In this moment:: Weekend Ten

In this moment::

I am:: soaking up every bit of sunshine. We've had so few warm, blue sky days this summer, that when the sun decided to burst through the clouds last week (and actually stay out for five days and counting), our entire community seemed to step outside and celebrate.

because this is what we wait for, what we know will eventually come.

I am:: cooking up a storm. It hit me this week, that the fresh foods of our local farmers will soon be turning to fall flavors, and I went into stock-mania mode. Marinara sauces and blanched greens are filling my freezer to the brim. If only I hadn't had that dream (the one where I canned tomatoes the wrong way and then ate them and, well, you know...), my shelves would be filled to the brim too. Ah, well.

I am:: buried in the crafty delights of this book. And even if you aren't a sewing-project kind of person, I still say you need to add this to your stash. It's filled with the simple truths of life: choose joy, live with ease, and enjoy the ride. Plus, it is a very good thing to support people like Amanda, who make their own paths and celebrate mamahood with such style.

I am:: brimming with excitement for Noah, who passed into the Mate ranks of sailing school during the last week, just in time to hear promises of junior race team next year. Not only did we watch him fall in love with a sport this summer, we also go to watch him conquer fears and join into a community all of his own. What a gift.

I am:: loving this guy, and not just because we're married.

I am:: organizing and de-cluttering and all of the things I need to do to make space in my brain and heart and head for a homeschool year. There's much to say about this subject, so I'll elaborate this week, and today will just say this: it feels so good to minimize, centralize, and put a little order into our joyful chaos.

I am:: aware that just as this

becomes this,

Our experiences are part of a natural cycle, but also, the result of effort and dedication and commitment. My friend Tom always says "bloom where you are planted." And this week, I honor the beauty of doing just that.
(by the way, as I typed that sentence, I was treated to a nose-to-nose encounter with a hummingbird on my front porch. Bloom indeed).