sunday grace: spring

new creatures whirl in from non-existence,

galaxies scattered around their feet.

have you met them?

-rumi

deep sigh.
deep gratitude.
for the beginning of things.
over and over again.
spring in virginia.
in this home.
in this soul.

saving me right now

greenhouse ranunculus.

rose tea.

hydrangeas and poetry.

easter egg radishes.

the wintry forest.

the romping simon.

the frolicking luca.

these jasmine and their promise of spring.

using all the colours.

a week (or two or three) in color {№15}

the last brilliantly colorful, sunshiny autumn day.

goods from our local holiday vintage market.  we have such talented artists here in loveburg (i've added a new local linky area to my sidebar if you're interested).

finally, a green drink that doesn't make me spike, crash and burn.  inspired by the glowing green at little green hive: one banana, one cup frozen mango, two cups spinach, one cup almond milk (maybe more), one scoop amazing grass.  blend until smooth and spinach is emulsified (i.e. no little green specks).

if i had just one free wall in my house, i would have snatched all of these paint-by-number panels that were stacked two feet high in a junk shop.  because a wall of paint-by-number!

the christmas stuff is appearing bit by bit on gypsy hill.

i have a little interview in the current issue of mabel magazine.  it's kind of surreal to see bits of your life in print and a little intimidating to be included with artists and creatives you admire.  the magazine is full of stories and images to inspire and uplift.  stef and liz are doing such a remarkable job with this magazine (and their introduction to the interview made my heart glow).  plus, doesn't luca look so handsome?

sunday grace

because of the dog's joyfulness
our own is increased.
it is not the least reason why we should honor
as well as love the dog of our own life,
and the dog down the street,
and all the dogs not yet born.
what would the world be like
without music or rivers or the green and tender grass?
what would this world be like without dogs?

-mary oliver, dog songs

a week in color {№13}

full disclosure:  it's more like "a month in color".  i've been a bit lax on the color capturing these last few weeks.

living it, just not photographing it as much.

we hung a new light fixture in the dining room.  it's ginormous.  like a bright sun we orbit.

when i am in another town/city for work, i make a point to explore and experience.  otherwise i would die a slow painful death by hampton inn beige boredom. a recent discovery was a little shop that specializes in tibetan singing bowls and handmade bits from that region.

i've wanted a rolleiflex camera forever.  here she is!  she needs a bit of adjusting but i love her.

the color at the flower farm refuses to wind down.  they are still cranking out summer over there.

luca and i have done a pretty decent job at being consistent with our morning walks.  luca does not like to stop and take photos.  i have about 800 shots of his butt.

there he is!  goof.

i received alena's new book this week and it is amazing!  i'm super excited that i get to take class with her later this month at serendipity.

i made my own toothpaste you guys.  it's nontoxic, whitening and remineralizing.  it's not pretty.  but it's also not poisonous.

after some tweaking, here's the final recipe:

• 1/3 cup unrefined coconut oil, softened
• 4 tsp. dr. bronner's castille soap (i used peppermint)
• 1 tbsp. organic baking soda
• 1 tbsp. bentonite clay
• 1/4 tsp. liquid stevia (adjust to desired sweetness)
• 10-12 drips essential oil (i used 8 drops of clove oil and 4 drops of lemon)

mix all the ingredients in a glass container.  do not use metal utencils with the clay.  (in this incarnation, the clay acts primarily as a remineralizer, but it also pulls heavy metal toxins from your body.  when you expose it to metal utencils/containers, it lessens it's magnetic pull.)  you can dip your toothbrush in the paste or use a clean finger to swipe out the paste before brushing.

speaking of bentonite clay, i've been bathing in it and drinking it too.  a holistic health friend recommended both to detox and revive my sluggish lymphatic system.  dry-brushing, yoga and the daily walks are also a big part of this endeavor.

i love pumpkins but the whole pumpkin-spice EVERYTHING is depressing me (i even saw an instagram the other day of a pumpkin spice condom package).  the true flavor of autumn for me is a sliced honeycrisp apple with a smear of goat cheese.

this amazing creature was in my garden yesterday.  i love a woolyworm with a mohawk.

in the soul kitchen, we are looking forward to two seasons of soup and stews, but we want to squeeze all the flavor out of this indian summer that we can.  israeli salad is a gorgeous mix of colorful chopped veggies.

and finally, there was a wee backyard picnic at the equinox.  here's to a beautiful october.