Stepping Away from the Edge

The Itch

Usually, sometime toward the end of March, it hits.

The urge to garden.  The desire to dig.  The need to feel the earth.

The Itch.

And usually, when it hits, there's not a dang thing I can do about it.  Because there's usually still snow.  Or thick ice patches.  And the ground is usually frozen.

But this year?

Not so much! 

This is the winter-that's-not-really-a-winter; the what-if-they-gave-a-winter-and-no-one-came-winter; the lost season.  The ground is not frozen.  There is no snow cover.  Very bizarre.  And even though I've got daffodils poking through the ground. . .

and hellebores sending up their blooms. . .

and sedum . . .

and ladies mantle already making their appearance. . .

I can't trust that winter is completely lost.

But The Itch has arrived much, much earlier than is typical.

Jenny smells it.

This intrepid pansy thinks it's here.

And the fish* are beginning to be a bit more active in the pond.

The Itch. 

I don't think I've ever been out in my garden, actually tending and pruning and cleaning up, this early in the year. But I spent a lovely afternoon out there, doing just that, last Saturday.  It was wonderful to get out and get started.  But I think it may just make The Itch even more intense.  Because it can't really be spring yet.

Can it?

*If you look closely, you can see all three fish are still hanging in there!  Boo is the big white one, Simon is the smaller one with the white face just to the left of Boo, and Garfunkel is black and hanging out just below both Boo's and Simon's noses.

Coming To

Today . . . I'm re-surfacing.  Coming to, so to speak, from a family-and-food induced four-day coma.  It's been fun.  It's been tasty.  It's even been fairly relaxing.  My full house** is empty again.  It's time to get back to my "normal" life.

Because I really can't deal with anything clever or creative today, I'll just share some scenes from our Thanksgiving weekend.

Hope you all had a lovely holiday!

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** At one point during the weekend, when Tom had come home late after curling and I was explaining that there was another college student spending the night so he shouldn't be alarmed if he encountered her in the morning, he looked at me and laughed . . . and told me he felt like we were running a youth hostel!  It was a very full house.

So Much

I am usually in awe of the bounty around me.  I have so much to be thankful for.  And while this is the case every day, I certainly think about it with more intention in November, the season of Thanksgiving.

This week, in celebration of Thanksgiving, here are Ten Things I'm Thankful For:

1. A Firm Foundation -- My Mom and Dad raised my sister and I in a home filled with love, support, and encouragement.  This has served me well all my life, and I am so thankful.
2. Finding the Love of My Life -- Tom and I have been married for thirty years.  Sharing the sentiment of Jerry Maguire, we "complete" each other.  I thank my lucky stars every day.
3. Watching them Grow -- I loved my kids - fiercely - from the beginning, but I had no idea how wonderful it would be to watch them . . . unfold. . . into the adults they are becoming.  What a pleasure to see them become such warm, engaging, intelligent, and risk-taking (both of them!) adults. What gifts!
4. Continuing the Story -- My sister and I were buddies as we grew up (well, most of the time; we did have our moments).  I love being able to stay close as we grow older - and from a distance, folding each other's husbands and children into our lives.  We have such fun, and I am so grateful for her continuing support and love.
5. Wanna Play? -- I enjoy the company of my friends, and appreciate the extra dimension they add to my life.  I am grateful for my real-life friends and my virtual friends.  You are all wonderful.
6. Tail-Wagging -- Oh, Jenny!  What would I do without her company?  I am so thankful for my trusty companion.  She makes every day a happy day.
7. Living Well -- I am healthy.  I am fit.  I am cancer-free.  (I have hair.)  I will never take my health for granted, and I am grateful for every moment.
8. Finding my Passions -- Through the years, I have nurtured activities that stimulate my creativity and fuel my soul.  Reading.  Knitting.  Gardening.  Travel.  Yoga.  Cooking.  These activities bring balance to my life and joy to my days, and I am so thankful.
9. Four Seasons -- Although I do my share of complaining about the weather, I really am grateful to live in a place where the seasons parade past my window.  I enjoy elements of each season.  (I really do.)  And I'm happy to be planted right here. . . just where I am.
10. Having Enough -- Basically, I'm thankful that I have enough. . . of what I need. . . to do the things I want to do.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

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Cranberry Goodness: Five and Five

I had my list all thought out today . . . How To Use Cranberries.  Easy!  I love cranberries!  I use them all the time.  But then I re-read Carole's email, just to make sure I had the topic right, and . . . my heart sank.  Because the topic is actually How to Use FRESH Cranberries.  That's an important distinction; one that set me back a bit. 

Well, then. 

Let's see where we end up on this one.

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without them -- but I like the way their tart, sour-ness adds a little punch and pop ANYtime.  And how to use them?  FRESH cranberries, that is?

1.  Cranberry-Cherry-Walnut Chutney.  This is on our Thanksgiving table every year.  It is wonderful.  I got the recipe in Cooking Light magazine many, many years ago and I've been making it ever since.

2.  Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.  I just found this recipe (which includes a jalapeño, cilantro, and green onion -- in addition to the cranberries and the cream cheese) on Pinterest, and I plan to try it this year for a Thanksgiving appetizer.

3.  Warm Cranberry Walnut Brie.  This is an appetizer I often make for pot lucks and parties.  Easy and very tasty!  (Also from Cooking Light.)

4.  String them as garlands for holiday decorations.  I've actually done this before (years ago).  Rather tedious, but very charming.

5.  Fill glass bowls or vases with fresh cranberries for colorful holiday decor.  I've never actually done this -- but I've recently seen it on Pinterest (yeah; I know), and it looks so festive.  I think I'll give it a try this year

And, with those five, I'm afraid . . . I've run out of ideas for FRESH cranberries.  Although I love 'em, I just don't use the fresh ones all that often, I guess.  So, to round things out, I'll fall back on DRIED Cranberries.

6.  Add them to your yogurt.  Dried cranberries add a nice, chewy, tart blast to yogurt.  My favorite?  Chobani Greek Yogurt . . . pineapple . . . with a bit of granola and some dried cranberries.

7.  Add them to your cereal.  I always throw a handful of dried cranberries (or dried cherries) into my morning flakes.  (I hear they're great in oatmeal, too.  But I don't eat oatmeal.)

8.  Mix them into roasted green beans. . . with a touch of olive oil and some sea salt.  Divine.

9.  Or try this recipe:  Roasted Acorn Squash with Walnuts and Cranberries.  (I'm planning to test this one out later this week.  Found it on Pinterest.  Natch.)

10.  Bake them into cookies or muffins or breads.  You can't go wrong with dried cranberries, substituting them anywhere you'd add raisins.  (They are fabulous in chocolate chip cookies.)

How do YOU use cranberries?  FRESH or DRIED?

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Thankful Thursday: Let Me Give You a Hand

This week, I've been thinking about my hands . . . and how thankful I am to have them.

Holding.  Touching.  Reaching out.

My hands are expressive.  I talk with my hands; I can wave hello or call someone over.  I can show my appreciation by clapping my hands, or I can show my irritation with . . . well, you know, gestures.

My hands keep me in touch -- they type and write and dial.  They text and push buttons and snap photos.

I can reach out to people -- with a hug, a handshake, a tap on the shoulder.  I can give a massage or tickle someone.  I can push away or pull toward.  I can pet my pup!

When it comes to holding and carrying things, my hands are quite versatile!  I can lug in a week's worth of groceries or push a wheelbarrow full of compost . . . with the same hands that can cradle a fragile piece of china or pick up a tiny fragment of thread.

My hands take me through the chores of my day . . .

and help me settle with my hobbies.

I'm thankful for my hands.  They keep me busy and help me find my way in the world!

 

 

I Feel Terrific!

I hate getting a cold.  Hate. It.  (Colds make me Very Grumpy!)  This week, though, for Ten on Tuesday, we're talking about colds -- and what we can do to take care of ourselves when we've got one.

I tend to follow three "stages" when dealing with colds. . .

First, there is the Prevention Stage (and, because I hate colds so much, I'm in Prevention Stage most of the time):

1  -- Proper rest and general good nutrition with plenty of Vitamin C and Zinc
2  -- Frequent hand washing
3  -- Avoiding Germ Zones and people with obvious colds (if possible)

Next, there is the Denial Stage:

4  -- Positive thinking -- my mantra becomes "I feel terrific!  I feel terrific!"
5  -- Working out -- hard -- hoping to "sweat" it out
6  -- Raging -- refusing to ALLOW the cold germs to settle in my body (this is where I am Very Grumpy and it's not pretty)

And, if none of that works and it's clear I have a cold, I move into the Acceptance Stage:

7  --  Gargling with salt water; taking Tylenol -- and some extra Vitamin C (just in case)
8  --  Drinking hot tea and plenty of water and fruit juices; eating bowls of chicken noodle soup
9   -- Getting plenty of rest; sucking on Halls Mentho-Lyptus drops; and keeping soft tissues nearby
10 -- Whining to my mom

With that, let's all hope for a healthy fall and winter with minimal discomfort from colds and flu.  Get a flu shot!  Wash your hands!  DENY!  We feel TERRIFIC!

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Neutrality

The end of Project Spectrum is near!  November is the last month of our color journey, and we wrap up with the neutrals:  black, grey, white, beige, taupe.

Last month, I struggled to find teal in my landscape.  In my neck of the woods, teal is not a naturally-occurring color.

But neutrals?  Yeah.  Got 'em!  Especially when we hit late fall.  Then, the neutrals will take us straight through til spring!

Seems that everywhere I look. . .

there's a lot of neutral going on!

I don't mind, though.  The neutrals have a certain stark beauty all their own.  Because there is no color exciting your eyes, you tend to notice other things more.  Like . . . texture.

And shading.

And movement.

There's a lot to like about . . . neutrality.

Which is a good thing!  Because it's what we've got for the next several months!

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MANY THANKS to all of you who volunteered to help Erin with her survey.  She was overwhelmed by the response, and I am so grateful for your support.  Hugs to all of you!

Thankful Thursday: Happy Feet

November already!  You know what that means? 

Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love the gathering of Thanksgiving: The food, the family, the being together -- warm and happy inside, against an increasingly chilly exterior.  I love the colors of Thanksgiving.  I love the traditions of Thanksgiving.  I love the overall ease of Thanksgiving; that it is a holiday without much expectation, pressure, or fanfare.  I love that there is a day . . . devoted to being thankful.

In November, I start thinking about what I'm particularly thankful for. . . in my life.  I'm a thankful, grateful person, in general.  Always have been.  But I think that I became Even More Thankful . . . after the whole cancer thing.

So, during November, on Thursdays, I'll be writing about what I'm thankful for. . . right now.

I am thankful . . . for my feet!

That may sound a bit silly.  But, my feet . . .

Get me where I want to go.  They allow me free movement.  They open up a world of possibilities.  They keep me fit.  They keep me connected.  They keep me moving forward.

They jump and kick and spin. 

They pedal.

They drive. 

They walk.  Just around the corner with Jenny.  Or down the Champs-Élysées with my sister.

They move uphill and down. 

Sometimes they move me forward quickly, with excitement; sometimes they move me forward slowly, with dread.

But they keep me moving.

And sometimes, they just . . . hang around.

I'm thankful for my feet.  For movement in my life.  For the ability to . . . go where I want to go.

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Calling all willing participants!!!!!

Erin has put together a short survey (unscientific) for one of her papers in literary & cultural studies.  (Hint:  It's about reading habits and whether or not you use an e-reader.)  If you're willing to spend about 4-5 minutes with this survey TODAY (because, of course, she's on a tight deadline), send me an email or comment and I'll have her send you the survey.  Many thanks!

 

 

Autumn Mosaic

Winter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, Summer an oil painting, and Autumn a mosaic of them all.            ----- Stanley Horowitz

It's been a lovely fall here in Michigan. 

Pleasant weather.  Nice weekends.  Blue skies.

I love the colors and textures of the season.

A true mosaic!

 

Just Three Today

I know it's Ten on Tuesday.  But this week's topic is just too. . . frightening. . . for me.  (Sorry, Carole.)  So, today, I'm just giving you three random things.

1.  11/1/11

I mean, how fun is that to type?  (I can hardly wait for the 11th. . .)

2.  We didn't have as many trick-or-treat kids at our house last night, but we did have a great costume parade!  A group of about 12 middle schoolers showed up together --- dressed as the entire cast of Toy Story!!!!  Led by Buzz and Woody, the rest of the toy chest paraded by my door: the Slinky dog and Bo-Peep and Mr. Potato Head. . . even the little alien dude.  Very clever and well-planned.  (Go, Moms!)

3.  Since we ended up with fewer trick-or-treaters at our door, we had TONS of leftover candy.  I was feeling very smug this morning, as I packed off those leftovers with Tom to take to his office.  Really.  I didn't even save one Milky Way bar behind for myself.  But then. . . this showed up in my email inbox.  Oh, Brooklyn Tweed!  You really know how to tempt a girl!

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