shellebellecreates

bountiful, beautiful zucchini

 Out watering the garden I notice three large zucchinis that I missed while out harvesting. I am really careful almost neurotic about picking before they turn to monsters I don't know how I missed these. My first thought was what in the world am I going to do with these, I almost dreaded picking them. Then almost in a panic I thought  will these be the last of the zucchini harvest? The seasons are changing and I am embracing these last days of late summer. I will eat more zucchini roasted, raw, sauteed and steamed. I will share more with my neighbors- as long as my squirrel like hoarding instinct doesn't kick in- I learned you can freeze it shredded for bread. It is wonderful to live in the present appreciating the bounty of life, thank you zucchini for reminding me. 

reflections

This week marked back to school for us. I was a bit nervous that I would feel lost with both kids at school full time. Monday I was prepared for it, thinking what is a stay at home mom with no kids to look after for hours. Should I look for work? Who am I? I went right to work on tasks that needed to be done like dusting, vacuuming screens and other cleaning things I generally ignore. This kept me busy all week and I feel great! I also had time for things I want to do like meditating- without interruption, yoga without an audience and short naps without guilt, I could not ask for more. I am truly grateful that school has started.

 
In fact my life is enriched with the funniest stories that would not be without them at school. This week Mo found out from the girls on the bus that a boy had a crush on her. I asked about him and learned he had a face like her, was fancy and probably loves her ( "he probably loves me.") . I asked do you know who it is, what his name is? Response: no. Love it!  

At times I wish they were at home with me unschooling, I have realized that I am the only one interested in that vision. The kids love the social aspect of school too much. I am happy and they are happy and I will work as a volunteer to make sure the school is the best is can be. 

thoughtful friday: dreaming

"Dream with your eyes open."

Ernst Haas 

focus on the positive

I have been repeating this mantra for a month straight, sometimes failing miserably and getting stuck in the muck of the negative energy. I don't like the feeling I get when I'm there the tightness in my chest, the inability to take a good deep breath and my stomach in knots. I am releasing the tension and bringing my awareness to what is going so right in my life. My positives, today:

 

1. My garden is amazing! It is abundant and beautiful and when I am feeling off ten minutes working the earth makes me feel grounded and grateful. I love my garden.

2. My family. My kids are wonderful and challenge me in more ways than I can count and I love every second with them- even when the neighbors can hear me ask them to clean up for the hundredth time. I will miss them when they go back to school next week. I envision uninterrupted yoga and meditation along with a much cleaner house. I may even have time to knit some hats for sale....

3. My love. He would do anything for me, possibly even hack charities :-) I love him, he is most forgiving of my faults, he thinks I am utterly beautiful. He is a keeper.

 
4. The trampoline is my favorite spot to exercise. It is fun, it makes me laugh. Perfect.

5. Green smoothies. I started drinking one small smoothie every morning 10 days ago and what a difference it has made. I feel more centered, I have no desire to eat sugary or salty snacks. 

6. My farmers market. I love supporting our local farmers and it benefits my family with better tasting food. This weekend my love brought home 40 pounds of organic fair trade bananas from the fruit stand for less than 10 dollars- it pays to know the market folk.

7. The library. I love the library especially putting books on hold so I can run in and out without getting distracted with more wonderful books, movies and music. 

8. My health. I am wonderfully healthy, what a blessing.

9. I have great neighbors.

10. I live in abundance. I am blessed.

11. Goddess Leonie's announcement. That made my weekend. I signed on for the year and look forward to each class and joining the circle of goddesses.

Focusing my attention on the positive makes me feel so much better. I no longer feel paralyzed, I know I will have a fantastic productive day.

 
 

amazing

I was spending time just photographing the garden, when I saw this. I have watched the tiger swallow tails fly by and never land. Oh this is going to be a great day!

I also watched my backyard bunny trim some weeds:

This bunny and I are at odds. I want it to move into the front yard where it can dine on anything it wants. The bunny prefers the quieter back with a wider selection of greens. It naps under the squash leaves and by the beans which is just too close. It has snacked on delicate baby beet greens and the cosmos without permission. Today it happily watched me take its picture. As long as it does not reproduce maybe I can share.

Have a great day all, try and be still and see what you find in your own backyards.

 

thoughtful friday

 "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." 

                          James 4:17, King James Bible