Healing Hillary

little boy

When C was a month or so old, my aunt said to me "little boys need to get outside every day." I've held those words to be true. She doesn't have daughters...though I am sure if she did she would say the same about little girls.

But there are days we just simply don't get outside and at times being outside has presented it's own challenges (ahem...insert memories of leaf eating and subsequent yacking here). As with everything, things change. Now, I find that we are all having more fun outside these days. I credit the sunshine, warmer weather and this book as inspiration. 

right on time

It's still January right? Yes? Winter....?

I laughed when I saw these little (what I assume to be) crocus bulbs starting to emerge. The weather has been warm here, but I suppose I don't really even know what is typical here having just moved. But I make up the story that these little bulbs are emerging a bit before their time. That they too might be impatient.

Though I am *always* surprised at Mother Nature and her ability to make even the unlikely turn out beautifully. And with that thought, I will try to suspend my disbelief and watch the unfurling of these flowers. As is one of my favorite quotes says, "instead of automatically assuming I am wrong, I will consider the possibility that I might be right on time." Perhaps we both are right on time...the bulbs and I.

in the rain (again)...

Seriously, it is raining again. Every spring the rain at some point gets to me. Today, yes...today is that day. I am working with it, working through it. Mothering involves oh so much some days (for me, rainy days in particular). So today when I awoke to thunder, I sighed and laid in the bed. Another rainy day...how can I celebrate today with the rain?

Well the first thing I decided was that I was going to wear my brightest colored yoga pants. And then I stepped outside, in the rain, barefoot. There is something about being barefoot that always, well it just works for me. So I padded outside in my silly turquoise toenails (my sweet hubby booked me an appointment for some pampering this weekend) and stopped for a second and looked down at all of the colors. Red, orange, turquoise, green and a little yellow buttercup...and what is that? A star.

Yes, today will be a *great* rainy day. 

 

chihuly at night

 

{amber cattails}

{saffron tower}

{along for the ride in front of saffron tower}

{the sun}

We got to see the Chihuly exhibit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens at night. Oh my...seriously amazing and breathtaking. 

D commented that it felt like we were somewhere else and I concur. The beautiful artistry, design and colors were almost unworldly. And although it was difficult to take photos at night, I was grateful to capture just a few to help me remember. 

Treasuring talent,

Hillary 

sedona...6 years

 

 

 

 

  
The weekend before last...D and I celebrated our 6th anniversary in Sedona. It was beautiful, refreshing, restful and relaxing. We saw many beautiful sites, many heart shaped cacti, red rock sunsets and a century plant in bloom. We ventured out on foot to a balancing vortex (which we later discovered is known for positive relationship effects). We had a couples massage, ate delicious raw food, and lazed in the pool at our B&B. 

Happy Anniversary! Here's to many, many more!

Still in wedded bliss,

Hillary 
 

 

sometimes it's just simple

Do you ever think something is bigger than it really is? Gosh, I do. 

I felt this way particularly about gardening. I was certain that it was not something I could do on my own, that I would need the advice of books and experts. While the advise was certainly helpful, it was me that was stuck...stuck in fear of failure. 

However, if you have seen my gardening pictures, you'll know...I overcame that fear. Dove right on in, made some mistakes, pulled up some plants thinking they were weeds, fed some fruits to nature, and still received a yield of items to fill our table. 

 (My cilantro has gone to ceed...coriander seeds! Not to mention it is a natural pest deterrent).

Our local farmer's market has been a wealth of information. That's where I learned about letting cilantro go to seed, how to use comfrey as fertilizer and how to get my compost to decompose a bit faster. 

And yesterday at the market, I may have gotten my favorite lesson yet...that a seed given the right elements will grow anywhere. 

Certainly makes sense that this little guy would pop up in the back of a farm's pickup.  

And just to think...just a few years ago I had made it all so hard (in my own head) that I though certainly I would fail and almost (almost) vowed to not try. 

Here's to trying and casting fear to the wind,

Hillary

nightgown gardening

I padded outside this morning in my bare feet and white cotton nightgown to do some gardening. I mean really...does life get any better than this? 

Our first carrot. It was sweetly enjoyed by T and the top went to the bunny. I love this silly photo though. In it you can see our arugula which has gone to flower so many time...I just can't quite pull it up yet because it is still yielding yummy greens. You can also see a basil plant that got moved during the flood. Somehow this little basil seed found it's way on the other side of the garden after our 1000 year rain. Mother nature...she always has something up her sleeve. 

Now to enjoy nightgown dishes...

Welcoming the bounty of summer,

Hillary

a break

 
Sometimes this mama needs a break...'nuff said!

Love,

Hillary 

making herbs

Have I mentioned how much I love my dehydrator? 

  

  

It makes all of my garden herbs nice and dry for year long storage. Glad I cleaned out my spice rack a few weeks back...certainly can use the room! 

In wellness,

Hillary

my sanctuary revealed

If you have been following me on Twitter...you may have heard me talk about my lil' sanctuary a lot recently. See I have a need to get away, not far away...just a little bit away. 

So my book, my bare feet, a tall glass of water and I pad outside during nap time for a little get-away! Yes, if you look closely I am reading a Sookie Stackhouse book...frivolous books find their way into my hands from time to time {sigh}.

Where do you go to get away, do you have a space you call your sanctuary?

In bliss,

Hillary