Cindie Wilding Celebrate Everyday

Foodie Penpals

Because  1) I read a lot on the internet, including lots of interesting blogs by lots of intreresting people, and 2) I love different (some say weird) yummy food, I joined a Foodie Penpal group last month.  At the time I joined, I didn't realize that most if not all of the other penpals in this group were food bloggers, people whose blogs are full of recipes and information about food.  My blog is about Celebration - ceremonies, weddings, memorials and birthdays.  But then I thought - but food is a big part of celebrations and it's certainly a big part of my life!  So, I took the culinary plunge.  

Upon joining, I was hooked up with a Someone to send a package of yummies to (Frieda at Purple Oven Mitt), as well as another Someone who sent me a package of yummies (Abby at Abz 'n' Oats).  Frieda lives in Washington and Abby in Nebraska.  Already I had made two friends in different parts of the U.S.!

The day my package arrived in the mail it was a Celebration.  I had fun going through the box (and sampling of course) all the items in my package from far away Nebraska.  The picture above shows most of the contents of my package, sans one bag of seaweed snacks which I devoured almost immediately, so excited that Abby had sent me TWO packages of this, one of my most favorite snacks!  Abby managed to select some of my top food cravings - dark chocolate (oh my so good), the aforementioned seaweed snacks which I admit are a speciality item that not everyone loves as much as I, and because I told her I love all things coconut, a can of coconut milk.  I'm still trying to decide what to do with that.  Perhaps it will go into the making of a coco/chocolate concoction of some kind, along with the coconut flour my darling son gave me for Christmas.  

Part of the fun of doing this penpal exchange is pondering new and different foods and how to use them, as well as being introduced to two lovely food bloggers and their blogs.  By the way if you have thoughts or ideas on how to use my growing supply of coconut products, do share.  Now I'm off to celebrate with a piece of dark chocolate. 

If you are interested in joining (you can sign up for just one month, or keep re-upping every month), the hostess and creator of this delicious idea is Lindsey, who can be found at http://www.theleangreenbean.com/.  

Out With The Old, In With The New

Image courtesy of Snowflakes & Snow Crystals

I love this time of year, the quiet, peaceful time between Christmas and New Years when the world seems more pensive, reflective, slowed down.  The hurried pace is gone and Christmas is a fond memory of family and friends, presents given and received, good food, good company.  This time of year feels quiet to me, like the quiet of snowfall.  I don't live in snow now, but did as a child.  I remember those fresh snow days and how quiet everything felt.  It's such a perfect time of year to allow that quiet to guide me in taking time for me, taking time to look back at one year and look forward to the next.

This weekend I'm carving out time, journal and kitty in my lap, hot beverage at my side; reflecting on the highlights from 2011 and my goals and aspirations for 2012.  

Here are a few of them:

2011 Highlights:

• met so many fun and sweet couples this year and had so much fun getting to know them, creating their unique wedding ceremonies and sharing their special wedding day with them
  
• amazing art and yoga solo retreat in Puerta Vallarta - explored my inner artist
• sweetie embraced vegetarian lifestyle (up side to heart attack/bypass surgery); I now call myself an aspiring vegan
• enjoyed the pleasure of performing my first memorial service, a complete honor. Very much looking forward to expanding this part of my business
• loved working with teens in a rite of passage program as they embraced a special time in their lives
• began my 'pre-marital coaching' program which I'm finding a real treat and an opportunity to get to know my couples even better
• several long weekend trips to Santa Barbara (with my kids), Clear Lake (winery tours with girlfriend) and Tahoe (performed 10 yr recommitment ceremony & led a workshop on Love Languages)

2012 Intentions and Aspirations

• trip to NYC for fun and frolic with dear coaching buddy friend I've not yet met
• appearance on Bliss Radio in June, being interviewed about Relationships
• more fabulous wedding ceremonies...continue to get to know my couples and tell their wonderful love story in a way that makes them say "YES!"
• continue to find ways to Give Back and Make a Difference:  Adopt a Turkey again at Thanksgiving, give to animal shelters and sanctuaries, begin working with hospice to lend support to the dying and their families
• continue to grow myself personally, spiritually, physically which means scheduled time for creativity, quiet reflection and my outdoor/run time and yoga time
• lead inspiring women's retreat April 7 ("Oh my gosh I'm over 50, what's happened to me?")
• attend Wanderlust and improve my 'bendi-ness'!
• despite how much my planning mind wants to plan, Enjoy The Present Moment

Thank you for being a part of my life in 2011.  I look forward to connecting with you in 2012.  Celebrate the tiny moments of your life.  Release what you no longer need and embrace the possibilities that await you in 2012.  Create your own New Years ritual with personal meaning.  Light a candle.  Say a prayer.  Offer gratitude.  

Happy, happy New Year!