Southern Cali - Recharge

SO, the "Letter to my Heart" that softly requested my body and mind to slow down, worked ummmm, for about the time it took me to write it.....10 minutes. 

Funny how those flowery declarations turn out to be a load of BS.  Straight talk seems to be better. 

I NEED A GET-A-WAY, 12 hours of SOLID sleep, no worries, no obligations, no schedule....I need to forceably sit in a cushy cotton canvas covered chair near an open french door with a thing in my hands -- yeah, it has lots of pages, a hard-cover, words, a story -- some call it a BOOK [not to be mistaken for the smoother covered shinier paged, flip-through magazine].  I could then force myself to stop for a moment [yeah, like 3 hours more] to sit and READ this escape device while curled up in the comfortable chair overlooking the ocean I hand-picked for my momcation. 

I did a quick search and since the internet is just an amazing plethera of instant gratification, my mind went on a short, but breathable journey to Sourthern California [check out the photo gallery - http://www.terranea.com/] where I found my dream momcation and was able to escape my Oh Not So Happy tired, grumpy mindset and recharge.  Here's the replay!

RING! -- Hey, it's my room service with my fruit and yogurt breakfast kick-start - and yes, they placed it right next to my chair -- on a silver platter with an aromatic pink peony and some Godiva mocha chocolate truffles.

THREE HOURS LATER:  Time for my sauna, followed by a 1.5 hrs hot stone aromatherapy massage, followed by a full citrus exfoliation, a replenishing shower, and a hair/nail, make-up appointment....

Of course my double-shot cinnamn cappuccino would be served during mineral make-up doll-up to revive me of all the relaxation.

AHHHHHH - I can feel myself feeling like a new lady, and not entirely recognizing her....but that's OK!

For the rest of my time I will wandering the Southern cliffs, meander back to my room, enjoy eating healthily custom-made foods, window shop in the hotel stores, meet my good-fun lady friends ['cause all of you know that you want and need to be here too....] to do  WHATEVER WE WANT TO DO....
_______________

REALITY - Back in real life - real-time now, I have 25 minutes to get ready for my workday - yup, Sat. 9-6.  a quick hot shower, a quick haphazzard blow-dry, throw on some make-up to cover the dark circles, grab a banana and coffee on the way, hope there is a good song on the radio for the drive, pull into work, punch-in, start the day -- soooo, dream on without me friends

....I'll meet you for dinner poolside.





Letter to My Heart...

Dearest Heart that Beats Life Into Me,

I have been thinking of our relationship in the spaces between all of my daily duties -- between cleaning up the trail of playthings on the floor and shoes haphazardly left behind - between washing the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, folding laundered clothes, feeding the dog, managing the home, figuring out what to eat for mealtime, planning days and activities for our daughter, keeping our husband grounded, staying in touch with our friends, and searching the Internet for jobs to help support and stabilize us.  Sadly, I have been 'in-between' body/mind lately and have left little time to be with you. 

You deserve so much more than that.

Dearest  Heart that Beats Life Into Me,

I promise to open those spaces to you - to be present, grateful, light, alive.  To take action when needed and to rest when we are worn.  To love fully, without expectation or pretense, to follow your lead and to hear your whispers of wisdom.  To let things go a little longer.  To worry less and have more faith.  To prioritize time rather than unnecessary 'duties' -- or busy-ness.  To remember that you are more than just a pumping mechanism, but rather a direct line of communication to Him. 

SO HERE'S WHAT IWE SHALL DO,

TAKE A DRIVE ~ SEE SOMETHING NEW ~ BAKE FROM SCRATCH AND THEN GIVE IT AWAY ~ HELP OTHERS ~ TAKE PICTURES OF LIFE AND MAKE A BOOK ~ WRITE IN THE EARLY HOURS ~ VISIT FAMILY AND FRIENDS, LEAVE THE TOYS - DISHES - CLOTHES - INTERNET - AND ERRANDS'TIL LATER. 

STOP AND WONDER, LAY IN THE GRASS WITH OUR DAUGHTER, WATCH BUGS, COUNT CLOUDS, FLY KITES, KISS OUR HUSBAND, SMELL FRESH FLOWERS, TOUCH LEAVES AS WE WALK DOWN THE STREET, FEEL THE WIND ON OUR CHEEK, SURPRIZE A FRIEND, PLANT A GARDEN, COOK WITH ZEST, TAKE A NAP, READ SOMETHING DIFFICULT AND NEW, FINISH A PROJECT, VOLUNTEER OUR SERVICE, GIVE OUR BEST.

AND, EXPRESS LOVE ALWAYS ~ ALL THE MOMENTS "IN BETWEEN"...

.



Picnic with a Princess

Yesterday, I was able to come home for lunch to a happy surprise -- a picnic with my daughter, Princess style!  She said, "Come to my room Mommy, let's have a picnic on my bed and watch Thumblina." 

Her room is deep lavender color, like the darkest part of a lilac.  The ceilings are pitched so you have to watch your head or else you will 'bunk' it as she says [something I still forget to do].  We made her little area into a "Princess Chamber" by velroeing [is that a word?] a sheer silver laced sheer on one side [ceiling to floor] and a pink sheet to the other.  She has her toddler bed, a little set-up for her DVD, a fan for a breeze, a bean bag, a large stuffed dog, warm, fuzzy blankets and pillows, and a table with a small butterfly lamp. 

It's her special hide-a-way place.

-- I kind of like being there too actually - and sneak up when no one is looking to find some peace and quiet -- and maybe a little kid-magic too. --

We had peanut butter waffles, fresh-cut strawberries [straight from the grocery store!], and milk. 

It wasn't a fancy lunch, but we felt pretty darn fancy eating there on the top of her Tinkerbell "Cozy" laying down like two best friends, watching an imaginative fairy show.

It was my best moment of the day....and will make me smile for years to come.

What was yours?

Happy moments to all.....

It's Been A While ~ A Romantic Reunion

Disclaimer: 

Well, life certainly does have a way of veering us off our intended paths.  I resign myslf to the fact that if I am going to write 'daily' I better push past the sleepiness of the aftermath of any given day and just go 'Nike'....that is an off-way of saying 'Just Do It'.

Now Back to Our Menu:

It's raining here.  The sky is slate grey.  A cool misty bitterness kisses my cheek.  It's not quite the end of the week.  Are you tired today?  Are you longing for rest, sunshine, a breath of fresh air?  Me too...

Step into a tingling romantic escape ~ it could be with your husband, lover, or even friend.  Romance doesn't have to be limited to steamy connections, but can include romancing friendships and family too don't you think?  Share a whimsical fancy escape with someone you love.

We will travel today to a small remote town off the beaten path in the Italian countyside...welcomed by warm-faced locals, lured by sweet smelling breads, freshly made hot beverages, aromatic flowers, and the smooth grinding of rot-iron chairs scooting across the uneven cobblestone street.

It's a cool morning, but the sun is rising warming the alleyway intending to bring a warm glow to our table any minute, just in time for our first bite of homemade authentic mamma-made Italian yummies.

Our hostess is a generous woman, bronzed by the Italian sun with smile lines that tell her well-lived story.  She welcomes us with an easy, loving manner -- it's magically peaceful here - our skin tingles with the tactility of the experience that this is a special place.  How lucky we are to be here!

Space and time mingle and dance into seemless wonder.  The tables alongside the street buzz with laughter and romance.  Couples, friends, and acquaintences lavish one another with lovingly touchable conversations -- sharing stories --  connecting. 

We have reached our breath of fresh air....

I think I will linger here a bit longer before setting off to enter my real-life routine today...will you stay? 

I think my happy place today is starting the day with a feeling of peace -- and who knows, that may veer the day's happenings into a whole new light allowing for more 'happy places' as I walk through the day...

I hope the same is true for you - if so, share with us you "Happy Place" today.

Have a peaceFULL day.

Fafafa Foolin'

It's late by all my sleepy standards, but I can't sleep.  This blog seems like a good idea - fun visitations in far-away [wishfully extravagant] places, googling locations and details, but something is blugging me.

I was brushing my teeth [which I'm obsessed with] and got to thinking.  I could travel with you to all these googled locations with great furniture, water features, flowers, recipes and happiness - but, as Def Lepard so rockin'ly put it,

"Is anybody out there, does anybody caaaare..."?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlulT5Yk0t8

See you tomorrow - Sunny Side Up!

It's a Happy Gluten-Free Birthday - Irish Nook Style

Today is my lovely Mother-in-law's birthday - and so I'm inviting you to join us for her Happy Nook-Day Birthday celebration -- she has dietary restrictions so we will make it as special as possible to please her palette and her body's needs.

So, where shall we visit??  Let' us travel to luscious Ireland to the Ballymaloe House in Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork Ireland [http://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/ballymaloe.htm].  Surrounded by magnificient countryside gardens that we can all comfortably sit by and enjoy our birthday treats at the garden-side table [http://www.westelm.com/products/dexter-outdoor-expandable-dining-table-g301/?pkey=coutdoor-chairs-dining-tables]

...set in pale blue, white, and purple hues that so eloquently say ~ 'Happy Springtime Garden Breakfast Celebration' ~ 

Isn't it delightfully warm sitting in the sun?  Yet the slight breeze chills the air just enough to wrap our wool sweaters a little more tightly around us. 

Mmmmm how about a steamy cup of richly aromatic coffee or tea in artfully weighty ceramic-glazed mugs -- earthy and substantive for a joyful java fix?  [cream or sugar for you, or will a cup of black just do?

Ok everyone, shhhhhhh.  Here comes the Guest of Honor!!! 

[Since I am not so great at singing, can we all join together at the same time to sing a cheerily traditional "Happy Birthday" song?]

Now gather your porcelain white dessert plates, here comes the scrumptiously golden-topped gluten free cherry pie  - care of Blackbird Bakery: [http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/glutenfreepiesandtarts/r/Blackbird-Bakery-Classic-Gluten-Free-Individual-Cherry-Pies.htm], with glowingly wishful candles atop to be gently blown into hopeful yearnings and blessings for the year to come.....

Wiiiiiiiiiiisssshhhhh - the request is done!  Oh Happy Day!!

As time passes for our morning visit, many laughs, lots of joyful conversations flow like the garden birds fluttering about.

What a special birthday celebration it was!

What favorite birthday moment can you share?  What special cake or recipe was your favorite?

Thank you for traveling with us today and for sharing in our celebration ~ glad you could join us.

Have a Happy Day!

California Comfort with Raspberry Scones

Good morning.

A chilly rain falls relentlessly, but you and I are now breakfasting in a gorgeous Jamie Durie [Love his spaces] outdoor design somewhere in California where the sun is shining, the breeze is tepidly soothing and our coffee [cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, tea, Bellini, Bloody Mary...] is hot enough to warm us from the inside out.

My vision: http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/california-style-outdoor-spaces-by-jamie-durie/pictures/index.html - Go to picture #5 - not a bad start right?

As I was planning our breakfast visit last night, I realized that this virtual moment can be what ever I [and you] want it to be.  That also meant, that I could wear couture if I wished, instead of the pant scrubs from my last job and a warm cozy beat-up sweatshirt.  Suddenly, having breakfast anywhere to visit became excitingly limitless.

So, on that note, as I was thumbing through Country Living magazine [May 2012] before bed, I noticed on the inside cover, a flooring ad with a model wearing an eye-catching luxuriously Divine fuscia halter gown gushing with soft layers from the waist down.  I decided, THAT was what I would wear to breakfast today -  this without uncomfortable shoes, fancy jewels, or make-up, just me cleaned up and feeling fresh and glamorous in THAT dress.  [Sorry no pic on that one.]

What do you want to wear to our visit today?

I imagined that we could have some delicious [yes, I spelled it correctly this time...] raspberry scones - recipe c/o Alton Brown [http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/scones-recipe/index.html] to go with our beverages.  Now that we have our venue, drinks, outfits and food all picked out...what was the best part of your yesterday? 

In hindsight, I realize now that if we are having breakfast everyday, our 'best shared moments' would be from the day before ..... I guess I'm not as organized as I thought when I planned the intent of this blog, but let's just go with the flow ;)

Beside being completely content with seeing that I didn't know where the spellcheck or edit button was on my first post...yesterday was a great day.  I was lucky enough to have several 'best moments', but the topper was the feeling that I got just signing up for this blog.  I felt proud of myself.  That doesn't happen as often as I would like.  Not that starting a blog is difficult, but if you like to write, and you are a constant internal editor like me, then you understand that this was a bit of a feat. 

I have notebooks scattered [another sign of disorganization....I'm seeing a theme here] with notes and stories - some finished, some not, and a secret dream [do you have a secret dream?] to publish something worth being read.  THAT part is the scariest - it's like being dumped by a cruise liner [my imagination] into vast ocean [business of publishing] with a small life raft [my knowledge about the industry].  So this is a bigggggg step in navigating those waters.  At least I'm writing and sharing it.

Maybe a good step forward would be to start putting all my 'notes' into one place - not all my 'notebooks' into one pile! 

I can't wait to hear from you and read about your best moments....enjoy this day!