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Seeing with New Eyes

Yesterday morning as I was walking toward the lake I stopped suddenly with a “Whoa… Cool!” The beauty of the morning mist hovering over the lake stopped me in my tracks. This is not an everyday occurrence, but it is also not that rare. It does leave me in awe every time I see it however.

I continued on and stopped for a minute to take a moment to soak in the beauty of the moment. When I turned back to the trail I saw someone on their porch and said, “I was just admiring the mist on the lake.” He looked out and had obviously not noticed it. Then I said while pointing, “That bank of clouds over there looks like it is actually touching the lake.” He then paused for a minute, looking, and said. “Yeah, it does… Cool!”

As I continued on my walk, I realized that this is what my life is all about. Living my life, walking in the truth and sharing it in gentle and subtle ways as I go. I need to be reminded of that a lot. When we first moved here people laughed at me… a lot. I was just that crazy woman who walked all the time. But now after watching me for three years I am seeing people making changes in their own lives to become more healthy and mindful. Our best teachings come not from our words, but from the way we live.

As an artist I believe it is my joy, pleasure and responsibility to let people get a glimpse of the world through this artist’s eyes. In fact all awakened beings share in this, artists or not. It is only through seeing glimpses of what life not only can be but is if we only open our eyes to it that people will begin to realize the reality that they have created for themselves does not have to be so.

So as you walk through this life be open to your own opportunities to see the world through new eyes. Live and walk in truth and love and others may have the same opportunity through you.

A Spring Recipe – Deviled Eggs

When I think of spring and summer something that always comes to mind is deviled eggs. They are always a part of my Easter table as well as picnic food throughout the summer.

The other day I was talking to a friend about an upcoming potluck in our little community. I said, “We might end up with six plates of deviled eggs.” She laughed and then I said, “But I think everybody has their own special recipe so that might be okay.” And we continued to talk about how many different ways there are to devil an egg.

At my house the filling is moist (I use an olive oil based mayo), tart (we add vinegar) and bright yellow (lots of mustard). Our garnish of choice is paprika sprinkled over the top. Your preference might be sliced olive, pickle or something else.

Here is my basic recipe, but I go by color and taste rather than exact measurement so feel free to adjust to suit your own tastes.

Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 t. vinegar (more or less)

1 t. prepared mustard (more or less)

2 T. mayo or salad dressing (more or less)

Directions:

1. Hard boil eggs using your preferred method. Cool and peel.

2. Cut eggs in half the long way.

3. Carefully scoop our the yolks using a spoon and put in a small bowl.

4. Arrange whites on your serving plate. If you have a deviled egg plate, use it.

6. Mash yolks and add vinegar, mustard and mayo to taste. Continue mashing and stirring until yolks are very smooth.

7. To put the yolks mixture back in the whites you can use a small spoon. When I worked in a restaurant I learned to use a pastry bag for this and love that method. If you don’t have a pastry bag you can use a plastic sandwich bag with one corner cut off on the diagonal. This is much easier, quicker and less messy than the spoon method.

Makes 12 deviled eggs. I like to use the whole dozen and make 24.

Thought for Today

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” — Jack Layton
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_hope.html

Thought for Today

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” — Michelle Obama
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_hope.html

Sometimes You Just Have to be Outside

Yesterday was just one of those days that was just too beautiful to stay inside. We ate lunch on the porch, then reluctantly went back inside to get back to work. On my walk up the hill to get the mail I took a little detour by the lake stopping at the children’s playground to sit on one of the swings. Then I gave a little push off and before I knew it I was “pumping” my legs, going higher and higher. I imagined I was a bird, flying through the air.

Finally, reluctantly, I came back to earth and began the trek up the hill. After I got the mail I kept going around the loop at the top of the hill and passed the mailboxes again. It was just too nice to be inside so I kept walking. Then I saw one of my neighbors sitting on a bench and joined her for conversation beginning with it was just too nice to be inside. People drove by and talked to us, asking her if she was going to Bingo. No, it was just too nice to be inside. Finally a workman came to talk to her about a project she wanted done, so I headed back down the hill.

Bob was out on the porch with an empty popcorn bowl. I went in a popped myself some corn and joined him. After all it was just too nice to be inside. We did eventually go back in and get back to work, but were outside again for supper. It started to turn off cold so I went inside and eventually Bob joined me when it was getting ready to rain. I sat in my studio watching it rain, remembering what a nice day it had been.

Now I know you’re thinking, but you’re retired, it must be nice to be able to do that. We do still work, but we don’t punch a time clock anymore so we do have the flexibility in our schedules to just enjoy the weather from time to time. But no matter what your work or financial situation is, I hope you are able to take a moment to take a good deep breath of fresh air. Notice the flowers blooming. Listen to the birds singing and children playing. Maybe get outside and play a little yourself. Don’t let yourself get so busy planning and working for the future that you miss the wonderful, simple, here and now moments that bring such joy to our lives.

Thought for Today

“The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach”. — Henry Beston
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/rain.html

L- 04.08.01 – IT’s SPRING! — GARDEN TIME!

Bob has a new blog post up. Can you tell we’re wanting to get to work getting some flowers and herbs out on our deck?

The Daily Walk

Lakewood Driveway
Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins

“Daily walk” is a phrase that is often used to describe our walk with or connection to God. And that is so very important.

For me it also has an added meaning that is a little more literal and physical but still a part of nurturing the whole of my being — body, mind and spirit. I actually go outside every morning after yoga practice and walk around the property where we live. I have to say that this is not drudgery for me. I love to walk! I am a third generation walker, following in the footsteps of my mom and grandma.

Here are a few of the reasons why I walk.

For the Love of It! Yes, I’m one of those weird people who actually thinks hoofin’ it up the hill every morning is fun. Go figure.

For My Health. I walk to stay mobile and to stay healthy. Like many people my age I have a few aches and pains, but I know it would be worse if I stopped moving. I also walk to keep my heart healthy. I walk at a rather brisk pace and recently learned that when I complete my entire route I have walked two miles. YEAH! I do not walk with the intention of losing weight, but I have dropped a few pounds recently. With less of me to haul up the hill I am enjoying walking even more. I also no longer arrive at the top panting and out of breath. 🙂

Quiet Time Surrounded by Beauty. I walk in the early morning. Most mornings are quiet around here. I might meet an occasional dog walker or person going down to the lake to fish, but many days it is just me. For about half of my walk I have the magnificent view of the lake. I can also hear the birds as I walk. This is a wonderful time to practice mindfulness by staying with the present moment as I walk.

I walk alone but if motivation is a problem for you recruit a friend, family member or even the family dog to go with you. The most important thing is to move.

Does your “daily walk” include a daily walk? There are many reasons to walk. What are a few of yours? Let me know in the comments below.

Thought for Today

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasure.” — Thornton Wilder, The Woman of Andros

Thought for Today

“Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.”
― Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass