Slow-Motion Sunday - Wholehearted

I began to write another sonnet for my "Little Songs for Sunday" series early this morning when the house was very quiet and still.  As I wrote, my eight year old son came padding into the room.  A constant stream of chatter ensued!  It wasn't long before he trotted back to the bedroom and woke his eleven-year-old brother, who is starting to understand the fine art of sleeping in on the weekend.  My writing time evaporated and I gave myself over, wholeheartedly, to spending a day with my sons in preparation for Valentine's Day.

We made chocolate-kiss roses instead of Valentine's Cards.  I am not thrilled to be contributing to the sugar feast that will occur with the school holiday parties, but this was a cute idea that both of my sons were interested in trying.  To offset the sugary treat for tomorrow, I did my grocery shopping today primarily in the produce section (as I usually do.)  We are all set for some light pasta dishes and some delicious salads this week.  I'm looking forward to a huge salad of greens and herbs, with strawberries and pecans!

I'm writing out "Olivia" themed Valentine's cards for the students in my first grade classroom.  I love the picture book (and maybe tv show?) character Olivia.  Do you know of her?  She is a lively, intrepid character who lives every moment to the fullest.  I aspire to be like her!

Signing off now to read another chapter or two of Kathryn Lasky's Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf to my 8 year old son.  This book is set in the world from the Guardians of Ga'Hoole but focuses on the life of one little outcast wolf (one paw is slightly splayed causing his removal from the pack at birth.)   My son is completely absorbed in the story, and is constantly asking me to read more.  This is a book he could read to himself, but he would struggle with some of the vocabulary.  Because he just wants to get lost in the story rather than work his way through it, we are sharing it.  I am loving every moment of having his little head on my shoulder... his energetic body still and relaxed... as we get lost in a far away place together.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace and moments of joy.

Slow-Motion Sunday

"I wish that life should not be cheap, but sacred. 

I wish the days to be as centuries, loaded, fragrant."  

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The sun was brilliant today and the skies were blue and bright.  Despite that, it was very very cold and I kept my outdoor activities to a minimum.  I stayed in, except for a quick jaunt to the market for fresh produce and locally baked bread.  Often our bread is VERY local, because I enjoy making it myself!  I love to open my refrigerator and see the shelves well-stocked with lush greens... baby arugula, and romaine lettuce, and a fragrant bunch of cilantro... crisp bright carrots... blood oranges and intensely green locally grown Granny Smith apples.  Yum!

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, 
I wish you warmth and full and fragrant days!

Slow-Motion Sunday

 

"Slow down and enjoy life.  

It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - 

you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."

~ Eddie Cantor

For me, no matter how busy the rest of the week might be, Sunday is a S L O W motion day.   I take the time to make a decadent cup of Turkish coffee.  I gaze out the window... accomplishing nothing for long slow stretches of time.  I take too long in the shower.  I cook something messy and time consuming... but only if I feel like it.  

Outdoors, the snow is piling up, as it has been for the last week.  The walks I shoveled yesterday have vanished in the soft chill of the day.  They can wait until tomorrow...  I have daydreams to linger over.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you contentment.