Monday morning kitchen counter

November 17, 2009

Early morning as I start the laundry and make my coffee I watch the sun rise over my neighbors' roofs and tree tops through my kitchen window. Much later I can watch it set from the other half of the house, through our learning room window, near my desk. But I'm rarely at my desk as the sun sets these days, I'm cooking supper; in the dark. Not really the dark, obviously the lights are on but outside is just so dark.

But not the mornings. Maybe that's why I'm so happy mid morning. It's the time of day I hit my stride. The day feels young, the first chores are done, school or projects are swinging, the laundry is hung and the sun is still peeking through my kitchen window. By lunchtime its bright face is behind our neighbor's house and the kitchen, though still well lit, lacks the warmth of the sun's rays.

I took the above photo this morning because I love my kitchen counter's ordinary-ness and everyday beauty.

The orange slice, its own little sun in my window; a loner that I saved from being packed away with the rest of the dried oranges that will make their appearance next month strung on the Christmas tree. The fused glass tile my daughter made for me last November, that just as I predicted, seriously brightened last winter and will do so again in the coming months. The stained glass fish my mom gave me years ago, just because. My echinacea & siberian ginger tincture infusing on the sunny windowsill, preparing to keep our family healthy this winter. The bouquet of chrysanthemums from my garden that look as good today as they did when I picked them 2 weeks ago. And the squash from last week's farm pick up which was an amazing haul of roots, greens & late fall apples.

Each of these items brings a memory, a blessing, a reminder of something sweet. Of loving and being loved. Of providing for my family and taking care of their health.

Simple pleasures, on my kitchen counter. What are some of yours?

I am contributing this to Moms' 30 Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom. Yay, a post written in under 30 minutes!