one little word wednesday

As August approaches I am working staying positive. It's hard to thinking about saying goodbye to slow mornings, fresh food and lots and lots of friends and family time.

So instead of saying "goodbye" to these things, I'm trying hard to choose a different attitude. So I choose gratitude. I am grateful for:

The next season brings back work, meetings, students, families, lessons, grading and much more. I hope to spend August looking at ways to incorporate my summer activities into daily life. I realize that knitting all day while reading my nook is not really an option come September, yet I know there is a way to make time for knitting and reading. Waking up early is usually my go to when I want to add things to my schedule but I rethinking the evenings a bit and wondering how to better utilize my time.

What activities do you make time for during your busy seasons so that you can stay sane?

currently - July 2014

learning the song above as a jazz tune inspired by Sara Gazarek
eating variations of salads such as this one and this one
enjoying fresh berries and the resulting sorbet
organizing, cleaning and clearing out. nothing. is. safe
reading this and this
listening to this song on repeat
working out using these three apps 1/2/3
enjoying the last bits of summer!

Currently - April 2014

returning to blogging!

wearing my new shawl (see above)

eating goat cheese & apple slices

packing for  Hawaii - trip isn't until June, but it's good to have something to look forward to!

listening to Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Gazarek, the husband's jazz piano from the next room  

searching for a new audiobook to listen to while I wash dishes and knit 

reading A Causal Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (lots of characters with interesting connections and a steady pace)

choosing to move: running and yoga a few times a week with shorter core and toning exercises on "off days"

browsing A Beautiful Mess projects that I don't necessarily make yet always inspire me to try new things no matter after how daunting and Lining Up My Stitches for inspiration and accountability to keep doing the things we love regardless of life busyness

enjoying  the wall of our living room which showcases a small quilt I finished last year, a fun and dynamic paper art project, and an old bingo board from my Grandparent's house. Each has a certain faded, antique quality that I find cozy and relaxing.

watching most things PBS and "Chuck"(we just began season 1)

sipping americanos - hand ground and homemade

knitting any chance I can get!

I enjoy reading currently posts from a variety of bloggers. It is a fun way to document the little and big things happening. Here are some links to other ways of recording what is currently happening:

Elise Blaha Cripe

Stephanie Howell

Ali Edwards

2012 challenge - yoga

I have a distinct memory of attending a local yoga class about 10 years ago. I was instantly hooked. Prior to yoga, I had been a rough and tumble athlete: diving for the basketball, sliding into 2nd base, getting muddy on the soccer field. Yo seemed so different, so elegant and graceful. As much as I love the adventure of the basketball court and the adrenaline of team sports, I always wished that i’d had the patience and focus (not to mention time) to take a dance class. Yoga felt like that chance.

The summer after freshman year I checked out every yoga DVD from the library, tested them all out and made a list of my favorites. I still have the set I bought initially and though i’ve since added to my collection, I will pull that first one out every once in awhile. After college I joined a gym for a few years. The main motivation was their three weekly yoga classes. But eventually I moved and yoga has been a little lost in the shuffle of running, circuit training, cross fit and other activities.

Over the years I’ve done yoga with coworkers in empty classrooms, in a panoramic room of a cabin on a lake in Montana, early in the morning on the  balcony of my apartment and on the hardwood floors of various gyms. At certain times, yoga has been my main sport so much that my living room was arranged to accommodate my yoga mat and accessories; More recently yoga has been my route to recovery from injuries, an opportunity for fellowship and relationship building, a welcome moment of calm in an otherwise full and busy schedule. 

I look forward to joining the YogaJournal 21-day yoga challenge as I have for the last few years. It is a simple and intentional way to start the year, reflecting on where I’ve been and looking toward where I am headed.