The other morning my friend and I went on a walk. Since it was good exercise, we climbed the streets that go up into the foothills above our homes. It was a long climb that left us both gasping for breath as we made our way to the top. As we walked we talked because, we are never too out of breath to talk!
When we reached the top, the valley lay out before us, a patchwork of orange and yellow and red. Both of us stood quiet for a moment, marveling at the beautiful place that we live. It is such a simple thing, but our walks, and more importantly her friendship, love and support are such a blessing in my life.
In the past few weeks I’ve been finishing up my canning for the year. Oh how I love seeing the rows of jars lining my shelves.
I’ve been working on my yard, putting it to bed for the winter. There are pots to empty and put away, chairs to store, flower beds to weed and cut back, roses to prune.
The weather has been so cold, I’ve been making soups and bread, and cozy cold weather food.
Everyday is filled with helping my kids with homework (thank you Khan Academy for getting me through 6th and 7th grade math!) There are always things to clean, work to do, volunteering for my church, volunteering at my kid’s school…
Everyday is full.
But I’ve come to realize that in these full and ordinary days lies the heart of my life. If I wish to cultivate happiness, I need to seek it there.
The extraordinary days, days sitting on a warm and distant beach, celebration days, even new sofa delivery days… those kind of days are just too far and few between to build a life of happiness on.
Anna Quindlen
“Life is made of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen. We have to teach ourselves how to live, really live… to love the journey, not the destination.”
God gives us many miracles everyday. We just are too busy to see them. Glad you stopped to see the beautiful picture he painted for you that morning!
Finding myself SO thankful for the rhythm of the ordinary days. I have had friends going through difficult times who long for ordinary days; they are truly a gift. And so beautiful right now. Loved the picture!
I agree but make sure you are not just walking around with your head down looking for the mica as life passes you by. Get your head up, look around!! Quit texting and posting and looking at your cell phones for a bit and play with your kids, go for a walk in nature and not a gym. Love one another and read a book!!! Stop and notice the rhythm of life of the seasons, each other. I went out to a late lunch or early dinner and there was a couple with two kids at the table across from ours. The father never got off his cell phone and the mother was playing card games on an ipad the entire time. The kids just sat there. No conversation, nothing. How sad!
Where did you go Callie? I miss your blog postings!
I just made your Ginger Snap cookies for a friend and she loves, loves, loves them! They have been my Christmas gift to her for the last couple of years. I also just made, for the first time, your harvest vegetable soup which was excellent! My husband raved and said to make sure to keep the recipe. Thanks for all the inspiration you share though out the year. Merry Christmas to you and your family. P.S. Miss your posts!