Happy New Year!

As we move closer to saying our farewells to 2013 and anticipate the coming of 2014, I have put some thought on how to continue to live my life with gratitude. 

 

                                    Dream BIG

                                    Blaze a trail

                                    Be courageous

                                    Take a risk, even if its a little scary....

                                   
                                     
                                    Love with all your heart

                                     Smile

 Have Fun - because its Fun!                                

                                                                                        Grow Something to Eat - its easy....









Love yourself - you are so unique

Its ok to fall, but don't lie down.  Embrace your higher power and the beauty that surrounds you.......

I look forward to the infinite possibilities of the upcoming year. 

 

Happy New Year!!



 



Vermont, oh Vermont!!

Oh Vermont, as my son would say.  All you ever talk about is Vermmmooonnnttt!!  (spelled exactly how he says it!). 

 

Yes - I do love Vermont.  WHOLEHEARTDLY.  If you are familiar with what a sense of place is you will understand.  I am not from Vermont, nor is my family, although to be fair to my "New England" lineage, my father was born in Massachusetts as was my grandmother. 

This sketchy connection to the state I love has nothing to do with birth rights.  It has everything to do with a peace within, natural beauty, soulful-real people, who will welcome you with a healthy dose of skepticism and a friendly smile. "Where are you from" is always asked, as it has been in every other location I have lived, but it is never met with that look...you know that look...... when you are from somewhere else.  Its the look that you don't belong.  Vermont is different, people ask to see how "they" might be connected to you, either through the town, church or family.  If you are not from around there, you are quickly made to feel as if you should be. 

"Let me tell you where the best swimming hole is", "You should go to (insert name here, there are many) General Store, they have the best meats in town!". 

 

Undeniably Vermont beauty is all around -

it will literally take your breath away...... 

  

 This must be where chucking it all and going for it came from!

I will tell you more in future posts about my love for Vermont, my dreams for it and all the realities that come with being pulled from afar.  Until then, I will take Bella's lead...and plan our next adventure "home".

Boxing Day

Today is Boxing Day. Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when tradesman would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses.

It is also the day after Christmas.  Most families are still heady with the season, still cleaning up after their celebrations or just enjoying time with their loved ones.  Some might be secretly wishing it would be over, and everyone go home!

Christmas in my house has always been such a large celebration, loaded with lots of family, food and good cheer.  Most of the time... sometimes I have to admit that I too longed for the celebrations to end.  Not that I did not want to be with my family, it was just that I worried so much about the perfection of the day, I lost the quality of the moment. 

This year was a little different.  Very low key, small amounts of food, quiet celebration and lots of reflection.  Part of the reason is that we are not all together this year.  Many of my loved ones are scattered across the country or developing their own traditions as they get older.  Some have left us until we are together again.

Today I am noticing that it is Boxing Day, and I am reflecting how really special it was to have been so close to so many of my large diverse family.  Each one is a beautifully imperfect, wonderfully special gift, and I am grateful for being blessed with their love.   

Cherish each moment with your loved ones, for they are the true gift, and while some may be imperfect, each one is truly a lasting treasure.

 

Making peace with winter....

Winter and I have a love hate relationship.  It loves to be showy and proud, with all the puffing of big storms, freezing temperatures and lots of ice.  I use to hate all of it, especially growing up in a cold weather climate.  Remember the old timers saying "it used to snow all the way up to the window sills"....well, that is so true.  Snow, all the way up and then some and I did not like it at all.  Disliked it so much that moving to the south seemed like the only viable solution.  So I did....family and all...sunshine, beautiful beaches and warm weather,  all...the...time!!!

 

Something funny about winter....it never really goes away, it kind of lingers in your memory, like a really good, albeit, sometimes annoying friend.  Reliable, persistent but somehow always refreshing.  It always beckoned me, calling me backwards every year sometime around the end of September.  That sense of renewal and accomplishment that you could "survive" another winter was something that I had to admit to myself I missed, we all did.  Living in the south and not having the childlike fun that can only be experienced with a good winter was making itself very evident as what was needed. 

 

Here in our part of the Midwest winter does a decent showing.  Not the strong performances that are put on by the lake effect regions, but acceptable.  I still have to give 5 stars to a good old New England winter, they are memory makers!! 

 

Being able to embrace winter has taught us all the importance of not losing our childlike spirit and also to learn that sometimes the most challenging of conditions can make us stronger, better people (and dogs!!)

It can be a whole lot of fun as well....

Somedays I want to just curl up....

She knows what to do...what to do when she is tired, cold or just not in the mood for anything.  She jumps up on the couch, goes around in a circle or two and lies down.  How simple, but so effective. She is not afraid someone will judge her for being lazy or unmotivated. She is taking care of herself, but all the while still being on call if needed to take care of her family.  What a simple act of self preservation  - yet we as being the leader of the pack can not figure out how to stop sometimes and take care of ourselves.   Today I wish that curling up on the couch in a perfect circle and nurturing my soul was something acceptable.  Maybe tomorrow.....