Tea Time

One of my most memorable experiences while I lived in England was tea time. Yes, they do have tea time there. It's a mid-afternoon leisure hour to enjoy hot tea, a biscuit or two with crumpets, and catch up on personal and political gossip. To me it seemed to be a reminder to ourselves that, aww, I do matter and there is more to life than work.

Never forgetting this lovely hour, I asked for a tea kettle for Christmas this year. A bright green kettle now sits on my stove every single day....never to be put away! She, yes the kettle is female, is a piece of artwork in my kitchen. This afternoon, just like many evenings, my kettle started to sing her high pitched whistle, letting me know it was time for brewing!

This kind of laid back afternoon doesn't come around too often. When I can look out my window, see God's beautiful countryside and falling snow, while sipping on my hot green tea, I know this is what a great life is made of! God is so good!

I do miss England dearly, but I can still enjoy tea time a half a world away!

Cheerio, my dear friends!

At Home Writing

"There are toys for all ages."

I have been tossing around the idea of a new laptop for quite some time now. A little necessity, a little luxury. Well, maybe a lot of luxury and I was justifing with the necessity. And the justification won! So I figured with this new fun toy I will first do with it what I originally idealed it for...blogging!!

See the usual computer that I use for everything is located within the office walls of Greater Louisville Massage Therapy. Though a relaxing atmosphere, it is still my work office. Where bills and employees get paid. Where I go to work and clients go to drift away. Don't get me wrong I love my office and I love what I am called to do, but not condusive for creative writing juices!

So with some saved Play Money and the love of my husband I can now blog at home, on the comfort of my couch and in the company of my darling husband and 3 boys. A place where a glass of red wine can be within arms reach....life is grand and the writing is flowing nicely!

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it is the little things in life. If it cost a little bit of money for a whole lot of fun, then I believe it to be money well spent!

Sunday living

The day, water, sun, moon, night - I do not have to purchase
    these things with money.                                                                                            - Plautis

Sitting at the kitchen table this morning enjoying a home cooked breakfast of sausage, eggs, pancakes and hot coffee, (truly, there is no breakfast that can be bought that is as good as a homemade one!) Shawn asked if I'd like to walk the farm that he hunts. Looking out the window I thought, today? It's cold, cloudy, drizzling, and to be quite honest looking miserable.....hmmmm maybe a walk would be nice! 

We loaded up Blu and ourselves in the truck and headed deeper into the country....yes, much deeper! I thought I heard banjos and wild dogs at one point...yes, we were out there!

Never afraid of a new adventure, we enjoyed the hike. The acres were ours to tread on. The air was crisp, clean. The hills, the colors, the living and growing plants were ours to lay claim on...for the short time we were there.

 Blu was having a great time adventuring around!

 I think it annoys God if you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice.                                                                          - Alice Walker
                                                                   From "The Color Purple"

 Aliens do exist!

 Ok, maybe I was a little obsessed with these purple berries.....

 Whether rain or sunshine, the day is always great for a hike!

It's all about living

First thing's first. I need to get something out of my system.

HOLY CRAP! Already the new year?!?!?!? I thought I had just told you all what I was going to accomplish for last year and now we are already in the next one??? WHERE DOES THE TIME GO??????

Alright, now that that is out, lets move forward.

Last year was about me trying new adventures. This year it gets better! 2012 is about living life through adventure. Going and doing. Seeing and exploring. Not saying 'No', but rather 'Jump on in!'


All of this inspired by the song, I Hope You Dance. Yes, I know you've heard it before but click on it and listen. You'll feel inspired too!

Ringing in the New Year was the start of all that....singing, dancing, running, climbing, laughing, planning....

 At this point, Red was ready for us to call it a night!

It feels so good to be alive!

Final 2011 Thoughts

As I think about all that has taken place this year, I can't help but smile 'from my liver'. That is how deep my happiness has gone. I get a little misty eyed over all that has occurred. We have been blessed beyond imagination and an overall sense of peace has been gained. Love has been multiplied through the big eyes of a little boy, Deacon, and through the giggles of two growing girls, Annabelle and Katie Jane. (This unconditional love is awesome, even as an auntie!)

No, not all of 2011 was wonderful but, God has proven, that a home built on a solid foundation will not fall, no matter how many times the devil tries. During disasters and turmoil we will forever cling to His cloak. And for that, we know we are safe.

There was growth and maturity in 2011, but through child like eyes, I have still dreamed. Wanting, wishing, and yearning for more out of myself, my business, my life. I push for more. 2011 has ended with an idea that has been put into motion and has grown legs. 2012, that idea will have a trademark, and with crossed fingers, will be seen by many.

So farewell 2011. You were beautiful! I pray that everyone is looking forward to a fresh new year. With LOVE, LAUGHTER, GOD, and MOVEMENT we embrace 2012!

GO -ING.

Celebrating Women

As I was driving home tonight in the dark, and my bags of groceries riding shotgun beside me, I realized I have truly become who I have always wanted to be. I realized I am full woman!

Why tonight? Why the details about the dark and the groceries. I guess because after leaving the office after 10 hours of work, I made two more stops to pick up a Christmas gift for a friend and items for dinner. Faced with cooking and laundry to still do for the evening. I know many woman know this feeling that Round 2 was just beginning.

I have grown up around some pretty strong women. Though I didn't really appreciate their strength until I became crowned with that same tiara of Womanhood.

So, today I am celebrating women! Here's why.

Our minds race a thousand miles an hour. We are one step ahead of the task we are already doing. Multitasking is not a skill for us, it is a necessity. We work and workout. We clean up and pick up, over and over again. After 9, 10, 11, 12, or more, hours at the office, we continue on with the grocery shopping, bill paying, cooking, laundering, cleaning. We have evolved into changing our own oil, tires, and spark plugs. We mow the lawn and pull the weeds. We take our garden produce in to be cooked and without missing a beat are expected to be make-uped and dressed for a dinner with loved ones. We don't just have households, we are what keeps them running. We organize, re-organize, and finally come up with a better plan that will make us better organized. And, when night falls and everyone is tucked into bed, we set our own alarms to do it all over again in the morning. All of this while battling our hormonal roller coaster.

And the best part? I know I'm not alone when I say this. I made it through by biting my tongue and smiling when I wanted to strangle someone. Aww! Congratulations women! We held strong and didn't kill anyone today!

Luxury

With Mr. Pendergest being out of town I thought I would make this night about me. About celebrating being a woman and celebrating the luxurious things in life. So, all day I was craving this fulfillment of luxury. It doesn't come around too often that I get the desire to shop for 'things' but today it was about an affair between Me and Luxury. Looking for marble. And crystals. Something that had the smell of a new car. A little bling for my girlie night.

No I didn't buy a new car...come on, if you read me on facebook you would know that we just got out of debt...not going back there any time soon! Actually, I didn't buy anything. Just came on home and started my night with just me, and my 3 dogs!

A few nights ago, Shawn and I went over the number of dishes it takes for a dinner for two. Well, 2 pots, 1 pan, 3 plates, 1 strainer, 1 bowl, 1 cutting board, 1 chopping knife, 1 paring knife, 1 bread knife, 1 spatula, 1 wine glass, 1 water goblet, 1 spoon, and 1 fork, I had dinner...for 1. Thank goodness for dishwashers! Fresh herbs, spices, and warm bread filled the kitchen. A luxurious Italian dinner for 1!

Following dinner, I popped in a girl-flick movie (Something Borrowed) and laughed away! Perfectly paired with a glass of wine and comfy clothes!

And this night would not be complete without a bubble bath. 6 candles lit the room. Aromatherapy spread throughout the house. Norah Jones graced me with her haunting melodies of love, loss, and dreams. And yes, luxury was there. With my wine glass sitting on the edge of the tub, my tickle for bling had been satisfied. The candles sparkled off the glass and scented oils felt like silk in the hot water. Bliss on top of bliss on top of bliss on top of bubbles!

What I was looking for all day, I already had. Doesn't that seem to be the case more times than not?

Have a luxurious weekend everyone!