What truck? I’m referring to the one that may have hit me…or at least that’s how I feel this bright and lovely Monday! House guests, a family wedding, reunions and the energized flow of communication as we did our best to bring one another current with our individual life-happenings, leaves me both full and content although physically fatigued–demanding quiet!
Before I throw myself pell-mell into another busy week, I’m taking today to absorb the precious qualities of having had my loved ones near–so much better than email and our stay-in-touch texting, and today is indeed dedicated to Shhhhhhhh. Quiet.
This was the first time in about a year that I hardly paid a bit of attention to even considering a blog post. I took notice of a few things that held possibility, but I knew this was a weekend to be fully present in the here-and-now. But a new week begins, and I’ll just share a couple of items that have made me smile and release, and embrace my inner quiet!
The lavender bread was very enjoyable. I did add a TB of dried orange peel to the dough during mixing. I couldn’t detect the taste but I was just a bit reluctant to go forward with so much lavender…I had an unfounded concern that it would aromatically confuse me and I’d be thinking perfume! None of this turned out to be true. It seemed to be a hit, and I started my day today sitting outdoors, needed cup of coffee in hand, enjoying a toasted slice with a bit of brie. A very quiet treat.
I watched the birds feeding at their usual watering hole, taking dips in the waterfall, enjoying their own peaceful morning. I hoped they wouldn’t be disturbed by “our” baby hawk. This little guy has been hanging around a great deal and we frequently watch nature-in-action. I wasn’t up to a slaughter feeding this morning.
The photo of the hawk was taken in the late afternoon just a couple of days ago. While aiming my camera trying to get as close as I could, I looked up and caught a sight of the moon large and low in the afternoon sky. I quickly snapped a photo.
This made me really smile! I tried to take pictures of the Supermoon and I’m always doing my best to enjoy night photography. It never seems to be successful. Now I know that I can get my night shots of the moon around 4:00 in the afternoon. What a great find…photography cheating perhaps, but I don’t think anyone minds!
Then there’s Pinky’s new condo! I miss my little kitchen buddy, though. She seems very happy with some freedom. I’m concerned, however. Her digging and tunneling instincts are certainly developing…we have some issues yet to be resolved. But it’s a start. And Pinky is sitting right up against our vegetable garden. I hope we don’t have a Peter Rabbit on our hands! I would make a very poor Mr. McGregor!
I breathe a lot lighter when I slow my pace to take notice. That’s precisely what this weekend was about. There were moments when as a family we missed some faces from around the table, and we are all conscious of how time passes so quickly. It’s best to make the most of every moment and consciously absorb each happy occasion to be together.
Nature gives us so many opportunities to illustrate this point!
Cactus flowers…beautifully alert on Friday…
Same flowers…gone by Monday!
Have a wonderful week! Now it’s time for me to quietly re-enter and get caught up with each of you!
Breathing a lot lighter…Debra Shhhhh!
breathelighter 
I could use more reminders like these : ) to take time to stop and breathe in all the small but wonderful happenings in my life.
I spend a lot of time planning my relaxation, Cindy! I guess I’m just not one who comes by it naturally 🙂 You might try putting it in your day planner! Then you can work on making it a habit…do better at it than I do, okay? Debra
I’m sure your lavender bread toasted with some brie was a delightful way to start your relaxing day.
You know, Karen, I think when I retire I want to start every day with some delicious toasted homemade bread and a little brie! It was heavenly 🙂 Debra
When we are traveling in Europe that is exactly what I have each morning.
Look at those beautiful squash flowers!
I agree that the squash blossoms are great this year, Sharon. For the first year in many we aren’t having the all-day marine layer (June gloom) that almost always mildews my squash very early on! I hope this lasts…and I also keep reminding myself that this might not be every year. So far we are off to a better than average start 🙂 Debra
So pleased you have had time to slow and spend this precious time with your loved ones, Debra 🙂 Your peace glows through your words and pictures. Thank you!
Thank you, Kate. It was a lovely weekend and a wonderful time to look around at all the generations…there’s something special about a family wedding when everyone gathers for a happy occasion. You can tell how family-oriented I am, so I was really in my happy place 🙂 Debra
You have so much going on, it’s good to catch your breath and simply enjoy everything! And I think that lavender bread looks delicious 🙂
The lavender bread turned out to be quite nice, Meg. I have been going a bit hard lately…but I am doing my best to slow down when I can. I need to replenish my energy before I can start up again 🙂 Debra
“Breathing a lot lighter…Debra Shhhhh!” Yes you seem to have “breathed” in some delightful things and this reminds to do such more myself.
I spend a lot of time writing about what I do to “breathe lighter” Carl partially in order to remind myself of how important it is. I know the necessity, and I don’t always make the best personal choices to reinforce my personal well-being! I hope you find some ways to de-stress your own week 🙂 Debra
Slow, deep inhale …. slowly exhale …. repeat if necessary … and now a song/video for your mood.
What a gorgeous video, Frank! Thank you. I loved it. And I hadn’t heard the theme from Cider House Rules in a long time…that may be a soundtrack I should purchase! Very nice. I appreciate it. Debra
Thought it fit the mood of your post. Glad you appreciated it. 🙂
Such a lovely respite! Just the sort of day I love having and would like to have soon (yes, already)! Your bunny is such a sweetie.. and what a cool little condo to live in:) xoxo Smidge
I have read your post and see that you, too, do need (again is fine!) some quiet time you can use to refresh and replenish. I think we need more of it than we always recognize, Smidge! I think we just need to encourage each other to take it! And yes, Pinky is a lot of fun…we’ve made her such a member of the family that we’re almost silly…but that’s relaxing, too, isn’t it! oxo Debra
Good for you taking some time off and just enjoying the family!! love your rabbit condo!! c
We are so funny with this bunny, Celi. We want her to have “the best” with room to hop and jump and enjoy as natural a setting as is remotely possible, but we bought the “condo” on-line and didn’t adequately conceptualize how big it is! Now we have to work out it’s final spot…right now on the dirt is never going to work. I didn’t think a rabbit could tunnel that quickly! Oh what I have to learn! 🙂 Debra
Of all the busy people I do NOT want to pester, but would you check your Spam box, Celi? I think it’s possible I’m landing in there 🙂 Just a hunch. I’ve got a few problems (WordPress variety) on my end! 🙂 Thanks, Debra
It sounds like you’ve had a really hectic weekend. That’s a very smart bunny hutch. I thought cactus flower lasted a lot longer. That’s so sad to see them looking so droopy after being so magnificent xx
We did have a very busy weekend on top of a busy week getting ready for the weekend. LOL! But it was a lovely one! Some cactus flowers do last a lot longer, and even this one will bloom again. They are all different and the rarity of some of the blooms makes them quite a joy, even if for such a short time! 🙂 Debra
I’m sure you enjoyed being surrounded by your family but it’s probably nice to take a little time to relax now, too. Those cactus flowers are really beautiful, Debra, especially to one from my climate. There is variety of prickly pear that is native to here but my Nemesis, the Squirrel, insists on digging mine up whenever I’ve tried to plant one. Your bunny looks like he’s enjoying living in the Trump Tower of rabbit hutches. 🙂
I’m interested in the fact that your squirrel is interested in a prickly pear! We have squirrels, too, and they seem to leave cactus alone! We have had a very mild winter so our cactus and succulents have been exceptional. I have to watch frost warnings carefully and when I don’t, we’ve had major damage or lost entire plants. If we have a frost season next year I’ll have to post with pictures…the entire yard is draped in a “frost cloth” I buy and drape and it’s the strangest sight! And dear bunny does have palatial accommodations. That’s what you do when you aren’t home to exercise or keep a better eye on your pets…can you imagine what I’d do with a dog? 🙂 Debra
Such sweet bliss to have family around, talking and catching up, eating and celebrating with a wedding, even shedding a tear or two in between the laughter – and enjoying that afterglow when all is over. My mouth is watering over the thought of of that toasted lavender bread.
I had some quiet moments on Sunday over a cup of tea and the August issue of English Home magazine. It came on Friday, Debra, but I didn’t have a chance to open and savor it until Sunday. English Home is a luxury I indulge in, saving each issue for reference. There is a spectacular spread on lavender in this issue; the pictures are breathtaking and there are a few recipes, including lavender sugar AND lavender ice cream. Barnes and Noble may carry the magazine – or a library. I thought of you as soon as I came across the article.
Thanks for the referral to English Home! I am sure I can find a copy. I think it sounds like a lovely magazine at that! We have our little pleasures that take us away for a while, don’t we Penny! I know those moments and only wish I indulged in them more often. I am quite sure I have more control to do just that then I regularly exercise. I just need to make those choices for myself! Monday was one of them! 🙂 I’m glad to hear you had your cup of tea and special reading time, too! Debra
I love quiet moments, I try and make them happen, which doesn’t always work, but I find I do need them. It sounds like a lovely weekend, and I now have courgette envy 😉 Oh and loving the new rabbit palace 🙂
I just smiled and chuckled to myself as I googled “courgette,” Claire! So much more beautiful to my ear than zucchini! LOL! I didn’t know what you were referring to…isn’t that funny? And they have already been producing beautifully. We have had absolutely optimal weather conditions this spring. Typically we don’t have rain, but we have such damp all-day conditions that we even have a term for it, “June gloom.” Often my early plants mildew! Instead we have had full sun each day so the garden is at least a month ahead of what is typical. I’ll enjoy it this year, but I couldn’t count on it for the future! Weather and gardens–quite the gamble, isn’t it! 🙂 Debra
Oh Debra, that made me giggle! I just can’t bring myself to say or type Zucchini, it doesn’t sound right for me!! But whatever we call them yours are looking perfect.
i also end up getting mildew but usually later in the season so I don’t worry too much.
And yes, garden’s and life are a gamble!!
I often get very amused at how we all speak the same language, and then again, don’t! I am so glad I can quickly google a word here and there! Now what is going to be funny is when I start throwing my new words into my every day…let’s see who I can stump over here! 🙂 Thanks, Claire. You always give me a smile. Debra
I know exactly how you feel. I wouldn’t trade those soul-enriching times with friends and family for anything, and I think they make the inevitable post-social exhaustion a very happy feeling indeed!
Soul-enriching times! That is the perfect description! I am glad we get a little bit of time between encounters so that our coffers are empty before we take in more! I was drinking it all in and will be happy with my thoughts and memories for now. Sometimes I like to take the time to just sit and think about a special occasion before moving right onto the next. Thank you for sharing your own thoughts! Debra
Dear Debra, your posting reminded me of one line from a poem by Anne Morrow Lindbergh: “For beauty, for significance, it’s space we need.” That space can be literal or it can be what we call “down time” but always its the span of time and presence that restores our being.
And oh, that video from “FrankAngle.” How lovely it was. I’ve never read the book or seen the movie “Cider House Rules,” but now I’ll see if the library has it.
Thank you for sharing with us your need to simply be. That’s a reminder for all of us.
Peace.
This was a pleasure to read and view. The moon shot during the day I enjoyed! I am going to try to do this myself as I don’t have much luck with nightime photos. And yes, life is fleeting, to be enjoyed to the fullest especially with loved ones and our critters. Thanks for this reminder.
Debra, you always have such a way of speaking to my inner self. I love coming here and reading your posts. They ground me and help me to shift my focus back to what’s really important. Thank you for that. 🙂
thank you so much, Kristy. You really gave me a smile to think that what I share is a good focus! We each do that for one another, I really believe! Thank you for saying so! Debra
I enjoyed my coffee hour with you… Those cacti looked so sad… I guess like we might look at the end of a long day. 🙂