:: July 22 ::

" If I were a perfect person, I would be bowing continually.

I'm not, though I pause

whenever I feel this holiness.

Which is why I'm so often late in coming back

from wherever I went.

Forgive me."

{Mary Oliver}

The days begin to feel settled, softer,

laced with the loveliness of late summer. A familiar rhythm begins to unfold,

the comforts of routine and ritual renewed.

Early mornings walks while the air holds the coolness of the night,

inhaling, exhaling, one step, one step....

Observing with sheer delight this new landscape before my eyes,

the peace and tranquility my heart holds.

Gratitude for the holiness of this moment, this place.

:: to feel such beauty... ::

" She stared. Such beauty; and she there to see it.

Such beauty; and she alive to feel it.

...How beautiful, how beautiful...to have been allowed to see, breathe, feel this...

Happy? Poor ordinary, everyday word.

But what could one say, how could one describe it?

It was as though she could hardly stay inside herself,

it was a though she were to small to hold such joy,

it was as though she were washed through with light.

And how astonishing to feel this sheer bliss."

{The Enchanted April}

:: new beginnings ::

Hello there, how are you? I hope with the arrival of the blossoms, bees and sunshine you are doing well.

My goodness, has it been over a month since I've been in this space? I'm not surprised, this month has been the fullest and most exciting in awhile. In just 38 short days we are relocating to the other side of town, a place we fondly refer to as our sleepy little village nestled amidst the foothills of our city (pictures above). A dream we've held close to our hearts for many years and have finally made happen. With a lot for building in the near future, we will be living in an interim home until our forever home is built. I can't help but feel a giddiness and everlasting joy in my heart, finding myself all teary-eyed when I think about this move. It's a place where I belong heart and soul...morning walks along the merry little creek that runs beside the nature trail, hearing the owls hoot and coyotes cry at night, hiking right outside my front door... I can't even begin to express how excited I am to hike to the top of the hills with my family and photograph our spectacular sunsets each evening. And then there's the night sky and the silence. That is everything.

So, yes, there's been so much packing, so much looking around and thinking how much junk we don't need. A great feeling, all this purging and donating. I just packed my library, and oh my....I have so many books! Thankfully, our local library will accept donations (1 bag per person per day)...let's just say, they've seen so much of my face and I'm certain are wondering how on earth one could have so many books to donate!

Despite the packing, the purging and the school commute, I have made small pockets of time in my day to read. There have been some great books and some duds, but all in all it's been a good season of reading. I will share my favorites with you in the coming months.

Many years ago I had a blogging space where I not only shared my love of reading and words, but also tidbits of our daily life along with favorite recipes (I love to bake and cook!). It seems that I've been on a roll of good recipes lately and I find myself often thinking that I should start sharing those here. Would you like that? Let me know if you'd like to see anything else around here.

Well...I'm off to continue the packing adventure and enjoy this warm sunny day.

Have a great weekend, my friends.