Life Lessons


"Figuring out our gifts in life is part of our journey to becoming enlightened human beings.” – Allison DuBois

Showing posts with label Jon Kabat-Sinn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jon Kabat-Sinn. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Bleat, Yum, Splash, Slurp and Ahhhh.....

Song - You Hit the Wrong Note Billy Goat by Bill Haley and the Comets




 Last Friday, Mr. B and I headed down Hwy. 1 along the California coast to visit Harley Goat Farm on our way to Santa Cruz for Easter weekend.



 Their link is here - Harley Goat Farm



 Yes.....there were lots of baby goats running around and lot's of delicious cheese and body products in their shop. We came home with a few fine goat cheeses'. 




The adult goats are in the photo above and below are the baby goats that are 6 weeks old and being weaned from their parents.








 We drove through fingers of fog......



 

....then out into sunshine again....and back again to heavy fog.




We arrived at the cabin to beautiful sunshine and sat on the deck and relaxed.





For dinner on Friday night we went to Soif (which is French for "thirst") in downtown Santa Cruz where we have eaten several times before. It's a cozy little bistro type restaurant that always has an interesting menu and atmosphere.



We shared a cheese course that had Kikorangi (Blue Cheese-cow) from New Zealand,  Brillat Savarin (Brie-cow) from Lyon, France (yummmmm, yummy, yummy, yum),  Pata Cabra (Chevre-goat) from Spain,  Cabot Clothbound Cheddar (pale yellow cheddar-cow) from Vermont, Manchego El Trigal (sheep) from Spain as well as quince paste, grapes, almonds and toast. Our portions were at lease four times this size but I was so excited that I forgot to take a photo.....



We each had a couple of glasses of wine - Mr. B had Syrah from Northern Rhone which he really liked and I had a Pere et Fils Remoissenet Bourgogne Blanc which was fabulous. We both ordered amazing entrees but once again they were gone before I thought to photograph them.  So now you will just have to go to Soif yourself and try something on their delightful menu!




Saturday morning was sunny and Andy & Ashley came to visit and stay overnight. 





We stopped by our very favorite bakery in Capitola to pick up some breakfast on our way to the beach - Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria

We picked up a bag of savory and sweet treats to-go and headed to Aptos Beach.


 We plopped on a log while looking at this view of the bay and dined with great joy!



We took a nice long walk along the shore and enjoyed dodging the waves as they rolled in.


 Saturday night we had an early Easter dinner as the kids had to head home in the morning to take care of some things. 

It was so nice to spend time together.




Easter morning we had breakfast and our guests took off for home.  Mr. B and I drove up to the lighthouse and watched the surfers for a while.  


The ocean was quiet but a few small waves rolled in but it looked more like
beginners-Easter-break-surfers out there.



Mr. B fixed a door in the cabin that needed attention 
and I planted a flat of white Impatiens in the garden.




In the afternoon our second set of guests arrived - our middle son Jon, his girlfriend Jacque and their puppy Chewy.  We had a lovely visit and late lunch together.

Mr. B and I stayed until Monday at noon as it was another beautiful day and difficult to return home but we will be back!



"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf. "
-- Jon Kabat-Zinn

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Simply Change It

Song - Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin




So most of you know that I picked out my One Little Word for this year and it was (yes - was) Simplify.

But what actually came "roaring" into my life every day of this new year has been "Spirit"!


The English word spirit (from Latin spiritus) means "breath".

Metaphysically it refers to consciousness or personality.  The nonphysical part of a person that is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.

Spirit....Soul....my energy.  Your energy. The world's energy!




As I struggled to hold on to "simplify", I began to realize that Spirit was pulling me on a path saying "pick me - pick me"...well, maybe it was more of a gentle nudge! 

I meditated and chose my daily work with more consciousness and what do you know, simplify began to come about naturally.

No, it is not an overnight deal, but an ongoing one.  Room by room, my car, my house, my garden, my art, my reading, my world, has all been slowly simplified. What do I love?  What do I really need?  What do my loved ones need?

I came across this detail of Bouguereau's Madonna and it spoke to me.

 
 To me.... so full of Grace

"Mindfulness is 
paying attention 
on purpose 
non-judgmentally 
in the present moment 
as if your life depended on it" 
 -- Jon Kabat-Zinn


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