Thursday, September 27

Thought for the Day

"Here is what I think: that being grateful for what I have makes me want less. Wanting less makes me consume less. Consuming less makes me treat the planet more kindly. The equation goes, therefore, gratitude equals kindness." -- Colin Beavan, No Impact Man

For Colin's full post click here

Wednesday, September 19

I'm so lucky!

10 years ago Tyler and I were married at the Cannon Beach Community Center. It was a delightful ceremony - shared with about 65 family members and friends. A very eclectic and spirited Rabbi married us. It was a splendid September evening... It was warm, dry and the autumn evening sunlight was magical. In some ways it seems like just yesterday and in many ways it feels like we have been together a lifetime.
We enjoyed a simple celebration this evening... An hour and 15 minute walk to Ken's Artisan Pizza. We got to talk about work, our lives, and our hopes and dreams for the future.

Wednesday, September 12

L'Shana Tovah ("A Good Year")

Ours is not a religious home, yet I have always been drawn to the Jewish faith. I especially enjoy the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is a time of renewal. It is a time to get your affairs in order. It is a time to clean out your drawers and closets and make a trip to Good Will. It is a time to organize your life. It is a time to catch up with friends and family. It is a time to reconcile any bad relationships. It is a time to get your hair cut and buy some fall clothes. It is a time to plan for the winter and think about how you hope to live in the months to come. It is a time to be grateful for how far you have come.

One of the symbolic rituals of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn. The sound of the shofar is intended to awaken the listener from his or her "slumber" and alert them to the coming judgment. What a lovely notion to take 10 days every autumn to reflect on these things.
I prepare a special Rosh Hashanah meal every year. Apples and honey symbolize a "sweet new year". This year I tried a new recipe (Apple Coffee Cake). I also made a big pot of matzoh ball soup.

Monday, September 10

It Takes A Village

As many of you know, my husband was away for the past five days. He cheered on the Ducks as they took down Michigan in the big house. Henry and I spent a glorious weekend at Belknap Hotsprings - on the McKenzie River - in the Cascade Mountains. Our friends Helen and Dennis organized a lovely wedding celebration for their daughter Brooke. It was a glorious three days of eating drinking, basking in the sunshine, chatting, visiting, catching up, swimming, playing, etc.
I was so grateful to be surrounded by such caring friends. Everyone was so generous and helpful with my son. He had an amazing time and connected with so many new and old friends. I'm looking forward to creating more community outings for our family.

Monday, September 3

Goodbye Summer!

It's hard to believe the summer is over...
This was certainly not Oregon's finest summer. We had so many cool and cloudy days.

This past weekend was glorious and we made the most of it. We spent Saturday and Sunday in Eugene. Tyler cheered for the Ducks as they beat Houston in their home opener at Autzen Stadium and Henry and I played at the Saturday Market and that lovely park at Skinners Butte. We enjoyed the afternoon with friends and then had a really fun playdate with Callia and Delah. Yesterday we got to wish Kelly Fitz a happy birthday with a delicious homemade birthday cake that her mom made, and today we spent the afternoon at the Wilson Pool.

We really enjoyed participating in the Summer Reading program this year.

We loved the preschool storytimes at Northwest and Sellwood Libraries. We enjoyed getting free passes to the Wilson pool as our prizes. We especially loved the outing to Oaks Park with an unlimited ride bracelet for only $3.50!
Here are some of the books we enjoyed most this summer...
A BAD CASE OF STRIPES (David Shannon)

ROLLER COASTER ( Frazee)

HI PIZZA MAN (Walter)

A CAMPING SPREE WITH MR MAGEE (VanDusen)

MERCY WATSON PRINCESS IN DISGUISE (Dicamillo)

EVERY FRIDAY (Yaccarino)

IF (Perry)

Thomas the Tank Engine Story Collection (AWDRY)

Library Lion (Michelle Knudsen)

IF I BUILT A CAR (VanDusen)