The Beauty of New England...

It is a long drive from Toronto, Ontario to Manchester, New Hampshire.  10 hours at the least and that's just driving time, not including many stops for food, relief and just to stretch.  I have to admit that after that much time in the car, my hips and lower back were stiff and aching.  It's the residual of chemotherapy and under some circumstances, it will always plague me.  Note that it does not stop me from doing the things I want to do!

Friday was sunny in Ontario, but turned to clouds by the time we crossed the border into New York state through Gananoque at the St. Lawrence River.

the sun hidden behind the clouds

sunbeams trying to shine through the clouds

By the time we were driving through Vermont and New Hampshire it was dark.  I'm not talking "normal" dark, I am talking pitch black, can't see in front of your face dark.  Lots of winding and twisting roads in Vermont and we had no idea what was on the other side of the road...probably didn't want to know!

After finding the hotel and checking in, we made our way out again into what I called "civilization" -- lights, lights and more lights...dark but at least you could see!!  We found a Chili's and ordered something to drink

(I was prepared to go for a swim in my drink)

grabbed a bite to eat and then called it a night.

♥

We left early on Sunday morning and chose to drive back the way we had come so that we could actually see what we assumed was lovely scenery...and we weren't disappointed.  These were taken in southern New Hampshire along route 101

A little further south, in a place called Dublin, we saw this beautiful Church and would you look at that clear blue sky?

 

and this was in Vermont, where there was fog and mist which cleared as the day woke up...

I love New England and have made many trips to this part of North America but it has always been in the summer.  This was my first trip this late into the autumn. There are many things I enjoy -- the scenery, the food, the people and the architecture.  I love the houses, the colours, the way people decorate.  Kim and I saw this house in Topsfield (a quaint little town that I fell in love with) and I was just taken with it.

what I really loved about the exterior decor in this house was the welcoming door.  Look at those pumpkins!

this is not a style you would find here in Toronto and being in New England always takes me back to how much I love colonial and primitive.  I don't have the house style to accommodate that but it's always on my "wish" list!

Saturday in New Hampshire ... and Massachusetts!

We were up early on Saturday morning because the Empress and the Queen wanted to make an early start so that they could spend as much time together as possible.  Rather than venturing out into the city to find somewhere for breakfast, the Empress and the Emperor went to the lounge in the hotel and partook of the fine buffet that was on offer.

I had to have the waffles and was rather impressed by the Hilton symbol that greeted me.  I wonder if Paris has her waffles served this way?  The waffle was good and the waitress just smiled as she watched me photograph my breakfast.

When the Queen arrived at the room we took a moment for a photograph together before heading out to begin our adventures.

The weather couldn't have been better if we'd ordered it specially (quite honestly I think we both did and with two requests going in we were sure to be rewarded!). We headed for Topsfield, Massachusetts where we spent a very long time, taking our time, working our way through Absolutely Everything.  The name of the store says it all.  I loaded my basket, then filtered out, replaced, made more changes, and came away with a sizzle to my credit card and a smile on my face.  It isn't just the merchandise the store carries, it's the fact that so much of this is not available in Canada. 

Kim recommended this book by Suzanne Simanaitis so I purchased a copy.  I love to have recommendations on books of all kinds and there was something really exciting about being with a friend, looking at a book together, talking about the content and adding it to my basket. 

I spent a bit more than Kim did, but Kim did get a little bonus.  After her purchase, she needed to spend only $4.00 more to receive a $20.00 gift certificate.  Easily done?  Yes, but the choices, the choices, the choices!!  And I made quite the impression by saying I was from Canada and had come to New Hampshire to meet Kim, to be brought to this particular store.  A 12 hour road trip, plus an additional hour in the car on Saturday just to see Absolutely Everything!  I think I did and the name of that shop summarizes the entire weekend for me!

After our shop fest, Kim dropped me back at the hotel so we could all rest and catch our breath and then around 7:00 p.m. the Emperor and I headed to Kim and David's for a fabulous home cooked dinner, more laughter, more conversation and time spent feeling at home and comfy in their large, yellow house.  

Some time spent in The Queen's studio, admiring all her artwork and seeing where she spends her time creating and blogging.

Her wonderful collection of heart shaped rocks -- the very large one sent to her by mail (!) by her friend Corinne.

A truly amazing day and evening, one I knew would be enjoyable when I first thought of making this trip a few months ago.  A great cabernet sauvignon (Gnarly Head from California) to toast a meeting of the minds, a love of art, and the joys of friendship.  Cheers!!  ♥

The Empress of Everday Meets the Queen of Arts...

The Queen and the Empress

What happens when two artfully lively bloggers meet face to face?  Not mayhem as you might imagine...simply divine inspiration, laughter, joy, more laughter, sharing of thoughts and ideas and experiences, constant talking, and many hugs.

If you blog with Kim you will have a sense of who she is from what she writes, from the art that she shares and the aura she is surrounded by.  Let me tell you, it is all 100% bona fide, genuine.  What you read, what you feel is exactly who Kim is.  And more.

From the moment I opened the hotel room door to say hello -- and burst into laughter as Kim stood there with her camera poised and ready to snap my picture the minute she laid eyes on me (and some photo it is!!!) -- to the moment we said our goodbyes on Saturday night after a feast fit for the royalty that we are, I knew that I had connected in the most amazingly profound way with a like minded soul.  I knew it before we met, but the hours spent together confirmed what I already knew in my heart.

I will share more of this heart warming experience over the next few days, but I want to leave you with the most profound moment for me.  The one pivotal, special moment that took this experience and sewed it into the fabric of my heart.

We were having a quick bite to eat after hours spent in an incredible art store, before heading to Tar-Jay for the final round up of shopping.  As we were talking, a song came on the radio, one that we both love.  Kim suddenly jumped out of her chair, saying a few words...and what I will share is the part where she said "I just have to hug you" and she did. Overcome with joy, sometimes we don't have the perfect words to say what we want to say.  Expressing ourselves in actions is often so much more meaningful than words could ever hope to convey.

What struck me then and has stayed with me and always will is the open heart, the joy of sharing the moment, of connecting with another person in such a way that you want to express that in the moment, not letting that moment pass and giving in to the emotional impulse that says "this is right, in this very moment." 

Thank you Kim for your heart, your incredibly welcoming hospitality and for your love.  Your sister was right when she said you are a big heart walking.

♥
If you are interested in reading Kim's account of this adventure, you can read her blog post here.

Places to Go, People to See....

It's going to be quiet around here for a little while.  I've got a busy week ahead of me, filled with this and that and getting myself ready to take off early Friday morning for a road trip to New Hampshire and that means being off the computer.

Just the other half and me making this trip.  We'll drive through New York state, then into Vermont and finally head over into New Hampshire.

Saturday will be spent with my girl Kim and after a "lengthy" phone conversation yesterday I think it's safe to say we'll be getting on like a house on fire!

I'll take my Claritin so I can hang around Cosmo kitty and all will be well.

Plans are not definite or written in stone but after our "chat", and after hearing Kim's idea, which I LOVED, she and I will head into Massachusetts, north of Boston, and take a zentangle class here -- if there is still space.  The store is called Absolutely Everything...my skin is beginning to tingle just thinking about that!  One of the things we lament is not being able to attend workshops or classes together so when this idea came forward I was ready to jump in the car there and then!

Other plans?  I most definitely need a fix at Tar-Jay (there is no sales tax in New Hampshire!!  Hello...do you hear what  I hear....all those bargains calling my name...), and of course we'll spend some time in Kim's studio, break bread, have some wine...it's all good. 

What an amazing idea I had giving this birthday gift to myself!

Hoping you all have a gorgeous week and a fabulous weekend.

The Simple Things

The simple things in life that make me happy and touch my soul, in no particular order of importance...

ballet

nail polish on my toes

beautiful sentences

painting a room

candle light

hugs

hand written notes or letters

children's laughter

 

falling asleep to the sound of rain

stepping in puddles

the first snow of the season

snow falling at night

shoveling snow at night in the quiet and the silence

reading to a child

having a child read to me

reading myself

tea in a cup and saucer

freshly brewed coffee

tea or coffee with a friend

good friends

great big belly laughs

laughter that takes my breath away

massage

random acts of kindness

a shy smile from a child I do not know

a drink of water while exercising

a brisk walk

kicking leaves

listening to the sound of the tides

birdsong

butterflies

babies feet

a cold glass of milk

the scent of cinnamon

warm sunshine

a robin's egg blue sky

the scent of freshly cut grass

making angels in the snow

warm scarves

hyacinths

roses

tulips

lilacs

music

the sound of string instruments

singing

Christmas carols

red wine

goat cheese

buffalo mozzarella

body lotions

watching my sons play hockey

mercury glass ornaments

relaxing baths with lovely oils

homemade soup

fruit

a freshly made bed with crisp clean sheets

staying in hotels

being a mother

primitive art

a piece of dark chocolate

dancing

puppies

♥

I'm sure this list could go on and on and on.  This was just what came to me as I sat and gave this a first few minutes of thought, writing down what came to me as I pondered.

Thank you to Christina at Soul Aperture for inviting us to participate in The Simple Things for November 16th.  Please check here to see the other participants and the simple things that make them happy.

What simple things make you happy?

*images from myupperwest.com, gettyimages.com and kaboodle.com

On Being Human...

A few days filled with personal disappointment, as in disappointment with myself.  From allowing myself to be provoked into responding in two similar situations on Thursday night, when I had made a promise to myself that I would no longer allow that sort of thing to happen.  Was it my mood?  Was it the synchronicity of time/space/place and an inevitability about the whole thing?

I take responsibility for my actions, reactions and responses.  No one and nothing else makes me do what I do or say what I say. That all comes from me.  I talk about things like this when they happen as I did on Friday with a friend who lives here and a friend who lives overseas.  I was not looking for absolution, I was looking for a way to make sense of what had happened and how one thing leads to another to another.

What I knew on Thursday night and still feel today as the ache is easing, is that it is necessary to forgive myself when something "human" like this happens.  We are human, we have emotions and triggers.  We think and we feel and there are going to be times when our emotions are charged and our adrenaline flows.  There is no question that once the adrenaline begins to flow we are changed both physically and emotionally.

The lesson for me is to remember the number of times that I have been successful in not allowing myself to be provoked and the number of times that I have managed to turn the other cheek and let something slide.  It becomes evident to me that the times when I do react are times when it is valid and necessary.  It is never "out of the blue" or "out of character" or "at the drop of a hat".  The successes far outweigh the disappointments.

Plans change.  While yesterday was meant to be a Pilates day where I hoped to be able to release some of the tension I was feeling through exercise, my fitness partner had a change of plan which altered the plans.  Instead we had coffee and a good conversation and then took ourselves off into the sunshine and crisp air for a very brisk walk, which truly helped.

Today was to be no exercise...but we are suddenly taking ourselves off to a Power Pump class where we will lift some weights and plates.  I'm looking forward to the better kind of adrenaline rush, a release of lingering frustration and proceeding through the day with a renewed sense of purpose and self.

Love

 love in soft pastels

Write "LOVE" on your arm today in support of suicide prevention.

I joined this event on facebook after reading this blurb for the group event:

♥

On November 13th 2009, thousands of people nationwide will be writing "love" on their arms.

Why?
To raise awareness of depression/self mutilation/suicide.

Every year there are over 33.000 suicides in America.

Firearms are used more in suicides than in homicides.
It has been calculated that for every suicide, there are about 20 suicide attempts.

On Nov 13th, by simply writing "love" on your arm, you are giving people something to question.
With every question comes an answer.

And with every answer comes a sense of hope. 

♥

I don't know anyone personally (that I've aware of) who has committed suicide or tried to, but I do know of  two children who did and how that affected their parents, families and friends (one I learned about years after the fact; the other was the child of a teacher at my children's school).

Teenage sadness and depression is on the rise and it is up to us to do our best to be aware of what is happening to those around us.  Media hype, television programming that sends a message of grow up "now", behave "this" way can spirial young people into a lifestyle they are not yet physically and emotionally ready for; often unattainable (and unreasonable) expectations; peer pressure; social networking; bullying; pressure to succeed and exceed; decisions to be made academically at earlier ages can all add to a low sense of self and overwhelming feelings that young people cannot explain or conceptualize.

Those who are older and face depression and suicidal thoughts are at a point of desperation where they see no other option, no other opportunity, no way out. 

If you think someone you love is in need, is depressed to the point of being lost, please check through these links provided to learn ways in which you can help and make a difference.

And please, write "LOVE" on your arm today to show your support.

American Society for Suicide Prevention

Centre for Suicide Prevention (Canada)

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention

International Association for Suicide Prevention

What's Shakin' In My World...

I took the Oath last week...with Deidra and quite a few others.  Making a vow to ourselves that we will use only positive adjectives, only "good" adjectives when we think about or talk about ourselves.  I've come a long way over the years in being able to speak kindly about and to myself, although lets be realistic, there are days when I might feel like a fool or an idiot because of something I did or did not do.  But am I really a fool?  Or an idiot?  No.  Being mindful and stopping those negative thinking patterns in their tracks.  It can be done.  Are you ready to take the Oath? 

♥

I would so love to be able to attend workshops and retreats that are held where artists and like-minded individuals gather to share their passion, their creativity and their joy.  I've recently talked about this with Kim and with Rita.  The cost of attending these events is exhorbitant and there is never anything close to home that is affordable.

Online e-courses and workshops have begun springing up throughout the internet and I have sampled a few and continue to do so.  Some are quite good, some I have found lacking, but I continue because I am curious and I am experimenting and I am researching!

The latest two that I have registered for are with Stephanie Lee of Semiprecious Salvage and Jen Lemen and Andrea Scher's Mondo Beyondo.

Stephanie's "Thought Threads" journaling course begins Monday, November 23rd and I already know one of my fellow participants.  Looking forward to this journey with you Joanne!

Mondo Beyondo starts January 11th and registration for this is now open.  I'm looking to take my dreams, make them bigger, more bold, more juicy and find the ways within me to make them happen.

♥

And in 8 more sleeps I will be in New Hampshire, enjoying the company of my artistic and "big heart walking" friend Kim where we will revel in art, paint, paper, and whatever else our hearts desire.  Much conversation, laughter and hugging will take place.  Count on it.

What have you been doing to shake up your world?