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The Wisdom of Letting Things Be
On Sunday morning, a flash at the window caught my attention, and I spotted a goldfinch arriving at the garden. Perched atop a coneflower, previously purple, it pecked at the dried center to find its seeds. The flowers appear bronze casts of what they were. This late in the growing season, dark florets invite the birds to feed. If I let them complete their full cycle, they will do so until the snow arrives. As I watched, more birds landed atop the sculptural shapes mostly disregarding the newer, vibrant blooms. I thought about the wisdom of letting things be. For the goldfinch, dried cones feed a growing nest. Had I…
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The Beauty of Putting Things Away
On Easter Monday, after flowing conversations and plenty of overflowing plates, I set about the task of putting things away – my favorite blue faceted glasses, drink pitchers, serving plates, and other pieces. It struck me just how much I love the day after a celebration when I have time to feel the spirit of the gathering again. I’ll recall witty comments, sweet little moments, and the love poured into each other as we enjoyed so many delicious dishes. There is a joy in putting things away. When I host holidays, so much care goes into each choice. From the menu to the flowers, I love offering the foundation for…
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Feeding the Soul | The Link Between Cooking and Mindfulness
As a child I was fascinated by the beautiful hands of the women in my family as they kneaded dough, arranged chicken in a vegetable-laden stock pot, and offered plates of their latest delicious experiment. Once I began cooking, I realized the immense pleasure to be found in sinking into each moment in the kitchen. Far from focusing on the final dishes, I have always enjoyed the transformation of ingredients each step of the way. Often I’ll light a few tapers while I cook, a pre-event to the meal I’m about to serve. Now being a teacher of meditation and cooking, the link between these two areas is a realm…
