Surveying the Scene: Check-In for Today

We're on the second round of pumpkin pancakes this week. I have this super yummy recipe but today I had to find another because I'm out of plain yogurt. Mr. Basil will be so happy. He loves pumpkin pancakes.

Here's a pic of my little work station this morning. I'm mixing up some pancakes to the shuffle of music on Pandora. The beauty of the music helps to lift my heart and see the beautiful in the world.

Over there are Sage and Nutmeg playing in their fort. They are the early risers. Makes me so happy to watch them play. As a particularly inspiring song comes on Pandora, Princess Nutmeg stands up, puts out her hand to her brother and says "Want to dance with me?" Aaahh, melts my heart. Thank you Lord.

It's been a serious month. There have been several deaths of loved ones and loved ones of loved ones. Death always leaves me speechless. I am also struggling with the outcome on the sale of our house. It will be sold but not with much profit. We put so much went into that home and so little, monetarily, will come out.

November has begun. The month of Thanksgiving. I am seeing that I come up short when it comes to gratitude and sacrifices of thanksgiving. I WILL go there. A few days ago I was tempted to refuse to give thanks. A few days have passed and now, thank God, I'm again understanding how important thanksgiving is, even when it isn't easy.

Today is All Soul's Day in much of the world. The kids and I will visit a cemetery. We will talk about life and death. We will remember those we know who have passed away and we will pray for comfort for loved ones left behind.

Again I refocus: faith, hope, and thanksgiving. My main task is loving my family. Raising these children. I will be thankful for this time and strive to live moment by moment with them.

I am continuing to focus on these words:

"If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves." Maria Edgeworth

And now this one as well: