Bliss

In the pre-dawn stillness before anyone else arises - 

There is only me

the dogs

& the chatty News Crew for Channel 9 

who inform me of the trials and dilemmas of Kansas City 

before even the Sun illuminates the world with it's rose & golden glow this Saturday morning. 

It is blissful

My father is still asleep.  Chuckles too.  

No rushing off to work.  

These moments to savor carry me through the week.  

There is a to do list waiting to be to done.......

  But for now; I will enjoy watching the sun come up.  

     

When Drew & I first walked into this place - 

the light and the view sold us as soon as we walked into the door.  

Hard to believe that was over a decade ago.  

This morning 

as I sit here and look out over the pond and trees 

which are turning from midnight blue, to navy, then grey 

before slowly stretching into a rose raising golden view 

I am filled with the peace of that choice.  

What a great home this has been.  

So many wonderful memories made here.

Andy  & the boys play across my mind -

warming my heart and spreading outward

I am in awe of Grace.

I have been ever blessed 

.

In this moment

I am filled with the faith that 

  It is going to be a beautiful day

The peace of the moment washes over me 

as the electric salmon ball that is the sun this morning 

begins to peek out over the bare darkened limbs of the trees 

they are silhouettes against the backdrop of the sky.  

I feel the urge to don my hoodie & sweats and go out fully emerse myself in the moment

  But brrr I have to admit 

I think I'll save that for a warmer morning

It's a crisp 27 degrees outside 
making watching from the windows-

the perfect experience this moment.  

The exchange from night to day takes about 45 minutes - 

but when it is a beut like this....... it carries me through for days to come. 

 It is a meditation of sorts I suppose.  

It reminds me of the awesomeness and delicacy of our world and this life.  

It is inspires me.  

It calms me.  

It says Good Morning girlfriend, its going to be a day of hope.  

Look at this new beginning I have given you!

What are you going to do with it?  

That question is yours and yours alone to answer for yourself

I will share with you my response to this challenge

In this moment 

I pledge today 

to bring only beauty into the world

Kindness & Courtesy 

A giving spirit

I will appreciate the moments I have a chance to make 

I will remember throughout the day

To relish the beauty in life

To honor my family, friends, & loved ones 

To respect nature

& 

To give Thanks for it ALL

Today in this moment 

I am reminded that -

I AM BLESSED

Now that my friends is how I like to start my day.

It works for me

It joins 


Nature

Faith

Gratefulness 

&

Love

I here rustling coming from the laundry room

this moment has passed

Time to start my day 

Hope if you have read this

You have a great one

Key Ingredients for a Great Day

Take a friend from your teen years, take a friend from work, mix in some wine, cheese, chocolate, & berries and mix it all up.  Plan for a new adventure - we went somewhere two of us had never been before.  Result:  A fabulous afternoon.  
  We went to Fence Stiles Winery in Excelsior Springs and picnicked!  http://www.fencestile.com/

Who can do that in January in Kansas City?  WE DID!  Mother Nature was wonderful contributing 60 degree weather to our  day.  The hosts of the winery were friendly and knowledgeable of their wine and suggested some other wineries in the area we might enjoy ... Once I find out where Rayville is we will plan a trip there as well.    My favorite wine of the day was the Sweet Enchantment.  A delightful red wine that reminds me of Welches Grape Jelly (though no peanut butter will be added). I also enjoyed their Vidal Blanc & The Enticement-which is a sparkling wine that bubbled and begged to be poured.  
  The laughter was contagious - long before the wine was poured.  The snacks were delightful & the friends made the day.  These two gals make me laugh at the drop of a hat.  I think sometimes we moms forget that we have to take care of ourselves, so last year I set a goal to reach and restablish old friendships and to identify some likely canidates for new friendships.  I struck silver and gold with these two.  You know the old song, "Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold."  Friendships are so important; they nurture our souls and let us know we are not crazy or small minded.  They reaffirm us.  How lucky I am to have these gals in my corner!  Thanks for a fabulous day ladies!