Baby Ike

So happy to see this sweet baby boy and his momma settled in peacefully at home after their long and difficult journey to bring him earthside.  My camera and I loved all of his funny faces!

Winter Light

With sixty degrees temperatures and autumn colors still scattered around, the only thing hinting of the approaching winter is the low, gray light.  I am appreciating how the light makes these colors even more vibrant, and creates a calm soothing feeling in the woods today.

Time Master

I'm finding it funny that my calendar of choice is the Time Master, as it is an ongoing practice of mine to change my relationship with time.  Nevertheless, I love the feeling that comes with a crisp new calendar for a brand new year.  I'm sure my relationship with time will continue to challenge and reward me, and I'm grateful to my co-pilot, the Time Master for helping me along the way!

Artists

Meg and I were able to stop by the holiday craft sale at the home of one of my massage school classmates today.  Danielle and her partner, Martha, are amazing stained glass and jewelry artists who truly live their art.  It was so inspiring to be in their home and studio today - the energy was so warm, happy, and inviting - and it was so fabulous to see this old friend!

Getting Clear

My front sunroom has been a work in progress since moving in.  With aspirations of making it my art room/meditation space, (shared with my kitties, of course!) it has instead been bogged down as the "everything room".  Waking up early, before the rest of my family, I decided today was the day to tackle the boxes, the piles, the STUFF.  After 4 hours of unearthing, reorganizing, sorting, and tossing, this room is finally getting clear and allowing for more inspiration and space!

Safe Swift and Easy

My doula mantra "safe, swift, and easy" isn't always the case, but I am truly grateful when a birth goes exactly this way.  Happy Birthday, Ivy!

THANKSgiving

So incredibly grateful for the 35th year of gathering with my family on Peaceful Way to share in our abundant Thanksgiving feast.  While our family has grown beyond 33 members, and some are deeply missed, we still manage to fit around one table and take the time for each of us to share what we are grateful for.  This, for me is it.  This family, and our unbreakable circle of love.

Cherry Pie

Grateful to be with Meg's family on this holiday eve to enjoy the heavenly scents of their fabulous pie-making!

Bed Head and Sunshine

Waking up to this little monkey with her spectacular bed head was the most grateful part of my day!

Right Next Door

Tonight I'm celebrating Javier's awesome success and new album release with a spontaneous late night drive to CT to toast with Maureen.  Loved the feeling of just sitting on the couch together, sipping wine, laughing, talking, and watching Javier on Leno - felt (almost) like old days. Like she lived right next door.

Family Time

Fergie and Phia, the two littlest, having fun outside.  So grateful for the beautiful sun, the balmy breeze, and quality time with my loved ones.

Cheers

Happy to toast these fabulously happy brides-to-be!

Healing

Grateful to be sitting in this peaceful space before a blissful acupuncture session with George.

Catching up

Enjoying a cup of yummy ginger nettle tea as I get caught back up with my gratitude blog.  Lots of grateful moments and sweet photos from this past month to post!

Celebration Breakfast

Grateful to begin my Wednesday by hosting breakfast (complete with homemade pumpkin muffins) for this amazing woman and her sweet 2 year old boy!   So happy to celebrate Lee receiving her law degree AND Andrew's birthday!

Scents

I love that it smells like a holiday in my home.

Bare

Grateful for the small bursts of color still present on our front tree...and feeling the pull inward with these shorter days and barer limbs.

Birthing Warrior

This momma definitely came and conquered, despite many challenges in her birth.  I am so grateful she and baby made it though this journey safely, and that I was invited to support them along the way. 

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Party to my sweet (and sassy) Solana.  I barely remember life before you, and I can't imagine life without you.

Good Morning!

Pig Pile on Mom!  Or, rather, Dog Pile!

Dog Walks

For years, I have been grateful for this Thursday ritual - walking in the woods with my soul sister, Maria, and our furry pack.  Even on days when I'm not feeling so well, being with her energy lifts my soul!

Autumn Pond

I love Fresh Pond.  Especially in the fall.

Sister Trees

This is the heavenly site from my office window in November.  Sitting with them every year feels sacred in some way.  Their vibrance makes my heart leap, and makes my BodyWise glow.

Balmy

This, of course, is how we celebrate 65 degrees days in November.

Family Visit

Sundays are for spontaneous visits from my sister and the nieces, complete with play-dough fun time and fresh pond excursions.  So grateful for this happy day!

Reconnecting

I needed this.  A day trip to Maine with the cell phone off, a walk on the beach, fresh air, having fun with Meg, beautiful light, reminiscing about our wedding day, lobster eating, candle shopping, holding hands, and reconnecting with joy and gratitude.

Bedtime

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I had such a sweet time hanging with Olivia tonight.  I especially loved being a part of her bedtime ritual - gymnastics maneuver on to the sink for teeth-brushing, dismount, snuggle for some stories, and cozy into bed.  Sweetest babysitting gig ever.

Flavor

Grateful for the gift of two new cookbooks and a new yummy recipe tonight - wild mushroom "quesadillas".  DELISH!

One

Happy first birthday to Caden!  Loved spending time with one of my favorite doula families today to celebrate this little guy, and his momma's birthing day.

Power

This past storm left my family without power - and Karen Nickel came to the rescue with a generator.  I'm feeling grateful for this heavy beast of a machine and for helping to keep my family warm for the next few days.