My Thanksgiving List

My friend Karen at Inspirasana made me realize that there is a lot of peace in making a list. Writing down what you know, even though you might not have done it feels empowering right now. Love this idea. I'm going to do it for Christmas too.

1. Thanksgiving grocery list - Written/Shopper Identified
2. Organic pumpkin puree - Made
3. 4 pie crusts waiting to be baked Weds night - Done
4. Turkey pick-up at the farm - Planned
5. House to clean - Make a List of Specifics
6. Thaw duck
7. Purchase fresh coffee beans at Caribou? Dunn Bros?
8. Make apple & pumpkin pies Weds night
9. Send Birthday stuff
10. Call guests with an arrival time!

360 Degrees of Awe

The energy of the ages greeted me after about 10 minutes at The Louvre and the Masterpiece exhibits at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. I was there with the artists who created these works; who studied at Versailles and lived in Paris.

Being. Connecting. Not reading it all. Not trying to remember it. Not worrying if I missed something. The objects' stories penetrated into the now and there was no reason for me to be linear about the experience.

Highlights for me, a long time passion for Jan Vermeer's work was met face-to-face, a George de la Tour painting, unsigned limestone carvings of Christ's head, pencil drawings from an Italian who worked at the Musee Louvre -- and dare I say the extremely well done gift shop that's set up at the exit. Ah, I forgot to mention Ingres! Yes, Ingres too.

Thinking back on yesterday is almost as exciting as being there. I want to go back. When? It was a thrill to have our 6-year old son along. While he might have rather been catching frogs, he too shared in the excitement of being there. He got it.

The Musee Louvre itself has a story of its own, worth learning. Palace to museum - students to artists - curators and visitors.

I saw the Musee Lourve from a distance one time. Why I didn't cross the street to go in .... ? Was I out of money? Was I afraid? No interest? I don't remember. Perhaps I simply wasn't ready to take it on. Yes, that's it. I was not ready ... and I'm no longer waiting in line.

Inspirations de la Semaine

1. Drawing with E & J in the a.m. (they draw, I blog and drink coffee)

2. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Louvre Exhibits (I'm going today!)

3. Lucia's stone house in Breton (check out the photos)

4. Frank Gehry's teapot 

5. Living the Dream Farm (the story behind the farm)

6. Coffee. The flavor, not the buzz.

7. Making a necklace. Turning the idea in my head.

8. Dr. Oz video clip on belly fat and sugar.

9. My friend Karen who is a writer!! (YAY!!)

10.Turnip Rock CSA, my extended season share!

What's She Up To?

My Kitchen Window

Simple. Useful. Beautiful.

Gerber Daisies. Veggie Brush. Handmade Soap.

30-Pound Pumpkin

happy halloween!

Brainscaping

Long morning commute? No problem. Sit back and listen. Drink coffee. Pay attention to the road ...  I am so digging this learning thing, this brain exercise, these new ideas that I can bring anywhere. Brain podcasts. Turn 'em on. Turn 'em off. They're mixing with everything else I know and making sense. Am I??

Free up some neuron space and listen up! The Brain Science Podcast series awaits. A menu 3-years long offers up tempting topics. My favorite episode to date, an interview with Dr. John Ratey, explores how exercise makes our brains younger, better and healthier. Makes sense, doesn't it? That mind body connection we hear so much about isn't just a psychological, metaphysical or a Deepak-thing. It's a physiological reality. Cardio ain't for hearts alone.

My first neuro-fixation started with this read ... it's my-all-time number-one parenting book, you know the manual that should've come with the baby? The Science of Parenting baby steps you through the different stages of brain development from newborn through teen years. No doubt, this is an amazing gift that will transfer from parent to child and spark more insight than you can kindle on your own. I often remind myself that a child is NOT a small adult. Learn about yelling and how it creates bad brain paths. Discover how love grows beautifully grooved brains.

For all you left or right brainers, this talk given by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is another fascinating parade through the brain. More than that, it's her own story. As a stroke survivor who returned to her own neurology practice, Dr. Jill details her personal observations about left and right functions. She will inspire you to live differently.

Lastly, for you creative types, Daniel Pink's book, A Whole New Mind gives golden trophy credence to the world of design and why we visual communicator types (me, me, me) are rocking the universe -- at least in our own minds!

My brain is bursting with interesting discussions that are just waiting to happen -- so let's talk soon.

How Does Your Day Sound?

Listening to my son play
on a Friday night, alone,
in our family room, is amazing.

What is he doing? Playing doctor. What is he saying? Someone needs help. What does he imagine? His voice is alive. Like me, he is delighted to be in his own space, with his own toys.

As I listen, I'm aware that hearing his play fills me with smiles. My day is full of different sounds, the keyboard of a fast typist, the important VIP loudly rushing by on her cell phone, laughter from across the room, the wind against my car, the hum of lunchtime in the cafeteria.

One of my favorite parts of the morning is driving E to school. What he says, what he asks, what he wants to talk about and the songs he asks me to play ("Please don't sing Mom"). The silence when he leaves is my alone time.

What pleases your ear? Are sounds impacting your day in the best way possible? What sounds do you need more of? Now that I am aware, I'm going to see what I can do to bring more positive sound into my  days away from home.

Got Pie?

This was the best! I have plans to make another this weekend. So, my son, who doesn't really care about desserts suddenly came to love this apple pie. He had two pieces and asked if I would make it for Thanksgiving (my answer of course, yes!) Here's my favorite crust recipe too. No shortening! I use a Betty Crocker filling recipe with lots of extra cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg & local honeycrisp apples.

Back for More

Always a treat to visit Minnetonka Orchards. The corn maze is great fun. The honeycrisps await. Tonight we'll just eat pie for dinner.