Day 2 of Gratitude and Gifts: Thanksgiving

11 years ago my husband was given the gift of sobriety, although it didn't feel like a gift at the time.  It felt like a brutal, life-shattering slap across the face.  He lost his job, on the day before Thanksgiving, and in the aftermath of his coming clean about his addiction, he almost lost me.  Somehow we made it through, and somehow, for 11 (probably long sometimes) years, he's been clean.  I am so grateful for his twelve step program and for all of the other addicts who have helped him along the way.  I am so grateful for the immense power of gifts that slap you across the face and feel nothing like a gift.  I am grateful for learning and the freedom that comes from letting go of what's hurting you.

Happy Anniversary Mike.

29 Days of Gratititude

I've written about the 29 Gifts giving challenge and book, and what an amazing wonderful experience it is.  Today I'm beginning it again, along with 29 days of gratitude.  This seems like a perfect season for a focus on thankfulness.  So each day I will write about my gift to give and my gift of thanksgiving.


Day 1:  Today I woke up so thankful for my children, for everything they have taught me and the way they love me no matter what happens in our lives.  I told my childbirth class on Monday evening, "Don't let the stereotype scare you - teenagers are WONDERFUL."  They may not be cute and cuddly in the same way that newborns are, but they are such good listeners.  And they can make you laugh and teach you so much about being silly and being in the moment.  I am so grateful to be right where I am right now, a mom of two sleeping-in-late, fingernail polish and boy obsessed, sass-talking girls.

My gift for today - letting these two lovely sleep in on their day-before-Thanksgiving day off and trusting them to make the pies for tomorrow's celebration - chocolate pecan and Elvis, all by themselves.  Yum.

I'm also mailing off, with lots of love, a little baby hat for one of my sweet doula mama's second baby.  I wish I could hug her in person.

Here's what the hat looks like:

Only the color is a soft cream, like French vanilla ice cream.  I hope it keeps little Celeste nice and toasty warm.

Welcome home

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus but it's good to be back and starting my Monday with this post.

Our family took a little vacation to visit family in Park City Utah, celebrating my daughter's sweet 16th birthday while we were there.  I think it was one of our best vacations ever - even though we didn't even leave the house on many days.  We just hung out, cooked, ate, played games, watched the little ones chase each other through the house.  It was love filled and felt very full.  I woke up last Monday, back home in my own bed, feeling revived and just filled up with love and the good feeling of abundance that comes when you've been surrounded by those who love you.  Every morning since I've woke with the same feelings, and begun my day with some affirmations - Om Shanti, Om Mani Padme Um, Thank you God, May all beings know love.......

This last week brought a surprise visit from out of town friends and a nice long soak in the hot springs while we caught up.  I was also inspired listening to a talk by one of my favorite children's authors - Jeanne Duprau, author of the City of Ember series, which I'm in the middle of right now.  Jeanne spoke of writing about what you love, and big ideas that you never stop being curious about.  I'm not aspiring to a novel, but even a dabbler like me can be inspired by a master to write a little more, and hopefully, improve a bit.

Last night we had a dinner and Apples to Apples with old friends.  It feels so good to connect again.  And to enjoy Bella's dark chocolate cheesecake - amazing with friend Kim's brownies.  (I know that sounds like too much - but honestly, it was heaven).

Today I am working on some new Indian slow cooker recipes, baking bread, taking the dogs for a hike, and hanging out with Bella this afternoon.  She is beginning a new adventure and I'm so excited for her - more to come later about that.

This morning I want to end with a prayer of gratitude for one of my best friends in the whole world - our Lab-Kelpie mix Bear Cub, 12 years young and not quite himself these days.  I think he's losing his sight, and he's sore a lot, he doesn't follow me around all day like he used to.  Once upon a time there was just me and Buddy on the trail, and I could never ask for a more loyal friend.  He is good and sweet and tolerant.  For you Buddy - may you know love and happiness and comfort today.  May your heart be light.  I love you. 

May all beings be surrounded by love

From Artist Lori Portka

My wish for you today,

May you always know you are loved.

Comfort food - Carrot Cake Pancakes and Love

When I make breakfast for my teens before they go to school, they actually sit down, eat and start their day well.  But often I'm very tired in the morning and we all just scrounge the kitchen eating maybe an apple, and unfortunately, sometimes they don't eat at all- throwing me an "I'm not hungry" as they bolt out the door.  Not surprisingly those days are often not good ones for them, or me, as the mom-guilt settles in.

This week I have worked only afternoons so I've been able to sleep later AND make breakfast.  Ah, the ideal world.  Yesterday I picked up this delightful new cookbook at my library, "Joy the Baker Cookbook, 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes."  Like me, Joy excels at finding ways to make every meal more like dessert.

So this morning I made Carrot Cake Pancakes (doesn't that just sound wonderful?). 

Imagine 

  +

=

Something really wonderful!

My girls loved them.  I loved spending the extra 10 minutes all together to start the day.  When we used to homeschool, we spent all day together, every day.  Honestly, sometimes that made me crazy, but I do miss them most days.  10 minutes isn't much, but knowing they are fed well and feel well loved in the morning matters.

Thank you Joy the Baker for the inspiration.  Please do check out her blog, it's just delicious.

Here's the recipe, in case you need a "Simple and Comforting" recipe.  (I changed a few things - I'll give you my variation).

Carrot Cake Pancakes w/ Yogurt Cream Cheese Topping

Stir together 1 cup flour (I used 3/4 cup oat flour and 1/4 cup white flour), 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp baking pwd, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cinnamon.  Make a well in the center and pour in 1 cup buttermilk (see note at bottom), 1 egg, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp brown sugar.  Mix up, then add 2 cups finely shredded carrots and 2 tbsp chopped walnuts (opt).  Mix well and cook on a buttered griddle.
For the topping, stir together yogurt cheese (or softened cream cheese) with a couple tablespoons real maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon.  Spread over hot pancakes and add more syrup if you like.
How to make yogurt cheese:  Take plain, whole milk yogurt (store bought or homemade) and tie up 2 cups in a dense cheese cloth or plain lightweight dish cloth (the big flour-sack type you can buy for cheap at Wal Mart work great).  Bring all the corners up and tie w/ some string.  Hang the string from under a cupboard and let drain over a bowl.  Lots of whey will drain out.  Let it drain overnight and in the morning you will have nice thick smooth yogurt cheese that you can you use in place of cream cheese.

You can use the whey in place of the buttermilk (or part of the buttermilk) in this or any recipe.  You can also use it in cream soups, bread recipes etc, just about any that calls for liquid milk or buttermilk.

Living with no regrets

Today I read a post on FB about a mom in my community who lost her little boy, just a toddler.  He never woke from his nap, after spending the day at his first friend's birthday party, seeing horses out his window and giving love and kisses to his family.  It's hard not to feel your heart breaking just knowing this.

His mom encouraged each person reading to live each moment, just like he did.  And to love.  She has no regrets.  When you live each moment, when you truly see the love in each human, there is nothing to regret.  What a kind gift for a grieving mother to pass to each of us.  Thank you.

I will do my part and remember this lesson today.  And tomorrow I will wake up and remember it all over again.  That is all we can ever do.

I've learned so much about the moment from my girls.  Little ones know better than to waste this precious time worrying the future or regretting the past.

The Buddha in our Zen garden,
an offering of a plum from Bella's tree

I have come to drag you out of yourself, and take you in my heart. I have come to bring out the beauty you never knew you had and lift you like a prayer to the sky 

~Rumi

Namaste.  May you know peace today.