a simple and beautiful season

Have you started hearing, choirs of angels singing yet?
Oh yes indeed, I have.
Christmas is always such a beautiful time of year to me, but I can also relate to those who have a tough time around the holidays. The days are shorter, the nighttime arrives sooner; memories of those that aren't with us any longer, tug at my heart... Deep sigh for the tugging and missing part... I stumble through the holidays at times, easing my way into finding my balance, without those who helped me grow. I take many of the days in December to reflect; attract stillness and to visit those who don't get out much.

Simple and beautiful rings in my heart for December.

Gift idea for the person who has everything* a donation in their name to St. Judes Children's Hospital. That's what's up!
The weather has been especially glorious, in these parts. I can't tell you when the last time, we went christmas shopping in small jackets, with the sun shinning. We shopped at the sweetest of street fairs and bought gifts of canned jams, pickles, bricks of cheeses and smoked meats. I love that the farmers brought their goods to the city.
Yes mam!

I found some lovely books from the indie bookshop sellers. I dig that.

Gift idea for the cook/someone you adore* In a box I will place, a beautiful cookbook, a container of honeycombs, and a glorious wedge of stilton cheese. Swoon!
I stood in the tree farm and allowed the sun to warm me. Sure did. I must have gotten too relaxed because, (once again this year ) the boys picked out a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. That's okay, we will love it immensely. And decorate the hell out of all four branches. Kidding~ not really. : ) Eh naw!

Gift idea for a family* fill a gift bag with a pizza pan, pizza dough,  a jar of simple pizza sauce and a good classic movie or book.

Gift idea for the fashionista* Shh... my teenage fashion queen, will get "The Satorialist" book, by Scott Schuman~ (Double Bliss!) and a funky but fashionable scarf. Bliss!

Okay, hold your two fingers up (in the peace sign way) and repeat after me. I will not stress myself out~ i will find simple beauty in the season. : ) xo

So the last of my loved filled boxes, will go out Saturday. I found the most adorable little gift on Saturday (for you) and I would love to send it your way. Please leave a comment on this post, and one of the teenagers over here, will draw a name tomorrow.
Peace~

november waters

I find it easy to forget, to take a moment to walk along, the water in november. There is easily a ton of snow here by now, and a walk can be the last thing on my mind... But I love the water at this time of year.
I walk and walk, leaving a trail of what's not important behind me; gathering armfuls of what I don't want to forget.

I breath deep, allowing the cold air to cleanse me somehow. I close my eyes and remember, then I let go, then I hope.

Naked footprints are replaced by boot prints, but I don't mind that much.

The waves crash against the rocks heavier...
And the water has less color at this time- the palest of blues. Who wouldn't love that? ; ) I want to fill a journal with this color blue and write words of gratitude across them.

Who knows, maybe it's just my way of enjoying, these last couple of days of November. ; )
I'm hoping you are well.
Peace

beautiful lessons

Hi there, how was your day?
We had a lovely Thanksgiving today.
The mushrooms and green beans were a big hit. A good mushroom is worth the wait. And the cranberry sauce, was really good too : ) I wanted you to see it. Can you find it under all that food in the photo?  ; )
So much wonderful food and love warmed me.

As we bowed our heads and gave thanks, my husbands grandmother(89 yrs young) lead us in prayer.
Each of us took our turn in sharing a word of thanks.
As we rounded the table there was a face who hadn't been seen in a while. Tears filled his eyes, words laden with regret about choices he made a child, slowly left his tongue... Hope surrounded him; letters from his mother over the years, were what he was most thankful for.

A few new faces, that Grandma Lilly wanted to give a warm meal, were welcomed. "A warm meal and worry off of their shoulders for a night, can change a persons journey." She insisted. I dig that.

There were children who were naive yet warm, to the love that surrounded them.

I even held a newborn baby, that beautiful smell... and those tiny feet. How lovely.

And of course our doggie Miles, had a little thanksgiving plate ; )

As usual, we were quite a different type of group, but family none the less ; )

We began reaching for coats, as grandma packed us slices of cakes and pies for the road... Promises to see each other sooner than later, filled the room.

I adore the beautiful and simple lessons, I was reminded of tonight.
One Love~

thankful

Last night I met my husband for dinner, then we headed to the bookstore for apple cider.
I will be so happy, for our little family to have this time off for Thanksgiving ; ) We talked a lot about that. And we held hands. : )

I am thankful for love.

I am playing referee today, to my kids.
"He won't stop staring at me. "She is looking at me"
Eh naw! If non ya looken at da notha, ya wan know, hem staring, she looken!...
Ah yeah, let them figure that one out. : ) Hello Jamaica!

I'm thankful for my teenagers. Big smile.

Laundry, laundry calling my name. I adore the smell of fresh clothes from the dryer.
I am thankful for my old, noisy washer and dryer. Yes I am. : )

Looking through my recipes for baked brie~ Swoon!

Turkey is in the fridge.

Coffee-table books, set out for reading guests.

The cornbread in the oven, as I type. I will leave it out, to get it stale for Thursday. Yum to cornbread dressing.

I am thankful for the food on our table.

We are expecting snow for Thanksgiving. I appreciate that. I could possibly get a Christmas photo for the holidays yet.

Life... life... it's good.

I'm thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving, my dear friends.

One love~

: )

I am writing this when the sun is barley up. And of course, I am snapping photos of the apples, in front of me. Honeycrisp apples, are sheer love ; )
Yesterday, I spent most of the day cleaning our home. I mopped the floors and even opened the windows, to help the floors dry. Yes, it was cold. And it felt really good.
I have been rumbling through my recipes, to find my cranberry sauce recipe. It's so good and simple. I will share it when I find it, if you'd like. It calls for an apple.
Slow... slow.
I don't have any big goals today~
placing a good dinner in the crock pot
finding that recipe
paying a few bills
passing along a smile
that's all.
One love~

weaving

Hello there,
It's early, early here, this morning. The rain is tapping on my windowsill as I sit here, writing this. I gently shake the dreams from my head, smiling to myself, at the beauty in us coming together, for the simple things. I am always amazed at how you take me by the hand, and share with me, your words. I honestly could have walked forever, along the rows of your thoughts and feelings. Weaving in and out of your gratitude. Allowing your appreciation to heal me, like water to my soul.

Did you notice how many of us, had chocolate on our lists? Smile* Oh we are sisters, without a doubt; )
Swoon~*You all hang the moon, in my book. Oh, yes you do. : )
How are you today?
Did I tell you, I am teaching myself to cross stitch? Eh naw!  lol ; )
One love*

the simple things

a kiss hello
 food on the table

love in the words of piri thomas
 photography
heat for our home
box macaroni and cheese
homemade macaroni and cheese

clean water
: )

handwritten letters in the mail

warm pumpkin bread

shoes on my kids feet
donating coats for kids this winter

clean clothes

$1.50 candles from the bodega...
with the loveliest of ladies on them

guadalupe

taking a moment to pause at beauty
 *
 *
 *

early mornings on a country road

getting in the car for no reason and going for a drive

*

used books

poets

love

 remembering our wedding vows
*

 grateful that my daughters cough is easing up
waking up to breakfast
coffee with cream

husband painting baby girls toenails
 you are a beautiful man and i adore you

the sound of a sewing machine
dark chocolate

 my son calling to tell me he has arrived safely...
and that he loves me

red umbrellas dripping with rain

ruby red slippers for big girls

ruby red

flowers

*

*

*

having faith when your faith tank is on empty

*

*

*

lavender scented sheet powder

and

powder puffs

saying the words

i

love

u

*

*

*

sun dipped moments

*

laying in the grass shooting photos of a sky with thick cotton clouds

dish soap

rain dancing on tin roofs...

taking me by the hand to the caribbean

*

getting off a stop early to hand a sympathy card to someone...

instead of mailing it

*

chicken soup

prayer

*

it's the simple things that make my soul sing

*

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop in and visit. The post below has links to the blogs playing along in the simple things. Lets visit and make new friends.

peace

*

a list of bloggers~ for the simple things

Below you will find a list of the bloggers, who will join in with the simple things, on Monday ; )
Please leave me a comment on this post, if I have missed adding your blog.
You all truly warm my heart. And I thank you, for joining in.
I can't wait for the fun to begin.
I will you see you tomorrow, my friends.
Peace~
come sit by my fire

concerning pancakes

everyday possibilities

the magpie's fancy

coco sunday

2 thinks to share

shells and bells flowers and showers

elsa araya

words from the heart and soul

my life my life my life

blissfully unaware lounge singer

planet m files

dollz and thingz

moments of perfect clarity

delights of the heart

necessary room

the misadventures of kelly and kelly

eye to eye

cuttings on a blog

things about who, what, where and why

tilting at windmills

raptinlight

swan of dreamers

ramblings

recovery from a life not lived

a box of chocolates

life is a banquet

soeurs de jour

everything feeds process

paris parfait

visually orientated

daily reflections from atwater pond

wagon wife designs

sweet indigo blue

retinal perspectives

laura's paris cooking notebook

heartfelt and handmade

lll seen lll said

whimsical whispers

i choose bliss

circles of rain

be yourself everyone else is taken

one swaying being

red or gray depends on the day

little scraps of magic

a memory forever

journaling through pictures

pink purl

evenstar art

from the desk of the drunken bee

stories i can tell

geek ink

the grand design

home grown- kids

samosas for one

anali's first amendment

mariniks blog

a meandering pearl

my daily discovery

my painting room

openings connected

create joy and wonder

carpe diem

everyday adventures of a curious gal

inspired

rcs creations

a simple reminder ; )

hi there

just stopping in to remind you about the simple things on monday

no rules

no worries

just place the simple things on your blog

 that make your heart sing...

fresh eggs

a blue sky

a good cry

a beautiful poem

laughter of children

*

please leave a comment on this post if you want to play along

i will link you in a list

or

just stop in and say hello

*

happy weekend

my friends

*

a kind of butterscotch colored sun

i adored the emails i received yesterday

such kind words

and

the ones about the memories of butterscotch candy

sent my heart afloat

~

isn't it something to remember mama or big mama pulling that candy out of their pockets

making all our problems go away

the things we believed were real problems as kids

ahh huh

; )

the few words of wisdom they would pass to us

and send us on our way with a sweet taste in our mouths

a warm heart

~

i find myself sharing many of these words of truth with my own kids

~

just the other day i was speaking with my son

i began down my grandmothers path

son you may not hear my words at this moment

but when you lay your head down on that pillow tonight

you'll understand everything i am saying

; )

i hope your not sick of roses

when the sun came up this morning the sun set the flowers ablaze

a kind of a butterscotch colored sun

; )

i took turns with the flowers enjoying the suns rays

bathing my face

then my palms

my whispered words

~

so beautiful

~

one love

queen for a day*

Susanna

* Queen for a day*

how kind of you to send us your winged messengers

*

you send them without hesitation

with so much love

*

your wings

fly from your heart

to

ours

*

arriving with so much soul

an abundance of promise

*

"tell someone your dreams"

"your opinion matters"

*

when the train sways me side to side

my feet hit the concrete

the wings flutter

whispering my name

right here* right now

*

tape in hand

camera in the other

i place them

where a heart may be  heavy

where a child feels he has been forgotten 

where fear is near but being brave and hope is present

where an extra smile is called for

; )

*

*

your wings

help us leap

encourage us to soar

they bring unexpected comfort

like a butterscotch candy from mama's pocket

*

heart warming comfort

*

these roses are for you

my friend

to celebrate your winged messengers and your kind heart

i hope you like them

; )

*

deep velvet rose petals remind me of...

 car coats with shoulder pads

the sound of duke ellington's beats

the scribble of handwritten letters

you

*

thank you

from the bottom

of

my

heart

*

*

one love

*

check out Susanna's winged messengers here.

a special thanks to Angie, for organizing this fun.

a list of other blogs celebrating the queen, is over at her place.

how are you, my friends?

happy and joni

The temperature is high today

so beautiful outside

but wait this is

Wi

in

November

; )

no more

questions

I will just

enjoy it

and say

thank you

~

a few attempts at

baking

creme cake

i am thinking

vanilla

+

lemon peel

+

nutmeg

in the creme

+

turning up joni mitchell

i dig that

; )

i tried making the cake

an olive oil cake

wasn't dry at all

does that still make it creme cake

they said fix the recipe

not change it

wink

the fix seemed to make the kitchen

h

a

p

p

y

happy

monday

my friends

: )

yesterday

We set out for this ride late. He has been wanting to take me for this drive, for months now.

The sun started to set, and show it's beauty.

I saw the sun setting in his rearview mirror

across his smiling face.

the shadows danced a dance

the shadows were words to my soul

shadows

i can relate

they come and then they go

they appear when it seems all the excitement has died down

we stopped for dinner

a place where we bowed our heads

when our food was placed in front of us

and others did too

i dig a place like that

we talked about how we could just leave the city behind

a small place we could open

maybe 6 tables

he could run everything else

and i would cook

and

people would say things like

that was the best soul food I had in a long while

yes it was

: )

he speaks with his hands

he dreams with his heart

we spoke about how things were supposed to be

but not for long though

we had to move on and talk about how we haven't given up on our dreams

it's just the beginning baby

we've been married along time

he still warms me

each time he looks my way

or reaches for my hand

~

we enjoyed the moment

the sun

the day

dreaming

loving

i hope you are well

taking it

slow

slow

peace

~

this season and simple things

i adore the morning light
this season, oh my, this season is tapping at my heart
quilts
stews
fuzzy socks
pumpkin
eating warm roasted cashews on the train
and sharing them
thick books
knitting
tea
scarves
my neighbors putting storm windows up
sunday naps
dogs in sweaters
a covered butter dish on the windowsill
dread locks under tams
eh naw
~
love
did i mention love
nuzzling closer in bed to stay warm
ah yes,
love
painting on that canvas that calls your name at night
opening a new journal
feeling the tip of your pen hit the crisp paper
aprons dusted with powdered sugar
our children's sweaters dusted with powdered sugar hugs
: )
your man calling just to say hello in the middle of the day
your woman calling just to say what's up
purchasing a christmas gift now
instead of later
enjoying the simple things
should we have fun with the simple things...
on november 16th?
just post on your blog the simple things in life that make you happy...
make your soul sing
you can read about it here or here
i will post a reminder before the 16th for you to leave a blog link if you decide to play along
it would mean the world to me if you could joined in
no rules
as always
come as
you
are
peace~

the window outside the stoop

morning came quickly today
it's okay though
i recognize a blessing when i see one : )
coffee was pressed
prayers were said
silence welcomed answers
the doggies blankets were washed and dried
i made dinner rolls from scratch
and put a pot of red beans and rice on the stove,
so it will be ready for the taking, by hungry kids come five p.m
i really need to write that recipe down and share it with you~
it's a dreary but beautiful day here
i thought it would be nice to set my flowers outside my windows for a while
the window outside the stoop
you should have seen the kids stop and point
they smiled
i smiled
mission accomplished
there was an elderly man with a cane
he stopped and looked at the flowers...
and laughed like a school boy
"ain't that something"
*
i seriously dig that : )

*
i wrapped the sweetest packages today
i will mail them this week, sealed with cute tape and love of course : )
*
are you well?
i have thought so much about you : )
slow, slow around here
just the way i like it
*waving to you*
one love~