It has been all about nesting for me the last four days. A Thanksgiving dinner for two – just John and me – followed by my embodying the spirit of an elf and decorating our cozy home for the holidays.

As the long weekend winds down, Sunday mornings, as is our usual routine, we enjoy a sweet treat for breakfast.

I pulled a few frozen gluten-free cinnamon Danish bakery out of the box to see this one with a heart in the center.

I thought, what a perfect reflection of what the past four days have been about for me. Nesting in our home, making good meals, placing holiday decorations here and there, enjoying a movie, and a fire in our woodstove, and playing a game of Yahtzee – plus a little reading along the way of two new books that arrived.

This is the heart of who I am. And that spirit will continue today as I put the final holiday decorations in place.

In being honest, a few days ago I wasn’t really feeling the magic of this time of year. At times it feels like ‘work,’ more than usual – to stay in balance – to not succumb to the darkness and chaos happening in most parts of our world.

But it was a reminder to once again roll with the emotions, let them flow through me, and then move forward with what I know helps to shift me into a space of joy and peace.

Because even in times of uncertainty and chaos, joy can be found if we just take the time to allow it in too. And to remember that even when things seem dark, it means the light is coming through even brighter and is working on our behalf. And we are part of making that light shine even brighter by doing what brings joy to our hearts.

XO

Barb

I just wanted to pop in and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving. Gratitude is something I always think about during this holiday and something I feel as if I’ve deepened into even more the past two years. It comes down to the simple joys and moments that fill me with gratitude.

It’s my hope, that in the New Year, I will get back more to blogging. I’ve been working on a big project the past year, plus opening my Etsy shop, along with life in general. I’m also enrolled in an online class until the beginning of January studying the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. Oh, what joy that has brought to me!

The month of December I’ll also be on call for jury duty and I’m not sure how often I’ll be called in. So alas, this will likely mean I won’t be blogging too much. But I think of it often and how much I miss it – so it’s my intention for the New Year to be back here more.

But I wanted you to know I’ve not forgotten about this home online I love and that I am thinking of you, my faithful blog readers – and wanted to say thank you for being here – you are part of my gratitude list – and I just wanted you to know.

XO

Barb

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Those are two dachshunds looking out my front door. Eight-year-old Winnie is the cream color doxie on the left and on the right is thirteen-year-old Greta.

And no, they aren’t mine. I’m doxie sitting for them until November 13th.

I’m amazed at how easily they have made themselves right at home – as if they’ve always lived here. It’s also interesting that a few weeks ago I was visiting my mom. I told her that the pain I’d felt for quite some time after losing Gidget, and then not getting another dog for the time being (it’s been thirty months since Gidget passed) has faded. I’m also 99% sure when the time comes for another dog, it won’t be a dachshund. Though they will always be my heart dog and favorite breed.

The very next day is when I received a message from a woman I’ve known for a few years. We had connected one summer at our Farmer’s Market as I had my doxie Frankie then and she had Greta.

She was in a pinch. The people who had taken care of their dogs when they are out of town could no longer take care of Greta and Winnie. Would I be interested? It didn’t take me long to know I’d love to do this, but first I made sure John was on board, which he said he was.

So full steam ahead and here they are – their first full day at our home. Living it up as if they always lived here. They are such good doxies!

Greta has been a therapy dog for quite some time. Her dad is a ears, nose, and throat doctor and she goes into the office a few times a week. Winnie had an Intervertebral Disc episode a few years ago and I was able to help her mom through that. Winnie was fortunate and regained the use of her back legs and her bladder. She walks similar to how Gidget did with the cutest little giddy-up-gait.

Winnie also is more vocal and reminds me in many ways of how Gidget would get my attention with her funny little noises. Greta, of course, being thirteen and mature, just thinks all that talk is just plain silly. She is quite graceful and just goes with the flow.

There was quite a barking storm when John came home from work last night, but within five minutes, after he knelt by them and let them sniff him, they approved, and we all settled into the routine of getting ready for dinner.

As you can see by the photo above, Winnie had a plan in enticing John to play leaving her bunny toy strategically placed on his workboots. She is quite clever that little one.

After a walk around the lunch hour, they settled right in for an afternoon nap and already have the hang of the routine of going in and out of Joyful Pause Cottage with me.

And in typical dachshund fashion, when I move, they are right behind me not wanting to miss a thing.

They are bringing sweetness to my November.

XO

Barb