2013 - Year of Light

We've taken to naming the new year as it approaches. It's fun and empowering and I highly recommend it.

This year has been dubbed The Year of Light. It started with this quote:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” MLK jr

I started to feel a tingle as I read that quote. So I searched the definition. Get a load of this:

Definition of LIGHT
1 a : something that makes vision possible
b : the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors
c : electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that travels in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second; specifically : such radiation that is visible to the human eye
2 a : DAYLIGHT
b : DAWN
3: a source of light: as
a : a celestial body
b : CANDLE
c : an electric light
4 archaic : SIGHT 4a
5 a : spiritual illumination
b : INNER LIGHT
c : ENLIGHTENMENT
d : TRUTH
6 a : public knowledge
b : a particular aspect or appearance presented to view
7 : a particular illumination
8 : something that enlightens or informs
9 : a medium (as a window) through which light is admitted
10 plural : a set of principles, standards, or opinions
11 : a noteworthy person in a particular place or field
12 : a particular expression of the eye
13 a : LIGHTHOUSE, BEACON
b : TRAFFIC LIGHT
14 : the representation of light in art
15 : a flame for lighting something (as a cigarette)
— in the light of
1: from the point of view of
2 or in light of : in view of

Really! How great is that?! Truth, enlightenment, inner light, spiritual illumination! I feel uplifted, inspired and hopeful and that is just what naming your year ought to be.

Love for Newtown

I am sad. Sad, sad, sad, for the tragedy today and for each and every person who is in pain because of it.

“There's no way for them to take away my sadness, but they can make sure I am not empty of all the other feelings.” ― David Levithan, Love Is the Higher Law

I found this quote and believe it is so appropriate for today. We can all make a difference to the survivors by offering our love, prayers, and support. So, for everyone connected with Sandy Hook... love.

Unplanned Downtime

Something happened at my office, that makes it impossible for us to work there this week. Unexpected. Shocking. Time off.

So... Can't work, what to do... what to do? Well, first on the list is cookies. It's Christmas time and my husband requested cookies this year. We've skipped the last couple of years for various reasons (last year=broken arm). I went to the store yesterday and purchased a truck load of flour, sugar, chips, vanilla, molasses, well you get the idea. I have eggs and butter on the counter to make dough, that I'll freeze for a week or two.

Next, finish and deliver some bowling ball gifts. Finished gluing yesterday. Will deliver after lunch! Totally excited to be finished with this task!

Next, design a Christmas Card for this year. We began making cards years ago when my sons were young. It was a family project, putting them together. Now I just can't seem to buy them. A few years ago, I bough some Christmas 'letterhead' on clearance, which I remembered yesterday. I just dug it out. It's pretty fantastic. At the top is an embossed snowy landscape, with some silvery snowflakes. I'm going to print something on this, cut off the bottom, mount it on paper... Well I'll post it when I get it finished. But, it's off to a good start.

Wow. It's been a while since I was a stay at home Mom and I've forgotten just how much you can get done in a day. Well, there are some other items on my list, but that's enough of a to do list for anyone out there reading this.

I'm going to close with the quote for this year's card.

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”
― Bob Hope

Happy Thanksgiving

I am blessed. More importantly, I feel blessed. The older I am the more earnestly I know that what your life is depends almost entirely upon your decision to feel good about it or to feel bad about it.

It really is all about perspective.

I watched a man being interviewed after the devastation in Haiti. He'd lost his very young son. A loss he felt very deeply. However, he chose to feel blessed to have known his son. To have loved and been loved by him. He chose to celebrate is son every single day. It was powerful, humbling, and emotional.

His perspective allowed him to be thankful, grateful and loving right in the midst of the worst loss he'd experienced.

Thanksgiving is approaching and I am truly thankful for all that has been my experience. I am especially thankful for the man I love and who loves me right back.

Happy Turkey Day one and all!

Bowling Ball Art...

I love stuff in the garden. Probably have mentioned that before. Here is the most recent bowling ball creation! Gift for a good friend. Love it!

More than... Less than...

I was cruising the web yesterday and came across a post that was basically a rant about a famous blogger. I say rant because the post was filled with bitterness and accusations about how the famous blogger can't possibly be doing...

What this particular post said or who it was written about really isn't important. What struck me about this piece is this:

Why on earth does someone else have to be less than what they are for you to be enough? Why on earth are you comparing yourself to anyone else and deciding that you are a failure? People! Seriously!

Let's start at the beginning, you were born - therefore you are worthy of your time here on earth. You don't have to earn worthiness. You were born. You are enough. You are the only you there is. It's not your job to be anyone else, in fact you can't be anyone else. You can only ever be you. In trying to be someone else, you are still you - just you trying to be someone you aren't.

What is point being ticked someone is doing something you are not? Either you want to do it too, so get out there and do it, or you don't. In which case, why would you be ticked about people doing something you don't want to do? Seriously!

You can only ever be you AND Only you can be you. Which can either be amazing or a bitter, ranting, pity fest. You decide.

No one else has to be less than what they are for you to be worthy. Why? Because you are enough.

You are enough. Period.

This photo was taken by my amazingly talented son.

Harvest Soup

Inspired by a family member, I decided to try putting a days harvest into a pot and turning it into soup. Lots of tomatoes this year, so I filled the pot with them - skins, cores, seeds and all. I added peppers (including one very hot one), garlic and sage all from the garden. From the pantry I added two carrots, two stalks of celery, onion, peppercorns. I let it simmer for a couple of hours, removed the tomato skins and sage twig then blended it right in the pot with the stick blender.

I've never had a stick blender before and I am blown away. Easy and Amazing results! It blended all this wonderful whole foods into the tastiest tomato base. The first time I made it, I turned it into Spicy Tomato Soup, which I served with grilled cheese for a trip down memory lane. I simply added milk to the base after I let it reduce after blending. I like to call it Spicy Tomato Bisque because it sounds fancy, but it doesn't involve seafood, so therefore not truly a bisque.

I've made it a second time, this time I did not remove the tomato skins, and it blended just as well. I also cleared out the veggie drawer, adding mushrooms, zucchini and a small handful of spinach. It blended beautifully, tasted even better than the first and became Chicken Taco Soup.

We have another batch of tomatoes ready for picking and it's destined to become a concentrated base that I'm going to freeze in small zipper freezer bags. By allowing the blended soup to simmer and reduce, I'll end up with soup starter in a bag.

It's so easy, healthy and delicious! I just had to share. I hope it inspires you the way I was inspired!