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Showing posts from 2019

Books of 2019

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Here it is - an overview of my year of reading!  Books broaden our horizons, offer unique perspectives on life, help us to process the world and the events going on around us, while providing an escape from reality at times.  I love looking at the cover of a book and remembering where I was when I read it.  This year I read books on our Alaska trip, on road trips, at local coffee shops, and listened to audiobooks while hiking or walking the dog.  I read a few newbies from favorite authors (Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys , Elizabeth Gilbert's City of Girls, Barbara Kingsolver's Unsheltered , Stephen King's The Institute ), explored some new authors (Sally Rooney's Normal People , Carmen Maria Machado's Her Body and Other Parties , Candice Carty-Williams' Queenie ), read some award-winners ( Florida , The Indian World of George Washington ) and some lesser known titles ( The Intuitionist , The Ensemble , The Whale: A Love Story ).  I loved ever

Winter Solstice & Hot Cocoa Cookies

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Winter is officially here and we have made it through the shortest day of the year.  We begin a new cycle toward light as the days begin to get longer again.  I recently read that the winter solstice is a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the self, so that is my mantra in the upcoming weeks.  At the beginning of the week I attended a Hanukah celebration at work and have been thinking about how we light candles in our own life and in the lives of others.  It is so beautiful to me that Advent, Hanukah and Kwanza all have symbols of candles and light.  It makes me feel very unified and connected to others during this time.  I love the peaceful energy that the season of winter brings.  It's a time for contemplation and centering, and with just one month to go before we welcome our Baby Girl into the world I am certainly feeling mindful and reflective.  I wonder what she'll look like, and how the labor will go, and what name will be the best fit for her.  I'm hoping t

The Future is Female: Part III

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Raising kind, confident, well-adjusted children seems to be an increasingly difficult task in this world we live in.  There are pressures from every direction and contradictions telling us that children should be successful but not boastful, compassionate but also strong leaders, open-minded but also firm in their opinions and decisions, not afraid to express individuality yet well-adjusted to society, independent while also teamwork-oriented.  We want to empower our girls to be strong, confident leaders, while also taking careful consideration to not leave our boys behind, and discovering this balance seems to be key in feminist parenting.  We are living in a world that is trending toward becoming more collaborative and team-oriented in the workplace, yet also further divided and individualized than ever.   I think we are in a unique position in which the leadership qualities that women posses are increasingly valued.  My book club had an in-depth discussion recently about our

Gratitude

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Thanksgiving  has become my favorite holiday.  It's the perfect combination of things that bring joy - delicious food, wine and cocktails, quality time with friends, enjoying the final weeks of fall, and reflecting on reasons to be thankful - without the stress, expectations, and consumerism often associated with Christmas these days.  I  have so much for which to express gratitude - my beautiful family, dear friends near and far, career successes, my ongoing pursuit of life balance, and living in this beautiful city, and  this year we woke up to a lovely blanket of snow in Santa Fe! Snowy Thanksgiving morning in downtown Santa Fe My front yard this morning While I sit at my dining room table, bundled up in a big sweater with coffee and a book, while the hubby is skiing and the toddler is snoring, these are the things I am most thankful for in this moment: Health My friend's kiddo just spent a few scary days in the hospital.  Another dear friend is awaiting s