White

My early morning walk today and all things white:

My Garden Gate

Dandelion on a bed of crab apple petals

My little white dog, Jessy

White moon in the morning sky

White apple blossoms

Bird droppings.  White and kind of artsy don't you think?

Amazing how what you focus on suddenly appears everywhere you look. Just for today try to keep your attention and focus on all things good, worthy and beautiful.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May your day be full of goodness,

Sandra

Discouragement, a Rake and a Spade

"What is a weed?  A plant whose virtues have never been discovered." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Last weekend was the big gardening weekend.  Since our geographical location makes it risky to plant before mid May, Victoria Day marks the beginning of gardening season.  A walk around the neighbourhood this morning confirms that while I worked all three days of the long weekend at the boutique, every single one of my neighbours were out beautifying their properties.  

So it was this morning that I found myself, rake in hand, standing in the center of my backyard overwhelmed and discouraged.  The grass is full of weeds, as are the flower beds, even the gaps in the patio tiles are sprouting long weeds.  I'm trying to grow grass over what was last year's vegetable garden but it is sparse. I'm probably over-tired, and looking from one eye-sore to the next isn't helping. 

One eye-sore ....

.....to the next.

I need a plan because there are hours, days and probably weeks of work back here and I am only one woman with a rake and a spade.  So I decide to begin to the right of the entry gate and work slowly on the flower beds around the edge of the property.  I will only look at the area directly in front of me and make it as weed-free and trimmed as possible.  I tell myself, "Do not look at any other area of the yard, only these few square feet in front of me."  It really is a matter of focus; don't look to far ahead, deal with what is in front of me at this moment.  How many times could I benefit from this approach to gardening and to life? 

After four hours I have one garden weeded and trimmed, two garbage cans are overloaded with weeds and both lawns are mowed. I'm sweaty, exhausted and dirty but my prior discouragement has somewhat abated and perhaps this summer I can actually rescue this backyard; even if I am only one woman with a rake and a spade.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life.

Plant yourself a happy day,

Sandra

  

   

Good Morning to You!

It's the first week of May, the temperature is warming and on this overcast Sunday morning there is a fine drizzle of rain.  I woke in early morning semi-darkness and with eyes still closed began to focus on the birds that chirped and sang outside my open window.

I could imagine that I was away at my favourite forest cottage, the sounds were the same and outside the trees were dark silhouettes on a grey sky. "How would I feel, what would my mood and mind-set be if this was a vacation and not a day that I was going to work at the boutique?"  I let that vision sink in and noticed that, yes, I could feel an inner shift. I felt inspired, enthused to embrace these few hours of tranquility and to pretend that I was at the cottage.

I rose and lit a candle, unfurled my yoga mat and let my body warm to the movements. A leisurely but abbreviated dog walk (Jessy hates the rain) was lovely and damp with all the scents of humid soil and  rain itself.  I had to keep reminding myself this was the cottage, it is so easy to get drawn into mindless routines.
I steeped a cup of tea in a pretty mug and wrapped myself in the beautiful prayer shawl that my  mother knit for me several years ago.  Outside on my covered balcony I settled into some comfy pillows on a big wooden Adirondack chair and sipped my steaming tea.  I was instantly rewarded when a bright red-orange cardinal stopped at the bird feeder, a moment later a big blue jay bullied him out of his spot .  The jay was  just a little too big to comfortably perch and soon gave up.  Within seconds the cardinal returned and enjoyed the rest of his breakfast.

The perfect corner for a cup of tea

I allowed my mind to wander aimlessly; such an escape is pure luxury and a beautiful way to begin the day. And while eventually I had to get down to the business of business I felt as though I benefited all day from my morning "escape".  How could you subtly shift your morning routine to indulge yourself?  Would an extra 20 minutes afford you the luxury of savouring  your morning?  A short walk?  A cycle around the neighbourhood? A more leisurely shower?  A hand written note tucked into all the lunch boxes?  What would feel special?  See if you can treat yourself to something special one morning this week, you deserve it.

Thank you for stopping at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Have a beautiful  morning,
Sandra