things i am cherishing right now...
my family and my family of friends - whom i hold so dear
life's reminders of how important true connections are to our hearts
sunlight breaking through the clouds
watching the sea roll up to the sand...again, and again, and again
having ryder hold onto my finger (still...sigh) as he drifts into a nap
watching the wind rustle the leaves against a grey sky
this little face as he pretends to sip cafe between fits of giggles
so here we are already at halloween. we spent yesterday knee-deep in tin-foil trying to build the greatest robot EVER for kai. i think we came awfully close. he thinks it's the greatest robot ever, so must mean we hit the mark. today we prepare, with final touches to candy bins and treat bags for friends...and an evening of gathering all things sugary awaits.
in the blur that has been october, i was trying to think of a few simple joys that we have enjoyed lately:
the colors and light of autumn
cups of hot tea
breaking out the leggings and wrist warmers
ryder bundled up in stocking hats
kai's endless diagrams and drawings of the world's best robot
a great dinner at a favorite place with my mom
taking some creative leaps
an afternoon storm
caffe with a friend
my little ryder singing songs or humming to himself all through the house
a thumbs up from kai for his first week of school
can't listen to this version without breaking into a smile - it has been our summer soundtrack
this song, i simply love
this video spoke volumes to me (be sure to watch it to the end)
am soooooo baking this
this weekend i celebrate a birthday. i don't mind the number, i enjoy what it all has lead up to and where it goes from here...and i also rather enjoy an excuse for celebration. so with that, i conjured up another list - 38 things i love (in no particular order, of course). 38...a magical number, yes?
1. little feet running through the house - giggles trailing
2. moonlight
3. birds singing in the morning
4. a cup of espresso
5. when i am met with smiles and nods in response to what i said in italian rather than head tilts and looks of utter confusion
6. be near those i cherish
7. watching my oldest wear superhero costumes as clothing
8. remembering his voice and how he would sketch while talking on the phone
9. sand under toes
10. the word ~ beautiful
11. a film that transports and carries me - few do - but the ones that have stay with me
12. long lingering dinners with friends
13. becoming lost in a project
14. sleepy little babes that snuggle up next to me in the morning while they wake
15. wishing on a star
16. a good musical mix from someone special
17. a morning yoga practice - anasura style
18. a good run (c'mon knee, you can heal, i believe in you)
19. wandering through a new city, camera in hand
20. picking salad fresh from the garden
21. fresh fruit
22. revisiting happy memories from high school with friends as they prepare for our 20th reunion (*gulp*) ~ wish i could be there, will be in spirit
23. the sound of the sea
24. sleeping but more importantly ~ dreaming
25. reggae
26. finding the possibility hidden in ordinary moments
27. being called 'mama'
28. sitting still and feeling breath fill my lungs
29. winged ones - especially owls, bats (and a hawk for my heart)
30. freedom of expression
31. L.O.V.E in all her many forms and capacities
32. sunset (i am not a morning person to wake for the other)
33. proseco
34. hawaii
35. photographing simple moments of beauty around me
36. a good laugh...the kind that brings you to tears and you just can't stop
37. butterflies
38. a summer rain
okay, so i had been feeling pretty good lately. this knee injury (that i have battled and mentioned here, here, and here) had been feeling positive. i had been on my yoga mat nearly daily these last few weeks and even headed out for my first trial walk/run yesterday. am still waiting to get in for physical therapy, but had been ever so mindful with my activities in the meantime...until today, when i, yet again, pivoted and whatever mystery that seems to lurk near my knee reared it's nasty head (thankfully not as intensely as before but leaving my knee tender and sore just the same). did i just set myself back? ARGH!
in an attempt to maintain my sanity, must move away from this blah today and instead focus on some simple joys...
fields full of golden sunflowers
this video, super cool
this artist, totally unique
her words
the music of the harmonica played by the man who is wheeled down our street for an afternoon walk. hearing him always makes me stop, smile, and peek out the window
unrolling my yoga mat during the quiet of the morning and feeling my knee gain strength
seeing kai off for his last day at asilo (joy - yes, heartbreak - yes that too *sigh*)
thx susannah for sharing this AWESOME talk (do yourself a favor and watch) and his inspiring site
still at nearly 2 yrs old, having ryder hold my finger in his little hand until he drifts off into dream
neighborhood fruit trucks and armfuls of fresh produce
this tune and the magical scenery
(photo by kai)
sunday morning breakfast
little giggles & laughter
new plants - freshly potted
a great mix of tunes
several new paintings in progress on my desk
my brand new camera (so giddy)
discovering this sweet little one and supporting what he wishes to do
deciding on another small way to help
crazy banana bread baking with my two little chefs
sunshine on sunday ~ finally
a leisurely walk to the neighborhood bakery for fresh bread
catching up with my oldest and dearest friend- in person!
this (thx paige) beautiful video
seeing ryder's smiling face at the door when kai & i arrive home
speaking of smiles, i laugh every time i watch this - it's so our house!!
a hot cup of lemongrass tea
freshly gessoed journal pages
walks along the shore, with a friend, even if bundled up - still feel warm
(thx sharron) these beautiful people
this inspiring photographer (thx kt)
a wonderful meal accompanied with much laughter
a long soak in a warm bath with chamomile essence
a long awaited and much loved sewing machine cover that finally made it here from this lovely & talented artist
gaining my health back from this nasty virus
kai's comment, upon seeing the newly laundered bed i made him, 'what a beautiful bed, mama!!' (totally made that chore worth it)
the beginning of misty's class and meeting the wonderful women taking it
seeing someone find the extraordinary in the ordinary of the everyday - watch this
witnessing your dear friend bloom into their art with such an open heart
watching the sun break open the night sky with brilliant orange, pink and red in the morning on the way to work
ryder's big dimples and mile wide smile when i walk in the door
i keep watching this and it makes me smile each and every time
