Healthy snacks

I have been working really hard the past few months on my nutrition and changing a few things. I have always been a healthy eater and enjoy most foods. I devour my Farm Share from Jim every week when it gets here in about 2 days flat. Nothing excites me more than fresh food.

As much as I like the fresh stuff, I find myself snacking on things I don't need. Cheese. Chips. Hummus. And being gluten free limits my choices some days.

So I have been working with my girl Jessie over at Best Kept Self on a nutrition plan that I can really get behind. And despite some road bumps (we shall never mention the smoothies again), I have done really well.

One of the things I have work hardest on is changing up the snacks...chips for kale chips sprinkled with sea salt. Cheddar cheese for edamame cooked to the perfect al dente texture. So far, I haven's missed much. Until the past few days at least. Nobody is perfect, right?

I have struggled these past few days with a sick child and a sick me. So when you need health to take a front seat and actually command some control, it somehow slips into the background making convenience take the wheel. Whatever is in my fridge seems to be what I grab for first. And whatever is good for me is out the door with any warm thoughts.

I saw the effect on good health a few weeks ago and it was amazing. I got the inevitable winter cold. For me, they usually last 2 weeks. This lasted 3 days. I was floored. It was the proof I needed. My body fat doesn't want to budge, but a cold running it's course in 3 days was PROOF of wellness.

So today, I will snack on kale chips. Tomorrow, I will down some fresh juice first thing. And pump up those vitamins. Because there is nothing better than a little TLC for yourself.

Sick days

These sick days are wearing us thin. Patience and joy seem to be hard to find in the midst of sniffles and coughs.

But snuggles with sweet puppies are always welcomed!

look...and see.

Mysteries, Yes

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.

How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity,
while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds
will never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.

—Mary Oliver

Welcoming Spring.

Over the years, there have been many symbols that showed me the onset of Spring. Changing temperatures are a clear sign. But it's those visual pieces that stir me to remember the joy that Spring ushers in with her arrival.

When I was a child, the crocus blooms peeking up through the melting snow in our backyard were my first sign of the excitement of Spring's approach. In high school and in college, the budding azaleas made me pull out my shorts and search for the sunscreen.  And later, the lovely daffodil bulbs that carpeted my backyard in the south were clear signs of the arrival of the party of Springtime.

In recent years though, I have bid farewell to Winter with the onset of these gorgeous blooms. The Tulip Magnolia is a sweet smelling spring tree that buds in my yard each year. I love what the tree (and really all of Spring) represents: rebirth and regeneration and growth and perseverance. The cycle of life - carrying on as it should - in beauty and grace.

So today was the magical day. Gloomy and cloudy and overcast and drizzly. But this has been trying to happen for a week and today was finally the day. I am so glad. Because all this means to me now is that spring is sitting on my doorstep, waiting for me to welcome it inside.

A horse is a horse...

Horses define so many good things to me - grace, beauty, strength, curiosity and sensitivity. I wish more humans were like horses.

This gal was curious. And perhaps a little put out that I didn't have anything to offer her for her moment in the spotlight. I will have to go back with some treats soon.

Planting seeds

I am pretty sure that planting seeds is the most important part of gardening. Without the seed, there is no life. Sure, there is water and sunshine and nourishment and love that come into play, but nothing happens without that little seed. It's amazing how much power one of those little babies holds in it's tiny, dried up shell.

Every seed has potential. They just need special care to flourish as they were meant to. Sort of like ideas, thoughts, dreams. They need a place to grow. Someone to tend them. Nourishing those seeds is a full-time gig though. It takes hard work and perseverance. But it also takes love and light. Gentle care. With that, the seed sprouts and grows into something.

With the right care, all seeds become what they were destined to be.

This glorious day...

I hope you are enjoying this glorious day today - wherever you are. Sunshine abounds here, so I am going to get out in it.

And with that I bid you a happy Sunday...I am officially caught up on my blogging!

corners

I am a sucker for something that has been re-purposed and this little bar is no exception. This cabinet has been with me for a lot of years - over 20. It has seen a lot of different facets of my life and held onto many of my precious treasures. It has been in 6 homes and has been one of the most useful pieces I have ever had. It has simple, clean lines and is extremely functional. 

A few months ago, this piece was forest green. It has also been red and white. But I needed to find a new life for it. I have been eying bar carts and - being the trendy gal that I am (hahaha) - I decided that's exactly what this piece needed to be. It's extremely rustic and full of flaws (just like me!), but I love it. It fits neatly in my dining room and serves as my makeshift bar cart now. And every time I walk by it, it warms my little heart.

Sometimes all you need is a freshening up in the dusty corners to bring a spot of sunshine where it always needed to be.

Behind

I am delinquent in so many parts of my life. But this post is my catch up. It's not a particularly exciting photograph. But the topic is amazing.

If you don't know who William Helburn is, you should check him out. His work is impeccable and iconic.

Anyhow...today, I met a friend for coffee and conversation and catch up (and a little clarity) and she gave me this book as a gift. Let me just tell you, I am smitten. Every photograph is like a breath of fresh inspirational air. It speaks to all the levels of this industry I have been involved in. Photography. Design. Art Direction. Advertising. Fashion. Truly meaningful for me.

If you need to find me this weekend, I will be planning my next shoot based on his work.

Happy Weekend!

A posse of goodness

Y'all...These kids. They slay me.

This is our neighborhood posse. These kids have known each other forever. They were born together. They have toddled around beaches and parks together. They have slept on each others bedroom floors.

This is real. This is the beginning right here. This is the stuff long term friendships are made of. This is the stuff you tell stories about in 30 years over cocktails and in wedding speeches. This is where life begins. This is where we begin to form who we are in this crazy world.

I couldn't ask for a better crew for my son to grow up with. They are honest and kind and sweet and good. And that's all I could ever ask for - a posse of goodness.

Dreaming

Yesterday was truly a spectacular day. Warm. Breezy. Sunny. I could have floated around and gotten lost in that sky. Wondering and thinking. Dreaming and scheming. Just wishing days like this could be forever where everything is fine just as it is.

Cheating Spring.

I am cheating Spring a little this year. Coaxing it out a little earlier than I should.  I simply can't help it. I am done with winter. I am done with hibernation and slumber. I can't wait for the vibrant colors pouring out of every flower bud. I am excited for the smell the spring rain splashing onto the parched winter grasses. I am so hopeful for sunshine and breezes blowing my hair around my face and warming my chilled winter skin. It's time. For all of it.

So hurry up spring. I am marking my front row seat for your spectacular show.

Confetti

I love this time of year. Spring is about to burst forward. I know because this scene above is one of the first signs around here. Mother Nature throws me down a blanket of camellia confetti all over my front stoop. And I couldn't be more excited to see it come.

This has been a long winter for everyone. Harsh weather and bad news seem to have overshadowed any joy and good news we got around here. I am just very ready for some change. And nothing brings about change like Spring's vibrant energy. Colorful and sunny and breezy and bold. It's just what we need around here.

So for now, I am looking forward to a new season...change, color, sunshine and rebirth.

Happy (alllllmmooooossst) Spring!

She had me at Hello...

This dog...man. It's like she knows what I am thinking all the time. She understands me and my needs. She knows my troubles. She loves me unconditionally. And I love her right back.

Wintery Days

Wintery days require warm hearts, cozy blankets, handmade hats....and lots of togetherness. Especially when the power goes out. 

Fifty Shades of Grey Days

All I am doing these days is looking for a little sunshine to warm my heart and shine into the corners of my soul.

Weather the storm

We have had some nasty weather lately. Ice. Sleet. Rain. Cold. Even I am a little tired of the dreary days that have dragged on through the past few weeks.

The grey days make it hard to find your groove. Motivation comes slowly on days like these. I look for comfort at every corner - soft clothes and warm meals and and hot drinks. But there are days when you just need to hunker down and weather it all by pressing on. And then there are days when you need to say - enough is enough...I'm retreating to my corner.

Right now, I feel like retreating. But I know I can't. I know I have to press through. Because spring is just around the corner. And brighter days are ahead.

So for now, I will stand facing it all. For now, I will weather the storm ahead. For now, I will stand strong and carry on.

Planning

On the coldest days of February, my favorite thing to do is plan a little for the warm sunshine and longer days of summer. Plan on which bed the tomatoes will reside and where the squash will (hopefully) flourish. Plan on what to rotate when. Mostly, I like to plan what will nourish me most and what will sustain me through those long, hot days of summer.

Spring

Hold tight.

Spring is coming. Costumes are being fitted and the dress rehearsal starts in a few short weeks. This is one show that will go on.

Clarity

I have taken this photo before. I have taken it at sunrise and at sunset. I have photographed it in rain and fog and clear and crisp sunny days - just like today.

But today felt different. I saw it. Clearly. Nothing distracting from the view. Just simple lines against a lovely blue & green backdrop.

Today, it was like I saw it for the first time all over again. Grand. Clear. Perfect. Just like it is. But most importantly, just like I saw it today. Nothing in the way. Nothing changing the view.

Clear as it ever was.