savoring

snow day snuggles

cold noses and hands

slush underfoot

disappointment, quick melt and steady rain

awe-filled looks around the yard at ordinary things turned extraordinary

savoring

Today, I'm savoring memories of our time in the sun. Memories of introducing Cordelia to the ocean. Memories of being surrounded by family and enjoying moments like the one pictured below. Two happy girls - one still little enough that she needs to be carried everywhere we go.

savoring

These fall, almost winter, days feel so short! They are flying by, some productive, some totally unproductive. But what is productive when you have a small child? I can not believe that it is Friday again already. Here we are.

And there we are, below. This week's savoring has been a bit of a struggle. I'm trying to really enjoy and soak up the time that I have with Cordelia sitting in one spot, playing on the floor. I'm trying to bask in the security that comes with knowing that if I put her down somewhere, she will be there two seconds later when I turn to look again. Each day that passes, she becomes more frustrated that she isn't mobile yet. Our days are quite teary and dramatic, with breaks for the awe that only a nearly ten month old person can have. Below is a moment from this week that was full of delight. Cordelia spent the whole day saying "mama", over and over again. It is gifts like that which help me to carry on through the tears.

And here are the last of the colorful leaves hanging on. I tried to capture the fact that this little tree looks like the tips of its branches are lit up with little fires. Of course, I could never capture that! The picture below is enough to remind me that this is a time of change and letting go - and in that, there is great beauty. Ah, fall!

savoring

Hello Friday!

I have decided that this habit of savoring, at least once a week, is good for my soul. All week I have been thinking about what photo(s) I might put here to show you what I'm savoring. That has led to reflection on gratitude and more savoring. Very good.

Here, we're having the last blast of fall colors. Things are more bare and spare. The weather is more dramatic and the colorful leaves show up more against the naked(er) branches. As I watch the leaves fall, I am savoring this magical time. Here's a pic from a few weeks ago of my favorite tree in our yard. It turned absolutely golden this year. This tree made it difficult to go inside.

This is Cordelia in mid-September. It's the best photo of what I am savoring about her right now. Her reflective nature impresses me. She watches things, considers things, and seems thoughtful. Cordelia is careful and cautious. This cautiousness is leading to her slowly, slowly developing the ability to move about. She is SO frustrated right now because she can see so much and think so much about what she would like to do with all the things just beyond her reach. Right now is a difficult time in her little life because of this challenging mismatch between her physical and cognitive abilities. But soon, or someday, I believe that her contemplative nature will bless her with many good gifts. So I am savoring this time, watching her abilities unfold.

savoring

There's a blog called Soulemama (soulemama.typepad.com) and the writer puts up a post on Fridays that she calls, "this moment". It is a moment, captured by her camera, from her week. She doesn't write anything about it. I love it. But I guess I'm too wordy, and I might need to put up two photos. I want to let you know what I'm savoring. That's part of savoring it for me. And, well, this month is about writing so it feels like a bit of a copout (for ME) to just put up a photo and call it a day. So, this month there will be writing to go along with the moments I choose to share. And there might be more than one moment! It's my blog so na na na!

Here you go: It is a tender time for the mamas in my life - tender sweet, tender tears, tender love. I am savoring the time we had all together this spring. Even though this moment didn't happen this week, it is with me right now.