Still Eating from the Garden

I got a wonderful surprise in my e-mail inbox earlier this week. A local woman wrote to let me know how much she enjoys reading my column in INK magazine and to ask me a few questions. It always makes my day to hear from readers--especially when they're being so complimentary!--so I was very happy to receive that...

But it gets better.

Her questions were about upcoming cooking classes I might be offering, what to do with all the mustard greens in her garden, and... would I like some of them? Would I ever? I love dark leafy greens and was so thankful to be able to accept an abundance of them from her. I made a soup with the mustard greens and some local wild mushrooms and kohlrabi that was a delicious autumn treat. And then I used the arugula, kale, and bok choy for salads, smoothies, and sautees. Such treats for November in New England!

The greens pictured are from her garden... and they taste even better than they look. I feel so lucky to have the kind of life that includes offers of local organic produce from people I've never met! What sorts of random abundance have come your way?

Outdoor Rooms

As fall enjoys a last hurrah before fading into winter, I'm savoring the little bit of warmth in these overcast days.

How do you like to make the most of this time of year?

In addition to favorite activities--going for walks, hula hooping, and raking leaves--I am savoring the outdoors in my favorite cozy spot: the tent.

Some people have gazebos, studios, barns, sheds, or other special buildings behind their houses. My outdoor room is a sweet little four person tent a friend of mine gave me this year for my birthday. Offering the privacy of being indoors combined with the joys of being outside, this silver and orange haven is perfect for afternoon naps, reading and tea, or late night star-gazing and wine drinking with a close friend.

I know I'll have to pack it up for the season soon, but every time I look out the window and see my tent out under the magnolia tree it makes me smile. So it stays another week. And with the unseasonably pleasant weather of the last few days I've been glad to have it still there.

What do you not want to let go of for the season quite yet? Do you have a seasonal space that lets you enjoy the outside with a little more protection from the elements and privacy from the neighbors?

Good Enough to Eat

New sources of inspiration are like candy that's good for you. I love them. I indulge frequently, enjoying the happy, buzzy, feelings they induce. The best part? No "crash" afterward...

Here are my latest places for a good fix:

Yes and Yes for embracing life.

Dorie Greenspan for delicious food writing.

My Delicious Mornings for gorgeous photographs and text about Bed and Breakfasts in Maine.

Where do you go to get inspired?

Time Flying?

The other day I overheard a conversation at the bank about how much faster time seems to go as we get older. The conversation ended with the comment that it's really a matter of whether or not we are slowing down to notice our daily lives, not a question of age. It surprised me to hear that said outside of a yoga studio--or my office--but the message was a nice reminder and exactly what I needed to hear at that moment.

The rest of the day I found myself thinking about what it is that makes each day seem so long when we're children. It's not necessarily that children have less structure or stress than adults, but that as children we have less awareness of time passing, of the future and the past. When we are more fully present to the moment, as children tend to be, we feel like there is plenty of time for everything we want and need to do. As we gain more awareness of the past and the future, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay in the present moment.

One of my favorite ways to reconnect to the present moment is to be intentionally more child-like. This means more playfulness, curiosity, and permission to take naps as needed. It means more giggling, sit-down snacks, and wide-eyed wonder. It also makes it a lot harder to have anything but a good day. Even when things get rocky, they're easier to handle in a child-like state of mind.