COMFY HOUSE: Mandolin Orange

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

for today ~ march edition

Looking out my window ~

It's cloudy, cold, and snowy. March is a fickle month around here. It can be anywhere from cold and snowy, to lots of rain, to some rare warmth and sunshine. It's one of my least-favorite months, to be honest.

I am thinking ~

of all the things I have to do today. Plus, wondering what to make for dinner.

I am thankful ~

for friendship. My elderly friend, Gladys whom I'd known since my early 20's, passed away February 23rd. I met "Gladiola" (my nickname for her ~ for indeed, she was as sweet and beautiful as a flower) when we were working at G.D. Searle around 1983. She would always come to me for help on the Wang Word Processor. Anyone remember this machine?! Gladys and I kept in touch via visits and cards and letters over the years. She was a wonderful writer and would always sign her letters with "Love and Cheer, Gladiola". Her smile lit up her face, her family was her life, her favorite color was pink, and she played the harmonica.

(RIP my dear friend, Gladys)

(Source: John Updike Society)

One of my favorite things ~

This facial cream.

I am creating ~

I'm just starting to de-winter the buffet and create a spring vignette.

I am wearing ~

Three layers of clothing: black and gray striped tank, long-sleeved purple cotton top, gray fuzzy vest...as well as jeans and purple socks.

I am reading ~

Empty, Empty, Happy Happy by Bhante Sujatha/Tyler Lewke and a book a poetry called Winter Morning Walks by Ted Kooser.

I am listening to ~

Wildfire by Mandolin Orange. If you don't have Spotify, give them a listen here live on youtube:

Wildfire by Mandolin Orange

I am hoping ~

for sunshine.

I am learning ~

to practice short meditations every day. I went to a workshop last week given by Bhante Sujatha. At the end, he gave us some homework. This may sound overly-simple, but it's harder than you think. Every day for seven days, in the morning and at night, close your eyes for just two minutes. Repeat the words as you take conscious deep breaths, "I am well. I am happy. I am peaceful." He claims you will feel better after seven straight days of doing this. And no, you don't have to be Buddhist or even "believe" in Buddhism to do this.

In my kitchen ~

I whipped up a last-minute bechamel sauce the other night. It was so good, I've been putting it on everything, including eggs and toast. Kind of like eggs benedict, I suppose. I used mostly almond milk and a little half and half. I stirred in a bit of Dijon mustard and lots of herbs to give it flavor.