i just love animals so much

on sunday we went to the zoo!  we have a sweet zoo in our area, much like the little zoo in the movie we bought a zoo.

as an animal lover, i have mixed feelings about zoos and i go back and forth between believing we should just leave them be in their natural world and the joy and connection (and sometimes longer, healthier lives) that a zoo habitat affords.

each time i peer into a cage, i feel a deep love and respect for animals and a renewed commitment to loving and caring for our world, tinged with a sadness about their confinement.

i am awestruck at their majestic gentleness.

sunday grace

our home is on a little hill we call gypsy hill.

it is sacred space and where all energy is replenished.

sunday mornings here are all about grounding.

and nourishment for body and soul.

and setting intentions for the week ahead (ace of wands:  inspiration, expansion).

and inhaling the beauty as the sun peaks over the tree line.

gratitude.

a midsummer's day

painting under the pergola.  i started this a few months ago and was unhappy with it.  i pulled it out today, added minor painty mojo and now i love it.

this mimosa tree was backlit by the rising sun.  there were about ten tiny hummingbirds flitting around it.  it's blooms looked like fairies.

i made jam!  blackberry-chia-kombucha-basil-rose jam.  the basic recipe is here and i added the basil and a dash of rosewater.  it's beautiful, delicious and healthy.

this day is beautiful, delicious and healthy.

this summer week

i spent last week mainly on the road with my gypsy job:  spreading child protection practice to the far corners of the commonwealth of virginia.  this week was one of my favorite locations:  abingdon.  i love my job, but i was not overly excited about traveling the deathtrap that is interstate 81 during peak family vacation time AND the last week of mercury retrograde.  i said lots of prayers and brought along tiny b and ganesh for good mojo and safe travels.

all was well.

it is the summer of rain.  i have never seen so much rain.  while in abindgon, there were two dangerous thunderstorms and flooding.  sheesh.  but it sure looks pretty on the hotel window with the blue ridge mountains in the background.

the rain stopped long enough for a walk in the old downtown neighborhood, just off of main street in abingdon.  every charming house has a lovely garden.  most have friendly neighbors offering greetings from their porches.  it's one of my favorite things to do.

i returned safety to my home, my husband and wild dogs and ended the week with a trip to the farmer's market.  it is overrun with flowers and fruits and vegetables and nice people.

i picked up a loaf of freshly baked blue cheese/apple/walnut bread and we enjoyed a breakfast of it with a smear of fig jam.

luca insists i return to routine, no matter how much i travel.  first priority is always a walk at sunrise.

i hope next week is beautiful and happy and safe for you.

this summer week

a good story, passion tea and cherries.

peach soft-serve, dipped, with sprinkles.

the first blackberries.  and persistent strawberries.

six knock-off tolix chairs, purchased on clearance, each painted a different hue.  the turquoise is my favorite.

coconut water infused with mint, lime and cucumber.

morning meditation.

thunderstorms and rainbows.

it's a good summer.

soul salad {№4}: rainbow caprese

this, my friends, is summer in a bowl.

start with tomatoes that look like they could have been purchased from the gumball machine at the five and dime.  mine are organic cherry tomatoes from my favorite local farm, sandyfoot farm.

add fresh mozzarella balls, or bocconcini.  these are marinated in olive oil and herbs.

top with gorgeous fresh basil from an organic garden (or your organic supermarket).  i like to leave the leaves whole.

splash with really good balsamic vinegar and season with sea salt and course ground pepper.  stir.

 devour.