There is a kind of hush...

Woke up to the kind of hush that I have come to recognise.
I was glad I hadn't stored the snow boots away.

It is spring but today snow has been breathtaking.
The trees are budding but today they peep from under their fluffy white blankets.
The birds are chirping but there is a quietness.
Strangely comforting to walk on the cotton candy snow today.

I must say the snow in spring is magical.

(Images by Arch)

Pause.

Autumnal Equinox was few days back.
Days of the Goddess.
The time of the year when,
I sit quietly in my kitchen enveloped in the comforting darkness just before dawn.
Rubbing the warm tea mug against my cold nose and getting the whiff of spices from the thin film of left over chai in my mug.
The season to pause.
Reflect.
Grateful for the accomplishments of the season gone by.
Time to find that balance.
To do the things that were pushed deep within the drawers.
Like the papery pressed autumn leaves from last fall that slide down the pages of a my journal.
Reminding me to slow down, cherish this beautiful season.

 

A nature mandala I made to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox.

Honouring the season by writing gratitude lists.
Taking longer walks than my usual routine.
Always coming back with a handful of nature's fall treasures.
Attempting to capture the season through my lens and writing.
Reading poetry at bedtime where eyes linger on certain words that follow you into your dreams.
Pulled out warm shawls with tiny mirrors to wrap myself while reading.
Cooking hearty soups with fall produce.
Watching the bright sunlight warm different comers of our home.
Prayers for others.
Lighting twinkling lamps at dusk for my Goddess.

What have you been doing to celebrate the season?

(Images by Arch and are copyrighted. Please do not use without permission)

Homegrown.

I have a thing for tomatoes.
Here is an ode.
Here is a set on flickr.

This spring we decided to have a small vegetable patch in our backyard.
Garlic Chives.
Basil.
Oregano.
Stevia.
Lemongrass.
and
Tomatoes!
2 varieties. 4 plants.
A bounty of bi-weekly tomatoes.
You get the picture?

Enjoy this song;-)
John Denver singing Home Grown Tomatoes!


(Images by Arch)

Up North...

Minnesota: The land of 10,000 lakes offers some stunning visuals.
Think cerulean blue skies, fluffy white clouds, sail boats gliding gently on shimmering waters.

One of the popular summer activities here in Minnesota is to drive to the North Shore along Lake Superior, stay at the cabins facing the beautiful lake and indulge in activities like biking, walking, hiking & water sports like canoeing and boating.

We decided to do this very quintessential Minnesotan activity:-)

Our plan was to drive along the shore via Duluth to Lutsen, a quaint little town where we had decided to drop our anchor for the night;-)
Here is a visual route of our drive…

 On the road…

via Duluth

 First glimpses of the Lake Superior near Duluth…

 On the way we stopped at the Split Rock Lighthouse.

 Stunning view from the lighthouse…

 Aquamarine water…

 Foghorn…

 The rocky cliffs challenge many adventure seeking rock climbers…

 View from inside the lighthouse…

 Bike shadow play;-)

We reached our destination at Lutsen, we had rented a VRBO  (Vacation Rental by Owner).
A very neat concept where all the comfort and luxuries of your home are available at your destination.

With a place fully equipped with all amenities, we made our evening chai and enjoyed the stunning surroundings of our VRBO townhouse which was decorated in typical
cabin style.

Everyone settled down with whatever activity they enjoyed;-)
For the bikers there is the fantastic Gitchi Gami State Trail that passes via Lutsen.

Hearts in nature…

 Cabin RULES;-!

 The lake at different time of the day…




The moonlight reflecting the surface of the water was divine…

So true.

The next day was rainy and damp but we did some activities around Lutsen which included a ride on the cable car.

Some eating at delightful restaurants offering local fare...

….and then driving up to Grand Marais which is situated at the head of a bay and harbour.

Eating World's Best Donuts at Grand Marais...

Enjoying the beauty…

Very grainy but loved the frame…almost like a painting!
So that was our road trip Up North!

( Images by Arch shot with iPhone)