Moments D165: Pumpkins

Today was a fun day with my family. We woke (fairly early) and watched music videos with our morning coffee. What a luxurious treat!

After coffee, I shared some of my new music with my “niece” and enjoyed a homemade BELT. (Bacon, Egg, Lettuce & Tomato sandwich). It was fun to see which songs and artists were of interest to her and I knew her Mom was going to love the new P!nk Album “The Truth About Love”.

After breakfast we were enjoyed some time together. We had a chance to chat, watch some crazy show called “Oh Sit” (essentially musically chairs mashed together with an obstacle course for adults). Silly conversation and a crazy TV show. Perfect for a late Sunday morning!

And then, we were off for the afternoon. A few errands later, we were (all five of us) enjoying a drive in the country to enjoy the fall colours with the hopes of hiking the Bruce Trail before the expected rains came. As we worked our way to the Dekew Falls, it started to rain AND we ran into the Howell Pumpkin farm.

What a treat! There were pumpkins as far as the eye could see as we entered the driveway into the farm. Yellow, Orange, WHITE. Stunning colours against the grey dark sky.

Here’s one of the pictures I took:



Such amazing colours.

And then I saw the jack-o-laterns and I was reminded of how much I love this holiday and this season. Howell’s had some incredible jack-o-lanterns! Perhaps I will find time this year (or I should MAKE time this year!) to carve a jack-o-lantern again! Perhaps Halloween will come back to me.



AND I remembered how much I LOVE pumpkins! There were pumpkin donuts, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin sausages and more. I had the pleasure of trying both the donuts and the sausage. DELIGHTFUL! I am inspired to get a couple of pumpkins this year, not only for carving, but for baking and making my tasty cumin pumpkin soup.

So, today’s moment was spending good quality time with family I love dearly at a pumpkin farm. Where even standing in the cold drizzle, we managed to laugh and share our food with warmth in our hearts.

Moments with family.

Moments with pumpkins.

Moments D164: Falling Leaves

Today was a lovely day.  Late(r) to rise and slow to get out of bed…..homemade coffee that went cold before I got to it.  But it was worth it, I very much enjoyed my luxurious time in bed.

Later, after a delightful brunch and running a few errands I found myself in slow traffic.   As I cruised slowly along the busy street a gust of wind came along and tickled the trees lining the street. 

I watched as the bright yellow leaves twirled and danced around me.  And as traffic started to move I found myself mesmerized by the floating, drifting, yellow slivers in the air around me.

That was my moment today.  Surrounded by a twinkle of yellow.

Moments to appreciate the fall colours.

Moments with nature.

Moments D163: Words

Today seems to have a theme so it’s hard for me not to just go with the flow and talk about what seems to be popping up all day. (Pretty much from the moment I woke!)

Words.

Too many words. Not enough words. Not the right words. Funny words. Words in song. Today I have been surrounded by words.

I woke to a text message with too many words.

I started my day in the office with not enough words.

I struggled to find the right words while progressing through my day.

And then a friend sent me this video clip: WORMS. My first giggle of the day regarding words.

And then this crossed my path:

My second giggle of the day regarding words.

And throughout the day I’ve appreciated many words in song. So today, I celebrate words. The good, the bad, the ugly and the funny.

Moments with words.

Moments in silence.

Moments D162: Tai Chi

This morning on my rainy, gloomy drive into work I was treated to a visual delight.

Traffic was heavy (it’s still construction season around here) and slow past one of the local parks. The trees are just starting to turn. Bright reds peeking through the green foliage and blasts of golden yellow align the park.

On the edge of the park there was a solo Tai Chi practitioner, slow and methodically going through his moves. I was quite happy to be in slowly moving traffic so I could appreciate his purposeful and thoughtful movements. It was a beautiful sight watching him move the energy around while surrounded by the beautiful turning trees.

It brought me a moment of peace and a smile during a tired, gloomy drive into work. Definitely a moment worth sharing.

Moments with nature.

Moments enjoying other’s energies.

Moments D161: Happiness Shared

My sweet niece posted a comment on her FB page today about happiness. This posting came at a perfect time for me. It was near the end of a typical workday. I had spent all day data crunching and barely left my office. I knew that I would be working late to get ever closer to the end of my big project.

The message was pretty simple:

‎”Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” - Albus Dumbledore

It brought a smile to my face. My dear sweet young niece. So wise, so full of optimism, love and light. I am so proud of her. I am so happy to have her in my life.

I smile again as I write this, as I feel my heart fill with love for her. Little things. They matter a lot.

Moments of sharing.

Moments of pride.

Moments D160: Love at the Speed of Light

Today was nothing particularly special. I was up earlier than normal and managed to squeeze in some exercise and made it to work early to push through a particularly busy day.

After finalizing plans for the coming Thanksgiving weekend, I sent a shout out to my two favourite nieces that I would be spending Saturday night with them and how excited I was to see them.

Within a minute I had a response back from each of them. I know, not quite “love at the speed of light”, but pretty damn close. I felt their love nearly instantaneously. How incredible really.

I was so tickled by their speedy responses. And I can not wait to squeeze ‘em in person and hang out in our PJs together to catch up!

Moments with family.

Moments of love.

Moments D159: Going with the Flow

Today I started late at work, but I figured that was a-okay given that I put in 8 hours of extra work over the weekend. Of course, getting started late means that I arrive to the office with many questions waiting to be answered and before you know it my day has zipped past me once again. I was sure that tonight was going to be home early and early to bed. I had no plans. NONE.

But today’s moment is about going with the flow. Around 1pm I had an old team mate text me to see if I could sub in on her volleyball team tonight. I was dog tired, out too late, up too late, up too early and tired from the brain power used at work this morning…….but, how do I say no to my favourite sport? How do I say no when I know that this league will offer good competitive women’s only volleyball; when it’s the league that I turned down to play with the other league on Thursdays?

Quite simply, I couldn’t! And so, even though I was tired and unsure if I’d play well, I committed to going. Let me tell you, I’m so glad I did!

Sometimes we must push ourselves. Push beyond the boundaries we impose upon ourselves. I played quite well. (I too was surprised!) In fact, they were so happy with my skills that it sounds like I’ll be the first person they ask to play with them when they need a sub in the future.

Sometimes, it’s about going with the flow. With what feels right and not forcing it. Tonight it was all about the flow of energy, not bottling it up. And it feels good!

I think it’s pretty fitting that it’s time for a bath now. (Flow, water….)

Moments of being in the zone.

Moments at peace.