deck the halls

sour

So satisfying...

[gf sourdough whole grain boule

adapted from cultures for health]

crackers

[spotlight on nigella seeds in 
another take on sunshine everything 

crackers from the first mess]

makin'

[pomegranate cranberry sauce 

via nutrition stripped]

[classic almond milk 

featuring massa organics]

[carrot-ginger sauce 

via love and lemons]

play

Featuring moody light from an uncharacteristically overcast day...

golden

From a few months back...

carpe diem

[unexpectedly amazing
spiced pecan butter]

 [adapted from the first mess'

sunshine everything crackers]

revival

[two old favorites brought back to life 

thanks to tony's shoe repair]

mood boards

good

Trust your basic goodness, my dear.

Trust the wisdom of a sincere heart.

experimenting

 

[blackberry + lemon zest scones =
another riff on 101 cookbooks' recipe]

impulsive-ish

[blackberries from abby lee

aka delight-inducing last minute splurge]

preach

"Planting organic lentils... forces you to listen more deeply, more expansively. And it softens, to some extent, the borders of the self."
- from Lentil Underground by Liz Carlisle

"We humans tend to focus on the problem rather than the potential of a particular situation, too often dwelling on the negative rather than exploring the positive."
- from Grass, Soil, Hope by Courtney White

... ever a sucker for metaphors that tug at the major truths of life :)

barter

[turnips from brother nature farms]

yes

... to the complexity of a life that is both human and divine.

Yes, to the bright sadness.

Yes, to the sensual pleasures.

Yes, to all of it.

celebrating...

[successful maple oat scone adaptation 

from 101 cookbooks]

color

insecure

You keep wondering whether this path will offer enough security.

But that breed of security -- isn't it an illusion anyhow?

mood boards

loving liberation

What if you let go of the negative chatter?
What if that's what I'm calling you to?
What if my desire is for your liberation
from the voices that keep you small,
crush your hopes, limit your spirit and contain you?
Why would any of that be my intention for you?
Why would I create you for a contained life?

I'm calling you beyond all of the lies that limit you,
all of the narratives you've absorbed over time.
I know this journey of liberation is messy.
I know those voices of deceit are stubborn and crafty.
But keep surrendering to my power, my dear.

Let my voice of love and grace
be amplified in your mind again and again.
Choose to let it guide your life.
Trust and know my love --
the powerful force that surpasses all
with such unexpected and paradoxical
gentleness and strength.

Your mind, your spirit, your entire being
is being forged in this fire of love.
Your life is being set free.
Keep allowing that.
Keep opening to the beauty and the possibility.

When all those other voices distract you,
stirring up doubt and confusion,
return to this and know --
this loving liberation
is my desire for you.

intuition

You have more truth in your hands
than you are letting on, my dear.

watery

your desires

Honor them
even, or especially,
when it feels
so vulnerable to do so.

mood board

be here

surrender: pt 2

And as for perfection, the same is true.
No matter how perfect your movements,
control with elude you.
So instead choose to listen and trust.

surrender

Your attempts to be more practical
don't make the world any more controllable.
You're best off surrendering to uncertainty
and embracing authenticity.
That's the recipe for a far more fulfilling life.

mood board

let go

...of the attempts to control.
Just allow.

marine

newport

What if you accept the blessings?

What if you let yourself enjoy?

What if you embrace the call to thrive?

when

When fear tells you to restrict...
indulge.

When fear tells you to limit...
expand.

When fear tells you to stay small...
blossom.

rainbow-ish

roam

your spirit
wasn't created for
a minimalist life

simple gifts

"Loving the world means paying attention to its simple gifts and receiving them with simple gratitude in every moment of our waking lives."
                              - Parker Palmer

mood board

[Those colors. Can't get enough.
Also featuring Kristen Bell & David Whyte]

permission

Give yourself greater permission
to simply be who you are.
No need to judge or apologize
for the way you're made.

idealist

That "ridiculous" voice --
what if you're meant to follow it?

chill

more

actually may not equate to better here

?

Is it possible
that the learning you're meant to experience
can't be found on a perfect path?

unexpected

This is certainly not where I thought you'd lead...

boxes

Life can't be boxed in.

And neither can you, my dear.

Embrace the complexities that lie within.

efficient

Have you noticed? That often isn't
what's best or most effective for you.

mood board +