(San Antonio Riverwalk July 2016)
“Grow where you are,
Lest you spend precious time
Waiting to grow
Until you arrive someplace else.
For when one reaches the
Someplace else, there will
Always be the next someplace else.
Grow as your heart desires
from within,
To allow without to miraculously
Support ones growth.” –Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature
December 5 2016:
Mushroom, onion, and garlic soup …. beginning to end. So simple and so delicious!
Candy cane Joe-Joe for dessert. Yum!!!! 🍥
When I cook I don’t use recipes. However when I bake I must have one! HA! xoxoxo
For this batch (they are different every single time):
I sauteed:
one medium sweet onion, (chopped in various sizes of small to medium)
2 packages of mushrooms, and (I bought whole and sliced them)
3 cloves of garlic (chopped into small pieces)
in a bit of butter (from grass fed cows) and coconut oil and splashes of water as needed
(All ingredients are organic whenever possible)
Save the garlic for near the end so it doesn’t burn. When sauteed to my preference I added spring water and Himalayan salt (lots since I’m not using a broth – it’s cheaper with water .. HA).
It’s best if it’s made the day before consumption as the flavors get stronger and yummier!!
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December 7 2016:
Working in Rosey, our office on wheels, while Lillian is in OT. I think I’ve mastered working and living in small spaces. xoxo
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December 9 2016:
Last night was a potato and white bean soup and tonight …… vegetarian chili 🌶 …… Yummilicious!!!!! Happy body indeed!!! xoxo
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December 10 2016:
Nearly all the gifts Team TLC exchange are handmade …. Always using recycled materials and arts & crafts we already own.
This year the lodge and staff where we live have provided a gift wrap station. We went over yesterday so Thomas and Lillian could wrap the items they’ve created so far. So fun!
When we got to the library they, too, had a gift wrap station and books for sale for 50 cents to 1.00. This book loving families eyes lit up at the sight of all those books!! We purchased a few books and wrapped them. More fun!
This is not only how we celebrate Christmas. We also create handmade gifts for one another for all other “gift giving” times. For about the past 10 years I have been slowly shifting away from consumerism.
Instead modeling and teaching that fulfillment and joy are inside jobs and not attained by the amount of stuff we have. And showing ones love for another is done on a daily basis and is not about how much and how many store bought gifts are given.
The gifts we give are truly listening, supporting one another, and helping each other to see and experience the wonder of the world. Yet, I also strive to teach and model non-judgment of anyone who chooses a different lifestyle and philosophy.
We do usually exchange at least one store bought item as there are things we need or items we feel will enhance our joy.
If you were to ask if there are things I want ….. Sure, there are! I’d be over the moon joyful about receiving a real camera, a pair of moccasins, and new cookware. Yet, I’m also not going to be sad and feel deprived because I don’t have them.
May you have a joyful, peaceful, and warm weekend!!! xoxo
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Sparkly paper snowflakes! xoxo ❄️❄️❄️
These are inexpensive and FUN to make. Not to mention gorgeous when hung on the tree or from the ceiling!
December 4 2016:
Sunset walk with Lillian …. Amazing colors, amazing clouds, surrounded with quiet, serenity, and peace. Love, love, love … xoxo
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On our sunset walk this afternoon, we paused for Lillian to share about her unique talents and gifts and about her favorite time of the year. xoxo
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December 5 2016:
Beauty from this mornings walk … This tree catches my attention every time I walk by it. Called for another picture this time! xoxo
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December 6 2016:
Lots of black-billed magpies around lately. One let me snap his picture before he flitted away. This time I took a few minutes to sit, snug with my back leaned against a tree and my feet leaning on a huge rock. Nice and cozy. xoxo
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Where I sat for a while this morning. I was so comfy; I didn’t want to leave …. leaned against a tree and surrounded by four huge rocks. Listening to the water, wind, and geese. So wonderful! xoxo
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December 7 2016:
Cold, cold, cold family walk yesterday afternoon …. Walking for me is a poetic act, a communion with Nature, and a contemplation of landscape. I love sharing this with Thomas and Lillian. xoxo
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December 9 2016:
Thomas and I took a walk yesterday morning in the first snow of the season. There’s nothing like the feel and sound of the first snows crunch as you walk through it. xoxo ❄️❄️xoxo
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December 9 2016:
The moon was amazing last night. There was a large halo and the clouds were gently and quickly drifting by the glow. Seriously, I took 555 pictures …. it’s at times like that I wish I had a good quality camera. One day. xoxo
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Hypnotic and magical moon last night …. I could not get enough of it. Every second was a different view. xoxo
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December 9 2016:
Spotted this beautiful black cat on the walk this morning and was moved by the beauty and contrast of colors. Then the water as I walked over the bridge caught my attention. Am I looking up or down? I’m blessed and grateful that Nature never tires of shining and showing me. xoxo
December 9 2016:
Team TLC Library Day + Biggest Little Photographer on the shelf in the Local Author section!! Double the adventure! Wahoooo!
So far Biggest Little Photographer is being sold in 5 local gift shops! Oceans of thanks to everyone for the purchases, referrals, kindness, love, and encouragement!! xoxo
December 9 2016:
“You are so comfortable”, Thomas says to me as we’re reading in my bed …. I am deeply and incredibly blessed by this soul I get to share life with.
He was also the catalyst for deciding about a month ago to take one day a week off of facebook. So far, it’s been every Thursday; which is why it’s quiet on my timeline the past several Thursdays. Thomas takes the day off of minecraft … so it’s something we are doing together. Love, sweet love …. xoxo
“The delicate balance
Of life and death.
Without life
There is no death
Without death
There is no life
Death is life and
Life is death.” ~Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons of Nature
November 27 2016:
Tree and decorations to match tiny home living …. Simple and minimal …. Well into our second year in this lovely one bedroom, one bathroom 815 square foot condo ….. Love, love, love …. xoxo
November 28 2016:
Library day for Team TLC!! So beautiful when we stepped out of the library …. with our 7 bags of books! Yes. A family of book and nature lovers. Yum! 📚
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November 30 2016:
We’re so excited! When The Romano Duo visit for Christmas they get to stay in the same condo complex where we live!! Wahoooo!! (Picture from this past July when we got to cross paths in New Mexico)
Oceans of thanks to Happy’s human companion, Debbie, for letting The Duo stay at her place while she and Happy go home to Florida! Plus, they get a view of the beautiful wee lake from her place!
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December 1 2016:
The strap on the Coach purse I’ve used for the past 17 years broke. It was given to me as a gift by Drew Henke; one of the prosecuting attorneys I worked with as a paralegal.
We worked together in the Civil Division at the Pierce County Prosecutors Office. My last stint before I left all that behind and began a different journey. Rest in Peace great little purse!!
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November 30 2016:
I got to see a white duck when I was walking Happy this afternoon. So beautiful!
Then we finally had our Team TLC walk right at sunset. It’s been about a week for a family walk as we waited for everyone to get healthy again! It was a blissful walk!! xoxo
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December 1 2016:
Such a wonderful walk this morning. Walking inspires me. Nature inspires me. Photography inspires me. Yes. Thank you and bring me more. xoxo
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December 2 2016:
Magnificent ….. Sunlight sparkling and dancing on the lake water this morning. Nature blesses me so ….. May you sparkle and dance through your day ….
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December 2 2016:
Walking this morning … Dancing, sparkling sunlight, full trees, and bare trees. Incredible testimony to presence. So uplifting! xoxo
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December 3 2016:
Galena Creek Park … Yesterday on the Thomas and Camilla November 2016 Date Day. Rushing water = Beautiful!!!