Showing posts with label seasons. Show all posts

Fall Baby

We all have our seasons, the turn of the year experienced through our senses to revive our souls and commune with Nature.   Many are summer babies, happy to bask in heat and rays for hours and hours.  Some crave the crush of snow under their feet and shock of Winter air on their faces.  Others bloom in Spring, weeping with the cheery blossoms and swooning over jasmine.





Though I appreciate all these facets, I admit that something comes alive in me during Autumn in a different way than any other season. I am happy when I get to experience ALL the seasons (why I live in Seattle after a childhood spent enduring one-note weather in the heat of a California desert), but once the air begins to stir that Fall brew, my existence moves in to clarity.  I love wrapping up in more clothing, I love having cider heated on the stove at all times, I love playing classical music throughout the day, I love lighting candles at night, I love pouring big Italian reds and standing on the porch in Joel's arms as we breath in the fragrant change.  Fall makes me want to do all the things I do - write, take photos, eat delicious things, sit by a fire and ponder things.

I was reading a very enlightening essay yesterday by Pema Chodron who spoke about how it is hard to accept one of the most inevitable human eventualities - our own death.  Ours personally, not death in some abstract concept.  But she mentions that death happens all around us all the time.  Fall is a reminder of this to me with its audacious display of decay right alongside the great harvest.  The paradox is sexy.
fall seasons
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The flip side

I've been increasingly edgy.  My spirit feels anxious and distant.  I miss my sister.  Joel's been working late and will be gone for the weekend.   It's simply been a crabby week, and despite many attempts to listen to my body and soul, I cannot seem to quell it.  After a fit of sighs as we were falling asleep, Joel lovingly asked what was wrong.  Hell if I know.  Everything. Nothing at all.

Interestingly enough, my yoga teacher mentioned last night that this tempestuous Spring is actually quite anxiety-producing, and that many she has seen that week have complained of worry.  In any given day, Seattle will vacillate between fat rain, rays of sunshine, extreme wind, and the mildest dew.  In a time that we are desperate to begin shedding some of that winter baggage, we have to layer even more - for we know not what the day holds.

Today, as I eased myself awake, I found that despite this gnawing moodiness, I had much I was ever-so-happy about.  As I encountered several more items of gratitude throughout the morning, I realized that each of these items had begun as a complaint.  Perhaps all of what discourages us in life has a flip side, a new gift under each desperately dark stone.

Complaint:  
Having to get up for work and face the toughest morning challenge - that of finding something to wear.  

The flip side:
A sigh of relief that I have more time with my last pair of non-maternity jeans.

Zoka Americano
Complaint:
Suffering through the horrible coffee at Microsoft (I still don't understand how a Seattle company can serve some of the most disgusting coffee I've ever tasted).  

The flip side:
Treating myself to an Americano from Zoka.  Something about enduring gross coffee made this particular cup taste even sweeter.  There is a lesson there - discuss.

Petal Kisses

Complaint:
Dreary-ass weather.

The flip side:
Have you ever really taken in the beauty of a cherry tree during a rain storm? Those delicate pink petals scattering about, landing on your lawn or car as precious pink kisses? It's so very romantic.  As I got in my car, I saw two wonderful petals on my window and it felt like nothing short of a gift from the gods.

It's a lot easier to feel the drudgery of things than to take the time and put in the energy to flip it.  That always leads me to question why humans love to feel misery.

Well, here's to hoping this very day holds small treasures somewhere hidden for you.  May you find a way to uncover them, for surely they are there.
coffee complaint gratitude
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the weekend that dreams are made of



My lover and I keep having these "is this seriously our life?!" weekends.  
We are relishing every little morsel.

Friday night, Joel told me to "dress for dinner."  He then made up some delicious Cuban sandwiches, poured a nice bottle of Bordeaux, and sat me down in my Sunday best to watch all 10 hours of the Royal Wedding coverage he downloaded from the BBC.  (Four days later, we aren't even through the ceremony).  We took a break mid-way to step out for a delicious bit of bread pudding and nip of whiskey.  Silly though it was (and rather impractical to eat a messy sandwich while dressed up), it was a very important time of connection for us both. When did adults stop playing pretend?



Saturday we decided to walk to the Farmer's Market for some produce and meat to grill.  Joel has been ALL about his grill lately, and so we found a dozen fresh oysters and some lamb chops.  While walking home, we ducked into a coffee shop for a quick Americano and game of Farkle (one of our newest date obsessions).  After a few hours, lunch called us to the Village Sushi, just down the street.

farkle on the phone


Chirachi Bowl at Village Sushi
Frozen Yogurt at Greenlake

Off to the hardware store and a quick stop for another of our latest obsessions, fro yo!

Once home, the sunshine seduced us outside and we finally attended to the herb garden we've been trying to plant all spring.  A few hours (and very stiff legs) later, we had our humble garden of cilantro, Italian parsley, mint, and chervil.  While I finished up the gardening, Joel BBQ's the oysters and we enjoyed the rest of the evening with friends.







BBQ Oysters with Cilantro and Louisiana Hot Sauce



I' faith, I myself enjoyed it a bit too much, and spent the night and next day paying for it.  Sunday we spent recovering from my booze intake.  We drove to Joel's parents and picnicked on their lawn for a few hours, soaking up the sunshine, resting, and talking.

There are Mondays when I feel refreshed and ready to take on the tasks of the work week, but friends - I tell you, today I am wishing for an extension of my weekend something awful.  What would I do, you ask?  Just as Joel asswered last night when I asked him..."spend more time with you."

my family

One of the things I've really come to appreciate about Joel is not only his unwavering work ethic (he loves hard work!), but also his ability to rest when necessary (it IS a skill to be learned).  These traits do not often come packaged together in a male, and I need both from him so desperately.  He's my closest friend and I still thank my lucky stars every single day for the promise of a lifetime with such a kind, intelligent, sexy, wise, and persevering soul. 

Not to mention, I really like his bod.

Swoon.

Back to the grind.
bbq date night dates
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