beauty that moves

i'll meet you there

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Beyond good and bad, there is a field. I'll meet you there.

~ Rumi

Well friends, it is time for me to sign off from this little bungalow on the hill. Over the next week we'll be celebrating birthdays and holidays, gathering with friends, and packing.

I hope to stay present for every single moment as we close one life chapter and begin another. Feeling blessed, feeling grateful. Still amazed by how this all fell into place.

I'll meet my beloved in the field...  among the trees, quiet, safety.

Wishing each of you a peaceful holiday season. we'll reconnect in the new year. xo 

Email will be checked daily for workshop questions and registration processing. Feel free to contact me if needed.

warmth :: gifts :: light

It must be sixty degrees outside. Windows are open, unexpected warmth. On the first day of winter a fresh breeze moves through house.

I haven't read One Thousand Gifts yet, but it seemed like the perfect gift for a few ladies on my list, paired with a journal. Renee reminded me of how much I love reading journals. A place to write down beautiful sentences and insightful revelations... I should start doing this again.

Keeping this blog as a daily journal feels nice. As much as I adore blogging in a topical style, I've found that I don't have the time to devote to that type of writing these days. This feels natural to me right now. Even if it does reveal how utterly plain my everyday life truly is. 

Plus, it's nice to take pencil to paper throughout the day, recording moments and thoughts as they appear then tapping them out on my keyboard in the evening.

Evening blogging... also new for me. 

 

Emily has been writing cards all morning, I am reminded of how desperately my address book needs updating. Kelly Rae has a pretty one, I spotted it locally the other day.

 

We wrapped up some gifts while listening to Tsh's latest podcast. Who needs Christmas movies when you have homefries! 

I taught Emily how to measure the amount of wrapping paper needed for each gift, and how to fold in the edges for a neater package (mama's a Virgo)... love those little tricks. Now we'll head to the post office to send them off. Crossed fingers for a swift delivery.

While sitting at the stoplight, three college students marched single file through the crosswalk with a Christmas tree under their arms - the weight of it shared evenly among them. Emily and I cracked up, the whole scene was so Abbey Road... college student/holiday style. 

Late afternoon was spent wrapping his gifts, accompanied by a peppermint mocha latte. Divine. Grateful for the quiet of winter, and the gift of light returning. 

noticing :: beautiful door :: wine

The time has come where I find myself walking around the house, noticing things for what feels like the last time. I'll miss this house, but it was never intended to be our forever home so I think I've always kept a little distance between my heart and these walls. We have wonderful memories here, and we'll have many wonderful memories to come... so long as we're together. 

It was this door that made me call the home owner seven years ago and ask if she'd show us inside, and hopefully sell it to us too. It wasn't on the market, but she wasn't living here either. We are grateful she said yes to both our requests.

Today I spent an unexpected full day out in the world... how do people do that every day!? I'm so tired. I bought myself A Very She & Him Christmas to soothe my nerves for the long ride home. Totally worked.

Right now it's me and a glass of wine, typing away while Adam and Emily play a game. Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to a day at home filled with Christmas movies and wrapping gifts. Time to hunker down...

christmas books :: brunch :: teacher gifts

 

In keeping with our effort to have a simple holiday season this year, most of our Christmas and Winter books remained packed away. Feeling the need to bring out a few favorites, Emily went up to the attic and made a small selection. It felt so good to know that had Adam or I done the choosing... the exact titles would have come downstairs. Family favorites, confirmed. I want to remember this.

Our shopping trip went off without a hitch, people were friendly and the stores not too crowded. Brunch before things got underway was a nice idea... as were the sour cherry stuffed crepes. 

Music teacher gifts (both past and present) were well received. A box of herbal tea and a bar of good chocolate were the perfect answer for this family who is not able to make much of anything this year. Pack, pack, pack...

Big salads for dinner with warm herbal tea. A nice compliment to the cool greens. So many clementines. 

The winter solstice is his favorite day of the year. Most people wouldn't guess that, and he's not exactly telling, but I know and love him all the more for it.   

adventure books :: miso soup :: family tea

A friend was over the other night and she mentioned her teenage son was into real life adventuring books these days. Well, if ever there was a moment for Adam's ears to perk up... conversation continued. Before we knew it one title was pulled from our dwindling bookshelf and another from an already packed box. One left the house for this young man to read, the other he'd already read. I noticed the latter still sitting on the table this morning.

 

I'll miss our toasty warm, well-functioning steam radiators, but I won't miss the 45 drafty windows and poorly insulated walls. Today called for miso soup loaded with collard greens, shallot, carrot, tofu, garlic, and a little ginger. Magical tonic served up in our oh-so-special nature girl bowls, handmade by Melissa. 

This reminds me to get a pot of lentil stew going for dinner...

We're taking a little homeschool vacation for the holidays, not quite as long as last year... today was day one. The list that she made for herself does not exactly spell rest and relaxation if you ask me, but sitting still for too long really isn't her style. Yard work!?

She doesn't know it, but I'm adding "make peppermint bark with mom" to her list. I hope we can get to that. 

Packages are arriving! It feels like this almost entirely mail-ordered holiday is even more meaningful. Is that possible? I've searched mindfully and thought carefully about each gift before pushing the add to cart buttons. I'm excited for the giving to begin!

Among today's packages was one of Emily's new classes for the second half of this school year (there are more materials coming still...). Not a holiday gift, but we are both very excited about this one! Opening the box and peeking inside offered a comforting, grateful for homeschooling, moment. 

 

Waiting for Adam to come home, the lentil stew is simmering, my girl is sitting beside me. Better run so we can get the table set and slice up some fruit.

Closing the day with family tea time, nice and mellow.

Early to bed (I hope)... tomorrow Emily and I are going to head out first thing and brave the store, there are some final things on our list. Hopefully everyone is really friendly out there!

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Whole Food Kitchen Update: There's one day left for the Bring a Friend offer! Have you reserved a spot yet? Don't forget - the complimentary spot for a friend makes a GREAT gift! I've created a beautiful printable gift certificate for you to use in your gift giving, simply request one when you register! Thanks friends!