in-between: the breathing space.

for the last two weeks my family has dealt with simple, semi-traumatic moments.  my son bumped his head in the bathroom two sundays ago.  his injury was treated in the ER that evening.  his treament held in infection cells that grew over the school week and sent us to the ER with an eye nearly swollen shut a week later.  a three day, two night, five antibiotics ((four through IV)) stay took place in the last week.  he was fantastic.  having bear and blanket helped.  but really, it was him.  

and today it feels like a year later.

as a chaplain in the hospital and assisted living setting, i have visited hundreds and hundreds of rooms.  i have sat in chairs, on beds, and stood near.  i have shared tea and meals with many folks.  we have gathered at many tables.

this time.  this time was a first.

those who showed up for us, we truly thank.  it's a good, good thing to receive fresh morning coffee on a hospital guest tray, your favorite breakfast sandwich & tea from a friend.  new toys to engage the hands ((for my son)).   the meals prepared have been so thoughtful, arriving at just the right time.  and those who know best, truly: they know best, wait a week and are bringing a meal this week & next weekend.  thank you.

because.  mama's tired.

it's interesting where motherhood and ministry intersect when you're child is in the hospital.  i can't help but relate as a chaplain/minister.  it's there.  yet, the mama bear comes out, too.  thankfully.  my boy needed an advocate.  someone who had his back and asked questions.  my love and i were there for him.  there for each other.  i'm so, so thankful.

whew.

so i took a break.  a small break. i focused my reserves.  and...believe it or not, i worked on my writing. i finished off the final edits for my book proposal.  i saved it until the last day at the hospital.  and i sent it off the first day home!  fully integrated.  artist. mother. minister.  from the hospital chair near a window of a beautiful sky.  with my boy on the right meds.  with the right plan for healing.  i worked.

it felt good.

i think i've held in a bit of energy this week.  releasing.  relief.  celebration.  elation.

oh, life.  so much is held in the spaces between.  between the dishes.  between the meals.  between the IV doses, between ER trips.  between.

that's what's held in the breathing space this week.

on spirituality and nature: a trip in the woods.

we begin with sunset at big meadows.  my heart was carried to kenya at the same moment my love's was as well.  we were each thinking, feeling kenya.  as i took this photo he named it.  our hearts can be found in similar landscapes.  each time we journey into the woods, our spirits are fed.  our spirits are fed in differing ways, yet in the same space.  we need these times together as a family in the woods.  

our spirits. our hearts. our feet are rooted here.  

you have your own experience of spirituality and nature.  you may have more of a connection with a more polished, manicured garden. the botanical gardens feed me, too.  

for the deeper, more earthly connection.  i travel to the woods.  and i behold.  i step lightly. i follow trails and create paths of my own stepping.  i see the small. the tiny.  i listen. 

enjoy this selection of nature from our recent trip to skyline drive.  we spent four days and three nights camping.  it was wonderful.  the rain soothed our spirits and called us out.  it was good. so good.

what do you see?  what speaks to your spirit? 

colors of my day: 5.13.2012.

my love

for you 

just grows

and grows. 

a special card from my sweet boy. 

moments spent reading. 

a lovely bloom on my friendship peony.  

with a few ants.

a doodle during morning worship.  

the hands of two helped add images. 

 a cloud of smiles. and a treasure map.  

a day of love. 

colors of my day: 2.16.2012.

life stories: celebrating creation.

before you are a few images from our time with church friends over the weekend.  we love the green spaces in the world that bring rest.  this spot has become a sacred place where we laugh, rest, and renew as we are among people we love.  such a gift. 

on the pier.

fishing.

the sacrificial worms.

a fish caught by a young friend.

on the paddleboat.

life stories: my boy's in kindergarden!

i love the art when you walk into my sweet boy's elementary school.  the hardwood floors, high ceilings, and history greet you as you enter the building.  so does the art.  

the colors.  the faces. 

the seasons.

the welcome. 

these are just a few quick snapshots of the multitude of colors & images. 

i'll be sure to capture more.  

good food: creamy wild rice soup ((reposted.))

since i'm making this soup for our family tonight, i thought i'd share the recipe with you today.  as these days move into fall weather, a hearty bowl of this goodness is just what the body craves.  enjoy! 

creamy wild rice soup with fresh croutons
adapted from heidi swanson's Super Natural Cooking.

2 T. coconut oil
3 t. red curry paste (less if you don't like the spice)
1-2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 shallot, chopped
1 white (or yellow) onion, chopped
1 1/2 c. wild rice, rinsed
6 cups water
1 sweet potato, peeled & diced into 1/4 inch cubes
sea salt
2 1/2 t. turmeric
1 T. natural cane sugar
1 T. shoyu sauce (or good quality soy sauce)
1 (14 oz. can) coconut milk
squeeze of lemon juice (lime if you have it)

Heat 1 T. coconut oil in heavy soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the curry paste, garlic, shallot, and onion. Saute' for 3 or 4 minutes, until onion begins to soften. Make sure the curry paste is evenly distributed.

Stir in the wild rice and 5 cups of water. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, and cook, covered, for about 40 minutes or until the rice starts to soften, split, and show its fluffy insides. Taste it.

Prepare your croutons. Here you see sliced daily bread of ours, but I also used Heidi's suggested sweet potato croutons for the other half of this soup. To make: heat the other 1 T. coconut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed potatoes (or bread) and toss with a pinch or two of sea salt to coat with oil. Cook a few minutes, turn, cook until the sides have been browned. When cooked through and crunchy, place on your silpat or on a paper towel.

When the rice is tender, stir in the turmeric, sugar, shoyu, coconut milk, the remaining cup of water, and 1 t. salt. Stir, return to a simmer, and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle. 

Remove and finish with your squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Taste for salt.

To serve, top with a lovely mound of croutons. Delicious.

*I think adding a leafy green like kale would be a nice addition. I'll try further variations on additional batches, as this is a new favorite.

life stories: celebrating his dad.

our sweet boy strategized. he'd tell his dad he was getting a trophy, but not give him a trophy but something else.  sneaky, right?  only he convinced himself he really should give his dad a trophy.  a you are the best dad trophy.  thankful to the great shack of stuff in sandston and the gentleman who has a plenty lining the walls.  

the other gifts were painted, wrapped, and shared.  daddy-o was filled with laughter and smiles.  we're so grateful for this good day together, eating good food from dawn to evening, delighting in restful spaces and shared goodness.  what a great day!

life story: marking moments.

life's full of marking moments.  today is no different.  

sometimes it's in celebration of life, of birth, of memory.  sometimes it's to allow the tears to flow after an uphill climb.  you've reached the top of the mountain and you plant your flag into the soil.  i've reflected on such moments for some time and cannot help but create such a ritual to share through my art. 

hearts, stars, and circles (not pictured) on a stick.  these are the flags that can be placed in a jar, on a cupcake, on a cake, or can lean well in a window or altar.   

as i celebrate and grieve my sweet boy's marking moment today, i will carry the memory.  today marks three years of love, care, and growth from the amazing folks at his day school.  he's growing up.  today marks such growth and life.  i celebrate and i breathe in the memory of it all.  

i will remember in my own ways.  he will, too.  i know this day will carry emotion for each of us.  i hope that in my mothering role i am able to help him to articulate his emotions and carry them well.  may we all do such work in our lives.  

the work of my hands: a mother's quilt.

my mother received this mini quilt for mother's day.  of course, i carried it in my bag for a week before mailing it.  in it, from top left clockwise, you see my sweet boy by the james river; me holding a K graduation picture of me at 5; my grandmother, mother, and her brother; and my grandfather, my, and my sweet boy's hands.  

i loved creating this work, sending her love.  and i think she likes it! 

life stories: my darling days.

plums growing on the tree. 

feet ready for the morning routine.

a sweater shared with a friend,  

also inspiring me to make my own shirt (to come...).

buttercups picked again and again for this mom.

may each of these days be so lovely, 

filled with goodness to your cup's brim. 

delight, dears.  delight.

life stories: a walk in the woods.

oh, the beauty of trees.

the sheer bliss of a walk in the woods.

carrying my camera and my eyes for seeing, 

i am ready to be present to what is before me.

with each step, i take note.

and i behold the glorious bursts of color 

in the blooms that lie before me.  

as we walk through the woods, we each experience the light and life in our own way.  many days of late, i'm finding myself quieted by the colors and blooms that surround me.  my voice is used in art, in gardening, in cooking, in listening, in sharing.  my time with family has been condensed between the movements to and fro.  i find that the quiet spaces of the woods with my boys has centered me in a good way this week.  despite allergies and fatigue, we are present to each other.  we are safe in one another's company.  we can be, simply be. together.