New Day

A new morning
of a new day beginning
I stepped out onto the deck
to see if I could capture
the peaceful view.

Today
I will remember what this message is telling me.

The bread bag I ordered online
seems to help.
Do not use a lot of bread, wish there were 1/2 loaves of the type I like.
Freeze some
but like it not frozen.  
Putting 1/2 loaf in this bread bag
keeps it fresh longer
and freeze the rest.

In the 50's today
and then plunging to zero again for a few days.
Weather is like a roller coaster...

Envy

Envy
is the only word I can think of
that will describe my feelings
about an hour ago.

This is a trait I do not have
but I do not know what else to call it
and it made me smile

I looked out the window at the home I built 10 years ago
that now has a new owner.
This owner has horses and love seeing them graze in the field.
and have been concerned over them with this super cold weather
as building a shelter has not begun.

Looking out the window I saw a dozen or more of something in the yard
then I realized
they were chickens.

I have wanted chickens since moving back to the country.

Have noticed some of the small chicken shelters on wheels
that you move about .... but
not a good idea - I think.
There is surrounding this cottage
all  I can take care of at this time.

But I smiled when I realized what I was seeing
and it was a good envy.

Memories of moving to the old farm house years ago
 this was such enjoyment
my chickens, ducks, geese, guineas, turkeys, peacocks
and raising calves
were helpful to the healing of this young woman.

 My Jamie, youngest daughter named them all.

So this Envy
Makes me smile...

Morning Continues

Oh yes
the morning continues
and now 10:30 AM
and the sun is brightly shining
with strong winds continuing.

But the sun
the bright sun
is wonderful.
I sit in the over 50 year old
rocking chair I rocked my
babies in
and have tea
What could be
more wonderful then this ?

Washing is washing
Swifter run over all floor
dishes drying
rugs have been shaken outside
chili simmering to be
spread on a tortilla
with cheese, avocado, cabbage and lettuce
and
Callie will not come inside.
May be
wind chill around 5 degrees
but the sun is shining.

Enjoying tea
from http://www.teteas.com/
their tea is so good....

Zen Forest
an organic White tea

Simple pleasures,
In my heart
I believe are the best
and now tea time.

Life is Good...

Keep Moving

Dawn
fierce wind blowing
can hear wind chimes
ceiling fan and bamboo screens
moving on the screen porch.

Bitter cold....
Pleased I filled bird feeders yesterday
they are part of my family.

The mind tells me
keep moving
and I will obey
this early morning,
yoga and healthy breakfast
will start the day.

Now after lunch I may
curl up with a book
work at desk,
 may even tackle
a pile of ironing on the loft area
and since heat rises
it is nice and warm.

So life goes on
as I dream of Spring
and even though much going on
in my children and grandchildren
lives
I am conscious of the
many blessings I have....

I read somewhere
life is a journey
and you never stop learning
so true.

One thing I have learned
is you can always listen
and some do not have the
time to do this....

Winter Returns Along With My Returning Home

Winter never really left
but it sure felt like it for several days.
Bitter cold morning, down coat, boots
and off for errands.

Been a long time since I stopped at our local library.
Seems I order from Amazon new and used books, keep and share.
I love books everywhere in this cottage
they are my friends.
Had thoughts of a Kindle and
will not go this route at this time of life.
If I traveled then it would be nice.
 I like the feel and the look of a paper book.

Several of  ~~Mireille Guiliano's ~~  books were picked up.
None of her recent books available but was told by one
that they would make me smile.
In need of something light and to make me smile
seems a number of serious matters to contemplate
lately.
These books were brought home plus a gardening magazine.

The errands numbered 5 and a final stop - since it had been a month
at Dunkin Donuts for Pumpkin Latte and the free donut given
to one of a special age and I chose a Crueler.

Heading down the highway
 to Drugstore that is 4 miles away from my cottage.
Picked up a prescription, birthday card and was given a gift of some Soy lotion.
This one handing it to me
is so kind and always a favorite along with her husband over the years,
has a selection of some really beautiful and unusual items
that she buys at market.
She complimented this now ancient one with her stylish boots,
white down coat and of course the cane in hand....
I think at times I may look better then I actual feel or think
if this makes sense or someone is trying to make me feel good....
This young woman, the wife of the pharmacist  recently stopped serving lunch
and now offers coffee, tea and something sweet.   Do miss the lunches when someone
makes a visit to my home it was someplace to go for quality and close to home.

Finally home and so good to pull down the gravel drive to Callie who is almost doing flips in the air as she is so happy
to see me and let out of utility room - kept there because it is so cold outside.

Nothing sweet has been baked in many days and placed a frozen grocery Apple Pie
in the oven. Rarely do this but better then nothing and will be warm and tasty.

 Thai coconut soup with an addition of more Soy.
and peanut butter and crackers, so a simple lunch.
Have stopped using sweet tea at all of my meals and this is a way of reducing some of the
sugar I consume :)

This caught my eye in the recent "Cooking Light" magazine and have the pears on hand.
Trying to decide which quick bread recipe I use to add the pears to look like this
wonderful image...

Wonderful
if I can reproduce -- and going to try...

Unplanned and Unexpected Pleasure of Simplicity

My day continues
the sun is shining
I begin to tidy my garage
as someone is coming to spray in the next few weeks.
Then it is beginning to be so nice and warm outside
that I begin to add more small limbs to the fire pit.
and successful in it burning
for several hours
careful as I walk because there are so many
roots of the old trees'
exposed at this time.
Did not notice this last year
and wonder if I need to have a truck load of top soil brought it.
But really do not want to do anything like this.
It is wonderful to be outside....

I am tired and  1:30 and time for lunch and nothing prepared.
I quickly make a small portion of chicken salad
with a chicken breast left over from yesterdays meal.
My small Cuisinart chopper is so handy.
Chicken with a small addition of celery a scallion with a small
amount of Hellmans Mayo,
then chopped pecans and sliced black seedless grapes are folded in.
A small amount of broccoli and carrot slivers are steamed.
So this on my plate with 1/2 of sliced  avocado and crackers.

Delightful to sit on the deck in the warm sun
eating my simple lunch
with Callie at my feet.

My mind is blank and undisturbed
except for the thought
nothing could be any more peaceful and enjoyable for me at this time of life.
There have been thoughts in the past year
after my fall
if my plans for the future need to change ?
Then my blank mind
is filled with the joy of my granddaughter's upcoming wedding
and thoughts continue to surface
of my son's visit
enjoying the woods with his mother....

Then another thought arises
I do believe I love this home and enjoy it more then the many over my past - now long life...

Callie continues not to move
and my day is ending
perfectly...

Nothing Remains The Same

Day beginning

       

I go up the stairs to deck and marvel how this very old plant always

blooms in January and the leaves look so beautiful.

This plant is put on the screen porch when weather warms

and it seems to never look quite this healthy at that time.

There is a lady bug on the lamp by my computer

I smile because I always think they represent good luck.

6 days ago the temperature was almost zero.  Yesterday in the 50's

and today will be the same.

 

As I view all this morning

it is a reminder to me that in life

nothing remains the same

it is always changing....