beauty
-noun, plural -ties.
1. the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).



Saturday, December 24, 2011

The Traditions that Bring Us Home

It is so great being at home with family this Christmas.  It has been quite a year of transition and the respite that only comes from being in a place of comfort and familiarity has felt wonderful.

Tonight we gathered with some extended family for a meal I grew up looking forward to every Christmas Eve--we would hardly eat all day in preparation to feast on the traditional Polish meal.  In the tradition of the Roman Catholic church (which my grandmother still belongs to) we eat no meat at this meal, just fish.  A staple for me are the plethora of pierogi, as well as the fuchsia borscht, a beet-based soup that you don't want to spill on your clothes.  Add a little Polish rye bread with butter and a few other dishes for variety and you have a Polish feast on your hands!

...And now we go to bed and do it all again tomorrow...this time in a traditional Canadian way, with turkey, potatoes and all the fixin's.  I anticipate a guitar jam session, lots of games, cookies, presents, stupid jokes and some ducking and covering to get away from the chaos at times.  Gotta love it!!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

What Does it Mean to Be Well?

Do you have 18 minutes?  You will not regret spending them here.