free day

Welcome Friday, I have been waiting for you. Today is the day I promised myself some freedom-- freedom from the endless to-do lists, need-to's and shoulds.

Today, I promised myself that I would mindfully enjoy every footstep I take, and have a date with discovery. Today I delicately indulge in the things I love. I won't just steal seconds and squeeze them in between the listed tasks. Today, I will revel and roll in them, remembering the gifts I receive from just breathing.

Today, I will take slower sips of my coffee, write longer without self-editing, doodle, knit, or make something more without self-deprecating. I will stop to take more photos rather than pass them by for reason A or B. I will read as long as I want without feeling guilty. And maybe if I feel like it, I will take myself to a movie, or out to lunch.

Today, is the day that I do what I please because I am the only one that can choose to make that happen for me, without guilt, worry or imagined obligation.

Today is about soaking in the light that falls on this earth, the one that moves effortlessly reflecting, enhancing, and highlighting the beauty that is already there.

Today, I am wishing that you find some time to do the same....

Have a great weekend

xoxo

ps. I am going to do my best to document my free day today using Twitter (yes I tweet now thanks to Cory!), Instagram, and maybe even Facebook. I would love it if you stopped by...

Uncharted territory

Don't be fooled. This is a picture of what I am not knitting, and what I am not reading. I am not knitting my sweater that I started nearly two months ago. You can see that it is no where near finished or even no where near my size. It is about 2 sizes too big and the armholes are two different sizes. I am thinking about frogging the whole thing and starting over, some day.

And the book I am not reading is Lucy Maude Montgomery's Selected Journals Volume I (1889- 1910). If you enjoyed any part of the Anne of Green Gables' series, the author's journals are an insightful and delightful look into her own life, providing an exemplary blueprint for the beloved character known as Anne. But I am not reading it right now or the other book Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, which I was moderately enjoying and anticipating would get better, if I was still reading.

So what am I doing then, if I am not doing two of my favorite things?

eating this

watching this

anticipating this

listening to this

feeling this:



And wanting more of this:

I think it is in these instances when we should be careful in trying to define ourselves by what we "do". I am a knitter that is not knitting, a reader that is not reading, a blogger who is not blogging very much. I am not photographing, barely journaling or writing.

It feels a bit unstable when all the things that surrounded and described me before are no longer marking my daily me-ness. Moving has certainly changed circumstances, but I think my point is that it can be dangerous getting too comfortable in thinking we know who we are. Breaking the walls of familiarity means there is freedom in not being bound by definition. Like water I can carve new corners, and know that I am as free as any wide-eyed gypsy looking for a new tune to dance to. The sparks of possibility fly like fireworks, expanding the sky and shattering what I thought was normal. Normal, suddenly, has no definition at all.

There will come a day when these bones won't keep up with the thoughts and dreams that scatter around this head. So I encourage myself, and anyone else who's game, to resist normal, resist definition, resist thinking that today is just like any other day, and that you are exactly who you think you are....There will always be uncharted territories to seek and discover within, and all around us.

From one of my all time favorite movies:

Rip out that page!!!!

xoxo

A visit into magic and a surprise :)!!

If there is one thing that Orlando does well, it's bringing stories to life.  We don't have the history that Europe has with its beautiful castles and churches, but what we do have is a knack for imagination and some great engineering.  Meet Hogwarts castle at Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Oh yes we have been devouring the stories here in our home. I read the series years ago when they first appeared, and to share them now with my children has been an absolute delight.  But the magic, oh my. To be able to take them to a place where they can see something like this, well, let me just say all of our hearts were pounding with excitement!

Hagrid's Hut

Buckbeak

It was all there.  Hagrid's hut, Buckbeak, Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts train, even the moving "Wanted" signs of Sirius Black.  Though we didn't make it into Ollivander's due to the long line, we did make it in for a walkthrough of Hogwarts castle.  It houses the ride called The Forbidden Journey which has a height requirement preventing M. from going on.  But I admit, I am chomping at the bit to go back so that E. and I can!!

Of course, what's a theme park if it can't offer you everything that the story can: Butter Beer, Bertie Bott's Jellybeans, Chocolate Frogs, dress robes, owls (stuffed of course), and wands (a wizard like Harry's or Voldemort's, or a wand that chooses you).

The Owlrey

I did look for videos that could show you a bit of the inside of Hogwarts, and this one has some wonderful glimpses. But to truly see and feel the magic, you will have to come for a visit yourself :). And if you just happen to come this way, please let us know, we will join you!!!

Oh and one more thing.  A little giveaway souvenier for Harry Potter fans like us...

Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans!! And yes, they do taste what they say they taste like!! This box of candy is completely sealed and purchased directly from Honeydukes Candy Store. Just leave me a comment on today's post and I'll pick a winner Saturday morning!!!

Sweet cheers and much love

xx oo

P.S. I may be quiet for a few days as E. and I are visiting some wonderful friends in beautiful Seattle. I'll try to send postcards!!!

The Discovery Place

Hands down, the best hand's on kids' museum I have ever been to is in Charlotte, NC.. The Discovery Place, located downtown, was a happenstance stop for tired bodies (and minds) from hours of traveling in the car. Honestly pictures don't do justice as the experience was a string of constant attractions beginning with a ballet company practicing in an open windowed room, to a rainforest exhibit of live, roaming exotic species, to a tour of frogs, to a funny presentation on friendly food bacteria, to experiments with pond water, to lying on a bed of nails, to an aquarium, to dancing iron powder (from sound waves), to building robotics. The list goes on really and that was all in 2 hours. I would have stayed in Charlotte an extra day just for this museum, we all would have.

“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it in himself.” ~ Galileo

I think the biggest misconception I had as a parent, and still struggle with, is that I know more about my children, than they know about themselves. No doubt my experiences can predict tendencies, protect, or help anticipate problems and results (ie. if we don't eat breakfast, we get cranky later).  But I have found that despite all my experiences and best intentions, children still desire to know for themselves by their own experience what is right or what is wrong for them, what works or doesn't work for them, and of course, what they can or can't do.

As I eluded to in a previous post, my 8 year old son has learned two very exciting skills in the past 3 weeks: whittling with a very sharp knife and starting a fire in the fireplace.  Though my fears wanted to take me to the moon, my husband, at his side, thoughtfully, carefully and lovingly showed him all that he wanted to know.

It's an intricate balance observing self-discovery while knowing what the consequences may hold.  By giving them the benefit of the doubt, by believing them when they say "I can do it, Mom", and by being there without judgement no matter what the consequences, the gifts of courage, self confidence and trust far exceed any skill accomplished.

“He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.”~ Albert Einstein

Sometimes, something so simple, yet so very special catches my eye, inviting me to come in. And if I stop to take in that special thing, and it meets all of my expectations, I am suddenly filled with joy and awe laced with gratitude, for just having stopped at all.

That something simply special turned out to be a little grocery store just outside of Cville. Greenwood Gourmet Grocer brought more pleasure to my senses just by looking at it from the road.  But once inside, it did not disappoint with the aromas of fresh ground coffee and pastries and with visions ranging from fresh cheeses and eggs to colorful varieties of apples, to locally made jellies and preserved fruits and finally to exquisite chocolates and fine local and international wines. It was a perfect combination of the appreciation for gourmet with a deep respect for the locally grown products. As if this weren't enough, we began to hear some music coming from outside. Sure enough, two gentlemen with guitars, singing about hearts and love, were sitting on the porch on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

The Finest Day

“Many fine things can be done in a day if you don't always make that day tomorrow.”~ Unknown

The day started with gem mining. The process of digging up rocks in hopes that one might glint just the right way and bear good fortune. For kids, the entire process from start to finish is a gold mine, regardless of any fortune. From getting dirty and digging in mud, to washing the finds out in screens and water troughs, to finding a beautiful shiny stone, gem mining is a child's playground.

We drove a total of 4 1/2  hours for gem mining (to and from), and the treasures I took home (along with a lovely, genuine, VA speeding ticket), were more of the memory kind.  The happiness, the engagement, and the joy on the faces of my children were all I needed to know that the drive (and speeding ticket) were well worth it.

On our drive home, we decided to swing by a beautiful vineyard not far from where we are staying.  We left with two bottles of red. Never in my life have I ever tasted a red wine of chocolate and raspberries that tasted exactly like chocolate and raspberries. Called Aurora, it is a perfect combination and I love this wine. Hubs did not share my affinity so brought a nice bottle of cab home.

When we did get home, our evening was topped off with a nice walk around the neighborhood and a quiet sunset.  With such a fulfilling day, it would be easy to pick a favorite part. But my favorite part was not any of the above.  It was the four of us sitting together in front of the fire this evening, each of us doing our own thing, but together. Now that makes this, the finest day ever.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."~ Marcel Proust

Since we arrived three days ago, we have been busy exploring the home and the 3 acres that surround us. It is absolutely lovely around here and it seems that the trees have kindly waited for us before changing their leaves.  We have already hiked twice in the Blue Ridge mountains and visited the outdoor downtown mall in Cville (as the locals affectionately call it). With feasts for our eyes as well as the rest of our senses, I admit all of this has been quite overwhelming.  To be overwhelmed with discovery though? I am not complaining.

Fairymen by Eric

Well known music man in town, 4 instruments, one voice, huge talent.

Wanderment

 "Wandering re-establishes the original harmony that once existed between man and the universe." ~ Anatole France

So often have I equated wandering with wasting time. After all, I am a person of purpose, with responsibilities and obligations. I have a house to run, kids to feed, things that I have to do or or or--crap happens! So, usually, I don't go anywhere I don't have to. 

Wandering is saved for vacations, whenever they can happen. But why? Why do I have to save the pleasure of doing nothing but meandering, or having no purpose, or mission or goal, for some observed time in the future? I am not talking long excursions from responsibilities, which isn't likely anyway. I am talking brief moments of delight and discovery, everyday. What if I had moments of wandering everyday and what if it doesn't have to include the word "escape". What if I don't have to separate wanderment from responsibility? What if I viewed things as never wasting time and only opportunities to just be present with my surroundings.  I am beginning to learn that for me, wandering is just as much a state of mind as it a physical state of roaming.

For kids, it happens wherever they are. They wander to discover something new, something different, something not new but in a different way. I love that they place no judgment on the time they spend or how they spend it.  In fact, adults are super quick to dispense that for them. Yes. They are kids and don't have adult responsibilities. But they aren't suppose to.  I am an adult and I have adult responsibilities and I want nothing more than to be able to wander and roam free.  I don't mean "escape". I have no desire to escape. Escape implies that I am trying to run away from something unpleasant. No, I want to wander. I want to rediscover that ability to just roam without judgment or pressure of time. Lucky for me, I have the greatest teachers living with me...