Savory Waffle Egg & Sausage

One egg topped with melted rice shreds, over a bed of spinach and a gluten-free waffle.

Sage breakfast sausage on the side.

And a juicy grapefruit.

Snow-Fall

As many of you know over the weekend The Lehigh Valley, along with most of the East coast, was hit with a freakishly early snowstorm. Of course, most of us around here have been so disenchanted lately with the weatherman’s recent string of wolf cries that we were ill-prepared for the foot or so of snow that got dumped on Fall’s foliage.

The wet, heavy snow was no match for the leaved trees and a raining of limbs onto power lines ensued. The inevitable loss of power wacked my day-to-day routine way out of sorts with the inability to mindlessly waste away inordinate amounts of time browsing the internet. However, I found myself in a moment thinking how extremely grateful I am for knowing how to entertain myself whilst being “unplugged.” Despite the lure of whirring/flashing/stimulating “devices” I still own and often choose to enjoy simpler leisure activities that don’t require power cords, usb cables, batteries, remotes, and the constant nuisance of remembering to recharge said devices.

When the power went out I simply relocated myself to the family room in front of the only operating heat source and resumed reading my library book. Other activities included yoga, tidying/organizing, clipping coupons, perusing the newspaper, thumbing through magazines, and walking the dogs.

Although our little stroll through the neighborhood was not really a “walk,” but more like a “frolic.”

These pooches were overjoyed by the snows premature arrival as demonstrated by this stupidly giddy, temporarily crazed husky!

I also found myself extremely thankful for having a gas stove, matches, a french press, and a tea kettle–because one should never have to be without coffee…

French Pressed Pumpkin Pie

Or oats!

Apple Crisp Oats

To make one serving of crisp mix 1 Tbsp oat bran, 1 Tbsp ground flax, 1/4 Tbsp canola oil & 1/4 Tbsp (maple) agave nectar.

Having just gone without power and realizing how still-dependent I am on it I’m hoping to make some changes immediately in the wake. Reevaluating how I spend my time is certainly high on the list (perhaps less Facebook so to speak) and using “found” time for more important things like taking inventory of non-perishable foods, batteries, candles, matches…and better preparing myself for a future scenario. How has this past weekend’s storm affected you?

Vice

Coffee/Caffeine

Credit: Ricky Linn

Yup. I’m still okay with my one cup a day in the AM. Preferably Hazelnut.

A little heroin-like pick-me-up never hurt anyone. Especially if it makes you feel happier and less drowsy. And it’s cheaper than therapy!

13,104 a year!

Sunday’s are for sorting pills for the upcoming week.

36 Pills a day.

252 Pills a week.

1,095 Pills a month.

13,104 Pills a year!

*Plus a B12 shot every other day.

And to think…I used to have trouble simply taking one meager multi-vitamin a day.

Weekend Nightlife

Hang on! I don’t think you’re ready for this kind of excitement.

Here’s an inside look at the weekend nightlife of a 24-year-old sick girl.

Definitely not very glamorous.

Mentally, I want more. Emotionally, I want more. Physically, this is it.

I’ll be honest, it’s taking just about everything I’ve got right now to procure enjoyment from the solitude rather than succumb to the isolation and loneliness.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my “me” time, but I’m so. over. it. now.

Fortunately, I finally picked up a book that could capture my attention in said state–Safe Haven, by Nicholas Sparks. This book was an all-consuming, quick and easy read. I could not put it down.

And a wee bit of bedside yoga to keep me from feeling like a total sloth.

All is quiet. All is still. Be present.

By far, the light is the most beautiful just after a Fall sunrise.

When the morning fog hasn’t quite lifted from its slumber and remains nestled between the hills.

And the mind is similarly in a state of groggy calmness.

All is quiet. All is still.

I think it might be possible…

That the purpose of Fall is to remind us to live in the moment. To be present. If we’re too busy dwelling on the passing of Summer and the imminent arrival of Winter, we’d completely miss out on the perfection that lies right in front of us–cool crisp days, deliciously chilly nights, and a landscape that’s slowly going up in a crackling of flames.

So crawl out of bed and find yourself a winding country road. You’re not gonna want to miss this.

Just a Walk

…because some days that’s all I’ve got in me. Just a walk. Nothing more, nothing less.

And there are two furry beings in my life who are just fine with that!