Photo an Hour: Birthday Edition

This is probably more of a gift-an-hour post rather than photo-an-hour, ha. I did much better this birthday at noticing each tiny moment; but not so well at taking a photo on the hour. It was a savory, relaxing day.

After morning coffee I had this sweet stack of presents waiting for me.

A coffee ring, literally. hee-hee. I think they know me. Isn't it the cutest??

Lindor chocolates? Oh yes, they know me. And in case you're wondering, I shared.

If you've followed me for long, you know how much I love Tink, or any fairy really. I can't wait to wear this!!

That evening we went to a Jamacian restaurant that I love and pretty much pigged out on curry chicken, plantains and festival bread. This photo naturally blurred yet I love how it subtly shows my family.

 We walked to some really cool shops and I loved almost everything in this one.

 See what I mean? Who couldn't love a felt camera case as adorable as this?

And who doesn't need a purse that says, "Love More"? It was kinda hard not to spend all my birthday money.

They had tons of candy, many of which we'd never seen. My husband made a game of it. He said he'd buy us all a candy bar of our choice but it had to be one we hadn't tried before. We scoured each bin and took forever to choose.

My daughter made this cake for our Thanksgiving dinner, but I sort of adopted it as my birthday cake. Kind of wish I could stick a finger in that icing right now. Such sweet moments in this one simple life.

Happy Birthday, oh You!

It's odd how no adult aspires to grow older. Kids have the twenty-something years to look forward to. They mark each birthday and half-birthday anxiously awaiting the moment when everyone around must call them an adult. But no middle age person counts down the time till they're aged. And yet there is something freeing about my age--this marker a bit past middle. 

I feel as though I've finally grown up. I'm able to honestly share my thoughts, less likely to feel I need to please someone else, more compassionate because I've probably done the same stupid things, and all-around more aware. Taking the month of November to observe this one simple life has given me a fresh perspective. Everything around me is alive and pulsing with an energy I have rarely been attentive to. And today is even brighter because it's my birthday.

Normally I take this time to spotlight my twin sister (who obviously shares my birthday) and brother (whose birthday is tomorrow); but today at the risk of sounding narcissistic, I'm staying with me. I'm four years away from the age my sweet friend was when she died. I can't help but think that thought each time I inch closer. Something about her death spurs me forward to follow the whispers pointing to my dreams. She lived her life big and I doubt she had many regrets. If I died now, I might have many. I don't want to end that way. I want to go out explosive--leaving a trail of beauty behind me that continues on without needing my help.

I suppose today I'm feeling reflective and I'm sorry if it seems like a downer; but truly I feel inspired, not sad. I feel compelled to move forward. To forgive others, love in each possible moment and celebrate the tiny, forgotten beauties of life. I'll be keeping my camera in hand today (might even end up with a photo-an-hour post) to capture this day and remember it's simplistic blaze of glory.

Shopping from the Bench

To say I hate shopping is a bit of an understatement. It's like trying to get a kid to go to the dentist after describing to them there will be needles and tooth-pulling involved. Sister one and sister two beg me to go shopping often. They plead and bargain, reminding me that they will only shop a short time (uh-huh) and that I could get a coffee or coke if I want (perhaps). They promise that all chores will get finished right after we get home (right).

When the girls were younger, my husband would take them shopping. Yes, you read that right, husband & shopping. He actually likes it. We're a strange couple. But somewhere along the way, they started wanting me. And while I was flattered, I had this sinking feeling of losing a really good thing. But since I love my girls and enjoy spending time with them (minus shopping); I've tried to quit whining when they ask and be a good sport about it. We've come to a compromise that works pretty well.

It's definitely to their advantage to choose a shop with a cafe or a bench. I drive to the shop listening to my music (remember the bargains?). They oblige with a few rolls of the eyes and a bit of tsk-tsking. When we arrive, they escort me to a chair in the cafe or a bench to sit quietly with my book until they need me (aka opinion or money). I enjoy the little interlude until I'm needed.  Eventually they send a text to come to the dressing room or they stop by and show me a pair of shoes or some item on their list. Shopping from the cafe has been a wonderful compromise. And while I'm trying to learn to love shopping (Lord, help me), they're allotting me grace to do it this way . . . for now. I'm thankful for that grace in this one simple life.

For the Love of Story

photo by Jessica Lynn Writes

Three different books came to me this week when I needed them. I've had a huge shift happening lately where I feel as though I'm getting re-grounded on new ground. Does that make sense? There's a pivotal movement in my thinking and it's touched everything around me.

The first book I read was The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. (She has a new one out now called Happier at Home). I don't necessarily think that the object of life is happiness, but I don't think it's wrong to make life as happy as it can be. Gretchen, the author, goes about it in a methodical way, but shares stories from her journey making it intriguing. She researched all the ways of gaining happiness and then tried them out, a different theme per month for a year. Her findings really got me thinking. I've already incorporated some of her ideas and find that, yes, I am happier. I love research almost as much as she does, so I felt like she was speaking my language! A soul connection.

The second book I read was The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomas (aka Story Queen). I've followed Shelley's blog since I began my blogging journey, in fact she was one of my first followers (bless her); so naturally, I was curious about her new middle grade novel. As soon as I began the first few pages, I knew I was going to love it. It's about a girl who collects tales along her journey in search of her father who'd disappeared years before. What caught my attention about it was how much I identified with Trinket. I collect stories! And just as she is a storyteller, I love to tell stories. After finishing the book, I felt this sense of being known.

The third book I read was Storyline by Donald Miller (I touched on this a little when I talked about plotting my life). It's more of a workbook than book, which I loved. But he helps show that you are the character in your own life story. He shows how to ignite an inciting incident in life to move your life forward in the direction you want it to go. (An inciting incident is that moment that everything changes for a character, when they are forced to live differently from then on.) I've been working my way through the book and soaking in the deliciousness of an onslaught of ideas. The last thing I want is to be a stagnant character, a boring character or a character that goes nowhere. So I've set up some inciting incidents for myself that I'll share later on.

I find my mind whirring constantly with thoughts from each of these books. I love when I'm inspired this way. it usually ends up in a core change that is good. It's so good to feed on books in this one simple life.

I'd love to hear your recommendations on books to add to my reading list. Have you read any great ones lately?

My Coffee Routine

There is something preciously soothing about making a pot of coffee: the whir of grinding beans as the aroma hits the air; pouring water to the tippy-top line; hearing the drip-drip of Breakfast Blend while I slather peanut butter on two sides of bread. There's a chill in the air which makes the promise of a hot drink even sweeter. Thick socks on my feet, and a soft sweatshirt blanket me while I assemble school lunches like a factory drone. And even though I struggle to meet the early morning, the promise of a cup of coffee awakens my senses and brightness my sleepy little corner of the world.

Today I'm grateful for coffee in this one simple life.

What morning routine do you love?

The One Beside Me

He washes multiple loads of laundry on his day off. He patiently answers calls from people needing a listening ear. He makes lists of things needing done and diligently finishes it. He laughs at the small quips our children throw him.

The inventor of our creepy hide-the-elf game.

These are the moments I overlook. The ones I take for granted every day. But they're beautiful and telling. He does what is needed. He cares about others. He's a good manager of time. He knows how to enjoy life and have fun.

I'm grateful to have him beside me in this one simple life. 

Who are you thankful to have by your side?

Friendly Front Doors

Isn't it funny how front doors have personalities? Some are brightly colored with mums sitting around them like candles around an altar; others are soothingly calm, wood-colored and adorned with hanging ferns dancing to the music of wind chimes; and some are worn with weather and time, chipped and dented, but still wise in their old age.

We often miss the beauty of our door, welcoming us home after a hectic, disappointing day. It stands there faithfully saying, "You're home, come inside."

My front door is painted white, standing out among the red brick of our house. A paper-collaged bench keeps it company along with pillows made by my late, sweet friend. It's a welcoming entry. One I take for granted almost every day. I get distracted with the weeds growing out of the sidewalk and the funny wasp nests hidden in crevices above the porch light. But I want to change that; I want to notice the friendly front door in this one, simple life.

What about you, what do you love about your front door? Your entry? Or coming home?

A Simple Reminder

I decided to paint a motto for the month in an effort to help me notice and be more grateful for this one simple life. I'm putting it in my studio to remind me to stop and think of what I'm grateful for right now.

What are you grateful for in this moment?

This One Simple Life

Measuring cups that my eldest and I painted together.

A friend and I were catching up the other day. After listening to a long spill from me, she commented on how lucky I was. Completely taken aback I asked, "Me?" She continued by pointing out the hidden beauty in the story I'd told. I went home that day soaking in her words and feeling aware. There is so much good in life that I overlook--family who love me, friends who reach out, and simple beauty in my surroundings. I forget to appreciate it.

I don't want this one simple life to pass me by unnoticed.

I'm setting aside the month of November to zoom in on what I usually overlook. I'm taking a month to notice and be grateful. I hope you'll journey with me and maybe we'll end up on the other side, seeing more clearly the treasure in our one simple life.