Before the Earth Goes to Sleep

Have you ever watched the shadows of clouds glide across a grassy hill, shape shifting and billowing, playing games with the sun?

Have you observed the trees waver and quiver, their leaves reaching and drawing back, shuddering in the afternoon breeze?

Have you studied the tiny refraction of the world in the raindrop on a leaf?

Do you feel the warmth of the sun on your face? it strings together new life – cell to cell – in the depth of your body.

Would you count the veins and the specks in the leaves when the sun shines through them? God is a master of stained glass.

Do you feel the curls of smoke touch your nose, a gentle caress, as they meander skyward from the evening’s fire?

Touch a petal so soft you can’t even feel it. Brush it against your cheek to ensure it is really there.

The flower will die and a new one will unfold.

The earth goes to sleep on this quiet fall morning, let these be your dreams.

Delicious Meaty Chili

I made a particularly tasty chili tonight. Recipe, loosely, is as follows.

Ingredients
1 medium sweet yellow onion
3 bell peppers - red, yellow, or green
1 small sweet potato, or more if you like
1 can of fire roasted tomatoes with green chiles (I got mine from Trader Joe's)
1 small can of Mexican green chiles (mine are from Trader Joe's)
2 packages of ground beef or ground turkey
1 can of pumpkin puree
1.5 cups of your preferred beans (I used a mix of red, black and chickpeas because that's what I had leftover)
Sheep's milk feta
Spices - approximated amounts, season to taste.
2 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Chili powder
2-3 Garlic cloves
2 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Cayenne pepper
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Cloves
1/2 tsp Allspice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper


Directions
1. Dice your onion and begin to cook it down in a dutch oven in a tablespoon of coconut oil.
2. Chop your peppers and sweet potatoes and garlic.
3. When your onion have begun to brown, add your ground beef and break it apart with a spoon to mix into the onions.
4. After your meat is browned, add your veggies, garlic, green chiles, tomatoes, pumpkin puree, beans, and spices.
5. Add a bit of water if necessary, bring to a simmer until ready to eat. You may need to let it simmer uncovered if you think it's too runny.
6. Top with some sheep's milk feta, fresh cilantro, and tortilla chips if you'd like.

Fall Walks

Yesterday I took a hike with Cooper after the rain and we found some pretty moments in the dreary weather and half-stripped trees. The leaves are about halfway done falling. It hurts but I must strive to find the beauty in it. 

Post New York

We're back from New York and it's bittersweet. At the same time I am relieved to be free of the go-go-go-go busy streets of NYC, I miss the constant exploration and discovery of being in a new place. I'm a seeker, a dreamer, a wanderer, always needing some form of escapism. Not sure from what, since I do have a pretty wonderful life. But that sense of discovering, especially on my own three days, was refreshing.

But, now that I'm back, I'm quickly realizing that enjoying my time outside is coming to a close. The leaves are in full color now, it's happening so much faster than last year, but it's so beautiful. It's nice to take Cooper out, and when I run with him through the leaves and trees, I feel free.

I have much to look forward to and much to do. I have an interview Wednesday for something that could be really huge for me, and I am just praying to God that this is the opportunity I need. We have house projects galore that need to be done. And I have plenty of books to get through and movies to watch.

Fall is transitional. I hope this is going to be a fruitful and happy transition for me.

Up next, I'll be posting my New York vacation in parts. It may takes some time as I have a boatload of photos to go through and quite a bit of writing I'd like to do.

So, for anyone out there reading this, take advantage of your sunny days, give thanks for your opportunities, and do not be afraid of the unknown.