Simple Life Love

Image by photographer padawan *(xava du) via Flickr
Simple Living is something I have been musing on for a bit. I am not a fan of austere living. I like art, books and cozy things and I would be a little displaced with the some atmosphere creating things. However, I am a fan of a "ordinary time".

Time when things are just routine, without great ceremony and I would like to live that way, too(for the most part).
 Kathleen Norris says, "Our daily tasks, whether we perceive them as drudgery or essential, life-supporting work, do not define who we are as women or as human beings."
Surely, there is a middle way between a hoarder and minimalist.

Here is a small list of my favorite Simple Life Inspirations.
- Simple Living, Compassionate Life. This book is written with a deep concern about affluence, food politics and environmental degradation. It features writer like Wendell Berry and Cecile Andrews.
- Zen Habits. This blog is concerned with living a minimalist life and full of good essays and tips.
-Simple Living. net. A website devoted to simple living.
- Nigella Lawson is one my favorite cooks. I love her simple, straightforward approach to food.
- Toast. I can't actually afford any thing here but I love the astethic.Naturally, I do style my way, with my budget but I am very inspired by this site.
- Something about the habit blog makes me happy.
- Philip Glass. He is the ultimate minimalist composer. I also partial to Nico Muhly.
- A quote by bell hooks. She says" living simple, makes loving simple. So true.
- Abby Try Again. One of my favorite sites. Irt is good for a quick visual pick me up.
-babies(preferably one's not crying).
What's on your inspiration radar lately?

The L List(Or a Little List of Loves)

Image by 27147 via Flickr
Hope you are having a lovely week. I have decided not to rehash the past by giving reflections on what happened on my break. It had some high and lows but it all just what I needed. So, I'm starting fresh and living it out! I might do some lists...for a while. I do love them.
Here is a short list of things that are rocking my world right now.

The L List
-My Life on the D-List Marathon. Her Oprah impression are ridlclously good and full of snarky humor. Be warned, KG is not for the faint of heart.
-This skirt from Toast. The stuff of dreams.
-This fall weather. Slightly romantic with its overcast skies, burnt orange leaves and breezes.
-The color orange.
-My yellow hat. I think its magical!
-Fresh pickles( I love summer food).
-A trip to library.
This mix via 8 tracks.
-The strangeness of losing my camera in my apartment. How does this happen?
-Stash Tea Earl Grey Tea. Really it the best package EG tea I have ever had.

I'm off to be a productive student for a bit.
peace,
k

Stretching to Fall

Hi there,
It is a perfect fall day. Slightly overcast with drizzling rain and a nip in the air. I am at my desk working. Listening to this and toying with idea of blogging again. My break from the blog world kicked my life into gear. That is surprising but I do think I am guilty of using this space as a means of wasting time(but it is a beautiful waste). This season of my life is marked by letting go, community and trust. My blog break let those markers sink in and guide me.

There have been so many changes in the recent weeks, I hardly have any ground to stand. Yet, I am encouraged by my communities and by my own self. Once upon a time, change would have sent me to a dark place for a long time(versus a shorter time). I am a person who buys multiples(because I like the same thing) so change is not something I relish in. However, at the end of me and all my grasping is just a life waiting to be lived. So, that is what I'm doing-living.

I don't believe we live alone and so I am thankful for my communities. My communities of faith, online, thought,work hobby, etc. There is such a goodness in the world and I am thankful for everyone who opens my heart.

I trust that even though, I have no idea what I am doing these days that I am doing what I need to be doing. That seems strange to say but it is how I feel.

I want to give an especially big shout out to my art pen-pal, Ruth Cahill. Your work is magical and cheered this girl up and to everyone who reached out with your encouraging words on this blog, email or face to face. You are awesome.

I hope to have some things(pictures and thoughts) to share in the upcoming week.
Happy Fall.

P.S. It's banned book week. Head to your local library!

Savasana

Image by AlicePopkorn via Flickr Recently, I discovered the goodness of a lunch break. The way it can reset you and now I'm trying to understand the goodness of taking breaks in other areas of my life.
The kindest thing I can do for myself and my writing voice right now is take an break.So, I'm going to take a blog Savasana.

So, the next few days or until Oct. 1. I will be taking a "holy pause" and refreshing my own writing voice. I would love to pop around to different blogs and see what is going on(if and when I can). I think listening and communing is not the same as talking(posting).
Hopefully, when I come back I will have a few poems, essays or stories to share.

If you have any suggestions on good blog reads, please leave them in the comment box or email me. Worse case, I'll read them when I get back.

I hope you have wonderful day, a marvelous week and an open heart.
peace,
k
p.s.October 1, is when the online artist way group is starting here.

Wishcasting Wednesday

photos:me from Summer 2010

I have some serious writer's block these days! I have been so unsuccessful in finding anything to say this week.
So, I was so thankful that it Wishcasting Wednesday. Today, Jamie asked, " How do you wish to come out of your shell?"


-I wish to come out of my shell by being more myself.
To me this means...
-Realizing and doing what is best for my time and my life.
-Making and seeing more art.
-Writing more.
-Being a loving sister, student, daughter, co-worker, employee, parishioner, and friend.
-Hanging out with less toxic people. There is a different in exhibiting human emotions and just being a plain meanie! One is an act and the other is a way of being. Just to clarify.
-Not being afraid to be thought of as "mean". It the curse of the nice girl. It's okay for everyone not be your bff and people use that word to put us in our "place".
-Practicing yoga with other people. This one is hard and always feel really self-conscious and awkward because my practice is mainly a home practice.
-Not letting the past rule me. It happened. It marked me but it does not need to make me.
How do you wish to come out of your shell, these days?

I have inherited a belief in community, the promise that a gathering of the spirit can both create and change culture. In the desert, change is nurtured even in stone by wind, by water, through time.

- Terry Tempest Williams

Have a wondrous day!

-k

Something to Sing About

Image by ecstaticist via FlickrRemember, I am trying to cultivate and attitude for gratitude(insert chessy smile here).Seriously, I love lists and could(but won't) do this everyday. It is one of the easiest way for me to organize my thoughts these days. It's been one those weeks(on top of weeks) were I have felt a little rundown and frazzled. It is really easy to slip in complain mode(nothing wrong with that) but that rarely does me any good.
As, I was thinking about this list- I thought about this scene in Amelie. While, I won't be running my hands through any beans today, I am thankful for those little pleasures that life affords.


Awww, I've digressed enough....
What a singing list, you ask?
A singing list is quite simple- people, place, things and/or ideas that are happening and making my heart sing!


My List is Below(in no particular order)
- This huge and gorgeous blue sky outside my window. It looks so amazing. I could fall into it.
- Good avocados(the last of the summer, I presume)
- Fall in the air.
- Some pleasure reading.
- black shoes. Yes, I have too many of these but they really are all different. They take me where I need and want to go and that is something.
- routine. As ungrounded as I have felt, I am thankful for the small everyday rituals of life that add some resemblance of sanity.You know-making the bed, getting coffee, talking with my mom, reading, prayers, homework, friends, and work.
- Geese in flight.
- Luna bars for breakfast. A life saver.
- Eating with your hands. It may be the best thing about summer. Although, gelato is second on that list.
- Lately, I have been listening to Madeleine Peyroux. Her music is perfect for curling up with a steaming cup of tea.
- Pockets of stillness.
- Afternoon tea breaks.
-This moment here because its fleeting and beautiful.

What's on your singing list these days?
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Peace,
k.

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern

Browsing Out in the Open

Image by Cj Roberts via Flickr
browsing- To inspect something leisurely and casually


Happy Labor Day! Boy, was I ever glad for a long weekend.
It was a good time to refresh and unwind.


Here are some things I noticed/experienced browsing through life this weekend.
-The smell of baking bread from my neighbor's apartment.
-Kids and dogs(natural friend-enemies).
-Lush vegetation. All that rain paid off.
-Old buildings with bright doors. Maybe it is a real estate trend.
-Stained glass windows with amazing pictorials.
-Friends and inside jokes(never quite go out of style).
-Sometimes "this" is enough.
-Long walks are good for the soul.
-It's okay to wait.
-The long way home is be an adventure.
-Smiling can be a great icebreaker.
-You learn more with your mouth shut.

Have a lovely week!
-k

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?
~ Henry Ward Beecher ~