Scrumptious

There's something quite special about this November.The weather has been exceptionally beautiful, gorgeous blue skies during wonderful crisp Autumnal days. But as December beckons, Winter has truly arrived. . The abundant snow which has almost brought many counties to a freezing halt has abstained from our little corner of the world. In much celebration here in the South East we're enjoying blue skies.The morning frosts are absolutely scrumptious. Glistening as if every plant & tree has been hand pained perfectly with  as dusting of snow, the lawn crunching beneath our feet as we enjoy our Morning walk.We're having our  'Christmas Festivities'  early this year,  the 2nd weekend of December will be our Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day .. not only is it the only time family & friends can be altogether but we're off to tour the Middle East for the Seasonal Holidays.   Consequently I'm a few weeks ahead of most in my mind, preparing in advance gifts for loved ones, baking & cooking, freezing & marinating already. All reminding me of the great many luxuries we all enjoy, the freedom we have & the love surrounding - embracing out lives. With heartfelt gratitude I am so grateful for the gifts I can share, for the meals I can prepare & cook for all guests. There's something quite sacred & scrumptious about delicious food painstakingly prepared, cooked then lovingly shared with loved ones.  For all we share, for all we have I am eternally grateful.  This year's ending will be one most worthy of celebrating . We've all had a tough journey, extreme stress, grief, bereavements, ailments & illness. So it is with great respect I raise a toast to all those who too have endured a tough old time. Raise my glass to those greatly loved and sorely missed, those who no longer reside this earth, to those who no longer are able to come to our home or share life's days,  to all those who tread the long lonely path conquering cancer or any other debilitating illness, to all those isolated in the dark lonely corridors of depression & fear. Hoping they too can discover within their hearts & Souls' the ultimate only true alternative paths to tread. 
A path of consciousness, a deeper understanding & acceptance - a surrender to life's language, a deep knowing within that without those depths we would merely flirt with life's superficial qualities. How can we ever know such  true joys, authenticity, appreciation, security, trust, kindness, love & gratitude if we have no comparisons of their counterparts.  A route where all people in our lives bring us gifts for our Soul's authenticity. Times when we learn so much from all people, even those, especially those who cause great pain. Its easy to love those who make us happy. Its enlightening, liberating & awakening to unconditionally love all.  So I raise my glass, offer a toast to welcome in another New Year, a toast to be thankful for all lessons learnt from both exquisite experiences &  enduring ones.  A toast to wish good health & good cheer to all for the upcoming year. Abundant Blessings to All,  With Much Love  xXx

Inspirational Indulgence

It was nearly 6am, almost time to to walk the wee pup as I turned over in my cosy bed just one more snuggle I thought. Distracted from my slumber  I saw an unusual bolt of bright light shining through the slightly opened doorway, for a moment puzzled I wondered if my daughter was ok, why would she be up so early, could she be poorly.  Intrigued I crept out of bed opened the door & followed the trail of light. Awesome, much to my surprise & delight the amazing illumination came not from my daughter's bedroom light but from the glorious full moon, placed so low, so perfectly positioned  in the darkness before dawn sky its path of light blazed straight through our landing window.  How fortunate to witness such an amazing sight. Yet, within a few seconds the clouds rolled on by concealing the vision of loveliness - all trace of such a spectacular moon vanished. 

Inspired I thought I'd capture, continue the sky gazing armed with camera walking the pup  - but not to be -  to capture all splendour of the moon at dawn hijacked as the sunrise commenced, the darkness disappeared when morning arrived in all her grandeur. The sky again is beautifully clear & azure blue. We're so lucky to have such a glorious November. Every morning is a celebration, a joyous thanksgiving of all Nature's masterpieces. Every day a journey throughout the familiar, peaceful, constant yet elusive companion of time. So much to do, so many people to see, so many places to be - the daily grind, the rat race yet time itself seems only to ask for great honour.

So it is with great honour & respect I shall indulge, bathe in the inspirational ebb & flow of time - each & every moment acknowledged. How blessed we are to know & enjoy such freedom with much pleasure. One world yet in so many different places, so many of us have such different lives, living such varying perspectives from the sublime to the extreme opposite. Still I sit & wonder, sometimes I wonder why,  often I wonder why I wonder of course which ultimately becomes I wonder why I wonder why ... at that moment I just become the moment & just sit - with love - embracing life. Loving the natural wonders.

Empathy

We humans are flesh & spirit in union - entwined together by the fibres of love, courage & wisdom. Many whispering dreams awaken within our selves, many hopes to guide us towards our purpose, hopes & dreams which can come true if only we have the courage to pursue them. Thus 'Trust' in our instinct & intuition is a most significant  wonderful companion.  Yet between friends,  kindness is the manifestation of inner strength & heartfelt resolutions. When 'Life' ought to be considered a crusade of constant desire toward exquisite joys & wondrous adventures, whose nobility will fertilise & nourish the Soul. Here's to exquisite joys, simplicity of contentment & the joys of loving during this wildly wondrous adventure we know as life.  Especially when some days are harder than others, when we draw breath & just be .  Remembering the quickest access to our authenticity / truth, (and also to beauty) is when you are totally intimate with all of experience, the inner and the outer, the depths & heights. Even if the experience isn't  what we logically comprehend as "good" it accesses a cherished jewel within our Soul.  When being intimate with the whole of experience, the divided mind has to let go of whatever its project is at the moment. Whether the qualities of the experience are unpleasant or beautiful, as soon as you are intimate with the whole of experience, there is openness... and whatever is happening tends to resolve itself . To consider the outcome or host expectation is to wholly limit the mystery. Embrace the mysteries :)

Some days I forget I belong to the Universe as an integral part of the whole, and the Universe is an integral part of my wholeness.  During such disconnected moments in isolation to have purpose, find a sense of belonging, host gentle, tender loving caring regard & respect for each & every moment with its accompanying guidance is enough to bring light & hope.  Always finding the highest possible outcome of all situations. Retaining the intention to be a bringer of hope, with love & kindness no matter what! Sometimes we forget we can still bring & give even when we would like to take or receive. Just to share Abundant Blessings should any of you be having a tough - enduring lesson to learn from - time, when trying hard to believe somewhere, somehow you belong .. sending a huge hug wrapped in love xXx