A Good Day

Waking early,
alone,
enjoying the quiet darkness
of our home.
Yoga,
writing,
reading,
connecting to myself.
A day that flows
without effort.
Time in nature,
good food,
the people I love,
a little laughter,
lots of play
and moments of stillness.
As night falls
a soak in the tub
with a good book,
then hot tea
and knitting.
Feeling sleep
calling,
sinking into bed
eyes heavy
from the fullness
of a good day,
mind recalling moments,
heart full of gratitude.

Linking up with February Prompts from Write ALM

Gratitude

 ~ for the little lessons that come my way every. single. day.

~ for sunshine on a winter day

~ for snow, after years of very little snow it really is wonderful to have the white stuff to play in again

~ for walks in the woods with my little man

~ for time each day to do things that make me happy...reading, writing, crafting and enjoying nature

~ for trusting my gut and letting it lead me

~ for choosing this path which allows me to spend my days with the most amazing little man

~ for connections with old and new friends, in person and online

What are you offering gratitude today for?

A Perfect Winter Day

There are winter days that make you want to curl up in front of the fire and never move and there are winter days that call you out to play. Yesterday was one of those call you out to play kinda days. The sun was shining, the temperatures were a balmy -8 degrees and Father Winter had left his mark on the forest, so off we went play in the woods. We walked, we ate snow trail side, we admired the views, we sled down hills, we enjoyed a picnic in the snow and we turned our faces toward the sun and felt her warmth.

It was truly wonderful, really the perfect day, and I was so happy to share it with these two pretty awesome kiddos.

Candlemas

We celebrated Candlemas, or Imbolc, yesterday for the second time. We added this lovely celebration to our yearly rhythm last year and very much looked forward to it this year.

This is a day to celebrate the first stirrings of Mother Earth as she awakens from under the deep cover of snow. It is a day to notice the birds returning and singing happily in the morning, and a time to start thinking about planting seeds in preparation for the coming growing season. It is recognizing the lengthening of the days and feeling the anticipation in the air of what is to come. It is coming out of hibernation with the knowledge that soon spring will be here and the rain will come and wash the earth clean.

Candles symbolize this day, and it is often a time to make candles that will be used throughout the year. We took time last week to decorate beeswax candles, and yesterday, after enjoying some time on the hiking trails witnessing the absolute beauty of winter, we made snow candles. They were so much fun to make, and looked lovely on my in-laws table at our family dinner last night.

Winter has been harsh this year, and we have been embracing it full force, but we are ready for spring. Ready for the freshness it brings and the light it will shower on us.

5/52

"A photo of my little man, once a week, every week, in 2014"

You and me, alone in the house. You were quietly playing at my feet in the kitchen. There was silence and when I looked over you were sitting there staring out the back window deep in thought. You didn't hear my camera turn on, you didn't see me focus and then just as I hit the button you looked at me. I wish I knew what you were thinking in those moments, what thoughts were running through your mind. I asked, but you didn't want to share. Maybe another time...

Joining Jodi for the 52 Project

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Make and Listen

Making:

~ Valentine's Day gnomes, a custom order for a friend

~ seasonal nature table gnomes...spring, summer, autumn and winter, a custom order for a friend

~ the back of the summer gnome

~ Valentine's Day gnomes, a little surprise for my little man and his little friend that joins us in our homeschooling adventures

~ my current knitting project, a shawl

~ little hands were busy making snow crystals this week, as well as a ton of paper snowflakes

Listening:

~ the sound of the birds outside our kitchen window is making us smile these days

~ Diana Krall often joins me in the kitchen during meal prep

~ Sunday mornings are all about back in the day on the radio, how I love hearing the music of my youth

Joining Dawn