Unexpected Reward

Weddings always inspire the silly poet in me.  I recently had an experience that was both an honor and a first: I attended my first client wedding.  It was so fun.  I didn't know exactly what it would be like to see a client I cared about and had seen through good times and bad be celebrated, it was even better than I could have expected.   An unexpected reward for the work I do.

So here's a little silly ditty for the happy couple.  May they love and grow and love and grow.

Celebration
In Honor of J&B
 
Celebrate life, celebrate love,
celebrate leaves falling from above.

Dance to music just for you,
then invite someone else to dance with you, too.

Lean in close to a nearby ear,
someone you love, say something dear.

Don't sit and worry about what comes next,
just use your voice, or if you must, send a text.

Make sure that you say just what you mean,
Quietly, loudly, or anywhere in-between.

An Autumn poem, for you dear reader,
An Autumn poem, with a bit of love for the meter.

Falling Leaves

Fall has definitely arrived here in Portland, and I am enjoying every glittering, cooling, moment.   I thought that perhaps, with such a short summer, I would resent the golden season, but no, I don't.  I love it.

We have been so busy with travels to see family, or with family traveling to see us, that life has been a bit out of rhythm.  You know how that is, right?  When you have several different adventures to clean up from all at once?  Well, that's where we have been and will continue to be for a while yet it seems.

In all of that business, I have not had much time for writing, but I have been thinking a lot about it.  And reading what others have to say.  I have to be careful not to let reading take over my writing time.  But, I have found some lovely things to read...

KokBlog
This is a blog written by a Johanna Kindvall, a swedish woman who lives in New York City.  She uniquely combines beautiful illustrations with stories about food.  Each post is a sweet surprise.

Talk to the Trees
This sweet sweet blog is written by Rachael Caringella, a young woman living in Utah.  She makes all sorts of creations and writes beautiful, thoughtful posts about life, love, and creating.  And her dogs.

Four Leaf Clover
Four Leaf Clover is written by Eva, a vegan living in Switzerland, though now Britain, I believe.  Her posts are filled with hope and excitement about living and discovering life.

I hope you enjoy some of these as much as I do.  I so appreciate the work of all the writers I enjoy, and am so grateful to always have inspiration so close at hand.

Tuesday Tomatoes

The air is golden, and so are the tomatoes...

We feasted this weekend on the bounty of the earth, inspired at every turn by how our world shows us what is possible if we just take time to look closely.

A Sunday Feast has small beginnings.

Fall is beginning so nicely this year!


*****
P.S.  The bread, or Epi Du Sel, pictured above is from Baker & Spice, the best bakery in Portland.  You can taste craftsmanship and love in everything they make.   Every good they sell is made with great ingredients and great recipes.   They love food and it shows.


P.S. #2 The tomatoes above have been roasted.  For this amazing way to make cherry tomatoes even more delicious than they already are, go here: Slow-Baked Tomatoes with Garlic and Mint.  (If you have a cast-iron pan, you can cook them on the grill while you grill other things, cut the time in half.)