The food, friends, and festivities of this season.

Oh baby, it’s cold outside, but inside it’s is warm, warm, warm. My belly and heart are full, and my face hurts from smiling so much (or is it from all the eating?). Butter cookies with lemon glaze, important and heartfelt conversations over a Red Table, a yoga class of 12 where I recognize every face, twinkly lights, pictures of the cutest of kids coming in the mail, Pine Ridge kids getting their presents, and another year to celebrate the birth of the most important person in my life, (not to be confused with the “reason for the season,” it’s Eric‘s birthday today).

The Library.

As I work my way through Jennifer Louden’s “The Comfort Queen’s Guide to Life,” Geenen Roth’s “Women Food and God,” and Season Four of “Mad Men,” I am so thankful for libraries. We may be completely greedy, capitalist over-consumers in other ways, but that’s one place where we remember and practice wisdom and kindness, sharing and service.

Prompts and Questions, From the Universe to me.

Things like “What was your first job?” and “How did you meet your husband?” and “What is your deepest wish?” remind me that I have stories to tell. This shifts my entire perspective, this reminder. I go from despair, self-loathing, and confusion to a sense of joy, possibility, and faith. I know who I am and what I am supposed to do, and I know that it will happen.