enough is enough

Protesters shut down a major highway in SW Washington, DC late Saturday as #justiceforGeorgeFloyd demonstrations took place around the country.

As afternoon turned to evening, peaceful protests took a turn reminiscent of the ’68 riots as looting, fire setting and property destruction erupted in cities from coast to coast. While the demand for justice is valid, frustrations and anger real, violence is not the answer even when a violent act is what sparked this unrest. 

Enough is enough, which is why we’re seeing this uprising that is far from over; let’s pray that things can go back to being peaceful in honor of George Floyd. 

Stay safe and…

keep your peepers open!

#sunday #sacredsunday #blogpost #blogging #blogger #wearewomenwriting #photographer #photo #photograph #photography#outdoorphotography#prayer #GeorgeFloyd #icantbreathe #blacklivesmatter #enoughisenough

adjustments

My morning walk has helped keep routine in my life and kept my body moving as we readjusted to adjust to a different way of living. This past Thursday, I felt a bit sluggish after just 20 minutes. I pushed on. Twice along the way, I felt like I was going to break down sobbing as I thought about the many changes forced upon us by the virus. Emotionally tired of the restrictions, hearing uncertain news daily, the politics that continues to play with people’s lives, being alone, my body  was having a physical reaction. My knees and right shoulder ached; I wanted to get home as fast as possible. Hopping the bus, hailing a cab or calling a service are no longer options when public break downs are in progress, so I kept walking. I told myself I’d cut it short and take the fastest route home, yet somehow I kept going. 

There's a lovely garden path that I frequent and as I approached, I asked the angels to help me. When I emerged from that magical stretch, my body was invigorated. I ended up walking almost 12,000 steps and just under 5 miles that morning, grateful for the spirits who answered my prayer, giving my body the boost and adjustment it needed so I could get back home.

As we continue to adapt, stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

#sunday #sacredsunday #blogpost #blogging #blogger #wearewomenwriting #IWWG #photographer #photo #photograph #photography#outdoorphotography #inthegarden #aparttogether #socialdistancing #togetherathome #houseandgardenmagazine #girltrek #adjustments #angels #prayer

dropping blossoms

happiness held is the seed; 

happiness shared is the flower 

 - unknown

Follow @ablossomaday2020 on Instagram where I’ll continue to drop gorgeous blossom photographs along with some petals of thought daily as we manage our lives during and beyond the pandemic.

Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

#sunday #sacredsunday #blogpost #blogging #blogger #wearewomenwriting #IWWG #photographer #photo #photograph #photography#outdoorphotography #inthegarden #aparttogether #socialdistancing #togetherathome #houseandgardenmagazine #ablossomaday #ablossomaday2020

applauding mothers

Applause and gratitude for our mothers and mother figures who live nearby, faraway, or in our hearts & memories; lift them up today and everyday. 

Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

#sunday #sacredsunday #blogpost #blogging #blogger #wearewomenwriting #IWWG #photographer #photo #photograph #photography#outdoorphotography #inthegarden #aparttogether #socialdistancing #togetherathome #mothersday #houseandgardenmagazine 

in my corona feelings

why does it seem like it’s already 3:00pm just a few minutes after I first get up in the morning?

Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

#sunday #sacredsunday #blogpost #blogging #blogger #photographer #photo #photograph #photography#outdoorphotography #botanicgardendc #flattenthecurve #coronavirus #covid19 #pandemic #aparttogether #socialdistancing #togetherathome #sundaythoughts #time

A.P. -- after the pandemic

With the temporary closing of most service businesses, I am no longer able to get a pedicure. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. What I’m trying to say is polishing my own nails pales in comparison to the beauty of my toes once a professional has had my feet in her capable hands. I miss and have developed a new appreciation for that monthly treat.

As we remain in our homes, we’ve all had to do without one or more of our extra pleasures. For me, a morning walk is one I still give myself, savoring the blossoming flowers, the trees as their leaves continue to fill out into a green canopy above my head, and the warmer temperatures that brush across my face. I'm more thankful than ever for the short periods of time spent outdoors.

People have asked me what I will do first when we’re on the other side of the pandemic; I really don’t know. I do know that life will not go back, it will go forward with a start date that, at the moment, is difficult to pinpoint. While I believe I have time to gather my thoughts about an answer, one thing is certain, it won’t be "getting a pedicure".

Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

#sunday #sacredsunday #blogpost #blogging #blogger #photographer #photo #photograph #photography#outdoorphotography #ablossomaday #flattenthecurve #coronavirus #covid19 #pandemic #inspiration #positivity #aparttogether #socialdistancing #togetherathome #wellness #mindful #florals #flowers #wearewomenwriting #IWWG

#togethercookingathome

I made this oatmeal for breakfast yesterday using a baked banana and it was soooooooo scrumptious, I had to share!!! These are easy dairy free with honey used sparingly as a sweetener recipes from my kitchen that you can alter to your taste. Full disclosure, I tried baking bananas with cinnamon and nutmeg that tasted good before I read a recipe.  I then decided to read one to get the proper oven temperature and glanced at the ingredients; mine has that soulful touch with a nod to my southern roots.  

If you have children and they like bananas and/or oatmeal, they will love…sans the bourbon or rum of course. Experiment with your own ingredients and please come back and comment so we can all get a chance to try something new! 

Have fun and enjoy. Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

#sunday #sacredsunday #blogpost #blogging #blogger #flattenthecurve #coronavirus #covid19 #pandemic #inspiration #positivity #aparttogether #socialdistancing #togetherathome #hometogether #stayhome #cooking #inthekitchen #togethercookingathome #togetherathomeinthekitchen #bananas #oatmeal 

BAKED BANANAS

Oven 400 degrees, 10 - 15 minutes

bananas

OPTIONAL - bourbon or rum

ground cinnamon

ground nutmeg

honey

OPTIONAL - chopped pecans

        OPTIONAL - sea salt (for the nuts(

PAM butter spray (if you have)

Aluminum foil, baking sheet

Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with PAM or rub lightly with butter

Peel and slice bananas lengthwise; place sliced side up on the aluminum foil

Pour a little bourbon or rum over the bananas, drizzle with a little honey

Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over bananas

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes; don’t overcook, you want some of the banana liquor to remain 

While bananas are baking…Spread chopped pecans close together on aluminum foil & drizzle pecans with honey and a couple of light sprinkles of sea salt

    10 MINUTES INTO BAKING OF BANANAS…put them into the oven

Remove bananas and pecans from oven making sure to keep the gooey banana liquor that has bubbled up beneath the bananas (don’t overcook or it will fully caramelize and burn)  

Serve warm banana with honey pecans on top

DELICIOUS OATMEAL

Prepare baked bananas and roasted nuts from above. Once they are cooked and cooling a little…

Make your favorite oatmeal adding to the water ground cinnamon & nutmeg. If you like raisins, a minute or two before oatmeal is done, stir some in and finish cooking. Pour into your favorite bowl. DO NOT ADD SWEETENER…you won’t need it.

Scoop off some of the banana liquor and if you are using nuts, stir them into the oatmeal. Top with the bananas…don’t stir them in, just spoon some with every mouthful.

FROZEN DAIRY FREE BANANA ICE CREAM

(to enjoy right after you make it)

frozen bananas (ahead of time, peel, slice into rounds and freeze flat, not bunched up)

OPTIONAL - bourbon or rum; coconut milk if you don’t drink

ground cinnamon

ground nutmeg

honey

OPTIONAL - chopped pecans (or nut of your choice and if allergic, try oat granola though I haven’t put in the oven) preheat oven to 350, baking sheet lined w aluminum foil

Food processor (I use my mini processor because I’m making a small serving), rubber scraper, aluminum foil

Spread chopped pecans close together on aluminum foil & drizzle pecans with honey maybe a little sea salt; put in oven when you begin making ice cream…10 minutes 

Place frozen bananas in food processor. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg and splash in liquid of your choice if you want to use one of them

Pulse the banana until they are creamy…you may have to open the top and push them down with the rubber scraper

Use the scraper to remove the ice cream from the bowl putting into individual bowls or a container and place in the freezer

Remove pecans from oven and let them cool slightly before serving over ice cream

Note: the banana “ice cream” melts pretty quickly