what I love :: everyday rituals

Ah, morning rituals. Like tea, and toast and on Sundays - the crossword puzzle. A little moment of peace amidst the chaos. If I had taken this photo a little wider out you would see the full picture - the boys eating their third bowl of yogurt of the morning with granola spilling over the table, the babe opening the fridge and pulling out her own rice milk (onto the floor), the cat scratching at anyone nearby to be fed, and the dog underfoot and picking up the remains of the morning. Usually there's enough 'still' time to at least finish the toast, and to dive into just a corner of the puzzle. No worries - I figure I've got years ahead of me when mornings will include a full crossword puzzle without interruption. Until then...I'm content with my morning ritual of stillness just the way it is. All two minutes of it.

We're headed North into the woods later today - to retrieve my babe, and frolick by the lake for a few days.  I'll be back here on Wednesday! Have a lovely (long, I hope) weekend!

Comments

[SusieJ]

So beautiful. Two minutes! I have to say, you're doing pretty good!!

[sarahjane]

Morning rituals are my favorite as well--the three "c's": coffee, crossword, computer. However, now that I have a son it's more like cold coffee, computer, crying. (not me crying, the baby!).

[Anna]

Wish you all a wonderful weekend. I love your thoughtfulness about all the quiet mornings to come. When me and my sisters were about 8, 10 and 14, we started to be quiet content with our piece of the paper and we had wonderful long family breakfasts on the weekends.

[brandie]

nice photo! and there will be plenty of time for puzzles in the future, you know liz at EE? She does crossword puzzles all day (she always save me the sudoku, cuz i suck at crossword puzzles...but i love me some number puzzles!) have fun at camp! sounds heavenly.

[heather]

have a beautiful time with your family. i have a feeling there will be just a few extra quiet moments for you this weekend, lost in the natural world.

[Julie]

Enjoyed your week of "what I love"... have a wonderful long weekend with your beautiful family!

[Rachel]

I love that concept of starting an activity full force even though we know as moms that only a fraction of it will be accomplished. Sometimes I really think it is just the potential of peaceful time that I need. Lovely post!

[Elaine]

Just before reading your entry I sat down for one of MY morning rituals-- reading your thoughts. It is amazing that with everything else you do (planned and unplanned) you are so consistant with your posting, both in publishing and in such thoughtful content.
Thank you!
e

[amy]

You're a wise mama to know the long quiet mornings can be saved for later. One of my favorite poems reminds me of this on my more chaotic days:

There Will Be Time
There is time still
for sitting in cafes
in Paris
sipping wine.
Time still
for going to meet
the guru.
There is time still.
Now I am caring for eternity.
Carrying bodies soft with sleep
to beds of flowered
quilts and pillows.
Answering cries deep out of
nighttime fears.
Buckling shoes.
Opening doors.
Pretending.
My soul now is dwelling in
the house of tomorrow.
Tomorrow there will be time
for long leisurely conversations,
for poems to write,
and dances to perform.
Time still.
So I surrender now
to them and this,
knowing it is they
who will teach me
how to do it all.

Peggy O'Mara

[Ashley]

Thanks for the gentle reminder to stop and appreciate those precious ordinary moments in our lives with our little ones. I relish that stillness when it happens.

Enjoy your weekend!!

[erin]

have a nice time this weekend. nature has this way of making everything seem perfect and wonderful.

great photo. i love rituals, too :)

[Stefani]

Did you ever go to an amusement park, and then at night, on your pillow, have the sensation that you were still riding? I wonder if motherhood is like that. Will I still have phantom chaos when they've flown? I kind of hope so. Enjoy your extended weekend, and all those stolen half seconds of peace!

[Aylin]

My morning routine also includes checking in with your blog. Your beautiful photos and thoughtful words always provide much inspiration. Thanks for that. Oh, and have a great time in the woods!

Aylin

[Veronica TM]

have a wonderful weekend, amanda!

[Denise]

I have read your blog for some time now...so nice to read and get away for a while into someone elses life! I have a question for you regarding some items I have. Can you contact me? Thank you!!! Denise

[Qalballah]

Two WHOLE minutes?? Man, you're good.

[Heather]

Ah yes, my morning ritual for the last 3 months has included your post, Amanda. So often it's like taking a deep, steadying breath... I exhale and I smile. Thank you for so dutifully posting each day and filling our worlds with more inspiration and joy.

P.S. Thank you, too, Amy for that absolutely amazing poem.

P.P.S. Stefani at Blue Yonder... I have been noticing your posts and went to your site, but cannot place comments on your site. I am blocked because I'm not a typepad member, or it seems to keep crashing. I'm wondering if others are having problems too?! Your writing is phenomenal and I'm guessing that people are unable to comment due to technical difficulties.

Heather

[Heather]

Ah yes, my morning ritual for the last 3 months has included your post, Amanda. So often it's like taking a deep, steadying breath... I exhale and I smile. Thank you for so dutifully posting each day and filling our worlds with more inspiration and joy.

P.S. Thank you, too, Amy for that absolutely amazing poem.

P.P.S. Stefani at Blue Yonder... I have been noticing your posts and went to your site, but cannot place comments on your site. I am blocked because I'm not a typepad member, or it seems to keep crashing. I'm wondering if others are having problems too?! Your writing is phenomenal and I'm guessing that people are unable to comment due to technical difficulties.

Heather

[charlotte]

funny that you provide that little getaway for all of us...you're right that there will be plenty of time later, but this is the best part. I have a category called "what I love", wonder if I found the idea here...so much to love these days. this! xoC

[Megan]

Just wanted to say a quick thank you for posting a link to the Pearls before Breakfast story. I have just read it and was incredibly moved by it.

[molly]

a lovely picture of your weekend. hope you and your family are having a fun, restful time in the woods.

[Miriam]

i love your fabrics, studio, and projects. glad i stumbled upon your blog!

[Kirti]

I've been keeping up with your site for a few months now and you are one of the wonderful women who have inspired me to start my own! Thanks for sharing your world and your heart with us all.
Big love
Kirti
Australia

[Christina]

I have been loving your pictures lately.
I also wanted to let you know that I started my own etsy shop also: I'm Sleeplessstitch
I added you to my favorites today:) Sad though that there wasn't anything new but I know you are busy ;) I have three young ones also so I understand the crazies of the day.
Enjoy your day!
Christina

[jenny]

hey...grin.

does this mean we get a post tomorrow?

see you,
jenny