Day 12

Day 12: Today I am thankful for kisses.

       I wish that kisses could be saved in a jar and the magical warm feeling they give my heart could be released and enjoyed all over again. There are all kinds of kisses, there are loving kisses, friendly kisses, hello and good by kisses. There are passionate kisses and baby kisses, eskimo and butterfly kisses, even comforting parenty kisses. My personal favorite is right on the top of my head from my man when he just cant seem to contain how much he loves me. A kiss can even seal a letter or be the first gift a man and wife give each other. Kisses are beautiful and one of the many things in life that is still fairly intimate and a meaningful exchange between two humans. Kisses are usually not given out to just anyone. Our families are pretty affectionate when we get together we always hug and kiss and tell each other how much we love the other. Guess when you loose as many members as we all have you try to keep the ones you have close.

     Life gets complicated and stressful. For me, life gets very overwhelming at times. I don't manage stress the best but all I need is for Adam to wrap me up in a hug, kiss my forehead and tell me its all going to be OK.  He loves to make me laugh with play kisses on my neck because he knows I am sooooo ticklish, we love to fish kiss and be silly with our kisses and someday I can not wait to have a mini Adam who gives me the sweetest fish kisses!

Day 11

Day 11: Today I am thankful for my precious little pooch

              Bucky can be well, a challenge to say the least. He can be down right mean actually. He will love you one minute and turn to bite you the next. He hasn't always had the easiest of lives but I am glad we are the house that gets to love him. He loves to lick the floors and is a constant at your feet in the kitchen. He loves to play and chase me around the house and playing is one of the first things he thinks about when he wakes up, besides outside and Bryan. He loves Bryan, some times I swear he thinks he is Bryan's dog. He is a great cuddler when he wants to be, but only likes to cuddle when he is sleeping or just waking up. He is a fickle and jealous bugger and I worry about how he will act when we have babies but we will cross that bridge when we get there. Until then I am just going to smother him with love. 

Day 10

Day 10: Today I am thankful for creativity.

              Creativity keeps me sane, well as sane as I can be. Most of the time my creativity is best expressed in writing. Usually I have so many thoughts going through my mind, but when I put a pen to paper I have a way of working through them all. I have kept many many journals since I was a pretty  young child including the 4 I have kept over the last 3 years I have been with Adam. My freshmen year I took creative writing and loved it. I wrote many poems and short stories at that time. I would love to take more, and hope to write at least one book. Cooking if nothing else! Writing helps me understand my thoughts better and is my spiritual creative outlet.

               My emotional outlet is definately singing! For the most part I am only brave enough to sing in my car or the kitchen with Adam. I used to be a lot more open about it, maybe its karaoke time. We love to sing and dance together. I have never sang so openly infront of anyone else, even infront of crowds. Singing for me has a total release that I am addicted to. Music as a whole is beautiful and mind blowing. I have to have music on no matter what I am doing or where I am. Even now I am listening to the Wicked soundtrack, and singing. My soul gets a strange weightlessness and I feel every breath as I inhale and all that I am holding on to gets let go and blown out with my exhale. I feel a change in viewpoint and uplifted after singing a song that I love as best and as passionately as I can. Singing can help me feel better about life and happier in general.

" And no body in all of oz, no wizard that there is or was is ever gonna bring me down"

Day 9

  Day 9: Today I am thankful for inspiring people.

            I am a truly blessed to have so many inspiring people in my life. My sweet, loving grandmothers. My kind, strong minded aunties. My endearing, funny uncles. My protective, close nit cousins, regardless of how long its been. My understanding friends who can talk me through anything. My thoughtful brothers and sister. My compassionate, patient, wise Mommies. My quick witted, insightful Dad.

             

Another person who has really inspired me in my life is Isabel Toro. She is a holistic counselor. I am so thankful for her, openness, hospitality, warmth, sharing of knowledge, guidance, kindness, love, and general care for me. She has taught me a lot about being calm and enjoying and being thankful for life. Has taught me to be objective and understand myself and life better. She is a truly in touch with the greater energy and has helped me to grow closer to it. She has opened her home to Adam and I and brought us through some hard times, and helped us find the tools to continue to get through them. I look forward to continuing my journey and growth with her. I think the biggest influence she has had on me is helping me realize my ultimate goal in life is to be a healer, to help people feel better in their lives.

Most of all my husband. He is such a hard working, selfless, dedicated, honest. I know that I will never have to worry about where he is or how he is with. I will never feel unloved or unappreciated, I never hear angry cruel words and he will never reinforce the message of my wounds. He is what makes me want to create and inspire another human life to have and live a life of all of these qualities. He makes it so easy to want to be the most amazing wife I can be and the best human I can be. He has inspired me to really look at what I and we want for our future, to grow up and figure out how to make what ever life throws at us work. His soul continues to impress and amaze me.

Day 8

Day 8: Today I am thankful for Nature.




             I am really at a loss for words when it comes to nature. Surprising I know! I am so awe struck by its graceful beauty that most of the time I can only stare with a smile on my face. Nature is my second favorite thing to photograph besides sunsets, and my third love in life after Adam and food. Adam and I love nature, one of our favorite places is Folsom lake. It is very close to our house and has great 4 wheeling spots and spots to just sit and enjoy the peace and quite of the view. In the spring time when all the lupine are blooming its like a sea of purple and I make Adam take me all the time to pick flowers. Flowers are my favorite part of nature. All kinds make me happy but a meadow of wild flowers is the best! Making bouquets is so fun and calming to me. I love to bring them to people for no reason and see how they light up. When I am in nature its so easy to let every thing else go and only connect with mother earth. I am trying to do this more so everyday. 

                                       http://vimeo.com/32001208

A.R.D. parking lot Auburn, Ca

Bucky at Folsom lake Granite Bay, Ca

Rattlesnake Bar Folsom lake Newcastle, Ca

Shandley Hill Auburn, Ca

Day 7

Day 7: Today I am thankful for tradition
      

        The holidays with my family are all about traditions. Certain people prepare certain dishes, certain days are hosted at certain peoples houses, and poker is played by 9 o'clock sharp! I just love them, and that my family takes the time to pass them on and instill in the next generation where we come from and how to stay connected. I plan to pass these traditions on to my children. Best of all is homemade pies. My Grandma Trish makes great apple pie and for my bridal shower gift she gave me the recipe and all the the tools/ingredients needed besides apples. So I thought what a great time to continue her tradition and get to use my fabulous gift! I am not going to share this recipe with you guys (sorry, some things gotta stay in the family) but I will include pictures.

Mary (my mother-in-law) makes a killer pumpkin pie so I am also continuing her tradition, at the request of my boys, and making pumpkin pie. 

 





   


                             Berry pie is my personal favorite
and I make a pretty mean one so I am also making one of those, you know just to keep our options open, HA! Or because I am selfish and want my favorite. While I love our combined family traditions I am excited for Adam and I to make some of our own with our family some day! 

Day 6

Day 6: Today I am thankful for sunsets

Sunset is my favorite time of day. I have always been a night owl so I don't get to see to many sunrises. I relish in the moment when the sun is just about to dip below the horizon and seems to set the whole sky a fire!

Some of the most beautiful sun sets happen in the winter months.
        








The clouds make for such and amazing canvas and the colors that cast off of them are breath taking.





 



Sunsets are one of my favorite things to photograph and what inspires me to want to learn to paint.  

 




I think watching the sun set is one of the most romantic dates.






 




Out here in Ophir I am lucky enough to have great views of sunsets. Adam and I have spent many evenings standing on the deck watching the last moments of light slip away. 

 






On our honeymoon we watched the sun set every night, its our thing! 

Admiring and soaking in these beautiful moments in life is when I feel the most relaxed and closest to the higher energy levels.

Day 4 & 5

Day 4: Today (yesterday) I am thankful for sleep.

                    Oh man did I needed it last night. 5th day this week( whoop whoop) and its big party season so its a little exhausting but worth it! Sleep is awesome! Sleep heals the body and calms the mind. When we get hurt or sick the first thing the doctor prescribes is rest. When we are sad our bodies have a hard time even getting out of bed. When we are stressed or unsure about something we say " I need to sleep on it" Most of us do not get as much as we need. When I go to long without enough sleep eventually my body just stops and I SLEEP, and awaken with a new attitude and feeling physically stronger. This honestly is my favorite kind of sleep, its when I sleep the deepest for the longest.
                     Last night I was trying to force myself to stay awake to blog and just couldn't get my brain to even function to think about how to express why I was thankful for sleep. Perhaps what I really needed was last nights sleep to fully comprehend my thankfulness for sleep. When I woke up this morning I realized that I was being silly. Holding myself to this idea of if you don't do this perfectly everyday your not really thankful, so deny your body and mind it's needs for a blog! Now I love my blog and you guys and I am committed to this 30 day project, but I needed some rest. I went to bed feeling a little guilty, but forgave myself this morning once refreshed and better equipped to express myself. An idea that I am really uncomfortable with, forgiving myself, and sometimes others...

                   

Day 5: Today I am thankful for forgiveness.


                    Forgiveness is a tricky game. Its complicated, complex and for me the hardest emotion to truly embrace. The Irish Italian in me holds a pretty hard grudge, and I've been know to be stubborn. I am learning that not only is it not good for my spirit, but also horrible physically. The energy that is held by not forgiving can be toxic. Toxic to life as well. It can continue a swirl negative energy and repeat negative patterns in our lives.
                      Forgiveness opens us up to so many opportunities with others and within ourselves that may have other wise been missed. A real feeling of relief comes from forgiveness. That always makes me think, if forgiveness is for me the hardest, and most rewarding how can I be more forgiving, in life in general? In turn be more understanding and make the impact I want.  


                  

Day 3

Day 3: Today I am thankful for growth. 

         Growth can be fun or exciting; social or economical; physical or emotional. Some of the time growth can even be hard. I feel the best kind of growth comes from overcoming adversity. I feel in times that are difficult, especially emotionally or spiritually, you lean the most about yourself. I feel these times in our lives help us to truly figure out where we stand on things, and who we are as an individual. They also help us lean to see people and situations from a different point of view. Growth is both good for you and necessary; and when you think you have grown enough life keeps on giving. I am trying to learn to wholeheartedly learn and grow as much as possible in my life.

French Meadows, Ca

Day 2

Day 2: Today I am thankful for: Friendship


               Friends enrich our lives, perhaps more than anything in our lives besides true love. Most people I know consider their friends closer than their family. Friends can understand and relate sometimes better than we can ourselves. They can up lift, support, motivate, and love us so deeply.
                Hanging and bonding with another human is one of my greatest pleasures in life, I have been blessed to do this a lot lately and with a lot of people I may have never chosen to on my own. I love in the midst of a indepth conversation with a great friend who you think you know so well and you get to learn something new about them and connect even more.
                Or someone you are getting to know is just on the same level and you gain some respect and appriciation for them that much more.
                 Lets not forget about mans best friend my little Buck. He is such a good boy. He puts a big smile on my face when he runs up to me when I get home or we are playing and we chase each other around the house. He gets this look in his eye that is just pure wild playful beast.
                  And my personal best friend my hubby Adam. He is the most amazing man, I have ever know besides my father. He is what makes me live and breath, He is why I want to be a better person. He is so kind and my favorite place in the entire world is in my "nook", when he holds me against his chest nesstled under is arms. So safe and comforting.
                     To all my past, present, and future friends I love you and thank you for enhancing my experience of this crazy thing called life.

30 Days of Thankfulness

        Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays ( oh who am I kidding I LOVE every holiday) and the older I get the more I feel like people in general are loosing the true meaning of this holiday. My friend Melanee O'Hagan has begun 30 days of thankfulness on her blog. http://thebestlifeivelived.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html.
       I love the idea, but I felt like perhaps I had missed the boat as it is already almost half way through the month. I was creepily reading through the comments, of complete strangers of course, and found that I wasn't the only one that felt this way. Melanee had the perfect response.
        " No one said the 30 days had to start on the 1st!"
    She has inspired me to to remember the meaning of this holiday, regardless of  individual beliefs, is being thankfull. Not just on Thanksgiving but all our lives long.

Day 1: Today I am thankful for: Laughter
       They say laughter is the best medicine. and I have to agree. Think about when you are in a not so great mood and some one cracks a joke and your hard bad mood, and  you both laugh out loud, sharing joy. One of my favorite things is hearing a baby or a child laugh out of pure excitement and contentment. I love laughter. I love after having a long day coming home with my man and laying in bed laughing about our day and how much we love working together. Try and share some genuine and pure self indulgent laughter!

Every human being emanates an energy field that corresponds to his or her inner state, and most people can sense it...~Eckhart Tolle

 

 

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey...

I know I know it’s been awhile, things have been busy and stressful around these here woods. Adam and I both started working at our favorite pizza place, Old Town Pizza (OTP) and are really enjoying it. It is a very fun and family oriented place and we fit in quite nicely! Adam had also started a new job with 2 of his brothers at a construction company out of San Francisco, but they were let go because they were too expensive. The guy couldn’t keep paying them what they were worth plus gas and company vehicles. So now we are all making it work and learning a little more how to work together and I think the true nature of our hippy commune!

That said I am so thankful to live in a place that sees all four seasons, and a beautiful property that I can sit and breathe it all in any time I want. Not everywhere, even in America sees all 4 seasons. Growing up Summer was always my favorite, as I think is true with most kids. Now I am torn. I love the Spring time. The sun comes back out, you get a warmer rainy day than in the frigid Winter months, and of course ALL the flowers start to bloom. There is a beautiful wash of warm bright colors every where you look. I am a Flower Child through and through, thank you Grandma Barbara! To be totally honest though, the older I get the more in love I fall with Fall! The urge to cuddle up with my love, pumpkins, cider, and the way the leaves that so skillfully and timidly poked themselves out in Spring now gracefully and boldly turn to the most breath taking shades of yellow, orange and red. Man, when the sun hits a liquid amber at just the right angle, at just the right time of day in mid November, it lights up like it’s on fire, and my heart begins to sing. One of my favorite things about Fall…the change in weather! So cold and snuggly. And it’s soup, stew and chili season! I love any food that requires a bowl and some dipping bread. I am Italian and Irish for goodness sake. We live of that kind of food! Last week was no exception. I made Chicken Chili. I also had sweet Melanee O’Hagan (whose family owns and operates OTP) and her precious little Rosanna to share in the gloriousness! They loved it. “Mo beans peese!” was all the little one could think about. We also had a fun time coloring with Bryan after dinner, and she even tried to steel my markers by stuffing them ALL in the front pocket of her sweatshirt…some without the lids! HA! I guess she figured that she didn’t need those. Good thing they are washable! We had some leftovers and normally I would have just packed ‘em up and put ‘em in the fridge, but Adam was working that night…he was closing. So I was a good wifey and brought him enough to share…it was devoured! I hope that you try my recipe and if you have a great chili recipe please share with me! 

Chicken Chili

Garlic Salt

Chili Powder

Cracked Black Pepper

Coriander

Cumin

Cayenne Pepper

Beer

Black Beans

Red Kidney Beans

Pinto Beans

Whole Corn Cornels

Diced Tomatoes

Cheese/Sour Cream/ Chives

Mix in crock pot: black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. While they get to know each other, on the stove cook 3 chicken breasts. In frying pan: oil bottom, add chicken, water and beer until chicken is covered. Beer does not need to be fancy. Add a bit of garlic salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Boil until fully cooked. Shred or cube, and add to crock pot. Add more garlic salt, pepper, coriander, cumin, and chili powder to taste. Simmer on high 2 hours. Top with your choice of grated cheese, sour cream and chives.