Sunrise Spectaculous

This morning the day opened its heart and blushed like new love...and it was glorious.

St. Valentine's Day

Well, even though I couldn't be with my Valentine today, it was quite a joy to get lovely flowers delivered to my door and then a delightful surprise of hidden chocolates that were astoundingly delicious. I'm thankful that my mom sent me a happy little love bug to make me smile and I'm grateful for a day (that while admittedly pretty commercial) celebrates a real man who did a beautiful thing in the name of love. It's nice to remember what a privilege it is to be able to love whomever we choose...not so long ago people were confined to classes and families and arrangements -- thank goodness I wasn't born back then!

New girl

I decided to go to a new church today that I saw in the center of town and loved for its lovely old stonework...but as usual for me on Sunday mornings, I was running a bit behind, so I was ten minutes late. I had no idea what door to go in as everyone was already inside (back in at my other church in Beverly Hills, ten minutes late was fashionable and I had lots of company:) Anyway, I heard singing, and so I followed the sound of the voices and came to a door just as it grew very quiet -- I opened the door with a loud screeeech -- and found myself in front of the congregation at the choir entrance! I had already opened the door, so I walked right through, took a seat in the very front pew closest to me and tried very hard to suppress my nervous giggles as I felt every set of eyes boring into the back of my head. It was quite interesting being in the very front row -- the priest seemed to be delivering the sermon directly to me...good thing it was a good sermon! I'm proud of myself for trying something new...I was going to sleep in, and then when I was late, I almost just kept driving past it -- but I'm glad I didn't because it was a wonderful way to start a Sunday morning. And I'm sure I gave everyone a good chuckle afterwards when they must've wondered who the new girl was that made such a grand entrance. I may wear a disguise next week...

Blue jean sky

The sunset is spectacular
all sparkle and sequins
jazz hands spreading
across the western sky
such a show off
like the Liza Minnelli
of natural phenomena
but the eastern sky
is what calls to me tonight
with its coy whisper
of washed indigo
faded pink at the edges
the perfect pair of jeans
cool and worn cotton
like Carol King would wear
and it's all kinds of wonderful

Clean plate club:)

We just happened upon a restaurant tonight and were treated to the most delightful feast I've had in a long time! I'll let the menu do the talking: Stracciatela: creamy pugliese mozzarella, grilled broccoli, chilies and orange - Funghi al forno: roasted trumpet royal mushrooms, fonduta, truffle and hazelnuts - Quadratti: gorgonzola dolce filled pasta, savoy butter cabbage and truffles.
Did I mention TRUFFLES?? Belissimo!!

Cool consignment

I had so much fun at the consignment furniture store in town today...such unique and quirky cool stuff to look at and be inspired by. I bought a beautiful new desk with lovely curved legs that I can't wait to paint and a really cool cabinet for the bathroom...and they were cheap which makes it all the sweeter! I fell in love with a wild little green leather chair...but alas there is no where to put it, so I couldn't bring it home with me. But it made me happy such a thing exists in the world:) It's funny to think of how far I've come...I remember being in 7th grade and feeling like I might actual die if anyone ever knew I stepped foot in a consignment shop...now I don't care if the whole world knows, it feels good to be a savvy shopper. I'm thankful to have outgrown that scared little snobby girl stage!

Blessing for a new journal

May the friendly yellow
and gilded gold cover
be a portent of things to come
May it's pages be filled
with epiphinal rays of light
and bright shining moments
rich experiences
and all of the hope
that the breaking dawn brings
May there be
unexpected beauty
to write about
like the shock of teal
splashed across the back cover
May all of my fears
be chased away
by the mighty lion I can see
when I squint at the top left corner
and May my thoughts
be worthy of such
a carefully crafted container

Two minute war

There was a war between the geese and the dogs today with lots of honking and barking and flapping and wagging, but the dogs wouldn't go into the freezing water, and the geese wouldn't come up onto the frozen land, so they realized the whole thing was moot and went back to swimming and sniffing and all was right in the world:)

Bed sweet bed

After a month in hotel beds and guest room beds and another month on an air mattress, words can not describe the soft yet supported sublimeness of finally getting to sleep in my own bed:)

And ode to my toes

In a weekend filled with migraines, melting ice, movers, and mayhem, I found myself being very thankful for my sturdy and reliable toes. They're the Brits of my body with their stiff upper lip and "keep calm and carry on" attitude. Even with all of the pressure I put on them day in and day out, especially recently, my toes never complain. I can count on them to press on and keep fighting, even when the rest of my body has retreated and waved white flags, and for that, I am grateful. Being a toe isn't very glamorous, I suppose, and they don't get much credit for what they do -- keeping us in balance and moving forward -- but to me they are unsung heroes. When I grow up, I want to be more like my toes:)