Is it Christmas yet??

So, I know it is only the middle of November but there was something about this morning that begged for Christmas music. I think it had to do with the grey chill outside contrasted with my cozy pajamas and warm apartment. It doesn't hurt that I'm already counting down the days till I get to go home for Christmas.

Therefore, Christmas music it is. This year, I thought I'd try to make it till Thanksgiving, but then my brilliant little sister bestowed some wisdom on me. Why wait? You only get to listen to it once a year. Thanks, Abbey. Happy Christmas music listening, everyone!

Autumn is in the air

This summer was stunning. Warm sun. Swims in the lake. Trips to Glacier. BBQs with friends. Open windows. Iced coffee. Shorts and tanktops. Dresses with no tights. Clear days with mountain views. Picnics in the park. Fresh flowers on the table. Blackberries on the side of the road. Saturday mornings on the porch with a book. New sandals.

But alas (and I am slowly coming to terms with this), summer is over and fall is here; officially as of Saturday. And I am beginning to get excited for this new change of season. I've already enjoyed pumpkin cookies, stuffed acorn squash, and pumpkin spiced french toast. I am trying to celebrate the coming of fall and look forward to the changes it brings. Pumpkin flavored everything. Colorful leaves. Hot drinks. Lots of pies. Thanksgiving.

I don't yet feel ready to break out my coats and I'm even hesitant to put on a scarf yet. That will all come, I know. But for now, I'm enjoying the last rays of warm sunshine and beginning to let the beauty and tastes of fall into my life.

happy saturday

the pictures speak a thousand words. happy happy saturday.

dirt and ashes

For those of you who don't know, today is Ash Wednesday; the beginning of the season of Lent. With the traces of a cross still brushed across my forehead, I am sitting here writing this post and thinking about what this season means for me this year.

These next 40 days I am choosing to stop wasting precious time on my computer and only use it for things that are worthwhile and even then, sparingly. I am choosing to spend my time reading about Jesus every day, whether that be the Bible or other books about this man and the way he lived his life. And I am choosing to spend at least 5 minutes a day in intentional silence and stillness. You may call it meditation, reflection, relaxation. Whatever the term, I am choosing to stop at least once a day and allow my heart and mind some space to just be.

I am excited to see what this season of sacrifice and focus and intention will turn out to be and what I will learn and discover.

This Is My Home

The man in this video embodies a life well lived, selfless generosity, genuine human connection. He created a space to call home and lives to invite others in to that space. To him, home is a place to be opened and shared with strangers who quickly become friends.

lazy saturdays

I can't think of anything much better in the world than lazy Saturdays. Sleeping in, hot coffee, breakfast with roommate, the Office, crocheting, sitting in pajamas way past noon. I haven't had a Saturday like this in what feels like forever and it makes today all the more beautiful and refreshing. Happy long weekend!

The Gardener

I was flipping through my book, The 100 Best Poems of All Time, when I came across one that really struck me. It is entitled "The Gardener" and is written by Rabindranath Tagore and was originally written in Bengali. It speaks of love and being known and of our hearts and how even when someone knows you deeply, they still don't fully know you. Such is the complication of being human.

Your questioning eyes are sad. They seek to know my
meaning as the moon would fathom the sea.
I have bared my life before your eyes from end to end,
with nothing hidden or held back. That is why you know
me not.
If it were only a gem, I could break it into a hundred
pieces and string them into a chain to put on your neck.
If it were only a flower, round and small and sweet, I could
pluck it from its stem to set it in your hair.
But it is a heart, my beloved. Where are its shores and its
bottom?
You know not the limits of this kingdom, still you are its
queen.
If it were only a moment of pleasure i would flower in an
easy smile, and you could see it and read it in a moment.
If it were merely a pain it would melt in limpid tears,
reflecting its inmost secret without a word.
But it is love, my beloved.
Its pleasure and pain are boundless, and endless its wants
and wealth.
It is as near to you as your life, but you can never wholly
know it.