blessed be...

Today, as I skipped by and glanced in my mailbox I spotted a letter just for me from one of my soul mates. Nothing feels better than a word or two from someone I love. And when it comes written and delivered by hand it's all the better. I slipped it in my pocket, next to my heart, so that I could open it and read it at the height of my relaxing walk. As I strolled through the park, hot cocoa in one hand, the letter in the other, I was brought to tears by the beauty (in it's words and timely appearance in my life) of this blessing:

For Longing

Blessed be the longing that brought you here
And quickens your soul with wonder.
May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire
That disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.
May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease
To discover the new direction your longing want you to take.
May the forms of your belonging - in love, creativity, and friendship -
Be equal to the grandeur and the call of your soul.
May the one you long for long for you.
May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your desire.
May a secret Providence guide your thought and nurture your feeling.
May your mind inhabit your life with the sureness with which your body inhabits the world.
May your heart never be haunted by ghost-structures of old damage.
May you come to accept your longing as divine urgency.
May you know the urgency with which God longs for you.

~John O'Donohue

It's a blessing I wish you as well.

Thank you, my Allie. ...continue reading

I build each one of my days out of hope

and I give that hope your name

music by ani
photos by muah

...continue reading

WE: What do you want brought back?

My answer...

Letters to an English schoolgirl 1936. Family history. (2), originally uploaded by penwren.

The Weekend Exposure Project is a weekly community event, sharing thoughts through imagery. Read about the Weekend Exposure Project and play along. ...continue reading

Mystic Hot Springs

1. This Way 2. Hot Tub 3. Steam 4. Triptych

Nothing washes away stress and forces me to relax like being hugged and pampered, for hours, by hot water.  Ahhhhh.  Refreshing, relaxing, rejuvenating....  In Monroe, Utah, about 30 minutes from where my dad lives are Mystic Hot Springs.  It's a bit of a dive but I prefer it that way as it keeps  out the masses.  The fact that it was a weekday, in winter, in rural Utah didn't hurt either.  My favorite part of the soaking experience:  rather than a huge pool filled with the spring water, individual claw foot tubs are spread about the hillside for a lovely view of the valley and surrounding hills.  The water is directed into each tub and the use of stones to block the flow of water is the only temperature regulator.  At the source the water comes out at 168° F/ 76° C~ Yowza!  I think this little trip to the springs saved me from a crash and burn.

1. View 2. Hot Tub 3. Fire Pit 4. Tangled

It's well worth a stop if you're in the area or for a fun weekend getaway.  You can rent a renovated pioneer cabin and in the summer there are concerts and festivals hosted on the grounds.  Two hours by car and you are in Salt Lake, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Capitol Reef.

Larger views of these, and a few other pics, can be found here. ...continue reading

Hometown Holiday

1. Love tree @ SL Mormon Temple, 2. School Buses @ Mystic Hot Springs, 3. Walk in Aurora 4. Ski Lift shot with Moose

I am back in Germany and made it here with relative ease.  My baggage dematerialized somewhere between Paris and Düsseldorf only to show up again later.  So rather than having to schlep through the airport, train stations, and home with my gargantuan rucksack, I was able to ease-fully make my way and have it delivered to me the following day with no hassle at all.

Slowly I am finding my way back to normalcy and routine, something that is rather refreshing for this little Taurus.  The three weeks in my hometown were a whirlwind.  Both too long in ways to be away from "normal" life and too short to spend the amount and quality time I would have liked with everyone.  My first week was so packed with events, I don't feel like I was ever fully grounded as I flitted from place to place.  It was lovely to see people and only wish that I had been a little more present.

Aside from the utter and pure joy I felt in seeing family and friends, there were so many other reasons the trip was perfect for me.  It turned out to be about, not just connection, but expectations, intention, and perspective.  I redefined some friendships and was able to put out feelers on where I stand with people.  Reconnecting, I was able to let go of the expectation of what my long distance friendships "should" look like.  It was nice to just BE.  I was reunited with people from my more distant past and even made a potential new friend or two.  All-in-all, not bad for a girl who has always considered herself shy.

A few days were spent at my dad's house in, pretty much, the middle of nowhere.  A few years ago that is something I probably would not have done and I was happy on this trip to have the ability to let go of my previous expectations of what our relationship or what he "should" be.  I feel excited to be able to move on and create something different in the future.  (are we seeing a theme here yet, people?)  Him living in a small town helped me to ground myself after a near two weeks of constant running around.  I got to roam in the snow and sit in the hot springs.  More on that later.  :)

The last BIG thing that I got from my trip was perspective on my life here in Germany.  I have often, when feeling homesick, kept Utah and my life there on a pedestal, forgetting what an amazing adventure I have taken on.  It's a bit like I have hit reset on all of this and I get to come back with a clean slate.  I get to live the life I really want and that feels thrilling.  A majority of my time on the plane, aside from bits of sleep, was spent reflecting and intention setting for the next year and I feel excited for what shape my life will be taking on.

I hope to share a few stories and photos in the coming days. ...continue reading

WE: What's your intention for the coming year?

My answer...

Surrender, originally uploaded by Sandra Morais.

The Weekend Exposure Project is a weekly community event, sharing thoughts through imagery. Read about the Weekend Exposure Project and play along. ...continue reading

Tschüßi!

In an hour I am set to take off to the train station and on towards the Düsseldorf Airport.  I took one last jaunt around the city this evening, paying my respects to the Glühwein stands at the Christmas Markets and enjoying what is more than likely my last Christmas season living in Europe.

I have a looooong travel day ahead of me (26 hours).  I just checked the Delta website and the first leg of my trip, at this point, is cancelled, potentially making it an even longer travel day(s).  Jetzt, geht, LOS.  Happy, safe, and timely traveling thoughts sent in my direction are welcome.  I am gathering up some fun creative and very mobile projects to take with me and make it all as enjoyable as possible.

There will be no official WE tomorrow.  But if you would like, post a link to any photo of anything that is on your mind in the comments here.  I would love to check them out.

So, until..... sometime!  I can't wait to see all the people waiting for me on the other side of the sea.  But it's a sort of calm excitement happening.  Maybe because it's past my bedtime now and I am working up the energy to go, go, go.

Have a lovely day. ...continue reading

WE: What's your happiest distraction?

My answer...

Spoon with cacao, originally uploaded by Vogelbetrachter.

The Weekend Exposure Project is a weekly community event, sharing thoughts through imagery. Read about the Weekend Exposure Project and play along. ...continue reading

Maple Apple Crisp

morning crisp, originally uploaded by m a v.

An abundance of apples on hand had me craving a simple warm crisp. I added maple for a fun twist and the results were fantastic. Read on for the recipe...

I didn't follow any exact recipe, but here's what I did to great success:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (180°C)
• Peel, quarter, and slice 4-5 apples. I had Granny Smith and Gala on hand. Combine apples and about 1/3 c Real maple syrup and place in 8 x 8 baking pan.
• In a separate bowl combine 1/2 c flour, 1/2 c brown sugar, 1/2 c oats, and 1/4 c cold butter. Combine with your hands until everything is mixed and crumbly. Sprinkle on top of apple mixture.
• Bake about 30 minutes or until golden on top. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Delight in your stomach's happiness.

...continue reading

Mittelalterlicher Weihnachtsmarkt

The holidays are in the air!!! And in Germany the festivals don't stop for the cold weather. The Christmas markets are open and people are out in droves. I spent my cold, grey, wet Saturday afternoon at the Middle Ages Christmas Market in a small town just outside of Münster. A day consisting of handmade jewelry, mead, fire, an unbelievable amount of meat and potatoes, costumes, bagpipes, and a great assortment of hot drinks, spiced and fortified with various alchohol.

This year I most enjoyed two things.

1. Mouse Roulette. Frederick was once a great wizard and after an unfortunate run in with a witch, was destined to live out his days as a mouse. He now travels with the festival and people place bets to see, when placed in a miniature courtyard, which house he will run into next. We were on the edges of our seats! Who needs Vegas?

2. Witches Brew! I love the holidays in Germany for all the hot drinks. There's Gluhwein (mulled wine), Feuerzangebowle (wine, caramalized sugar, rum) and many other variations of alchohol + flavorings + heat. I LOVE it. Witches Coffee is maybe my favorite. A big pot of coffee and rock sugar sits over the fire. A spiraled orange peel is held above as a ladel of alcohol (we're not told what) is lit on fire and poured down the peel, caramelizing and drippeing into the coffee. Topped off with whipped cream. It's not just the drink, but the whole atmosphere of sitting in a large tent around a fire and drinking from the large pot. The experience was magical.

A few more photos here.

What are you doing to keep your spirits up this winter? ...continue reading

WE: What's your favorite part of gift giving or shopping?

My answer...

Brainstorm bureau, originally uploaded by screenpunk.

The Weekend Exposure Project is a weekly community event, sharing thoughts through imagery. Read about the Weekend Exposure Project and play along. ...continue reading