something in the air- herbal remedies and studies

So, it seems that everyone i know has been dealing with colds, coughs, and sore throats...our family has been dealing with all at various times. Last week alone I had a sore throat, and the kids seem to be dealing with allergies, daily...just when we get rid of one cold or cough...another comes along a few days later....

In the past, fear induced panic would send me right to the dr. or the pharmacy... We have a long history that I won't go into of this justified panic....

But this year, I'm trying to approach things differently...more naturally...holisticly...at least as much as is possible...and as a result I am in the process of feeding my lifetime desire to understand the medicinal uses, abilities of food,herbs, and spices, vitamins, and essential oils...This is just something I have always been interested in. And I am very excited to learn more, and to be able to help my family to the best of my ability with very simple home remedies.

So far, out of all of the things I have managed to put together, read about, study...here is what we have put to use this season...


1. Honey, Cinnamon, clove,Orange cough syrup
2.onion, garlic, rosemary,vinegar flu medicine
3. mint, ginger, chamomile, fennel tea...
4. licorice tea
5.orange juice
6.mint tea
7. eucalyptus oil
8. peppermint oil
9. lavender oil
10. epsom salts
11. magnesium
12.fermented foods: pickles, salsa, relish
13. yoga
14.tumeric
15. rosemary
16. garlic
17. chicken soup


And there is more...i'm just too wiped right now actually remember it all at this moment..

Open spaces and 4 reasons it is good for our family

Maybe it is because we are older parents (both in our 40's)...Maybe it is because we both grew up in the countryside and miss having regular access to abundant open spaces to roam and play like we did in childhood...but from time to time, we simply need to get out of our neighborhood in the burbs, and get to some open spaces to simply be in nature, tall trees, bugs, unexpected sightings of wildlife....to simply breathe.... We are fortunate to have two three wildlife preserves within a few minutes of our home. One is privately operated, the other is maintained by our neighboring city. Both of which bring our family great joy and a sense of well being from simply walking the trails.

Being in nature important to us for the following reasons:

1. Our children learn to appreciate the world around them in spite of the over urbanization that is going on in our area. (something the rips at my soul)

2. Being in nature is good for the spirit. When the world just seems to weird...nothing is more centering that simply being in the presence of the peace and calm that open spaces, tall trees and all that dwell within it present.

3. Being in nature is good for my health. In dealing with my autoimmune condition, I find that grounding myself, being in the sun for at least 20 minutes, being away from the stress of normal life helps me to feel better.

4. Being in nature is inspiring. It never fails that a single trek into the woods can result in hundreds of photo ops for me. I am constantly amazed and dazzled by the intricacies that nature presents.

Drink your water...

Just like forgetting to eat breakfast....i often forget to drink water...

again...

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Again: if I knew, I wouldn't forget...RIGHT? (i'm just sayin')

Often, I am the one reminding my oldest to drink more water for his health...but i totally forget about myself.

The Hubs is an awesome source for reminding(cough, cough, nagging) me to drink some water...and I adore him for it! No, really..I do..I absolutely adore that man!

Inspiration friday

tents in the back yard and the simple act of creativity

Everday is a gift. Especially days like this...Days when my youngest is discovering the joys of tents made of sheets and blankets thrown over whatever will hold them up.

I remember that....do you? I remember the simple joy of creating my own space, the peace within it. There was a feeling of quiet joy...peace...limitless hope...

She gathers her favorites toys as her companions...her dog is her audience...her art supplies...and her favorite blanket as her super hero cape... and she creates... She smiles...proud of her artwork...and in that moment...she reminds me of the beauty and wonder life that we often forget as adults...such a gift...

A glimpse at breakfast

I'm a bit obsessed with avocados lately....

Especially with Sriracha....

A glimpse into my altered book

In a perfect world, I would spend hours at a time lost in the 

creative meditational process. No interruptions. No questions to answer. No texts to answer RIGHT NOW!  It would be simple silence. Me my art supplies...people can be there...but they need to be able to entertain themselves. Wasn't that lovely. But hey! Lets face facts. I'm a mom. And I am lucky to be home with my youngest. 

I KNOW this. And that means I work in  five minute increments and sometimes...not at all. I am totally grateful for those five minutes. Sometimes I get a lot done. Sometimes...not so much... but whatever it is I get done...that is progress... as I type this from my phone....the youngest is experimenting with using her hands as spoons to eat apple sauce... umm....yeah...it's like that....

List of things to do...

This is one of THOSE weeks....

You know the kind...the ones where EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT ONCE...

This is one of those CIRCUS WEEKS....as I like to call them...because I feel like a One-lady juggling act....

Here's the rundown of my list of things to do:

1. Monday:: I have miniature paintings to complete for a charity event...which, I have allowed to sneak up on me and will have to complete TONIGHT after I teach a yoga class. I will mail these paintings, tomorrow, so they can be to their destination by May 1rst.  No worries....lol

  Tonight, I'm supposed to teach a yoga class. I hate to admit I always feel nervous before I teach...it is something i am working on...but it is stressful...which is ironic...right?

2.Tuesday, I think, is the ONLY day, I don't have an appointment....which means, I will most likely have to clean the house...or deal with some wild event with the kids...

3. Wednesday: I have a meeting....fortunately the meeting has childcare...otherwise...I would be out of luck...

4. Thurdsday, I have to install artwork at a venue...this entails careful timing, and planning  to be available for the venue, and for my family...and my oldest has his last band concert of the year...

JUGGLING!

5. Friday I have two commitments at the exact same time....because....you know...the rest of the planet doesn't organize around your life...lol...This is just the way things go. I can't be two places at once. And when the cards are on the table...family always comes first. Once family obligation is dealt with, i'll be moving on to the other obligation. (this just miraculously changed...now i can be where i need to be with no worries..amazing how things fall in place after i freak out about them)

Sooooooooo....all of this has me thinking...as I take a break while the youngest naps...blogging right now...is my break time...I should really take a nap right now.... but back to thinking....

When it is all said and done...when all the lists are checked off...obligations met...the reality is...I really love my life....

I am really blessed....I like knowing this....because....

There was a time when this "Schtuff" I just listed...was what I had to do in ONE DAY!....it was non stop...exhausting.... and manic...and I know so many people who live like this on a daily basis..my heart aches for them..I've been there, done that, and in a pinch, i will do it again if i need to....but truth is,we simply don't have to live like that...manically trying to check off lists...meet peoples demands...do things that in reality,just don't really matter...i mean really...how many things a day do you do that in a year...a month....a week...just don't/ won't matter...seriously...

There was also a time, when I would not have been able to tell people "i'm sorry, but i can't do that."...(i'm still working on that part)

As of right no for rescheduling (unless it works in my favour) or other people's demands....There is also no room for feeling bad...or being dragged into other people's drama....this is my life...and I am pleased to be in it...

Banana Oatmeal Cookies...OH YES I DID!

 So a friend on FB posted a similar recipe and I posted it on my own wall so I could get the gist of it. Other friends suggested other additions that sound fabulous! Like: cacao nibs! OOOO must try that next time! I think the original recipe called for raisins. But, my kids just pick those out, so I didn't use them this time. I'm not one to follow recipes exactly unless I completely screw it up the first time. Even then, I will only go back and follow the recipe exactly if what I have made just isn't going to cut it. So, I got the gist of making Banana Oatmeal cookies and went to work...Here is what I did:

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

4 ripe bananas, 2.5 cups oatmeal, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 cap full of vanilla (sorry i never measure vanilla i just put it in)

Mix all ingredients....

spoon onto a baking sheet (i used two baking sheets)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes!

Let them cool on cooling rack if possible...

  (I had to put these up high to keep little fingers at bay)

And there ya go! They taste like banana bread only in a cookie form. NOM! NOM! NOM!

Things I would do differently next time:

1. I used a cookie scoop to put them on the baking sheets and had to go back and smoosh them down because they don't spread out like regular cookie recipes. next time i would do this before i put them in the oven.

2. These ended up pretty moist. So next time i would either cook them the full 15 minutes ( i think mine were actually just ten minutes) or use 1/2 cup more of the oatmeal.

3. I like walnuts...so i think i would add another 1/4 cup.

4 spices! these could use a touch more nutmeg...

The day after....days after a show

So, it is Monday....I had an art show this weekend. We had beautiful weather and it was in a beautiful city square. I got to paint some, enjoy some herbal tea, gourmet popcorn, Oreo rice crispy treats from a bake sale to support local dancers, and the company of my amazing son and good friends...i even saw a friend from my first teaching job in east Texas. (such a treat!)

Today, I am home with my youngest, (as usual)...i'm a SAHM....but today we are huddled up and watching cartoons...no going to the gym, no local playroom, no running around or simply enjoying the back yard...

Why?

1. my youngest is not feeling well...
we spend a lot of time outside these days, and allergies seem to be hitting her big-time...stuffy nose, coughing...possibly a cold...but, she doesn't feel well at all...so that is enough to batten down the hatches...lots of honey-ginger tea is being consumed this morning....

2.I'm still recovering from Saturday...

Yes, RECOVERING....

Why? (you may ask...or maybe not...) Why would i need to recover from such a great art event?

Well, a couple of reasons...

First off:  I am a major introvert....so being out in a public  forum, interacting with people...seriously wears me out...this is something i am owning up to and embracing these days. It used to be a huge source of confusion not only for myself, but for others. (and still is for others at times)...but, as an introvert, large crowds, talking to people in any capacity, answering questions, putting my artwork out for people to eye and judge...is sheer exhaustion...and i happen to know that it is like this for several of my artist friends...it's an energy thing...it takes a great deal of our energy to make the work in the first place, but to deal with everything else, almost sends our systems into failure..

Second off: Autoimmune disease kicks in big time after times of stress....like being out in public, talking to people, etc....so, all day yesterday, i felt like i got hit by a bus....my brain hurt, my body felt like i had the flu, but mostly my brain hurt...and all i wanted was to take a nap or simply relax...which didn't happen despite great effort otherwise....

So, today,I am taking full advantage of setting some boundaries with my personal energy. Today i'm not answering my phone, text messages, or pm's ....I've already gotten a few, and I will just have to get back to them later. Today is about recovering my energy and getting back into balance. Otherwise I know I will be useless the rest of the week.

Why? Because this is part of my commitment to perfect health...understanding my own limitations and doing what is necessary to be healthy so I can take care of my family.

This is a skill I was first introduced to by a dear friend of mine who is my mental guru when it comes to taking ownership of one's health, knowing one's limits, and setting boundaries in order to insure one is at their optimal health standard. The first time she told me to set boundaries for my health was when i first started teaching. I simply could not wrap my head around this. I was stuck in the idea that I had to take care of everyone else first and myself last. It has taken me years, and the development of this autoimmune disease to finally "allow" myself to simply say, "no" or, "i can't do that."





Sometimes people get upset when I say " no" or "i can't do that"...and I have come to realize, that this  is their issue to deal with...not mine...I no longer worry about that...easier said than done at times.

But today is all about recovery...for me and for my youngest....
ginger tea with honey...cartoons...juice...healthy food....rest...and later some yoga...

It is imperative that we do what is necessary to be healthy....when we are ill, or simply don't feel good...that is the way our body tells us we need to rest, and need to  take care of ourselves...

Natural egg dye

I saw this on another blog and had to try it! And I cannot believe it really did work!

Here are the directions: 5 cups water,  1T white vinegar,  onion skins from 4-5 yellow onions, boil coveted for 30 minutes, add eggs and cook for hard boil.  ( I let mine sit until they were dark red)

Be Healthier

So, recently, I have felt the need to share positive information I come across about things like:

• getting enough sleep
• the importance of health
• eating better for your health
• eating better on a budget

...and so on and so forth...

why?


a few reasons:

1. I am a yoga instructor: it took me a while to admit this to myself...I wasn't exactly comfortable with calling myself a "teacher" anymore...and I still battle with my own idea of what a yoga instructor "looks" like (pssssst...they don't look like me)...but, once I finally came to this admission, that "yes, I AM a yoga instructor" I felt compelled to go ahead and extend the yogic  ideals of taking care of myself a little further...

2. I have an autoimmune disease:  And, quite frankly...it sucks...er...um...it, "inhales profusely" as I like to say....but really...it is simply no fun...some days are great...like today...I wish everyday was like today...I have energy, I can dance with my youngest, I can chase her around and laugh all morning... it is after 2 and I am still smiling...on the bad days...it stops me from having fun with my family...maybe in the future I will talk more about it...I am finding that more and more people I know have what I have...Hashimoto's Thyroiditis...and it makes me want to do whatever I can to be healthier.

3.Budget: I have heard several times lately.."it is more expensive to eat processed foods than to eat fresh fruits and veggies"....and while I agree...I also know that it is possible to eat better on the same budget...and, if you are willing to do some research you can actually cut your budget significantly..  I hope to share a few tips I have found that helps our family do this. This isn't to say we NEVER eat processed food...but we certainly have cut back 90%....and that is easier than one might realize..

"The price of anything ..."

"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." ~Thoreau

i just wrote a tome about this and how grateful I am to be home today with my youngest as she is coughing and running fever...there was a time when this would have been impossible...I am grateful for my husband who feels as strongly as I do about being home with our kids...being there for them no matter the cost. I am grateful for the time with my children and to be able to take care of them and be there for them.

I especially think about this on days like today, almost a week after a dear, thoughtful friend sent me info about a job that i would love to have...involving working in an art studio as an assistant...in all honesty, it was a perfect job for me...and my heart lept in reading the job description...and then it fell again...because then reality set in...between the commute, and daycare...i would never see my children or even bring home much pay after the expense of commuting and daycare...i mulled it over for a moment...and the hardest part of saying "no" to the opportunity was the fear of my family suffering financially if i didn't jump for it...but when we weighed the pros and cons...what it comes down to is what you really need in life...and what we need, is each other...

Family is the most important thing...and as long as we are able to survive, together, that is all we need...

I erased the original tome i wrote because..well...it was just exhausting to read... detailing how difficult it was to be home with my child before when i was teaching...and every teacher with kids or any parent for that matter , with no babysitter or friends or family to help you, know what i mean...it sucks...

And with that, days like today make me want to work harder on the things that will actually be of benefit to my family...like teaching yoga...participating in art shows that work with our schedule and budget and working on my Etsy shop.

 I am grateful for the opportunities placed before and the ones on their way. I am grateful for this time with my youngest, especially on days like today when she feels so yucky...I am grateful i get to be here with her to bring her juice, give her medicine, cuddle and watch her favorite cartoons. This is a gift to be here with her. 

let it go, and go with the flow, don't worry about a thang

yesterday i had to drop the boy off to spend time with other his other family members for a week.
I am never happy to see him go.
He has been under the weather for a few weeks now.
There was still ice on the roads in our area.
And the youngest is quite spirited...

.let's face facts....
this combination made for one grumpy Moma....

After a series of ridiculous events....resulting in a 35 minute drive that normally takes 10-15....only to have to turn around and go all the way back home (because we forgot the all-important-medicine the boy needs)...then we were all starving....so we made our way through an inexpensive drive through(not my first mom choice but sometimes it is just about survival)...then we had to text the family members who were waiting for the boy...and get the kids set up with their nutrient lacking food...

and with this.....
i said out loud....

"i give up...."

the boy: "what do you mean?"
me:" well, we just spent the last hour doing all of this stuff, trying to push forward and look where we are....so, i think the lesson i'm supposed to get is to simply "give up."
the boy: "NO! you have to be POSITIVE!"

I must admit that this is the first time i have heard him say something like this in quite a while...usually i am the one telling him this...and i realized that he actually is listening to me....

Reality washed over me as i realized i wasn't really saying what i meant....he thought i meant in a negative way...and i didn't...what i meant was....that i had spent all morning being nervous and grumpy and trying to force things to work...and sometimes...i just need to let go...and GO WITH THE FLOW....

once i explained that...he said...
"yeah...that's it...our family motto...."don't worry about a thang."

With that we ate our crappy fast food, drank our sugar dense drinks, and headed back down the road...we spent the next hour and fifteen minutes entertaining each other by pointing things out the the youngest,and singing and talking.

3 days of snow is my limit

True to my Texas roots and expectations of snow...

I'm over it today...

It snowed on Christmas Day, here.  I wake up this morning with the white still all around.  In my book, that is officially 3 days...I count the day it snowed...and all of today, even though it just started...The roads are clearing, but not enough for my liking. (especially when driving is involved) I have decided that when it snows no one should be forced to drive in to work. I HAVE SPOKEN! MAKE IT SO!  Texans do not drive well in ice or snow....let's just face facts here. 

Right now, my kidlets and I are snuggled up in the den watching the youngest's cartoon obsession of Alice in Wonderland...The oldest will be leaving us today for a week to visit other family. I silently bide the time until he has to go.

I have an art sale this coming Sunday. And I could possibly be outside. You know how I feel about that. But, this is my job. Bills to pay and such. (just like everyone else) My mind, as usual, is full of ideas of treasures to make for this show. The question is, will I have time to complete them successfully? THAT is always the question. The other question is...Will the treasures sell? 

The youngest just jumped from the arm of the couch, bounced off the couch cushion landing on her feet to the floor, hopped on the coffee table, jumped to the ottoman, and said, "TAAA DAAAA!" she looked like a super hero....Now she dances to her favorite Sesame Street Classics....She is my beautiful fearless daredevil...i admire her moxy...and i have learned to NOT PANIC!

The oldest laughs in his maniacal (Muh Wah HAHAHAHA) manner as he apparently scores some big points or levels up or something like that on his electronic device...He is my Einstein and i admire his brilliance.

The dog, curled up beside me, taking his loyal spot and warming my leg. I have grown use to him being stuck to me like glue when i sit down.

This is winter in our house....snow days....

good morning

Today is the fifth anniversary of the first time my husband and I saw each other again after many years.... 

You see, we were high school sweethearts. Like the story goes...we moved on with our lives. But, one day, we were reconnected....
( i know, i get butterflies thinking about it too...still...giddy as well)


I'm not one to keep up with dates and stuff like that...I'm awful about it really.(especially with anniversaries and birthdays) Something about numbers just really does my head in...and in fact, i didn't even realize this was our fifth anniversary of seeing each other again (not even our wedding anniversary...lol...) until...well, YESTERDAY!....I'm still not sure exactly what made me think of it...

But, the movie version is:  high school sweethearts, lost touch, moved on with our lives, lived very different lives, and eventually reconnected 19 years later, and got married a year after that on the 20th anniversary of the day we met in high school, and have been together ever since...with the addition of our now, two year old who wears us out and makes us laugh every day, and my son has the best step dad anyone could ask for. Everyday I think about how blessed I am to be married to my best friend and the love of my life...

This morning, as I walked my husband and my son outside to say goodbye before they headed to school and work...I looked up and saw this sunrise...(pictured above)...I was overcome with gratitude...

1. because this has been the best, fastest, and most amazing 5 years of my life...there is something to be said when time literally flies by you and you can't recall a single awful moment....

2. because i get to share each day with my beautiful family...

3. What a gift to have this sunrise today....

We probably won't do anything special today. There won't be any romantic dinner, or a night out on the town. There won't be a weekend away, just the two of us. But, what there will be, family time together and the knowledge that we are all so blessed to be together.We know how  fortunate we are for many reasons. And that will be celebrated in hugs.

acts of domesticity- DIY laundry detergent

So, with the birth of Pinterest, it is so much easier to find all of those nifty DIY home solutions... and like everyone and their dog...i too have made my own laundry detergent...i love it...i've actually been making some form of my own laundry detergent for over 12 years(off and on)..gasp...i know...12 years? ...yeah, it's true...but, this is the one i have been using for the last 3. It is actually the easiest recipe i have found. And i have seen so many of them, i'm not quite sure who to give credit. Seems like everyone,(and their dog) has their own tutorial, review...and yes...i'm about to enter this realm as well...lol...here goes:

DIY Laundry Detergent:

1 box BORAX

1 box Arm and Hammer washing soda

1-2 bars of you favorite soap (grated)
pour all into a storage container
mix well
use 1-2 tablespoons per load ( i use 2)

THAT's IT!

The thing that i do that i "think" might make it different for 'me' is the type of soap i use...i have seen recipes that tell you to use a bar of laundry soap...but i like to use what ever my favorite soap is at the time. Here is what i am using for the latest batch.

Sandal Wood and Naga Champa....I have always loved these two soaps and scents, they are also my favorite essential oils, and incense scents, so it just seems natural that i would use it in my laundry soap.

Art, Family, Yoga

Ok, I will openly admit it...I AM A SUCKER FOR MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND INSPIRING QUOTES....

There, it's out...as if you didn't notice already...,but saying it...um, er... 'writing' it out loud...well, makes it real...right?


So today, this is what hit me right between the eyes...it is from Sandi Krakowski at http://arealchange.com/ and was posted on her FB page earlier this moring...

" Biz idea- What do you do so well you could do it in your sleep? You talk about it so much ppl say shut up! That's it. Do it on a blog! 24/7"

So, i'm also just going to say...this isn't a new concept...i've heard this before...(not downing SK at all, keep reading before you judge me)...my point is...that despite hearing this, several times in my life, in various ways...and despite trying to really tackle it...putting in journals...probably blogging about it...yadda yadda yadda...it always seemed like a mystery to me...

Why?

Because the fact is...i like to do, talk about, see, make, learn...TOO MANY THINGS....it is true...it's a problem i have...as in, i want to learn how to do everything...i want to see everything...i want to breathe in everything...it's true....my bucket list is very long....

Having said that...i, for some reason, realized, just today....that right now, in my life, despite all of this....there are three things that have always been important to me....

ART

Family

Yoga

it's true....and those are the three things i talk about all the time to the point of most likely driving everyone i know completely insane....

and i'm ok with that...(tee hee...)

Art is something i have done since i can remember, before i even knew it was called "art"....the act of creating, drawing, making, things, is something i don't remember ever being gone from my life...

My children and my husband, are on my mind 24/7...it's true...everything i do, revolves around how it affects their lives...everything...maybe to the point of being obsessive...i dunno...we'll let the psyche majors figure that part out...but, seriously...my family is the first thing i think about when i wake up and the last thing i think about when i go to sleep at night...

And, then there is yoga...while my Yoga practice is relatively young, only becoming more serious after a year of dedicated study....the more i study it, the more i realize how much it was already a part of my  life before i even began to understand it...and what is even funnier is that others told me this years ago, but i never saw it....

So, while this blog has sort of been leaning that direction anyway...it kinda feels like a major breakthrough for me to have three things to focus on, without a doubt, now...

so, if you don't like, art, family, or yoga, 

bummer....

because that is how i roll.....

Time and Lotuses

    The last few weeks have been full of weirdness and change. Kids are growing up too quickly. Jobs are changing oddly.  Old things are fading, New things are blooming. I suppose, it is just called Life, isn't it? 

For me, finding time to work on my artwork means, it has to be convenient, and inaccessible to sticky,curious, little fingers...I find that I have to break the process up into steps or phases...bits and bites that i can come and go from as time allows..

This morning I worked on these lotuses, applying the flowers with water soluble graphite and watercolors. The backgrounds were made a few weeks ago. I had no idea what I would do to finish these. I'm not sure these are quite finished yet.  Sometimes I just have to work and see what happens.

The Lotus image is something i have been working with for about 5 years now. Though I admit, it was only used on work for myself. Only in the last two years have i felt safe (?)....no that's not quite right... confident (?)....not that either...but something along those lines that allows me to put these out into the world...I think it is the fact that i enjoy making them that had me a bit confused about whether or not to put them into the world...I know...that sounds weird...but, when you understand my artistic history...you might understand my confusion...

In the past..i associated my artwork with feelings oh sadness, depression, and unhappiness...Many artists understand how much easier it is to create work from a dark place than from a place of light...the idea that one's work will seem hokey or silly when it comes from a place of light often stops people from creating such. 

But, in recent  years the idea "do that which comes easiest to you and gives you joy" has been playing in a loop in my head... and here we have the Lotus.  

I suppose some artists have "their thing" that they do that identifies them...i can honestly say i have never known what mine was...or is...Is the Lotus mine? I have no idea. But for now, I am allowing myself to enjoy them. 

life is a bowl of....

It is cherry season...do yourself a favor...go get some NOW!...well, after you read my post...
( seriously..dude)

The kidlets and I stocked up on the cherry sale going on at our favorite grocer. The youngest has developed a taste for "beh-wees" and so when she saw these, naturally they fell into the same grouping...and as a result, Ii have grown quite fond of the cherry pitter device my husband purchased years ago that i rarely used UNTIL THIS WEEK...

This morning, our family is chilling out...spending time together, simply "being"....a little cartoons, some books being read while lounging on the couch,  the dog snoozing, me enjoying a cup of tea with honey and cream, the dog snoozing...and a bowl of cherries for all to enjoy...


i realized...ya know?... life really is a bowl of cherries, isn't it?...




i know, cliche'....but i don't care... in choosing to see the joy in every moment we have together, the cherries are the most beautiful i have ever seen...

i love everything about them...

I love how my lil' one giggles when she eats them.
I love how the boy  laughs when we are pitting them and the seed shoots across the room sometimes.
I love how cherries are naturally heart-shaped and red..like valentines..and obvious signs of love.
I love how my family is content to simply "be" in the same room and not have to be in a nervous state of constant need for entertainment...

As i finish typing this,( it takes me a bit sometimes) we have all scattered about the house...taking naps has begun...

I have carved up a new block print inspired by the cherries...

And i hope it inspires you, to remember...to CHOOSE to remember, that Life really IS a bowl of cherries...