necessary reminder from above....

Choose

Choose

BY CARL SANDBURG

THE single clenched fist lifted and ready,

Or the open asking hand held out and waiting.

Choose:

For we meet by one or the other.

Gratitude

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. I am reminded how giving thanks, or gratitude, is a discipline. I need to practice it more. Today I had one of my pity parties so I decided that I would blog what I'm thankful for to pull myself back to reality.

I am thankful for. . . .

• my loyal companion, my daschie, Mazy
• my beautiful home
• the changing of seasons
• the messy garden
• beautiful music to listen to and be inspired by on my ipod
• the closeness of my family
• being employed in a tough economy
• a week of rest
• some connection to love ones far away through facebook
• the advent season reminding me to remember God

What are you thankful for today?

10 of my favorite things

(left to right, top to bottom)

1. My buddy, Mazy

2. the ocean

3. yoga

4. Trader Joe's pumpkin pancakes and coffee

5. Disneyland during the holidays

6. Cooking (hate the cleaning up though!)

7. kitchen stuff from Anthropologie

8. Sirius XM in my car

9. cupcakes

10. Sex and the City, the series, is good entertainment.

Maybe the Amish are Right

The lazy days of summer are long gone. Lately, my days feel like they are filled with work. The other day I realized that by the time I leave my house in the morning and return it has been 10 to 12 hours. Most of the time this is simply just getting home from work. Sometimes it is longer if I've had some sort of appointment after work. I have begun to think...maybe the Amish have something right?! I find myself longing to live a simple life full of family, friends, home grown, home cooked meals, and tending to those in my care. Sure, I love my electricity and computers but it seems that the American way of life, the pursuit of career, is exhausting these days. I am trying to make the best of it and do what I can. After all, isn't that all the God expects? Do the best I can with what I've been given? Right now, this involves trying to be content that my life is not full of simple things and learning to take advantage of the moments I do have to dedicate myself to the practices of silence, stillness, a meditative heart, and tending to those in front of me. Maybe one day soon I will find my simplicity despite the busyness? In the mean time, I ask God for His grace to make it through without complaining the WHOLE time.

Breakfast is the best!

I think that breakfast is my favorite meal. Well, it is my favorite meal when I don't have to get up and go to work. When I'm on vacation or the weekend, I love all the foods that can be made for breakfast. When I'm working, I have to say my breakfast time isn't that exciting because it usually requires I eat something fast and on the go. Usually those boring breakfasts consist of things like Luna bars, fruit, string cheese, or yogurt. When I'm not working, I have the joy of cooking breakfast. Also, since I'm always on the quest to find the balance of enjoying yummy food and healthy food I thought I'd try a new recipe. This recipe comes from the reality star, health chef, Bethenny Frankel. It is a simple recipe for multi grain french toast. I have to admit I deviated a tad bit and make some variations. I used whole grain bread from La Brea bakery, purchased at Whole Foods (yummy!). Also, I added a dash of milk in the recipe. For my toppings, I used homegrown strawberries, a dab of whipped butter, and real maple syrup (lightly drizzled). You can get the recipe for yourself here.

A few of my favorite things

Mazy enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Some freshly cut hydrangea blooms from my sister's garden

(mine haven't started blooming yet)

Some beautiful foxgloves growing in my garden

My recent acquisitions on a trip to Anthropologie