11/30 – it’s the little things

Spinach stew is colourful and delish. This one has spinach, red kidney beans, dried apricots and plums, garlic and onion, salt, black pepper and turmeric. It’s served on the top of white rice. I enjoy mixing up the flavours, sweet and salty when prepping and tasting the food. This stew is rich in proteins, fibres and vitamins. The perfect combo for a healthy and beautiful dish.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

Virginia Woolf

10/30 – it’s the little things

Finally, we got some rain this week. I believe my outdoor plants are smiling. We water them almost every day but nothing compares to a Nature’s shower.

My indoor herbs are doing really well. I like to add them to my dishes when cooking and it’s practical to have them indoors, so on a muggy day like today, I don’t need to go out in the garden to harvest a few leaves.

A glass of lemon water with a leaf of mint it’s perfect for a hot day. One of my fave drinks, with no calories and is refreshing!

09/30 – it’s the little things

Spring/summer pleasures – just sitting outdoors and reading, it can be in my backyard or in one of the parks in the neighbourhood. I’m reading The Dictionary of Lost Words at the moment. It’s a lovely story based on true events about the Oxford dictionary compilation. The journey of a little girl growing up in a world of words.

“Some words are more important than others- I learn this, growing up in the Scriptorium. But it took me a long time to understand why.“

Esme – the main character in the book

08/30 – it’s the little things

inner to my heart

memories flash in my mind

craving the beyond

luxury in my garden

the love and feeling

take my soul far far away

opening the path

the closeness and abundance

red velvet is the colour

Tanka Tuesday is a taste of the rainbow: to choose a colour and write a syllabic poem. The colour I’ve chosen is red velvet from my precious rose. Choka is a form that consists of 9 lines with 5-7-5-7-5-7-5-7-7 syllables. The rose bush in the photo is very precious to me, hope you can feel it through the poem.

07/30 – it’s the little things

Journaling practice has been one of my favourite activities, a ‘me time’ which always brings me comfort. I’ve done it for many years, on and off, but more constant during the last 10 years. I call it “morning pages” referring to Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way when I write early mornings.

Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing,

done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–

they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about

anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes

only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and

synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put

three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow.

Julia Cameron

I also love to add images to my journal pages, or simply a layer of washi tape. It will depend if I find an image that goes well with my feelings at that moment.

Little things such as a notebook and a pen provide me with so much joy.

I’d love to know if you also write down your thoughts.

06/30 – it’s the little things

Good morning, afternoon, or evening depending on the time you visit this post. The weekend was just gorgeous, I spent lots of time outdoors doing spring/summer things, including enjoying this awesome sunset by the river.

I walked a lot, more than 20 k steps!!! I also prepared healthy meals with lots of veggies, but between us, I couldn’t resist a slice of pizza on Sunday evening 🙂 it’s was a veggie pizza if it counts in my favour.

A new week ahead and I wish yours to be wonderful!

“No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again and bring the dawn.” 

Maya Angelou

05/30 – it’s the little things

Stop. Breathe. Listen. Three simple words, powerful words to bring me back to the present from wherever my mind is travelling. They are a mantra, sometimes a little prayer or a wish. I’m sharing these words with you today just in case you need them as much as I do. The weekends can be tough on us without the stress of the work days. More time to think and reflect on the past and guess about the future.

“As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are.

Otherwise, you will miss most of your life.”

Buddha

04/30 – it’s the little things

at the university

A little bit of cuteness on my way to my office yesterday. I spent a few minutes observing them before keeping moving. They are Canadian geese, lots of babies in the spring, and they love the campus. A great view, indeed a refreshing one for the eyes.