more extraordinary

• caring family and friends
• a little extra sunlight each day
• a mother-in-law who rubs knots out of my back
• the perfect gift from hubby (this and this)
• this one made me cry - he loaded all of my songs on it for me- four days worth of music!
• a little boy that cuddles and says "I love you too Mommy"
• two doves nestled outside in our blue spruce just outside our window
• a vibrant fire
• a date with my love - dinner and bowling
• a big, beautiful house that does not feel cramped with Christmas and guests
• a new year

a whirlwind

• holidays
• getting ready for family to come visit
• my first show! up and running! woo-hoo!
  
• cleaning the house
• cleaning the house some more
• thinking about making ginger bread from scratch
• working to stay present and calm amidst a sick but recovering little boy, who has not been sleeping well
• working to stay calm and present and grateful amidst the hubby's health concerns
• finding little ways to remember love for myself and my family
• painting, dry wall - more painting
• more love
  

more signs of the season

Extra Ordinary

I love word play. Things like disease being dis - ease.

And the word universe. Uni meaning one and verse as in song. Universe = one song.

Or how about the word compassion. Ever notice: compassion. Yep, the word compass tucked neatly into compassion. Let compassion be your guide. Compassion, it has it's own built in compass.

Here's another one: extraordinary. Extraordinary. Extra Ordinary. It has been true in my life, and is the spirit of this blog; what feels the most extraordinary is really a beautiful, complete moment tucked into the most ordinary, the most mundane - the extra ordinary.

So let's celebrate the extra ordinary!

• a perfect cup of tea in my favorite mug
• warm fuzzy socks
• lists
• noodles
• Christmas trees
• snuggling up to watch a movie by the fire

How about you? What are your extra ordinaries right now?

signs of the season

I've been hiding out as of late. Enjoying time away from the computer. Cooking, baking, cleaning, listening to the radio. Settling back in. Our trip to our old home town seemed jarring. It has taken me a while to settle back into a routine and sense of home. Changing seasons, weather, the upcoming holidays and everything that goes with it, as well as everyone in our house but me getting sick has made it more difficult to find that sense of center.

But this morning, wonderful of wonderful, a blanket of white and still falling snow! Nothing feels like cozy warm home like fresh snow outside!

home again

I've been finding that when I try to put down full coherent thoughts lately I've been rambling...then I get lost, so I ramble some more in an attempt to find out where I was going. This little pattern has lead to lots of unfinished (but long) posts. So in an effort to finish (oh, I struggle with this everywhere. all the never completed...what mom doesn't? that's another post in and of itself...see! the rambling!) oh, yes, finish! I will be attempting a little different format. Something akin to my beloved lists!

Home
Returning to our new home after a road trip to our old home town.
Seeing our old home and town with distance, new eyes and fresh perspective. I'm left appreciating our new place in the world. The quaint of a small town. The beauty that surrounds our new home. A home that fits us perfectly (including room to grow). Our big family bed!

The new home and the dreams that go with it: move kitchen, change flooring, put in another bedroom, contemplate having more children, garden, garden, garden.

I'm left from our trip also thinking about the concept of home. The home of my childhood and places I have called home as I have grown into adulthood. What makes a home? What is important to me that I cultivate in our home for my family?

I'm also thinking about how I return to homes from my past with sporadic regularity. Returning to homes from my past always gives me perspective; remembering where I was then, the realization of where I am now. There is joy for the journey and longing for what was all bundled in that instant of seeing an old shell that I once occupied. What makes a home for you?

And also...
In an effort to celebrate what I have completed I will be paying tribute here.

Taking my sewing machine in to have it cleaned for the first time ever! It was a hand-me-down from my mother and I remember I was 11 when she got it. That means its 18 years old! Needless to say the machine is super grateful and now sews like a dream!

I was able to finish this apron that I started sewing 3 years ago...I have many more in the works and am hoping they will not take nearly as long to complete.