Some of my favorite things about Fiji are the incredible flowers: hibiscus, bougainvillea, and all manner of beauties I don’t even know the names of. In between downpours I wandered through the Sonaisali Island Resort, scarcely meeting a soul on my sojourns since most folks were sensible enough to stay in out of the rain.
The blossoms looked especially vivid during this rainy season, their leaves thriving and glossy, each little petal and bud glistening with rain drops.
Rain is a funny thing. When I’m at home I try to get out of it as soon as possible. Not in Fiji. There I lingered in it, letting it soak my hair and trickle down my face. It is warm and healing there, soothing to body and spirit, leaving the skin soft, clean and hydrated – a blissful feeling after nearly 20 hours of travel.
We arrived in Heidelberg on a dark, cold afternoon with fog rolling down the mountains. I’ve never been to Heidelberg in the winter and was absolutely delighted by the fairytale quality the snow gave to the gabled windows and towering spires of the beautiful city.
We teetered our way up steep, icy, cobbled streets past rather splendid doorways and opulent homes until we reached the snow-covered ruins of Heidelberg Castle.
These are some of my favorite ruins, towering magisterially above the river valley, though I dearly wish some wealthy soul would take the castle as their pet project and restore it. I would love to see how it looked when the halls were filled with royalty, servants and guests from abroad.
I think the best part of the castle is the view. I took a video of it for you, and am delighted by how it looks like a miniature city tucked into a snow globe.
We arrived back at my brother’s house in Amsterdam late last night and I’m spending a deliciously lazy morning on the couch, tucked up under mounds of blankets. This afternoon we’re heading out to explore the Netherlands coast and tonight we’ll be braving the streets of Amsterdam to celebrate New Year’s Eve among the fireworks happy residents.
I wish you a beautiful celebration tonight and an absolutely wonderful year. I’m so glad you’re in my life and look forward to getting to know you even better in this new year. 🙂
Good morning, dear ones! I can hardly believe this day is actually here. My bags are packed, lists checked and double-checked, and all I have to do is run a few errands for last minute bits and bobs before I head to the airport. By Saturday afternoon I will be in Amsterdam, groggy, bleary-eyed, dying for a shower and a comfy bed, and overjoyed to see my family.
I get to see these dear folks: My brother Ryan and his girlfriend Melissa
And these dear folks: my brother Evan and sis-in-law Kendra
Accompanied by these dear folks: my Pops and Mums
I have my trusty little camera and journal to jot down our adventures and am so excited to begin.
Hello, luvs! A storm is raging outside, lulling me to sleep as I fight to stay awake. It is almost midnight – my usual and most unfortunate bedtime this week – and I can’t wait to hunker down under a cozy quilt and sleep, sleep, sleep.
It’s been raining something fierce all week, shutting down power and phone lines, thoroughly drenching everything in sight. I may be hankering for some sunshine, but the moss and ferns are flourishing!
What are you up to this weekend? I’m sticking close to home, bustling about doing laundry, finishing up writing assignments, wrapping Christmas pressies, and packing to leave for Europe next Friday. Two of my brothers live there – one in Germany, the other in Amsterdam – and they sent my parents and I plane tickets to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve with them!! We couldn’t believe it. Those crazy, lovely fellows. I can’t wait to see them! So I’m looking forward to my last weekend at home, spending it in my new striped pajamas, playing music as I clean, tidy and plan.
I’ve been eating super healthy lately and am hankering for something good yet decadent for breakfast tomorrow morning. What is your favorite breakfast to spoil yourself with?
Good morning, luvs. It’s been a long and difficult week and I’m glad to see the last of it. I want to slip away to a gloriously restful spot like this one in Xcaret, Mexico, slump down into a chair and not budge until all the cares and stresses of the week have slipped away.
On days like this it does me much good to take a deep breath or two and focus on a few good things in my life.
This weekend I get to see two brothers, a sis-in-law, my parents and grandies for an early Danish Christmas. I’m so excited to see them all, hug them tight, and spend a beautiful weekend playing Settlers of Catan, watching movies, going for long walks, and visiting for hours.
Birthday roses to remind me I am loved.
New books from the library set in Old Vienna and 1940’s Paris.
Royal blue tights that make me grin.
Skype that lets me see beloved faces on the other side of the world.
Free Old Time Radio shows from iTunes.
Enough money to cover all my bills this month.
Really lovely people to work with.
One last tea bag of Apple Cinnamon tea.
Ginger Spice cookies that make my house smell so good.
I love this poem my friend Corrie sent me this week, and thought it might cheer your heart too:
Refuse to fall down If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down. If you cannot refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven, and like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled. You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven only you. It is in the middle of misery that so much becomes clear. The one who says nothing good came of this, is not yet listening. (By Clarissa Pinkola Estés)
How was your week? Are you doing OK today? What are three good things in your life?
Sending you a big hug and hopes for a beautiful weekend. 🙂
Good morning, dear ones! I’m basking in the glow of a beautiful Thanksgiving with my folks and the few brave friends who managed to make it to their house through the snow storm. We had a wonderful day as the snow continued to fall, blanketing everything in sight. Delicious food, good wine, and the antics of a very active three-year old to entertain us made it perfect.
After our lavish dining, we donned coats and hats and headed out into the snow to introduce my friend’s daughter Allison to the wonder of cows in the barn. They were thrilled to have company, jostling for position near the gate to peer at us and lick anything they could reach. They’re lovely things and Allison was delighted. Our trek left us with soaked pant legs and rosy cheeks and we were happy to get back inside sipping hot cups of tea by the Christmas tree, nibbling on butter tarts and Nanaimo bars.
Tomorrow morning I’ll be on the road to Seattle, ready to hug my brother so tight when he gets off the plane from Amsterdam. Then we’ll head to Port Orchard for even more hugs from siblings and cousins. I’m so excited to see those dear folks, to laugh myself to tears, eat great food, and play rousing games of Poleconomy – which is a cousin-ly tradition. 🙂
Tomorrow is also my birthday. I’ll be a whopping 36 years old and that makes me smile. I wouldn’t trade places with my younger self for anything. 🙂 I know you’re not supposed to like getting older, but I like it very much. Age and time are such lovely things for smoothing rough edges, dulling past pains, and strengthening the good things in our hearts. Here are a few things I’m grateful for as I turn 36:
I am loved. Truly loved. No more abuse or neglect, just love from dear, amazing people who make me glad to be alive every day.
I am free. I am no longer in bondage to abusive people or false teachers or those who would seek to crush me. I. Am. Free. 🙂
I am stronger. I can now spot bad people a mile away and know how to protect myself.
I am wiser. I’ve learned to think for myself, to question, examine, test and hold fast only to those things I know to be good and kind.
I am braver. Things and people that used to terrify me have shrunk down to manageable size. I now know they have no power over me unless I give it to them.
I love myself more. Some rather dreadful people in my youth taught me that everyone was more important than me, I was only worth of hell and damnation, that there was nothing good in me. What a lot of hogwash! Now I know that I matter, I am worthy, and there is much good in me. The best part is that as I accept, forgive, and love myself, I find my heart simply bursting to extend that same acceptance, forgiveness and love to others. That is the best feeling in the world.
Getting older isn’t so bad after all.
I’m also thankful for snow for my birthday!
What are some things you’ve learned as you’ve gotten older?
