Still Meadow View

Still Meadow View

January 2, 2015

Last year I started taking pictures out the back door at 10:00 in the morning. The mornings I was at home and remembered to do it. Sometimes the photos were hit and miss. This year I decided to do the same. Just to mix it up a bit, I selected a different view. Just a few steps away and point the camera in the opposite direction.

January 5, 2015

This is the view of the Still Meadow out the back door. The deck overlooks the floodplane, leading to the trees growing along side the Kenapocomoco River. We can only see the water in the river when it is running high and fast. During certain times of the year the water washes completly over the banks and poors onto the meadow. Just as it ihas done for centuries. This is good for us because it means that no one will build in this meadow, keeping it quiet and peaceful.

January 6, 2015

This morning there was a hard frost in the night. Frozen, actually, with a temperature of -4 in the night. This morning the light sparkles and makes the snow glow. 

January 7, 2015

January 12, 2015

January 14, 2015

Welcome to the New Year!

And now we welcome the new year, full of things 

that have never been.

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

This starts the second year of my marriage to T. It was a pure delight to spend the New Year at the lake, gathered at my sister’s house with family and friends. As soon as everyone said, “Happy New Year!” they would turn to us and say, “Happy Anniversary!” As if the party was in celebration just for us! Which of course, it wasn’t, except in my heart.

Mother and Son Love

What a joy it was to be gathered together in a special place for all of us. All the better because Derrick was home for the holiday with us, on leave all the way from North Carolina at Camp Lejuene. Lake friends and family. Clear skies and cold. The warmth of times shared together and the anticipation of things yet to come. Couldn’t be much better than that!

Friends at the Lake

This will be another good year. How could it not? My heart is full with love and gratitude, for what is now and what is yet to be.

Ladies of the Lake

All smiles!

Even the men posed!

Bliss in November

On a beach in North Carolina. The perfect place to be.

Walking in the sand, barefoot in November. Pure bliss.

Special moments, spent with my son. He is never far from my heart. Life choices have taken his daily presence far from my day-to-day life.

Staying in a simple beach house on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. I simply couldn't have been happier when he gave me a hug goodnight.

The Demise of the Formerly Lucky Shirt

T wore the same unwashed shirt for 8 post season games, leading the Royals to 

victory. (I consider it somewhat a personal victory that I even know what a post season game is. Prior to this year of marriage, I wouldn't have had the slightest idea what that meant.)

The shirt exceeded the lucky limit on Tuesday for Game One. He mistakenly wore 

the shirt again on Saturday to rake leaves. Once again the Royals lost Game 

Four.

To stop any further disasters, the shirt was ceremoniously burnt Sunday afternoon. 

Hope the ashes lead to additional Royal success. 

Things I Love About Autumn

The rich vibrancy of colors, especially after a rain.

Walking in the morning to start the day.

The roundness of pumpkins.

Getting started on a new knitting project.

Planning for the holidays and Christmas.

Watching the birds at the feeder, knowing they trust me to keep it filled.

The way the squirrels scurry about in their busyness.

Wondering why maple trees all look so different, standing so near each other.

Making apple butter for the fancy pantry and to have as house gifts.

Baking a cinnamon coffee cake to share with friends.

Visiting the apple orchard with my preschool class.

Raking leaves.

Roasting marshmallows and telling stories by the bonfire.

The smell of the bonfire at the lake.

Pots and pots and pots of soup.

Baking bread, with an extra loaf to share.

The excitement of watching the Royals win after such a long time.

 Long lazy walks in the sunshine on a day off.

Gathering buckeyes from the tree in the garden, amazed at how shiny they are.

Reading a wonderful book, snuggled up in the afghan with the kitties.

Sharing a cup of chai with a friend in the middle of the afternoon.

Harvest festivals.

Hayrides.

Walking in the pumpkin patch, listening to the children's excitement.

Recognition of the magnificent color of certain trees throughout my little town. 

Remembering autumns in my earlier life spent here; as a student, with my son growing up.

The peace at the lake on an autumn day.

Watching as listening to the coots land and take off on the water.

Morning glow of sunrise on the lake.

Slipping between shivery, clean sheets to my warm husband.

Wearing sweaters for the first time again.

Reminiscing about earlier autumns, spending time with Derrick.

A warm shower after getting caught in a soaking fall rain.

Cutting up apples for an apple crisp. Eating it later, warm with ice-cream.

The clear blue sky, bright behind a stand of trees.

The brave flowers that continue to bloom in the brisk weather.

Sipping a cup of warmed cider, flavored with a cinnamon stick.

Walking with friends in the mornings.

Sending oatmeal raisin cookies along with my love on a long drive.

Collecting acorns for my preschool class to use as math manipulatives.

Book Club - Orphan Train

. . . I believe in ghosts. They're the ones who haunt us, the ones who have left us behind . . . 

Book club was at my home this week. A gathering of women in my new community. I feel honored to have been welcomed, accepted by this group of women. A diverse group, yet each is strong, intelligent, warm, funny, introspective, and welcoming. Each in her own, individual way.

. . . they console and protect me in death as they never did in life . . .  

The book we discussed was Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. A book I would encourage anyone who enjoys reading to pick up as soon as possible.

. . . I've come to think that's what heaven is 

- a place in the memory 

of others where our best selves live on . . . 

The discussion was amazing. We talked about family history, mysteries of the past, what it feels like to be adopted. It was the liveliest discussion the group has had since I've been a part of it. 

. . . The ghosts whispered to me, 

telling me to go on . . . 

There were eight women in the group this time. It was a cozy group in the family room on a late summer evening. The door was ajar until the light was gone and a chill came inside, trying to join us. 

I wanted the food to be simple, a bit rustic. I made tomato and goat cheese tarts (my sister Lori's suggestion) by Ina Garten, cut vegetables with a dill dip, along with some nuts and a mix of milk and dark chocolate. I was pleased that as friends were walking up the back path along the meadow, I heard from the open kitchen window, "It certainly smells good!" 

via Pintrest

Because it was my first time to host the group, I decided to make each of them a book mark. A quick collage, printed various quotes on the back, cut into strips, and laminated. Friends were invited to pick one. I'd done the same for Lori's book club in Scottsdale years ago. 

It feels good to be a part of this community. In so many ways. Having the book group here at home is just one more step in feeling like I really belong here. My heart swells with gratitude.