Very rarely, I get the house to myself for the night. So when I do, I take full advantage of it. I am finding that making a priority to indulge in the things that fill me up.. for both my belly and my soul, go a long way. Tonight, this means a carpet picnic by the fire with my art journal and some yummy goodies. The liquid sunshine of curried butternut squash soup is like a warm hug. The cheap paints with endless pages to mix color, design, doodles and words are grounding. A break to sip bubbly and savor a chunk of cheese is pure joy. And, to watch the flames dance is pure meditation. Hints of guilt sneak in here and there of all of the chores and things I could/”should” be doing, but I am getting better at tuning those nagging thoughts out. It is good to have a date with myself. To stop and take the time to remember lovely moments, to try and process the hard ones and just find some bit of peace is the biggest gift I can give myself. That and perhaps a big chunk of chocolate from Italy I have hidden away in the closet.
Sunshine Yellow
For two years, I have been pulling into our driveway and feeling like I was at someone else’s home. A big part of me is grateful to have a warm and spacious home for our family. It has been a bumpy road, and there is nothing better than being able to all be together under roof, by a roaring fire in a quiet neighborhood. But then, there is the dark side of me that sunk when coming home to such a drab facade. A peeling house that was painted some time ago a nasty shade of what we call retro band-aid pink was not welcoming. Chachi, our youngest called it “Daddy’s pink house.”
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| On it’s way to bright and cheery! |
Fortunately, Daddy’s Pink house is no more. After THREE cases of caulk, the help of a dear friend, It is now Mama’s yellow sunshine house. It really is amazing how color can switch a mood. It is bright and cheery and makes walking in the door to all the projects that lay ahead inside somewhat more bearable. And now, to pick more colors! Whoo hoo!!!