**THROWBACK POST**
February 5 2012:
A post Lillian wrote almost a year ago just came across my radar. It’s special to me, maybe it’ll warm your heart too . . .
Dear Camilla from Lillian Darnell
Reply
Tag Archives: Camilla Downs
We Love Walking
**THROWBACK POST**
February 3 2016:
We LOVE our walks!!! W = Wonderful, A = Awesome, L = Love, K = Kinetic … xoxo
Why I Involve My Kids in Practicing Mindfulness
**THROWBACK POST**
February 3 2016:
Dear Thomas,
I know how sometimes you long to have a “typical” sibling and “typical” sibling relationship …
https://themighty.com/2014/07/letter-to-the-siblings-of-a-brother-or-sister-with-a-disability/
After a huge Lillian meltdown this morning which caused him to be a wee bit late for school.
I am trying to help him notice when it’s not a good idea to push Lillian. He does try so hard, but just wants to not have to try sometimes. Lillian is making huge progress, yet, we still have those moments. Thomas’ teacher shares often with me how she enjoys his presence in the classroom as he’s so empathetic and compassionate.
I have recently pulled back from intervening when they decide to be unkind with one another. I’ve explained that I have taught them methods to use and I model those methods. It is up to them whether they use them or not.
This morning it escalated, I remained calm and not involved. It escalated and escalated and escalated. There was screaming and door slamming. I remained calm and not involved. I got scratched and pinched, I remained calm. I kept emphasizing that I’d be happy to help her get calm and to let me know when she was ready.
And. Finally, Lillian asked for help in calming down. I walked her through a meditative breathing exercise and we moved on …. I don’t always remain calm. I did this morning and it makes such a huge, huge, huge difference when I do. Mindfulness is an amazing way to live …
Yes, this. I am blessed and grateful that we are a team. I am having the time of my life on this journey with them. The joy, suffering, happiness, peace, love, and all … xoxo
Book Review: The Champion of Children – The Story of Janusz Korczak
The Champion of Children – The Story of Janusz Korczak
Janusz Korczak had wanted to create a better world for children ever since he was a young boy. He grew up in Warsaw under tsarist Russia’s domination.
He designed and presided over an extraordinary orphanage for Jewish children. He believed the children could govern themselves, so he encouraged them to elect a parliament, run a court, and put out a weekly newspaper.
During Hitler’s rise to power he was forced to move the orphanage into Warsaw Ghetto and ultimately to the deaths of he and the children in the Treblinka extermination camp. He remained there for and with the children to the very end.
His insistence that children have the right to be loved, educated, and protected has continued to inspire people all over the world.
In honor of Korczak’s work, the United Nations declared 1979 the International Year of the Child. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, created in 1989, was strongly influenced by Korczak’s theories.
Incredible man, incredible story ….. Pure Love.
Vegan Eats: Potato Leek Soup and Cucumber Salad and Carrot Ginger Soup and Chili
January 22 2017:
Making a thick and creamy soup today. As I sliced the ingredients, the beauty and swirls of this ingredient caught my eye. Incredibly magical on the inside.
It was the perfect day for potato leek soup topped with scallions. Thick, creamy, and oh my goodness …. incredibly delicious!! xoxo
It was in the latest Chopra Center email newsletter (just pasting straight from there).
I always tweak recipes so I did not add the rosemary, oregano, and parsley. Yet, I added ground ginger. I LOVE the kick ginger gives to dishes.
Potato Leek
There is only one word to describe this soup—comfort. It’s thick, creamy, and bursting with flavor. Leeks are often underutilized in the kitchen, but they’re a phenomenal source of vitamins and antioxidants, not to mention quite delicious.
Ingredients:
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 4 leeks, sliced
* 3 garlic cloves, chopped
* 4 russet potatoes, cubed
* 4 cups vegetable broth
* 1 (14-ounce) can white beans
* 1 teaspoon rosemary
* 1 teaspoon oregano
* 1 teaspoon parsley
* Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Sauté leaks in oil over medium-high heat for about five minutes, until softened.
Add garlic and potatoes and sauté two more minutes.
Add broth, beans, and spices.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and puree mixture in a blender. If soup is too thick, add water until desired consistency is reached.
Add salt and pepper, to taste.
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The warm and creamy potato leek soup called for a refreshing and satisfying side salad.
Cucumber and arugula! English cucumber, arugula, pickles, scallions, kalamata olives, topped with warm beets and fig balsamic dressing.
Plus a side of baked potato medallions. The entire meal was food bliss. xoxo
January 26 2017:
Carrot Ginger Soup tonight …. creamy, flavorful and incredibly pleasing. So yummy!
January 27 2017:
Oh ginger, how I love thee!!! Yummy!!
January 28 2017:
Best chili yet! A spicy veggie chili with red peppers, mushrooms, and jalapeño. I am in food bliss!
So good I had it for breakfast this morning with a cup of yummy coffee. Both brought out the flavors of each even more. So incredibly satisfying.
Winter Wonderland at Night and Love and Dreamy and Sparkly Magic
January 23 2017:
It was so bright last night while I was taking Happy for his last walk of the day. I was able to take pictures!!! These were taken about 9:15 last night. Another Winter Wonderland for us last night and today.
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January 23 2017:
Lillian and I went for an amazing and sparkly winter wonderland walk this afternoon …. I just had to give this picture its own post.
This is zoomed as far as I could go. A tiny snow and ice heart hanging from the tree limb.
Perfect and magical message to match the perfect and magical phone call I had with the Parks Ranger for Rancho San Rafael. She is over the moon excited about Thomas’ book. She bought a book at The Discovery Museum and that’s how she found out about it.
During the call, I found myself thinking, is this call really happening? Well, YES, yes it is and …. YES!!! Wonderful things are being planned!! Life is truly magical and miraculous when we get out of our own way … xoxo
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January 23 2017:
“It’s like a dream.” …… Said to me this morning by another resident who had just stepped outside.
I was on an early morning walk with Happy, taking many pictures. This persons comment caused me pause, inspired me, and brought forth oceans of gratitude for not just this ….. for life itself. xoxo – part 1
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January 24 2017:
Icicles and ice are fun to photograph!! More walking and being outdoors yesterday. xoxo
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January 24 2017:
Magical, sparkly, icicle and love filled walk with Lillian yesterday afternoon. Grateful to the icicles for letting me practice with the macro lens. xoxoxo …
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January 25 2017:
Walk with Thomas and Happy yesterday ….. Another snow heart and check out how the lake is thawing. Like a sun and sunbeams!
My time is nearing an end with Mr. Happy. He and Debbie head back home to Florida in about two weeks.
I’ve been walking him almost daily since they arrived in September and dog sat a few times while Debbie was out of town.
In November I noticed he was wobbly, unsteady, and dragging his left back paw.
Debbie took him to UC Davis where a tumor was discovered on his brain; which was later removed at UC Davis. They weren’t able to get all of it and the symptoms are still there a bit.
He seemed incredibly sad before the surgery and now … he’s “happy”! yaY!!!!
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January 26 2017:
More icicle magic yesterday. Love the wee little ones!!
We Shall Emerge by Camilla Downs
And out of the darkness
We shall emerge.
A darkness that
Has been necessary.
A vital and pivotal point
Of confronting the
Shadows within.
For to have more
Than brief glimpses
Of the light,
This acceptance, forgiveness,
And dissolution of shadows
Must be met.
As what awaits is
The eternity of light and love,
Ever there, ever lovingly
And patiently waiting
To welcome us home.” -2016 Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature
What Do You Perceive
January 26 2017:
What do you see in this photo?
Taken by me in the last couple of days.
No One Else Exists
**THROWBACK POST**
January 31 2016:
“It’s so quiet. It’s like no one else exists.” – Thomas Darnell
Comment made by Thomas at Bartley Ranch where we ended our January 2016 Date Day.
Would You Believe
**THROWBACK POST**
September 6 2016:
“Would anyone believe that playing with sticks and walking and splashing in the water would be so fun?” –Thomas
