2022 starts in less than 29 hours...and I wanted to get one last thought in for the year. As I pulled up to a stop sign, I noticed one of the homeless men at the side of the road. I grabbed my wallet, thinking "at least I can make someone's Christmas a bit happier." On the outside was written "Merry Xmas + Happy New Year" I tried again to hand him the bill. "No, ma'am. It's my turn to wish you joy ... and a Merry Christmas." With that he walked back to the spot where he originally stood.

Celebrations, HolidaysKimberley ThompsonDecember 31, 2021Kimberley Thompson, #ghostofChristmasPresent, #Del=Santa, #ChristmasJoy, #spiritofgenerosity, #ChristmasDayComment

Outdoor Vacation Adventures

Officially, I am on vacation as of this morning. Yup. A honest to God 7 days of not going to work, not racing out of the house at 8:30am praying there is no traffic, and 7 days of not caring if I wear the same thing 2 days in a row! Woot! Where am I headed? Good question.

Celebrations, SeasonalKimberley ThompsonJuly 3, 2021Kimberley Thompson, #summervacation, #reclaimyourwildhappyhealthyself, #MichaelEaster, #20-5-3rule, #howmuchtimeoutsideComment

Once a gardener....always a gardener?

As with all aspects of my life, I have experienced "stages" of gardening interest. But getting back to my neglected gardens of the last decade made me dig up some rusty gardening tips stuck in the cobwebby corners of my mind. In the fine tradition of all gardeners, I am driven to share! (Any one want some Monarda plants? Obedient plants?)

Lifestyle, Flowers, Flowers without BordersKimberley ThompsonMay 28, 2021Kimberley Thompson, #gardens=lifestories, #gardentips, #prepare, #bestgardeneingtipsComment

Gardens

Pictures of gardens are lovely...but nothing is like getting your hands dirty to stir the memories in your mind. I had to get through the grief (and still will need more time) in order to see the potential of my gardens going forward. What was it Soren Kierkegard said? "Life can only be understood backwards, but it MUST be lived forwards."

Celebrations, SeasonalKimberley ThompsonMay 10, 2021Kimberley Thompson, #gardens, #familygardenmemories, #gardenrenovations, #gardens=lifestoriesComment

"Good Friday"

Last year at this time, the world had shut down due to Covid 19. Everything was discombobulated, individually chaotic and globally uncertain. Messages from governments were looping and knotted, beseeching and inflammatory. One never felt more alone, yet oddly all in the same ark.

Celebrations, HolidaysKimberley ThompsonApril 2, 2021Kimberley Thompson, Good Friday, Easter, Crucifixion, redemption, sin, Christina Rossetti 1830-1894Comment

Kimberley's Hobbies

One of my favorite things to do involves (and I am certain I will not shock my close friends here) books. Yes. Real bound books with pages to turn with fingers, pages with book marks placed to know where to start again, and pages to live, learn and linger through the words.

Words. Single or multiple. Words that dance over the page like ee cummings poem [In Just-].

Lifestyle, Tips and TricksKimberley ThompsonJanuary 23, 2021Kimberley Thompson, Fav Hobby, national hobby month, ee cummings poem [In Just-], Words, Wilfred Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth, Bartlett's Familiar QuotationsComment

Kimberley's New Year Soul Searching & Masked Musings

Soul searching is my usual fare about this time of year; I rather feel it is a requirement in my adult life. "Each year, reflect, review, resolve, and rejoice at midnight Dec 31st." The mind's quiet voices start murmuring it at the start of the holiday season. Those voices grow in intensity and fervor as the ball drop grows closer.

Celebrations, HolidaysKimberley ThompsonDecember 31, 2020Kimberley Thompson, JB Hudson Jewelers, New Years 2021, New Year Soul Searching, Masked MusingsComment

December 4th is Santa's List Day

One great way to celebrate Santa’s List Day is for your whole family to sit together with a cup of cocoa or eggnog and make up their wish lists. Here are a few tips from our Spirited Table, since nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit more than creating all sorts of homemade decorations, flower arrangements, and of course a large helping of the yummy treats we eat at Christmas.

Celebrations, HolidaysCynthia SutterDecember 1, 2020Cindi Sutter, 12/4=Santa's List Day, 12/6=St. Nicholas Day, Kimberley Thompson, Reba Berge, Santa Wine Bottle Suit Flowers, Reindeer Bait, Rosy-Cheeked Santa Claus Cake for Kids, Cakes for Kids Cookbook by Juliette LalbaltryComment

Reuben Soup

As the days diminish and grow colder, I like hearty, creamy soups, layered casseroles, and meaty main courses. I think, weirdly, it has something to do with my latent hibernation tendencies! (Or I am just tired of trying to consume the last vestiges of the produce from my garden before it dies?)

Food & Drink, EntréesCynthia SutterSeptember 28, 2020Kimberley Thompson, Reuben Soup, Hearty Soups, Spicy Southern Kitchen, Spirited Table®, Oktoberfest Food Comment