corner view: simple pleasures

Our apple-filled autumn has officially ended and orange season has wintered its way into our home. Last year was the first time our daily fruit followed this pattern. The children stopped asking for apple slices and sauces and would repeatedly bring me small oranges to peel for them. And I oblige as I lean over the fruit, peeling with a meditative focus for that small minute of their quiet wait. We keep a crate of clementines during this time of year on our pantry hutch. They are small, easily peeled and separated, frequently seedless and just the right size for sister-sharing. This simple pleasure makes me smile as I think back to my own childhood. I’m charmed by this simple pleasure as it sparks an early childhood memory of my own. After dinner my Dad would go sit on the couch and ask if I wanted part of his orange as he started peeling. He would work his thumbnail over the white strings being sure to clear it down to the pure orange coat offering up slices for sharing. It’s a funny but soothing little familial habit to have passed on down.

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Corner view is a weekly Wednesday gathering, hosted originally hosted by Jane, now by Francesca. A topic is given and you can see impressions; be it photographic or writerly in form from around the world: Jane, Dana, Bonny, Joyce, Ian, Francesca, Theresa, Cate, Kasia, Otli, Trinsch, Isabelle, Janis, Kari, jgy, Lise, Dorte, McGillicutty, Sunnymama, Ibb, Kelleyn, Ninja, Sky, RosaMaria, Juniper, Valerie, Sammi, Cole, Don, WanderChow, FlowTops, Tania, Tzivia, Kristin, Laura, Guusje, Susanna, Juana, Elsa, Nadine, Annabel

Sunday Still Life

Sunday Still Life is an evolving mindfulness project; a weekly invitation to pause the busy of our days, to re-center and celebrate the beauty and depth of life. If you are inspired to join in, please leave a link in Erin’s comments.

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Shortly after I met Lovey we started spending our holidays together. When his family became mine our traditions merged. Each holiday in the year that passed brought with it sweet little packages. It didn’t matter what was in the package- the treat was in the unwrapping. I would study the skill and love that came through the folds of colorful paper held together by lengths of ribbon. Lovey’s mother and her sisters’ packages were held together by a series of folds and ribbon. No tape. No glue and few gift bags. I know I romanticize how it happens, but each time one of these packages turns up, be it small enough to nestle in the Christmas tree or hold its own down under, I hold a picture in my mind of the sisters sitting with their cups of tea and stacks of wrapping papers from previous years. Each piece carefully cut free of tears that came from delighted hands pulling it hurriedly open, and carefully folded and stored for the next years gifting. I love these packages in and of themselves. They are our celebration.

sunday still life

Sunday Still Life is an evolving mindfulness project; a weekly invitation to pause the busy of our days, to re-center and celebrate the beauty and depth of life. If you are leave inspired to join in, please leave a link in Erin’s comments.

“Family, lets go eat our ice cream on the porch. Daddy, you like watching the rain. Come on let’s go!”

It’s the little things. like when they notice the things that make you happy.

sunday still life

Sunday Still Life is an evolving mindfulness project; a weekly invitation to pause the busy of our days, to re-center and celebrate the beauty and depth of life. If you are leave inspired to join in, please leave a link in Erin’s comments.

Painted Lady

We had baby butterflies this spring. As one friend put it, our home was bursting with new life! We watched our caterpillars transformation and shortly after Sugarplum joined us, released them into our back yard. Zuzu was the biggest fan of the process. Well, her and her Gramma who then received some as a gift from her granddaughters for Mother’s Day shortly thereafter! Each day in the week following the release Zuzu would let me know which of the caterpillars she saw flapping by at school that day…Tina, Jackie, Max…

Only Mortimer remained with us since his wing was damaged to the point where he couldn’t fly. He lived out his life in our little butterfly home dining on pink carnations and orange slices. We’ve received regular updates about the butterflies in Gramma’s care as well and they are scheduled to move to a local park bursting with flowers today!

sunday still life

Sunday Still Life is evolving mindfulness project; a weekly invitation to pause the busy of our days, to re-center and celebrate the beauty and depth of life. If you are inspired to join in, please leave a link in Erin’s comments.

My mom’s here now as we patiently wait for Sugarplum’s arrival. Zuzu has been anticipating this visit for weeks; carefully planning all the things she wants to show and do with Gramma. The first evening Gramma was here this girl who typically has eyes only for Momma come quiet time was happily curled up under the wing of Gramma. It was really quite the sight as Lovey and I raised our eyebrows over the ease with which she attached herself. The first opportunity to skip her beloved school, she eagerly planned a day of muffin baking, nail-painting and flower-picking for them.

The Quail on the other hand is aware that Gramma’s arrival means the depature of Momma & Da for a few days and is showing her 3-year-old weariness. She stands back and eyes our hugs and kisses and eventually comes running to join in. Now on the third day she’s realized what a great playmate Gramma is and is starting to seek her out. A swing-ride is a sure way to the heart of this little bird….