Saturday, May 26, 2007

Random acts of kindness...

They happen every day. My dear friend Jessamyn had an amazing thing happen to her this week, its on her blog titled "the law of attraction and the goodness of human kind" It is a story that will warm your heart. Jess, her wonderful husband and their 2 adorable children have had a rough go of it there for a while. However, they decided to treat themselves to dinner out, with a tight budget they decided to go anyway. Much to their surprise they did not have to pay for dinner....a random act of kindness was bestowed on them. It was an amazing story much better told by her.

The story touched me and brought tears to my eyes. That man had no idea of their situation but graced them with a wonderful gift. I challenge each of you....as you go through your day...is there a random act of kindness you can do for someone else. It could be as simply as helping an elderly neighbor, or offering to babysit so a young couple can have a date night, anything really. Life is hard, make a difference. You never know what is going on in peoples lives.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

"My garden kicks ass!"


And so does my dear friend Carol ....She is such an amazing woman. Just check out her blog if you don't believe me. Her blog is always a pleasure to visit.
She treated me to the most fabulous evening last week. She invited me over to help me strategize a plan for my future (that's another entry in itself). She prepared the most delightful dinner of salmon grilled on ceder planks, yummy salad with feta cheese and cherry tomatoes, fruity sangria to quench our thirst and delectable cheese cake for dessert (no, I did not stay on my diet) I left with a goodie bag (just like when we went to birthday party's when we were kids) It was filled with my very own set of cedar grilling planks, a bar of wonderful soap, seeds for my garden and this awesome postcard! That you Carol for being a great friend.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Mothers Day 2007


I feel truly blessed that I was able to spend the day with my mom. Normally she would be in NY, but this year she was here. We had a wonderful day. We went out for an early dinner for some delicious Italian cuisine. We then went to see a really good movie, Fracture, with Anthony Hopkins. It was a nice day. I hope my mom enjoyed it.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Figs...fresh figs!



I just adore my fig tree. I planted it the weekend I bought my house. Exactly 3 years ago. It was only 3 feet tall when I got it. Now, three years later it has tripled in size. It is covered with figs! I hope I can get to them this year before the birds do. Last year I would say they got 80% and i got 20%. I think 50/50 is more than fair since I won the home with the tree and all.

My sweet friend Jessamyn, always tells me how much she loves this tree. I think its the large leaves that she is first attracted to. Jesse, just wait till you get to taste a fresh fig...then you will really love this tree.

My dad grew up with figs in Italy. He loves them. In NY there are a few older generation Italian folks that have fig trees..my grandmother being one of them. My dad and uncle help take care of the tree for her. (In NY they have to be covered in the winter) So growing up Dad would always bring home fresh figs from Grandma's house. I grew to love them too. When I bought my house (with a yard) I knew I was planting a fig tree. I had no idea it would do this well but thought it was worth a shot.

And now I have a plentiful amount of fresh figs! This tree also provides a great deal of shade to my otherwise very sunny backyard. I would say its perfect..a perfect tree indeed!

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Celebrating the winds of change


I have never been good at dealing with change. As a matter of fact in every performance review I ever got always said that. What I have come to realize is that change is inevitable. So why not embrace it? So now I do, or try my best to anyway.

I found these great wind chimes at one of my favorite little stores in Pine. I just love them! It is such a lovely sound to be sitting on the front porch with my morning coffee and hearing the sweet sound of my new chimes. I hope all my guests enjoy them as musch as I do. Just remember as you go through your days to "celebrate the winds of change"

Friday, May 4, 2007

The personality of your home


A house is who you are, not who you ought to be -Jill Robinson

I read my daily passsage of Simple Abundance every day, or at least I try to. Todays reading really got me.

"Today, no matter where or how you live, look upon your home through the eyes of Love. Walk around the rooms and offer thanks for the walls and roof that safely enclose you and yours. Pause for a moment to consider the women who have lost their homes through death, divorce, debt, or disaster. Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that, at this moment, all you have is all you truly need."-Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Imagine my surprise and delight to see these beauties

I am not sure how I missed them last year. Maybe I was just a bit overwhelmed with tearing the place apart to fix it up that I didn't stop to look around but there were at least a dozen off them. I was so happy. Whoever is up there over the next few weeks will really get to enjoy them. There were only these two in bloom now but they will be everywhere soon. I hope these little beauties are appreciated by my guests. They seem like they will all be purple but my neighbor has a field of yellow and purple ones. They are just so beautiful! I also planted a peach tree. I couldn't resist, it was on sale at Home Depot. Fresh peaches would be so great, I just hope the elk don't eat my little tree before we get to enjoy some yummy peaches.

Happy Anniversary sweet cabin!

My little cabin celebrated its one year anniversary (coincidently enough it was also my parents 40th wedding anniversary) It has been one heck of a year! Quite a roller coater ride some might say. I went back and forth a few times about weather or not I would be able to keep it and I finally made the decision to keep it! I am thrilled!

I feel blessed, truly blessed to have my cabin. It's where my heart is. Like I've quoted before..."This corner of earth smiles for me" ...thanks velvet brick

I had a wonderful three days. It always helps me put things in perspective. One my first morning there I was out on my front porch enjoying my coffee and my getting my daily dose of "Simple Abundance" and look who goes walking down my street, yes right in front of my cabin, good thing I had my new camera handy. Nature is truly amazing, in the next few minutes a bunch of friends follwed him and off they went. It was so beautiful and peaceful.

I took the boys down to my favorite place. I love to hike along this stream. It is so quiet and relaxing. The boys loved running around and splashing in the stream. Musashi likes to chase the birds and romp in the water. The air was cool, the sun was shining and all was right in my little world. It surprised me how long I could just sit and listen to the water. We hiked about 2 miles along the stream, because it was a weekday we had the place all to ourselves. I now know one thing for sure...I don't belong in the valley. I need to get up north, not sure how or when but I know its where I need to be. I have been feeling it for a long time but now I "know" it.