdown 

enticing me to sit

for a spell

a week flies by

and i realize

i've neglected you

forgive me diary

but there is 

much living to

do

just last night

i talked my sister sue

into going to an hour and a half

first time for us

glow zumba party

with glo-sticks

and lots of neon dance fun

followed by

a margarita and super nachos

(i had to sweeten the pot)

 every day may not be

 a perfectly vegan life

correction

everyday is perfect in its

unpredictable way

vegan or nacho

dance or couch time

jack-o-lantern or cornucopia

always

enjoying

the

moments

ps

will make time

to stop by again soon

please do the same

until then...

keep enjoying

xo

oh no i'm not

the one morning
each year

that i look at

my clock and think

late for church

again

and then

with the press

of a 

button

realize

oh

no i'm 

not

no.

i'm.

not!

followed by 

a changing of

hands

or the pressing

of more 

buttons

the turning 

of dials

to reclaim 

my hour

plenty of time

for a cafe latte

a quick post

to share my

joy...

at which point i look

at the time

and see

that i have somehow

managed 

to be late

regardless.

but oh

how rested i do feel!

What did you do with your hour?

the many faces

there are those

who

love

Halloween

and those who

LOVE

Halloween

those 

who can't pass a mask

without trying 

it on

to all the

lovers

out there

Happy (day after) Halloween!

Happy All Saints Day!