Simply Happiness

January.   

The month of change.  Of resolution making, goal planning, and organizing.  

Yes, that sounds just about right.  Don't you agree?  

Yet, this year with all the moving about, with this transitional stage we're in;  I have shun away from list making, from major goal making, from planning and resolution making.  All I have focused on is on one simple word.  A simple yet meaningful word:  

Yes,  happiness.  

This year I will simply strive to do everything and anything that makes me and those I love happy.  From my morning cup of chai tea, to slowing down by stepping outdoors tipping my head up and letting the warm sun rays feel my face with joy.  Simple, lovely, wonderful, things, that make me happy.

What about you?  What are you striving for this year? 

The Days Go On...

(Para Español hacer click a qui)

...and the waiting continues. 

It has  been 5 months since it all began.  Five months of tests and still unknowns.  You would figure that by now there would be some sort of answer.  There isn't.  First they thought it was Multiple Sclerosis (MS for short).  The symptoms are all there, they all point to it, but the tests came back negative (aside from a lesion found on my brain.) Now they think it may have been strokes.  Strokes?!! So more tests are being done.  More visits to the neurologists, more blood work drawn, more MRI's, more waiting.  The waiting is the hardest part.  I think if I just knew what was wrong I could deal with it and move one.  Right?  Maybe it is just an illusion, maybe that will be the case.  On the mean time, I hate being in limbo.  The unknown can be scary.  

Out of all this unknown though, there is one thing I have learned.  It is to let go.  To let things be.  To enjoy the now.  Dishes can wait, laundry can wait, housework can wait, even blogging can wait.  Those things will always be there for me to do, they are never ending tasks, they aren't as important as spending all my energy (as much or as little as I may have) with my family and friends:

Cuddling with my hubby to watch his favorite show (okay maybe not his favorite, it's just too gruesome for me, but close enough.) 

Snuggling with my little ones while they fall asleep. 

Leaving an untidy kitchen indoors to spend time out back around the fire pit roasting marshmallows.

Inviting friends (and the lot of kids) over for a late morning brunch.

Having long phone conversations with my family far away. 

Sleeping in when ever I can.

Taking it slow...or slower.  

Yes this are the things I have learned this past few months of unknowns.

As they say:  
After a storm comes a rainbow.  
I am trying to find rainbow where ever I can.

Happy week friends.

2012 Through Instagram

(*Para español ver abajo*)


I've seen these photo collages around other blogs before and I so wanted to create one for the longest time,  especially since this year I took most of my photos with my phone since my Nikon needs to be repaired and I've been to lazy to take it.  It is interesting and fun to see a whole year (or most of it, since I do take way more photos than these) in one spot.  It brings back all these wonderful, happy, sad, and warm feelings.

If you like you can follow me @lisarenata.  

***

Ya tengo tiempo queriendo crear uno de estos collages.  Se me hacen padrisimos.  Y con eso de que la mayoría de las fotos este año las tome con mi teléfono porque tengo que mandar a arreglar mi Nikon, pero me ha dado una flojera llevarla a reparar, se me hizo mas que perfecto.  Es interesante y divertido ver todas las fotos (o la parte de, pues tomo bastantes) en un solo lugar.  Me traen lindos recuerdos.

Me puedes seguir en instagram soy @lisarenata.

Hello 2013

(Para español leer abajo)

Life most definitely decided to throw me some curve balls at the end of 2012.  To be fully truthful, 2012 was a tough year overall for me, the toughest I've lived by far.  And as much as I tried to savor all the beauty within it, It was rough and I am glad it is done and over with.

So for 2013 my resolutions are simple.  Health.  I want good health for me and for those I love.  And to be present, fully present in the lives of those I love as well.  To enjoy the simple things, every moment, every smell, every word.  Because everything else doesn't matter as much.

With the busy lives we live, it is so easy to take the small things for granted.  Like walking.  I mean, really that is a true gift from above, I sure have learned that this past month.

Although this year has began with uncertainties concerning my health, I pray that God will give me the strength to face what ever he has in store for me.  Because with Him and the love of all those that surround me, I know anything is possible.

And so I leave you with these quotes I've (coincidentally? appropriately?) come across through Pinterest these past few weeks:

"Be in love with your life. Every minute of it." 

-Jack Kerouac

"Sometimes you are delayed where you are, 

because God knows there is a storm where you are headed. 

 Be grateful."

- Unknown

Al final del 2012 la vida me mando unas cosas definitivamente inesperadas.  Para ser honesta, el 2012 fue un año super pesado, uno de los mas difíciles de mi vida.  Y por mas que trate de disfrutar las cosas bonitas en mi camino, me fue difícil. Estoy contenta que ya termino.

Por lo cual mis resoluciones para el 2013 son mas que sencillas.  Salud.  En este año pido por mi salud, al igual que la de mis seres queridos.  Y de estar presente, completamente presente en las vidas de los que amo.  Deseo poder disfrutar de las cosas sencillas, de cada momento, cada olor, cada palabra.  Porque la verdad que nada mas importa. 

Con las vidas tan acarreadas que vivimos es fácil de olvidarnos de las cosas sencillas.  Como el caminar.  Digo, en verdad es un regalo de arriba, y eso lo he aprendido durante este último mes.  

Y aunque este año a empezado con incertidumbre cuando se trata de mi salud, le pido a Dios que me de la fuerza necesaria para enfrentar lo que ponga en mi camino.  Por que con El y con el amor de todos los que me rodean se que todo es posible. 

Los dejo con estos pensamientos que (¿por coincidencia? ¿apropiadamente?) encontre estas ultimas semanas por medio de Pinterest: (los traduje lo mejor que pude)

"Ama tu vida. Cada minuto." 

-Jack Kerouac

"Aveces tenemos que esperar, 

porque Dios sabe que una tormenta se dirige hacia ti.

 Se agradecido."

- Unknown

What Was I Thinking Running a 5K! ♥ ¿Que estaba pensando cuando me registre para correr un 5K?

Okay so I haven't really ran the 5k.  Nor do I plan to run, more like jog.  But really what was a thinking when I decided to say yes?  Healthy kick?  Impress my friends?  Impress the hubs?  (He ran competitively all through college.  A darn good runner too!) Heck, impress myself?  Probably a bit of all.  But the truth is, I've been wanting to try it for a long time.  

Okay, no he corrido todavia el 5K.  Ni planeo correr si no algo mas como eso de trotar.   Pero enserio, ¿Que mentados estaba pensando cuando decidí decir si?  ¿Por mi salud? ¿Para impresionar a mis amigas?  ¿Para impresionar al maridin? (El corría competitiva mente cuando estaba en la universidad.  ¡Y era buenisimo el mentado!) O, ¿Para impresionarme a mi misma? Creo que un poquito de todo.  Pero la realidad que ya tenia tiempo con ganas de tratar algo a si.

So a little while ago (and I mean, a little while ago) I began my so-called-training.  We will see how I'll do.  If I survive then you'll hear about it come race time.   If I dont- well, it was nice knowing you.

Es que hace poco empece mi disque entrenamiento.  ¡Ja! Ya veremos como me va.  Si sobrevivo aquí me tendrán de regreso después de la competencia.  Si no, pues mucho gusto a verte conocido. 

(If you want to keep track and push me to the finish line, the 5k is at the end of this month.) 

(Si quieres estar al tanto para animarme asta el final, la competencia sera el ultimo fin de semana este mes.)

Wish me luck.  I'll need it!

¡Deseen me suerte!

It's Crazy Around Here!

Oh yes indeed!  The full time crafting craze has begun.  Last year my friend Noelle and I decided to give it a try and sell our creations at local craft shows.  We liked it, it went well.  So this year we signed up for many, many more. 

My original plan was to craft through out the year, that way come fall I would have a nice selection of items to sell.  A stress free life, no worries about getting everything done weeks before the show.  REALITY CHECK!  Though I did craft a bit here and there, there is no way near enough merchandise ready for my firs craft show of the year (which just so happens to be in two weeks!)  Yes, so here I am crafting away.  Cutting, sewing, cutting and sewing some more.  Gluing and labeling.  All fun, but definitely keeping me busier than busy. 

My life.

Always running around,

Always doing.

I wouldn't change  it one bit.

That is just who I am.

And I embrace it just the same.

Me.

While keeping myself busy so has my super fairy chiquita.  Now that her brother is in back in school  you will often find her in the craft room by my side working on her own little projects.  I don't guide her, I let her be.  She never seizes to amaze me.  I love seeing what she'll come up with. 

My chiquito too.  Look at all those wool felt scraps, I mean, pasta in the making? 

May your week be filled with fun busy days.

Now I better get back to work!

Monday Randomness

Isn't funny when you are looking forward to something and can't wait to do it, but then when it is there in front of you, for what ever reason you don't?  That's the story of my life (for the most part.)  Lots of wants, lots of plans and not much time to do them.  So this morning, a beautiful cloudy morning, I decided to step out to the front porch with coffee on hand and sit on my not so new bistro set.  Something I had been planning for years!  You see, since the first day I saw our house I fell in love with its lovely front porch.  I totally pictured myself sitting there enjoying my coffee.  Forward 9 years later and a constant search for the perfect bistro set, I finally found one.  Mid summer.  The perfect one, just like I had envisioned it.  Only problem?  I've only sat on the lovely cushioned chair- once! 

So this morning while the kids were watching some t.v. I escaped for a few minutes and walked out to my front porch with coffee and sat there...just watching...and listening...to the birds chirping, the squirrels running up and down the trees, and the light drip drop of the scattered rain.  Still for a moment. A simple little moment of enjoyment. A moment for me.  

Then I came in and the doing began once more...

Sprucing up my son's art shirt/smock for school.  I used the same technique as the wearable art shirts (tutorial here).  On this shirt though, I also added some puffy paint.  When done I'll write his name below the scary (not!) alien to help my son find his art shirt in class with ease. 

Other randomness:

I'm in love with the sweet lemony flavor of this herbal honey with a hint of thyme.  Perfect in our tea.

Cutting more herbs to dry and freeze.  Yea, that is the fist time I'll be freezing basil.  A couple of days ago while at Trader Joe's I came across basil in the frozen isle.  Well, I can totally do that!  Can't believe I never thought of it before.  All you need to do is puree the basil and put it in tiny ice cube trays.  Pop them out after frozen and place them in a container to use later.  

While cutting around my herb garden I also came across these lovely little flowers.  Can you guess what plant they are from?

 

Chives!  I know, pretty right?  I had never let my chives bloom.  This year I decided to let them and I love them.  I made sure to cut them all before they drop their seed though, I don't need more chives growing than what we already get (and that is a lot!)

I got the kids a game of Gobblet Gobblers, it is so much fun to play! We've spent hours playing the other day.  Imagine tic-tack-toe but with a twist:  You get to gobble up pieces! 

She's good!

The other night my chiquita came in to the kitchen and announced she had made lots of headbands.  One for me and her friends.

How do I look?

Wishing you a great start to your week!

Friday Favoritas: Life

I love this photo I took the other morning.  It was early, the kids had just finished up breakfast and were playing a game.  The dog was just relaxing, watching them carefully.  A simple beautiful moment in our lives that I want to remember.

♥♥♥

Friday Favoritas (favorite)  is a place where I share with you photos new and old.  Photos that inspire me, photos that make me smile or cry, photos that bring out memories, photos that I LOVE!

If you would like to share some of your favorite photos with me and everyone else to see, you can join my Flickr group FRIDAY FAVORITAS, post your favorite photo on your blog or on your Facebook page and link it to this blog.  I would love to see what you love.

Friday (Viernes) Favoritas es un lugar donde comparto contigo mis fotos favoritas nuevas y viejitas.  Fotografías que me inspiran, me hacen reír o llorar, fotografías que me traen recuerdos, fotos que ¡ME ENCANTAN!

Si te gustaria compartir tus fotos favoritas conmigo y los demás, puedes ser parte de mi grupo Flickr FRIDAY FAVORITAS, compartirlas en tu blog o pagina de Facebook y hacerlas link a este blog.  Me encantaría ver tus fotos.

Have a lovely weekend,

Listening to Her

(First photo taken my Mr. Sabor a Cajeta)

Of late my life has been in a bit of a haze and my mind preoccupied with just too many thoughts.  When life gets this way, I tend to unwillingly and unconsciously give up on some things and I realize I just have to let go to find some balance.  But when letting go means my  four year old daughter, well, then I am in big trouble. 

You see, she's a spunky little one, a kind hearted soul, a dare devil, and a stubborn little one as well and boy can she have a temper (kind of like her mama), but the truth is it is not often we see that temper, because for the most part she's an easy going child.  

So when the tempers and whinnying started to increase I knew something was wrong.  It took me a while thought to figure this out, with my life being in a haze and all, but after talking over the phone with my dear mami yesterday and explaining (or more like complaining) about my spunky little one's behavior...I realized what I had known all along.

You see, I believe that all children act upon what is going on in their surrounding.  I believe that if we truly stop to listen we can hear loud and clear what they are not telling us.  Especially when a child is a well behaved one.  I also believe that as a parent it is the quality not the quantity of time we spend with our children that is important.  For example, if a parent works all day and can only spend a few hours a day with his child, but truly is present during those few hours, than that is giving a child as much as a parent that may spend all day with said child.  Same goes for the opposite.  If a parent spends all day with his child, but isn't truly present in mind and soul, then that child might as well be alone. 

That is what I heard loud and clear the last few times she misbehaved.  I have been here with her day after day (aside from the few hours a week I leave to work), but I haven't truly be giving her the attention she very well deserves.  I have not been fully present. 

Yesterday after work (and after talking to my mami) I decided to do just that.   I stopped all and spend a full uninterrupted hour with my spunky girl.  I made a mental point to put all worries and to do lists aside and to focus on her and what she wanted to do.  So we headed out doors, rocked on the hammock, talked and talked, played on the swing set, and explored our back yard.  She and I.  Fully present.  Fully enjoying myself. 

It is what she needed, but truth be told, it is also what I needed.

Thank you chiquita for reminding me to stop and listen and to take in all the beautiful world around us through your eyes.  I promise to take the time every day.  You deserve that much and more.

Te quiero mucho!