A Mindful Life

This guy is new to me. I posted this on my Facebook account, but it’s too good not to share here. It put a spring in my step when I heard it. If the embedded video doesn’t show, go here to see it.

When we went to the pumpkin farm a couple weeks ago, I decided not to buy big pumpkins. Claire picked out a teeny one for herself. Since literally no one comes to trick-or-treat at our house in this town home complex, I haven’t carved a pumpkin — especially since my last attempt (in 2007) ended [...]

This came out exceptionally well, and it was a great way to use a random pack that I’d bought; I wasn’t feeling ambitious enough to make gumbo, etc. Lentil Soup with Andouille Sausage Ingredients 4 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth 4 1/2 cups beef stock or canned broth 1 1/2 cups [...]

Inspiration from No Time For Flashcards.

For the last 10 months, each morning Claire sits with her Dad on the sofa, watching PBS shows while he works from home for an hour, giving me a break to shower and prep for the day. One of her first and favorite shows has been Between the Lions. It’s a show with a muppet-style [...]

Today’s craft (since Claire is home from preschool because she’s sick):

This is a neat idea. (See the movie here if it doesn’t embed.) More fun videos here!

I’m excited. The rains are coming. Now, you have to live in California to appreciate my enthusiasm. The weather is subtle here. When I speak of rains, I don’t mean the hair-raising, eardrum-splitting drama of a Texas thunderstorm. (Oh, how I miss those!) Even my hometown, Syracuse, is capable of stormy antics. No, the rains [...]

Husband and I are homebodies. We aren’t big travelers, and we particularly don’t like to fly. We haven’t flown since 2006. In fact, we have never flown anywhere with Claire, and have only had one overnight away from home with her — in Monterey, in August. She was not the type of baby who slept [...]

What? November is next month? Already? That means Art Every Day Month is coming. I’m not sure I’ll do it this year. I just don’t feel inspired. I have less time than ever to sneak in art for myself. I haven’t made anything in months and months. We’ll see.