Feeling giddy with excitement the way I do every year around this time…
summer is almost here and with it our Gourmet Cycling travel tours in France.
I’m dripping with gratitude to once again experience a new perspective of some places I love dearly.
an amazing opportunity to savor the beauty and the flavors of France.
to cast my gaze to ancient horizons
of sleepy hillside villages
and endless fields of lavender.
To breath in the spirit of the historic countryside
and bask in the energy of the Alps.
and finally to head to the city of lights
the place where part of my heart resides.
feeling immensely sublimely grateful!

Cousins

Glee

Treasure Map

Fathers Love

Concentration

Preparing to Swim

Ballerinas

Abandoned

Little Dancers

Bed Time Story

Baking Bread

My sweet beautiful girl you turned eight last month. Where has the time gone? You are such a blessing and a joy to have in our lives and I love everything about you.

Your quirky, animated and elaborate stories.
and your spot on imitations.

I love how you always see the humor in things, your contagious giggle, and the freckles on your little nose.

I love how you never complain and always go with the flow, adaptable and accommodating to change… just like your dad.

I love how you are wise beyond your years and your sweet and gentle spirit.
and how most of your tales start with, “mommy, guess what…?”

I love your big green eyes gleaming with curiosity and intrigue
and I adore the little love notes you write me and leave hidden around the house. These I will cherish till the end of my days.

My dreamer child, I love how your imagination knows no limits.

Thank you for teaching me to be a better person and mom

because for you I want to be the very best.

Never forget how very loved you are.

I’ve been unplugging lately… spending time away from the computer, cell phone, social media and TV.  I’ve needed a break from all the “noise” and chatter that fills our daily lives. Noise that in essence adds nothing to my life and my desire to live creatively. The noise that pulls me away from the peace inside and drains me of vital energy like disturbing news headlines and social media overload. I have started paying more attention to how I am spending my moments. The precious nuggets of time I have been granted. I really don’t know when they will run out so it’s time to start making the absolute most of my time and cut out the things that bring nothing enriching to my life. I’ve resolved to spend my time learning new things,  going back to basics and in the process I’ve discovered some cool new hobbies. I’ve started making artisan bread from scratch and I’m so happy with how the loaves have been turning out. Added bonus: Our house has been smelling like a bakery for the last week or two with the comforting scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. I’m also pretty excited that I’ve discovered a way to make gluten-free bread that tastes even better than its gluten containing counterpart. Here is the recipe if you are interested! I have more on my list of new things I want to try, and I encourage you to start your own list. Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn or do… get off FB and get cracking! Let me know how it goes!

Cooking for family and friends is an exercise in generosity. From finding inspiration for the next meal to carefully selecting ingredients to prepping, cooking, cleaning and all the time that goes into it. Cooking is a labor of love and a gift to give from the heart. Offering those we love the gift of nourishment and the comfort in knowing that they are taken care of and loved. Sometimes it’s hard and I gripe… Inspiration escapes me or time is lacking or I simply feel unappreciated, but in those times I try to remind myself that there are a multitude of blessings contained in the selfless act of giving, and I feel renewed in my effort to try harder and give more both in and out of the kitchen. Being a mom is the greatest opportunity to be of service to others and I want to learn to do so with gratitude and love as my mantra. Lately I’ve been nothing short of obsessed to ensure my family eats only the highest quality and purest foods free of pesticides, hormones and preservatives I can barely pronounce.  I’m spending much time learning new ways of combining healthy whole foods into delicious concoctions of nourishment the whole family can enjoy. I feel responsible for their health and I desperately want to keep them brimming with health and  vitality. I’m so blessed to have this little family to take care of.

The following are some recommended and eye-opening resources:

A must read.

A must see.

A must do.

Buy yourself some flowers

Toss out perceived shortcomings and inadequacies and cultivate a new course towards thriving

Compliment a stranger

Express something

Take a walk through nature and listen to the singing of the birds with new ears

Talk less and listen more

Relax, recharge, and restore

Compliment yourself and tell your inner critics to take a hike

Know that anything is possible if you believe

Unlock the creative genius within

Try something new that you’ve always wanted to try

Practice kindness

Forgive someone who needs forgiveness… including yourself.

Remember that someone somewhere made the shirt you are wearing

Take a leap out of your comfort zone

Send positive energy to everyone who crosses your path

Acknowledge that you are perfectly imperfect

Know that no storm ever lasts forever

Make some goals

Write a list with your strengths and frame it

Read This and embrace change with open arms

Reconnect with an old friend

We paid a visit to a wizard.

enjoyed treats from the farmers market.

watched a movie on the couch

and made smores on the fire pit.

A good day!