Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcakes

Recipe via GDL and Food Network

Opening to Grace

I've been having a rough day...a rough two weeks to be exact. I knew my first year teaching wouldn't be a cake walk, but it's so entirely different and more challenging than student teaching. It's been seven weeks. Some days are wonderful (filled with laughter and enlightenment), while other days are not so wonderful (wanting to pull my hair out stressful and disappointing). I remember one of my credential teachers describing the profession as a roller coaster...the highest highs and the lowest lows. I totally get it now.

Anyways, I somehow managed to drag my tired behind to yoga class and am so grateful I did! Our theme tonight was opening to grace (Anusara's first principal of alignment). It was a perfect theme to reflect on my rough two weeks. I walked out of class with a renewed sense of what it means to maintain my intention while giving in (opening) to grace. My incredible teacher (and friend), EN, described the idea of opening to grace as analogous to swimming in a rip tide. If you direct all of your efforts into swimming against the current and towards the shore, your mind/body will become exhausted. If you totally give in to the current you will be swept out to sea. Once you accept the current, swim in a direction that does not  altogether contest or surrender to the rip, you may be free. In putting forth effort (swimming) while accepting the support of grace (the rip) you may recognize infinite possibilities. 

This balance of effort and accepting grace isn't merely a tantric yoga philosophy. It's a daily practice of doing the best we can...all the while understanding that we have the support of this great universe (grace) to guide us. Here's hoping I can remember all of this during sixth period tomorrow!

image via mary ruffle

Ottobre

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

A Stormy Afternoon

Wouldn't this be the perfect way to spend a stormy afternoon?

image via kissssing

Heidi Braids

Saw this how-to post on this blog a few weeks back.  I decided last night (Oktoberfest) would be the perfect opportunity to attempt to pull it off. I'm a bit hair challenged, but this look was so easy! It may be my new fall go to!

Moondance

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance 
With the stars up above in your eyes 
A fantabulous night to make romance 
'Neath the cover of October skies 
And all the leaves on the trees are falling 
To the sound of the breezes that blow 
And I'm trying to please to the calling 
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low 
You know the night's magic 
Seems to whisper and hush 
And all the soft moonlight 
Seems to shine in your blush... 


Van Morrison
image via ffffound

Oktoberfest!

Tonight a few friends and I are making our way to Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach. I'm looking forward to it, but also looking back five years. There is no way tonight is going to live up to September 2005 in Munich...hopefully no one ends up passed out in the bathroom with blue paint all over their shirt (you know who you are).

Republic Bikes

I have a bike...an old Schwinn sitting in my garage....BUT how cool is this company, Republic! Here are the two I designed!

Holiday Baking?

I raced home yesterday afternoon to bake nutella cookies for game night! I know it's a little early to be writing this...but...I'm officially looking forward to holiday baking! I blame the Christmas decorations at Costco and an iPod that decided to play Andy Williams'  "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" on shuffle.

In Defiance

"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory."


Howard Zinn
Thank you, mw!

Johnny & June

Go away from my window

Leave at your own chosen speed

I'm not the one you want, babe

I'm not the one you need

You say you're lookin' for someone

Who's never weak but always strong

To protect you and defend you

Whether you are right or wrong

Someone to open each and every door

But it ain't me babe

No, no, no, it ain't me babe

It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Go lightly from the ledge, babe

Go lightly on the ground

I'm not the one you want, babe

I'll only let you down

You say you're lookin' for someone

Who'll promise never to part

Someone to close his eyes to you

Someone to close his heart

Someone to die for you and more

But it ain't me babe

No, no, no, it ain't me babe

It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

You say you're lookin' for someone

To pick you up each time you fall

To gather flowers constantly

And to come each time you call

And will love you for your life

And nothin' more

But it ain't me babe

No, no, no, it ain't me babe

It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

Bob Dylan Cover

Weekend Game Plan

It's been a long week, and all I want to do this weekend is yoga, paint, photograph, cook...repeat.