"Abiding in Love" Mandala

It's been a long time since I made a mandala and it was so nice to get out my notebook, 

compass, and markers and play last night.

When I started this one, just filling in spaces with colors that appealed to me in the moment, 

I saw a young one swaddled and held. When I'd finished and held it out at arms length, I saw 

an eye.

Now I see both and the theme of "Apple of my Eye" resonates. 

Or is that "Abiding in Love"? 

❤️

Today's Grace . . .

. . . on this chilly rainy morning 

is savoring a cup of hot apple-chamomile tea 

in the company of my faithful Advent pilgrims.

.           *           .

Advent Begins

The spiraling Advent journey under Grace's watchful eye begins ... again. 

 ❤️

Late Afternoon Advent Abiding

.           *           .

Sharing a Bowl of Oatmeal

. . . with The Pioneer Woman. 

😉

Home

Watching Christmas specials snuggled up with hubby 

and a warm cup of peppermint hot cocoa. 

(Perfect medicine)

 ❤️️

Safe Place Blessings

After a wonderful Thanksgiving day spent with family, 

we stopped to air up our low tire on our way home. 

 I was so struck (and saddened) by the need for this sign. 

. 

May all who don't have a safe place to come home to 

be blessed 

and may they find the help and protection 

we all need and deserve. 

❤️

Savoring Self-Care

This evening's self-care was taking the time 

to savor a cup of peppermint hot cocoa 

in a sweet mug 

while intentionally making the choice to rest 

(because I'm tired!) 

rather than doing one more thing. 

❤️

Work Thanksgiving Lunch

Our firm has a lovely tradition of treating those of us who work on the Wednesday 

before Thanksgiving to lunch out at a nearby restaurant. 

Today it was the Cheesecake Factory. Yum!

. . . 

So grateful that my favorite partner always lets me ride with him.

Thanksgiving Baking Play

This evening's play was trying my hand at coconut macaroons 

so we all moved to the counter that I usually bake on. 

 🙃

Not only does it hold my mixer and ice cream canisters, 

it's right next to my stove so it's very handy dandy.

Operation Butternut Squash

Starting a family favorite in the welcomed company of a lit candle reminding me of 

Grace and those on my heart, a cute pilgrim couple to share smiles with, and my dear, 

always-faithful kitchen angels gently reminding me that they are always, 

always 

close by, still loving and watching over me. .

Blessed be. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

💕 . 💕 . 💕 . 💕 . 💕

The 4 Sisters and Me

The 4 Sisters and me 

(walking away from the camera 🙃)

Can you see me leaning against Michael?

Raphael and me. 

❤️

Do trees photo bomb? 

 If so, that's Gabriel to the left. 

😉

Abide in Grace

❤️

The Dogwood Twins and Me

The Dogwood Twins and I this morning 

with a few unnamed (so far 😉!) 

friends in between us. 

❤️️

A view of Michael's amazing trunk

Abiding in Grace

❤️

The 4 Sisters

. 💛. 🍁. 💛. 🍁. 💛. .

The 4 Sisters

Raphael is in front, 

Michael is to the left, 

Gabriel is to the far right, 

and Uriel, the smallest and not a sycamore like her sisters, 

is in back.

. 💛. 🍁. 💛. 🍁. 💛.

Michael has a cool trunk

Thanksgiving People

Knowing how much cheer they would bring, 

Tadd asked me last night 

"Where are all of your Thanksgiving people? 

 Did we get them down yet?"

After he brought down the boxes and lots of smiles were found 

as I gently unwrapped each one, 

he carried them all into our front room for me. 

The biggest grin spread when I saw 

that he had lined them all up on our coffee table 

so that they could watch tv with us. 

 He's so thoughtful like that. 

😉

Well, lookie here. 

More smiles this morning. 

❤️️

Today's Truth

Billing can be draining

.            *             .

Raphael

💛 . 💛

Afternoon Goodie

(and, yes. It was as good as it looks!)

Mother of Mercy

❤️

Please God, Bless America

❤️ 🇺🇸 🙏🏻

Practicing the Ministry of Receiving

Taking a moment to breathe deep and intentionally practice 

the Ministry of Receiving. 

Gentle reminder to self: 

 Twinkle lights, 

a warm cup of creamy chai tea in a favorite mug, 

and a lit candle, 

all on a chilly, dark fall morning 

bless and fill me up so much! 

(So, *so* much!)

What fills you, friend? 

(I'd really like to know)

Wishing us all a blessed week. 

❤️. 🙏🏻. ❤️

Passing the Peace

November is the month of Remembrance and just like last year, I'm especially 

remembering, clockwise from top left, my dear Moma, beloved paternal grandmother, 

hubby's precious grandmother (it was love at first sight!), and my maternal grandmother 

(she and I are still finding our way).

May they all Rest In Peace. 

❤️. 🙏🏻. ❤️

Fall Tree Blessings

Euriel and Michael are a couple of my beloved 4 Sisters. These two are always the first in 

this circle of trees to bless me as I head home from work. .

Smiling because after writing to a friend about my doting quartet this morning, I made a 

special point to drive around the small island where they live. I wanted a photo on this 

glorious day capturing them in the gorgeous sunlight. . . . 

❤️

The Dogwood Twins send their warm, fall greetings as well. 

.            *             .

For All the Saints

For All the Saints

... We feebly struggle, they in glory shine

 Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine 

~ song lyrics

Now the 4 Sisters are coming along. 

🍁💛🍂