{this moment}

Inspired by Amanda at SouleMama: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

chocolate chemistry

In my early 20s, I was a chemist. Oh, yes. I have liberated myself from the laboratory, but those days of precise analysis and exacting measurements definitely changed me. I learned how to keep immaculate journals, documenting each step and reasoning behind every move. Precision, precision, statistical analysis, reproducible results.... such a completely different way of being than my life now. One day, on my drive home from the lab, I was listening to Modest Mouse and suddenly realized what my spirit was saying, what I truly believed in and what was important for me to live for. I came home and told my boyfriend that I wasn't going back to work.... ever. The next morning I sent the simplest letter of resignation:

In order to live true to my spirit, I can no longer continue to work for your company.


Well, there were four sentences actually, but that's the only one I remember. My boyfriend asked me what I was going to do. What a moment! Joy and excitement filled me as I finally asked myself the question: what do I want to do?

I wanted to work with children and spend my time walking in the woods.


By the end of the day I had 2 jobs: leading an after school program for inner-city elementary students; and teaching soccer. I worked afternoons and evenings and had the rest of my time to wander the forests gaining inspiration and reconnecting with all of life. I knew that following my heart, the voice of my spirit, would always be the right path and that doors will always open.

This guiding impulse has led me on quite the journey for the past (almost) 9 years. I have been all over the country doing so many diverse things. I could write books about my travels. (I hope to someday)

For now, I practice my chemistry in the kitchen. Except, I don't follow any recipes. I don't measure anything. I never make the same thing twice. Each creation is an adventure which dinner guests are brave to embark upon with me. Always intuitively and unscientifically experimenting; without documentation. And when something amazing comes from it, there is the joy of holding that moment. And that moment is the only one. For, just like all other experiences in life, it cannot be re-created or duplicated or held in a photograph or recipe card. It just is. So I try to savor it and chew slowly. I watch the eyes of those tasting the moment with me. I drink it all in and nourish my body with the complete magic of it all.

sunshine in march

We slept through the alarm today and missed dance class. I felt guilty for 15 minutes, and then I went outside......


We rejoiced in being right here



right now.


I love right now.

appreciating today

I am thankful for......

treasure hunts

blue skies and tall trees
emerging spring
the space in my life to create little things that make me smile

my Irish heritage

resting in the sunshine
coffee as a pain reliever for my back (who knew!?)

art

possibilities

good books
special places

stillness
being a stay-at-home mama

east-facing windows

memories
and Magic.

We live a blessed life. I am so thankful.

rain and snow

and still snowing!! I am thankful for this weather today. It gives me a good excuse to stay curled up by the fire with my favorite blanket and do some handwork that has been waiting for me in a basket for 2 years!
I found this jumper at Goodwill when Leaf was a baby. It needed something.... and as red is her favorite color, some flowers were added. Simple, sweet, and enjoyable to do.


It feels so good to give someone a gift created with my hands. To have it appreciated and used is icing on the cake!

What else is happening this weekend? I am happy to report: not much! Bunny is eagerly awaiting spring and return to her "summer home" with more room to dance and twirl.


And these silly guys...
Uncle Chris gifted our family an UglyDoll at Christmas. My ever-entertaining brother thought it funny that one of the creators of these dolls shares a last name with himself and me, and the dolls strangely resemble cartoons that Chris and I used to draw together. Leaf immediately loved this creature and named him Teeth (on the left). Yesterday, she and I worked together to create Teeth's sister Eyeball (right). They are into all sorts of mischief in our house. I have a feeling more creatures may show up soon!

{this moment}

Inspired by Amanda at SouleMama: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

my life as a cat (& other healings)

We've been cats all winter. Mostly curled up by the fire, definitely curious, occasionally chasing squirrels outside. Leaf has given us all cat names: Furface, Fuzzylump, and Hairytail. It has been a winter of meowing.


It has also been a winter of dealing with illness and chronic pain. My immune system has not been functioning well, so I have begun working with a doctor/herbalist and a shaman. It is a slow investigative process, but I am glad to unearth some things and deal with them now to set myself in balance. I could type a lot about it, but for now am choosing to focus on the times I wasn't in bed or on the couch this season. Here's what we have been up to.....