Thoughts on Thanksgiving

There's a lot on my mind these days. It's October, a very busy month for our family, many birthdays, Thanksgiving, my father-in-law visiting for a few weeks, travels, and all the household activities related to the changing seasons. My head is running, the washing machine is spinning, the new bed is coming; it's a whirlwind. That is why I enjoy writing for a while, to settle my mind, let thoughts come and go as the sun streams through the window highlighting my son's fingerprints. It's nice to put my brain in neutral for a bit.

I love fall, don't you? Hasn't the weather been glorious? Sunny and crisp, I feel like the air smells and feels like apples. Thanksgiving is this weekend and while most of us are happily anticipating seeing friends and family, some of us are stressing out over recipes and the lack the wine glasses. My mother called and mentioned it might be nice to have Thanksgiving dinner at our place this year... hint... hint... and for two seconds I panicked. Only two seconds. I'm grateful to have a family here to celebrate, and for my father-in-law who has come all the way from Brazil to see his grandson. 

So let me take another look at this seemingly "busy" month. We get to celebrate the birth of 3 wonderful people and eat cake 3 times. We get an extra pair of hands to cook a turkey, put together a bed, and play with the boy. We finally get to take a family vacation and even though we haven't planned it at all yet, it's bound to be an adventure. There's pumpkins to be picked, leaves to be kicked, and local apples to eat. We can appreciate candle light again, now that the sun settles down earlier and wear cozy sweaters. All this is the 'thanks' in Thanksgiving.

fall flowers

Simple Pleasures

As promised in my last post, I will be choosing tips for the Simple Living Manifesto on Zen Habits regularly and try to incorporate more simplicity in my life. I managed to carry through yesterday's tip of "Carry Less" into today, bringing home 4 library books, rather than 20 and doing a small run at the grocery store. The kid wanted to be carried, so instead of carrying him, I distracted him by giving him a loaf of bread to carry on his own.

For today, I choose number 59: Make a list of your favorite simple pleasures, and sprinkle them throughout the day. Here's my list. Only 10 out of 50 so far today. Gotta get my sprinkles out!

1. using a nice smelly soap in the shower
2. going to bed in clean sheets
3. sipping wine while cooking

4. dark chocolate

5. the good tired feeling after a workout

6. doodling, drawing or painting
7. reading a book in bed
8. hugs

9. watching the kid do something new and saying: I did it!

10. take-out on a day I don't want to cook
11. bowls of berries

12. singing to a tune in the car

13. seeing animals/birds/fish/bugs in the wild or at the Aquarium
14.taking pictures

15. writing

16. drinking a strong cup of coffee in the morning

17. riding my bike alone or with the kid
18. watching my kid ride his bike
19. making and eating crepes
20. buying less stuff
21. licorice at a movie
22. wrapping gifts
23. dancing to loud music
24. going to the beach
25. floating in the water
26. picnics
27. brunch with my girlfriends
28. hanging out with my mom
29. family dinners
30. getaways with my husband
31. blowing bubbles
32. hanging on the sidewalks with the neighbors and their kids
32. sharing a bbq with friends
33. helping out
34. receiving "good mail"
34. wearing jeans
32. wearing a bra that doesn't hurt
33. eating foods I like when they are in season
34. a clean room
35. a funny story and a good laugh
35. a pedicure
36. a massage
37. playing the piano

38. trying out a new recipe

39. window shopping on a nice street
40. going to vintage/antique stores

41. listening to my boy saying: Okay Mommy! with super enthusiasm

42. seeing joy on my husband's face when he talks about his car
43. doing a crossword/playing scrabble

44. looking at babies

45. waking up to sunshine
46. reading in bed with my husband before lights out
47. baking
48. when my husband comes home earlier than I thought

49. throwing the fresh laundry out of the dryer onto my son

50. when my husband says I'm beautiful

Side note:
I've been wanting to get a copy of "Simplicity Parenting" and when I went on the online library catalog, it said I had to register for an Adobe ID, download a software and then download the book onto my home computer. Not simple. Instead, I had the librarian order a hard copy for me and when it arrives at my local branch, I will receive an email. That's easy. Can't wait to read it!

legfull of pollen

Breakfast Gratitude

I've been carrying simple notebooks with me. Some come with me in the diaper bag, some stay at home. When I have a moment, I write down what I'm grateful for. At breakfast I ask my husband and my son to contribute. My son contributes oatmeal often. It's a nice way to start the day. I also use these books to capture:

Art ideas that pop into my head and won't go away
Questions to which I have no answer
Doodles
Things I want

Places to go

It's fun. I recommend it. Do like DaVinci and get a notebook!