last night and this morning

It was a cold, rainy day, and my husband was feeling under the weather. Lucky for us, we have a book called 'Autumn' by Susan Branch which has a menu perfectly fitting of icy feet and runny noses.

Tomato puree, crushed garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, a heaping tablespoon of butter...

...and served with golden grilled-cheese sandwiches, perfect for dipping and munching.

We didn't have the suggested brownies, so I filled a tiny pink bowl with peanut m&m's. 

We both felt warm and cozy by the end of it.

This morning the sun shone...a brilliant, mild December day lay folded open with sunlight and blue skies. I cancelled my plans of going shopping in the city (I am, after all, allergic to crowded shops) and took Kiki on a long walk. 

WE ENCOUNTERED SO MUCH BEAUTY ALONG THE WAY. 

beginning with this symbol of love, a heart-shaped dew-drop glistening on a leaf. love is all around us, isn't it. we just have to pay attention.

the field has been planted with what at least appears to be something like kale. it is displaying beautiful colors right now; deep greens, orange, purple, pink...

kiki was beautiful in the sunlight. sniffing around, digging holes, and eventually rolling in something smelly and disgusting but which apparantly has the fragrance of Chanel nr 5 to her. there are even chammomile flowers still blooming along the border of the field. december daisies we'll call them.

This year has gone by so fast. Doesn't it feel that way every year? And then I think, next year I want to use my time wisely, and grow, and learn, and be better. I want to remember this feeling I have at the end of the year all the time; remember that feeling of sand slipping so hastily through the hourglass; we won't be here forever. So be happy now. See beauty now. Love deeply now. Celebrate now.

xo