Swirling Leaves

I feel the beginning of fall.  I feel the stirring of the fall season creeping around the corner.  I feel the most wonderful time of the year to me.  I love the bustle of the fall.  I love the changing of leaves, the movement of wild life bustling through the greenbelt and the rich jewel tones of the fall.  

I am a fall baby.  I was born in the fall.  The fall is my happy place.  The fall brings peace to my soul.  I love to entertain at all times.  I find myself making warm, comfort food with a healthy twist to the recipes.  I wear my boots, jeans, denim shirts and drink rich robust coffee.  I take more road trips.  

Whew, a lot of "I" in there but after all, it is a time for me to embrace fully.  

The word gather means to take in from "scattered places" ..that is only one of the definitions.  I think to gather is a time for us to relax a little more in the fall.  This is a time where we cast reflections of the year that has passed by us.  We review the seasons with fond memories that have brought smiles to our faces, made our hearts full of love and memories to keep forever.  The season at the end of the year is a time for us to gather together with loved ones and friends.  We are at a more peaceful pace to enjoy the fall fairs, the flea markets, craft fairs, football games, small dinners, and adventures.  

So..when you find yourself at a gathering be sure to look at each one who is surrounding you.  Take a deep breath, look at the glorious evening or day, and remember you are blessed.  Be grateful.  Be thankful.  Be blessed.  The bliss of the gift is so very simple.

What Happened?

Wow, where have I been?  I have been everywhere else but here on my blog.  hmm..

I wanted to be that gal who loved to blog.  A blogger.  A life long blogger.  Well,  maybe not life long as I just started to blog a couple of years ago.  However, that is a "life long" accomplishment for me as I want to be that gal.

Oh, but the commitment word looms largely at me.  Hey, self, are you willing to blog every day?  Are you willing to invest your time to create a blog so that others will join in the merriment of actually reading your blog and enjoying the posts?  Oh, that's right, you use Facebook for your blog.  Umm, a social page is not the place to blog.  No one wants to read about your daily life...or do they?

So, self, here I am again.  I am here once more to tackle this blog bug.  I am here once more to embrace the blogger land.  I think I can, I think I can from this ol' gal from Texas.

Now...if I can just remember to blog.  Oh, yes, I can set my phone to remind me.  Heck, I have an alarm set on my phone to remind me to go to Savers on senior day for my 30% discount.  Heck yeah!

Happy Blogging!  Have a Blog kind of day!  Whoo-hoo, are you down for blog day?!

I will be fine...I will find things to blog about from my journey.  Join me.  I know I love adventures!  Don't you?

Hello November

Hello November, my sweet friend, who brings to me the anticipation of :

rainy day
warm comfort food
small gatherings
shopping
fall vintage markets
super moon viewing

My body clock starts the tempo of yearning to wear boots, flannel shirts with age, jeans, leggings, always my go to turquoise jewelry and road trips.  I can always find an excuse to go on a road trip just about any season of the year.

The crisp cooler air mixed with the aromatics of fall.  Heady earthy scents wrap around me.  I stop for a moment...ahhh...one more glorious fall that I will thoroughly embrace for the treasured gifts that I will receive.

I am planning a trip to go to view the fall leaves that turn here in Texas.  Yes, we have leaves that actually give to us the beauty of the jewel tones of fall.  The southwest region has a beautiful drive peppered with hills that give us the beauty of the maples, rich henna colored rock walls, famous apple town of Texas , and the reminder that life is grand in small towns. I will be remote..no T.V. no computer.

Rejuvenate
Reconnect
Relaxtion

I have already started to anticipate my trip.  I have a plan on paper for my Thanksgiving.  I have  a "no-plan" for my non-work days.  Adventures are waiting.  Find your adventure!

I will cook, sit by a fire, look at the wide open sky that twinkles with stars and be grateful.












Take a moment to find your fall adventure.  A gathering with friends would be a great start to kick off the adventures of  November.  How about a Super Moon Viewing on November 14th?

Sparkling Cranberry Drink

2 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon
1 bottle of Cranberry Sparkling Water
1-2  cans of cranberry or bottles of cranberry drink
ice in star shapes ( if you have a star ice tray) or cranberries frozen in ice

Mix all together.  You can adjust the amount of the cranberry juice to your liking or be creative to add a bottle of pomegrante juice instead of 2 cranberry.  Add the ice cubes just before serving.

This is a lovely drink in a glass drink dispenser.

Cheesey Bread

1 can of crescent rolls in sheet form
1 package of cheddar cheese* only use 4 ounces of cheese
2-4 T  flour
1-2 T butter
pastry brush
paprika
italian seasoning
baking sheet

Preheat oven according to directions on package
roll out sheet on floured board
cut  out shapes with leave cutter or by hand
place on parchment paper on cookie sheet
sprinkle with cheese
dust with paprika and italian seasoning for color

Bake
Remove
Serve hot or cold

Make a beautiful tray of red grapes, walnuts,  cheeses, hummus

Happy Super Moon Gazing!

Fundamental Things

I love the word fundamental.  Fundamental! Fundamental! Fundamental! ...How could you not love the word?  The word has fun and mental which means to me that you need fun for a great mental attitude.  This may be a little primitive in the overall definition or phonetic break down; yet it works for me.

The intrinsic value of a  great mental attitude gives to us the ability to approach any obstacle on our journey.  We should look at our journey being grateful for all the gifts we will receive.  Oh sure, life happens.  Life throws a big ol' curve in your otherwise lovely life plan to stir up you.  Yep..you.

We all become complacent at times on our everyday routine.  Are we giving ourselves the inner encouragement to be positive with a can do attitude towards any obstacle?  Are we embracing our inner self to quietly say "just breathe.. you got this".  Life happens with illnesses, deaths, births, career choices, family issues and then....your own playground of life. Yet no matter what the obstacle might be for the moment or the day; you should choose the stronger positive mentality to endure all that has been placed before you.  

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.”Helen Keller

We can choose to make the day a better day.  We can choose to be grateful.  We can choose to look for peace and joy in the smaller things of life instead of always seeking the peace and joy to come from larger events.

Choose today to be the powerful loving person you deserve to be on this journey.

Choose today to be present in the moment.  

Choose to "just breathe"

Choose to be the woman warrior that you are in all areas of your life.

Choose to be brave, thoughtful, kind, compassionate.

Choose to think of others before yourself.


Choose to say hello to a stranger

Choose to be the glorious loving being you are

Choose "it's okay to say no"


Choose to give yourself a "me" day to rejuvenate

Be Here. Be Present.

Wherever you are, be there

Willie Nelson

We are capable of truly being peaceful on our journey.  

Weekend Warrior

I don't know how you welcome your weekends of non-work days, but I welcome the days with a giddy anticipation of the adventures that will unfold for me.

Glorious colors of all the colors of fall on the back roads as I travel to fall festivals, music, wine/vineyards, and  farmers markets.  My sissi and I never meet a stranger.  Nope..you will not remain a stranger for long if you are within a few feet or just inches from our circle.  I love to connect with people.  I love to identify a unique piece of jewelry, hairstyle, clothing or maybe the item they are viewing while shopping.  Why not?  You just never know of you might meet.  You just never know if you might end up having a glass of coffee or adult beverage to round out the by chance meeting.

Last week I visited an estate sale.  I met the owner of this grand historic home in Dripping Springs.  She shared the rich history of the home.  She shared that the house had been her and (now deceased) husband of 40 plus years.  She also told me the story behind the piano sitting in the living room  The piano had belonged to her husbands aunt.  She had taught piano to all the children of the local families.

I knew at that very moment I was exactly where I needed to be on my journey.  I was given a gift of love with a story of rich family history of a house that was home that gave so much love.  I could feel the love.  I could close my eyes to vision the aunt playing the piano as she taught her students.  I could see the love in this woman, who I just happened to meet, for the love of this house..her home.

Oh, how you enrich my journey each day with the abundance of love you have for me.  You are in my life every moment.  You bring me small miracles that touch my heart and soul forever.

I am grateful I have the gift of hospitality.  I am grateful that I was taught to say hello to the person you encounter on your journey.

My life is a beautiful journey.

Weekend Warrior

I don't know how you welcome your weekends of non-work days, but I welcome the days with a giddy anticipation of the adventures that will unfold for me.

Glorious colors of all the colors of fall on the back roads as I travel to fall festivals, music, wine/vineyards, and  farmers markets.  My sissi and I never meet a stranger.  Nope..you will not remain a stranger for long if you are within a few feet or just inches from our circle.  I love to connect with people.  I love to identify a unique piece of jewelry, hairstyle, clothing or maybe the item they are viewing while shopping.  Why not?  You just never know of you might meet.  You just never know if you might end up having a glass of coffee or adult beverage to round out the by chance meeting.

Last week I visited an estate sale.  I met the owner of this grand historic home in Dripping Springs.  She shared the rich history of the home.  She shared that the house had been her and (now deceased) husband of 40 plus years.  She also told me the story behind the piano sitting in the living room  The piano had belonged to her husbands aunt.  She had taught piano to all the children of the local families.

I knew at that very moment I was exactly where I needed to be on my journey.  I was given a gift of love with a story of rich family history of a house that was home that gave so much love.  I could feel the love.  I could close my eyes to vision the aunt playing the piano as she taught her students.  I could see the love in this woman, who I just happened to meet, for the love of this house..her home.

Oh, how you enrich my journey each day with the abundance of love you have for me.  You are in my life every moment.  You bring me small miracles that touch my heart and soul forever.

I am grateful I have the gift of hospitality.  I am grateful that I was taught to say hello to the person you encounter on your journey.

My life is a beautiful journey.

Where The Back Roads Meet

I love taking road trips to small out of the way places.   I love to put my Pandora mix on my bluetooth, pack my little morsels of delight treat bag, a personal cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee ( Love you Joe!  Trader Joe's is who I refer to!) and my boots!

Where do I go?  Gosh, the possibilities are endless.  Do I head out towards east 290 to visit Burton, Round Top, Giddings or Brenham?  Do I head out towards Bee Caves?  Dripping Springs?  Wimberley?  I get just all giddy thinking about the possibilities.

Life is an adventure to be lived to the fullest.  The problem with me (Libra traits kicking in here) is which one to choose!  Now of course all country back roads, ie FM or CR roads, will connect somewhere, right?  Wander, Explore, Discover!  All that wander are not lost!  No, we are not!

We might wander from time to time in our life.  We might tend to think "I've got this!  I can handle all things".  Yet we should keep our faith anchored in our hearts at all times to know that the key words are "We have this together".  Faith is a huge anchor in my life.  Faith sustains me.  Faith gives me eternal hope.  Faith gives me courage.  Faith gives to me miracles.

The adventures of life await you to join them.  The adventures of life can bring so many gifts on your journey.   When you wander you explore then you discover.  Oh,  the sweetness of the discovery can far be more than you ever imagined....yes it truly can.  Be brave. Be courageous.  Be You!!!!

What are you waiting for?

Where The Back Roads Meet

I love taking road trips to small out of the way places.   I love to put my Pandora mix on my bluetooth, pack my little morsels of delight treat bag, a personal cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee ( Love you Joe!  Trader Joe's is who I refer to!) and my boots!

Where do I go?  Gosh, the possibilities are endless.  Do I head out towards east 290 to visit Burton, Round Top, Giddings or Brenham?  Do I head out towards Bee Caves?  Dripping Springs?  Wimberley?  I get just all giddy thinking about the possibilities.

Life is an adventure to be lived to the fullest.  The problem with me (Libra traits kicking in here) is which one to choose!  Now of course all country back roads, ie FM or CR roads, will connect somewhere, right?  Wander, Explore, Discover!  All that wander are not lost!  No, we are not!

We might wander from time to time in our life.  We might tend to think "I've got this!  I can handle all things".  Yet we should keep our faith anchored in our hearts at all times to know that the key words are "We have this together".  Faith is a huge anchor in my life.  Faith sustains me.  Faith gives me eternal hope.  Faith gives me courage.  Faith gives to me miracles.

The adventures of life await you to join them.  The adventures of life can bring so many gifts on your journey.   When you wander you explore then you discover.  Oh,  the sweetness of the discovery can far be more than you ever imagined....yes it truly can.  Be brave. Be courageous.  Be You!!!!

What are you waiting for?

October is Calling My Name

Fall...Fall..Fall....

Whirling leaves,cooler days, chilly nights, smell of firewood
Hayrides, fall festive parties
Warm farm to table dinners
Red wine
Peace
Roadtrips
Pumpkins
Gourds
Ravens
Haystacks
Cornstacks


Can you close your eyes for a moment?  Walk out onto your porch.  Embrace the joy in the beauty of the painted fall sunset sky.  Embrace the heady aromatics of fall.  Isn't life wonderfully delicious?

Fall Festive Drink

Sauvignon Blanc
Pomegranate or Cranberry Sparkling Italian Soda
Sparkling Pear Juice
Rum
Triple Sec


2 bottle of wine
1 bottle of sparkling Italian Cranberry or Pomegranate soda
1/2 cup of triple sec
1/2 cup of rum
1/2 cup of pear liquid

Mix, chill..enjoy

Absence Can Make The Heart Renew and Grow Fonder..

October 1, 2016

Wow!  Just Wow!  Has it really been a year since I truly posted to my blog?  

Oh my!  My sweet blessed journey has taken quite a few turns over the past year.  The turns on my journey path have enriched me beyond of whatever I visioned at all.  

Sweet trips to the Hill Country
Sweet trips with my sissi
Sweet house stays with friends
Fireflies
Butterflies
Antique shopping
Cooking
New Job
A place of peace
Working with essential oils
Dinners 
Holidays


Ahhh....yes so much more than I ever imagined.  This journey of blogging needs to begin again...yes I think so.

peace