Soaking it...

...all in

After a busy week prepping for our annual Thanksgiving feast, I was able to catch my breath and enjoy a few days of just being.
I took my time taking down the fall decor concentrating more on how the colors and textures make me feel inside instead of being a hassle of schlepping everything and making untold number of trips up the stairs.
 I wanted to be reminded of the quiet beauty and purposely slowing down to gear up for the changing of the seasons that is ever so slowly starting to creep into our corner of the world. This was especially important since Hanukkah is literally around the corner~like December 6th right around the corner.

I took time to edit some photos I took earlier this month of the last remaining poms from our little tree. Just soaking in the styling, the props that I adore, the colors, the warm feeling I get when I make the time to do what I enjoy most.

Then there was this...bella Grace. Oh my, for some reason this issue moved me to tears. The photos, the quotes, the stories, and seeing friends  Michelle and Barb grace the pages with their words and pictures. It can be difficult at best living a bella Grace life where selfish behavior among the community is the norm. Yesterday was food for my soul to go out and start my week with love, grace, acceptance and patience.

Happy Snapping,
xo
Kelly

"We humans have lost the wisdom of genuinely resting and relaxing. We worry too much. We don't allow our bodies to heal, and we don't allow our minds and hearts to heal."
Thich Nhat Hanh

A grateful...

...heart

Today rounds out the week of gratitude with Michellegd 

and there were many gifts sprinkled throughout the days that I opened my heart to receive.
For our gracious hostess who's daily words inspire
*Thank you Michelle*

For the honor of being the keeper of the tiniest of miracles

For the chilly mornings that give way to warm afternoons

For grilled steaks and baked potatoes with loads of toppings

For spontaneous cups of homemade hot cocoa...

...with both marshmallows and whipped cream

For warm morning snuggles

For the sound of the morning kitty chatter

For gifts from a departing teacher that appreciated my time in her class

For dishes in the sink, clothes in the hamper, dinners to be made, list making, warm blankets, Netflix binge watching,  a paycheck, hummers squawking, morning coffee, crossword puzzles... 

For the spur of the moment invitation to meet Betty, a rescued American Porcupine, and a chance for an unrestricted wildlife safari photo shoot 

For meeting several other rescued animals too

For the safekeeping of my children

For the  online community showing strength in the face of evil

For all this and more...

I am grateful

Happy (quiet moments) snapping

xo

Kelly

Gratitude Week...

...counting blessings

Today starts a very special week with Michelle ~ 

 :: slowing down on purpose :: using your senses :: counting blessing big and small 

 As I come to terms and navigate through the holidays parentless for the first time, this week of gratitude could not have come at a better time. 

My awareness of tree trimmings and wrapping paper, and the goodness of holiday mayhem, of life insurance claims, probate and lawyers fees 

I was able to steal some quiet moments, breath and take note of...

...the smell of much needed rain on the road~as brief as it was

...the sound of my heart beating as I purposefully park a 10 minute walk from work

...the taste of my morning coffee

...watching the morning sky go from yellows and pinks to grey and black

...the feel of shaping matzoh balls for soup

...warm chicken soup

What are you grateful for today? Please share.

Happy (warm soup in your belly) snapping

xo

Kelly

Hello...

...November

I for one am glad you're here.
 Now that I don't have small children and a million things to do daily, I actually welcome the time change and a chance to slow things down~for the opportunity to be mindful of all that I have to be grateful for....this year especially so.

Now, granted we don't get to experience fall in the traditional sense, but there certainly are gentle reminders that Mother Nature needs her rest and we should take her cues and follow her lead.
I'm patiently waiting for the 90* weather to quietly turn into cooler nights and even chillier mornings. I'm excited to use my oven and bake. We get to eat stews and soups and those stick to your ribs kind of dinners! Oh, and the rain...we get rain this winter from El Nino.

I'll be participating in Gratitude Week Nov. 9-15.
It's a beautiful free offering by Michelle GD and you can read all about it HERE

Hope you'll consider this go at your pace daily practice to slow down and really use your senses to witness what you have to be grateful.

Happy (thankful) snapping

xo

Kelly