Baking Things....

...I felt creative, so I made some massive cinnamon rolls.

 I used a slightly healthier version of the 

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting...

and thought...hmm....

I bet that would be good on a sliced apple too.

So I tried it.

And. It. Was. Delicious!

Healthier version of Cream Cheese Frosting:

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp.

1 cup full-fat cream cheese, room temp.

4 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

A squeeze of lemon or orange juice (1 tsp.)

Beat it all together, and chill for 10 min.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"There are days when I am unaccountably happy,

and, in fact,

that is usually the reason for it."

"Most happiness, like most worry depends

pretty much on small a thing you can make important."

"It is still possible to be a cockeyed optimist these days-

you just have to be a little more cockeyed."

Peace

In the midst of great challenges, and chaos,

pause to slow down and breathe.

Listen to the solo goose flying overhead,

Otis, and his morning howl in the distance,

the neighbor greeting his chickens, "good morning ladies".

Smiling at the urge to speak up from where I sit hidden by the Boxwood bush

and say "well...good morning to you too, fine sir".

Watching Polly's tail-less-butt-wiggle as she preps to pounce 

a twitching leaf.

Noticing...the sound of a boat's engine revving up as it takes off 

from the dock nearby,

 the flag flying at 1/2 mast,

curtains rippling in the breeze of an open window,

the gray clouds opening to pockets of light,

and Charles Stanley (cardinal) singing in a tree.

Feeling...the sun's warmth, the breeze blowing through your hair,

and the ground steady beneath your feet.

Remind yourself to stay present, find what peace means to you. 

What is true, lovely, good.

It's here for you, now,

wherever you are.

be well...

xoxo

💓

"She was happiest in her own little world.

She didn't need anyone to complete her.\She was whole

all by herself."

" You may not control all the events that happen to you,

but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

"The days that you think are ordinary,

are the ones that someday,

you will miss the most.

Love it, or lose it."

~Sandra Hart~

"People who are on social media the most

have higher inflammation, more anxiety and depression,

worse sleep, higher stress levels, and are more lonely.

You are not 'Just anxious'.

You weren't meant to know what billions of 

strangers were doing and saying 24/7."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Time Out

I think we could all use a little stretch break....

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If we don't take good care of our body,

where will we live?"

"The great dividing line

between success and failure

can be expressed in five words:

I did not have time."

 

Hurdles

X-rays, Bone spur, Inactive right thumb, trigger fingers,

MRI, Orthopedic surgeon, Stenosis, Spinal clinic.

Sophie

I will focus on the ups, 

for they still far outweigh the downs.

Energy training with a retired race horse, and an overly cautious horse,

 sweet smiles, and old friends with big lovable dogs.

Left hands that learn fast, and fingers that pick up 

where thumbs leave off.

Wonderful medical community who care,

and rapid responses.

Mild evenings and after dinner walks.

Deep breaths.

Trusting in the process.

Flowers in bloom and a fresh morning rain.

Dove cooing in the distance.

A loaf of sourdough fresh out of the oven, and the heel calling my name...

Receiving a new book in the mail.

YouTube PT videos.

Meditating on scripture, and being acutely aware of  the 

messages that carry me through each moment, each hour,

each day.

And today is a beautiful day !!!

Am I nervous? You bet!

It sometimes borders on extreme fear...

however, 

I continue to choose to look at it as an experience.

Through eyes of faith.

I have found great comfort in that alone.

I'm 63. 

It's happening.

I want to see the lessons, the beauty, and provisions in it all.

I feel like I am on training ground.

We don't always have to be strong to be strong.

Sometimes we need to fall apart to regroup & stay on track.

Sometimes strength is expressed in being vulnerable.

Part of taking care of ourself is giving

ourself permission to fall apart when we need to.

There is nothing that empowers me, or lifts me up more,

than falling apart and spending those moments in 

God's loving care.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"...the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd

keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

"At every moment of our lives we all

have one foot in a fairy tale 

and the other in the abyss."

~Paulo Coehlo~

"Did you know: Spending just a few minutes 

gazing into a dog's eyes can increase oxytocin

by 300%?

Petting and interacting with dogs

also lowers stress hormones and helps 

reduce blood pressure.

Love had four legs."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~