Wordless Wednesday -- Boathouse at The Old Manse, Concord MA

A Whirlwind Week ...

It's been about a week since I've posted and no wonder. I have been busy, busy, busy with family here helping us to explore sights and tastes of New England.

I'll be sharing several posts over the next couple of days ... we were going non-stop and had so much fun. I haven't even had a chance to go through my pictures and have yet to really jot down thoughts about all the fun we had. There were a few unexpected treasures I want to be sure to include -- I'm just hoping that in the moment I thought to take pictures!

There's also been some revelations about foods I can (and certainly about what I can't) eat that have come to light. I think I've narrowed things down even further about what my new eating plan will be like. I have to say, seeing how Meghan managed her soy allergy has given me a lot of encouragement that I *can* work around what appears to be food sensitivities and well, just plain changes that I want to make in my diet all around. I'll be sharing about that in the near future too.

AND -- I have happily just downloaded Photoshop and am planning to really start to focus on learning how to edit photos using this software. I've also signed up for some beginning digital scrapbooking classes and couldn't be more thrilled. I believe that this is the hobby I've been looking for! It combines my love of photography with my love for computers and will be a perfect excuse for learning to use Photoshop. I also think it will give me the skills I need to pursue blog design.

So while I haven't been posting much in the past week, I've had a lot going on. And through all this I've also discovered some new blogs and tried new foods too that I'll be sharing about.

Lots of posts to come ...

Can't Wait, Can't Wait, Can't Wait

Yes, it's almost "family time"! Daniel and Meghan are due to arrive this evening and to say we're a little excited is an understatement.

Oh, all the fun we're going to have. Dave and Daniel have to work on Thursday and Friday so I am expecting that Meghan and I will be doing a little exploring -- there are several places we'd like to visit, shopping we'd like to do, coffee shops we hope to stop and relax in. And then there is always Barnes and Noble. It's our goal to visit every store within a 50 mile radius of where we are planted.

The weekend will most likely involve a trip into Boston and Salem ... it IS October after all. There is bound to be some fun brewing in Salem this time of year. And if nothing else, the leaves seem to have hit their peak just in time for our southern family to arrive.

I should be cleaning the house. In fact -- I'm finishing up this post right now to get back to it. But once it's clean -- that's it! No more Windex or Pledge or vacuuming until after they leave next week. And I obviously don't want to even think about that.

So -- my camera batteries are charged and memory cards are empty and ready for action. The beds are made, bathrooms are cleaned. Now it's just the last minute stuff and a trip to the store before heading off to Logan.

Oh I can't wait to hug them.

Friday Thoughts ...

I'm gearing up for the weekend (well, not really ... I haven't given it much thought yet beyond tonight's dinner) and am SO looking forward to some time with my hubby. As I was sitting here I thought I'd share a few of the thoughts that are running through my mind at the moment.

1. I need to get out and take some pictures of the beautiful leaves. I'm so hoping the weather holds out and we can squeeze in some time for that over the next couple days.

2. I have great kids. I just talked to my southern boy and love that he called to get my thoughts on the direction he should have one of his projects go. Mom's opinion must still be worth something!

3. I am SO excited that southern boy and his sweeter-than-sweet-tea wife are coming to visit us -- in just 5 (FIVE!!!) days. FIVE days! YAY!!!

4. I really think it's time to either vacuum or move the vacuum cleaner back into the closet.

5. I totally think I'm going to get the fajita quesadillas at the Mexican restaurant hubby and I are trying out for dinner.

6. It's driving me nuts that I can't find a book that I'm almost CERTAIN I own. I can't imagine that it was a library book. But I can't find it anywhere. (Note to self: Remember when you couldn't find the Amy Grant CD? You were certain someone must have stolen it from your car? Almost bought a new one ... and then, lo and behold it showed up in the pantry between the pages of a cookbook? Yeah. Keep looking girl.)

7. I'm going to try making Apple Betty this weekend as a special treat.

8. I picked out a camera that I would LOVE to buy ... but it's way too expensive at the moment. Still, I'm going to print out a picture and put it on my wish board.

9. I'm making a WISH Board for inspiration!

10. I'm hoping that this is a lazy weekend filled with sleeping in, yummy breakfasts and a whole lot of yo-yo meals, some snuggling on the couch watching movies with popcorn ... with some time for exploring (with camera in hand!) and maybe a few little projects that I'd like to get done before the kids arrive on Wednesday.

Yep -- that was the two minute tour of what's rattling around in my head!

When Did October Arrive?

I've been so very wrapped up in cookbooks, birthday planning, a quick trip to New York, and indulging in some fun reading that I barely noticed October has arrived! It became abundantly clear over the past couple days as we drove along the Mass Pike and through the Berkshires ... the colors are beautiful! Not quite peak, but gorgeous just the same.

And then there's the rain. Yes, as much as I love October, it typically comes with a bit of rain. We've had more than typical amounts and I'm hoping that things will dry up soon so I can get out with my camera and get some pictures of the more beautiful spots I've discovered ... especially before they're gone!

In the meantime, I've finished up a couple of books on my reading list! The School of Essential Ingredients was just ... well ... heartwarming. What I liked about this book was that each chapter held a story in and of itself. The author uses the background of a cooking class to introduce us to the different lives of the class participants, sharing with us what motivated them to take this class, what they hoped to get out of the class and even how the class changed them. It started, however, with the story of Lillian, who taught the class and believed that food and cooking could heal even the saddest soul.

I found myself liking each and every character and my only worry was that the story would just abruptly end once the author ran out of class members! No worries ... the final chapter brought it all together and I absolutely loved the ending.

I'm so glad I read it ... it's not my typical fun read fix where I'm looking to sit on the edge of my seat and find out what happens next. It was instead like being snuggled up in a warm blanket drinking a cup of herbal tea. I found the book a comfort I didn't know I needed.

When I turned the last page of The School of Essential Ingredients, I found myself yearning for more "fun" reading and happily The Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier had just arrived for me at the library. Perfect fall reading ...

And I loved it. This was my first dip in the pool with Lucy Stone ... the journalist who lives in Tinker's Cove Maine and gets involved in all sorts of mysteries. As I read, the writing made me think of "Murder She Wrote" -- it was that kind of story. Lucy is just this very likable character that gets involved in everyone's business, finds clues where you least expect them, and has a knack for putting them all together ... and in this story, getting herself in a little hot water and a burning situation as well.

Once thing I will note -- the story line involved witchcraft and Wicca and, while typically I wouldn't be interested in reading that kind of story, I felt it was almost a nice introduction to what the Wicca religion is about -- without having to delve too deeply.

What can I say? It was a quick, fun read and soothed my itch for a story with a mystery to be solved. Nothing too deep here which, truth be told, I sometimes really enjoy. I closed the book wishing there was just a bit more ... so I quickly went to the computer and requested two of Meier's other books, Trick or Treat Mystery and Turkey Day Mystery to stay in the feel of autumn.

So -- that's what I've been up to. I am anxious to start blogging more about my adventure into vegetarian eating and what I've been cooking up. And now ... I'm off to exercise with a new Leslie Sansone Walk Away The Pounds recording.

Wordless Wednesday -- Deep In Thought

Letting Go And Rejoicing

I'm in the process of realizing that there are a few things in my life that have become ... well ... toxic for me. One is a lifestyle choice and the other is a friendship.

It's amazing to me that I've struggled with both of these "things" for a long, long time now. Both have given me a somewhat uncomfortable feeling inside whenever I allow myself to come face to face with their ugliness, yet I haven't known how to deal with them. I wanted to make what I knew were necessary changes -- but I didn't know how. I didn't want to create anxiety for anyone else that might be affected by my decisions and for whatever reason, the timing just didn't feel right.

Recently, it's become apparent to me that both of these particular problem areas have kind of worked themselves out -- without any assistance on my end. It just happened.

"God's timing" as a friend said to me. And oh, she is so right.

Ultimately, I didn't really need to do anything except acknowledge that what was once a part of my life no longer had a stranglehold on me, was no longer significant, no longer mattered to me one way or another. It didn't take any effort on my part. I simply knew it was time to let go.

And I believe I have been able to do just that. Effortlessly. Without worry. Without sadness. Peacefully. Content that these changes are what is best for me.

The freedom that comes from the release is just ... exhilirating.

Thank You sweet Jesus ... for your perfect timing. For knowing me better than I know myself. For keeping me in your care and comfort during the struggle. And for being with me as I rejoice in my newfound freedom.

The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life. -- Psalm 121:7