weekend plans

As the weekend draws closer, my list of things to do gets longer and longer. Simplifying, streamlining and re-configuring all the moving parts of my life certainly can be hard work! However, it's worth it. I feel it's healthy to take a close look at yourself from time to time and re-evaluate what is working and what isn't. As I continue to tweak myself and my life closer and closer to my goals there is one constant theme ~ a need for positive changes and frequent evaluations of where I am and what I am doing. Exciting stuff, really. For me anyhow.

So, I'm off to enjoy Friday evening and look forward to a weekend of clearing out spaces both internally and externally. Have a great weekend!

too hot to cook

It's too hot to do a lot of cooking these days. The minute the oven is turned on the air conditoner kicks into overdrive and I'm sweating in the living room.... So, last night's dinner looked like this:


Avocado, miniature red peppers, onions, and ~ drumroll please ~ tomatoes fresh from my garden!


Boy, was it good! Perfect dinner for a hot summer evening. I think this will be a trend for the next two or so months.

words of wisdom

As I continue to think about how to live life more simply, I've been re-reading several of the books I own and re-discovering some of the treasure trove of words sitting on my bookshelves. Last night I came across a book of quotes Mother sent me some time ago. Here's just a few that stood out to me. I though you might enjoy them too.


"May I be medicine for the sick and weary. May I be their doctor and their nurse until the sickness appears no more. May I quell the pains of hunger and thirst with rains of food and drink. May I be a torch for those in need of light, a bed for those in need of a bed, and a servant for those in need of service." ~ Shantideva (7th century), India


"The true secret of giving advice is: after you have given it, to be perfectly indifferent as to whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right." ~ Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911, USA)


"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." ~ Nathanial Hawthorne (1804-1864), USA


"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love." ~ St. Francis of Assisi (c.1181-1226), Italy