LOVE IS...

Hot Yoga. Anusara Inspired. Pilates Teacher Training. Heat Heat and More Heat. Lazy Days & Hot Summer Nights. Frozen Grapes & Watermelon. Dutch Dreams - Pomegrante Sherbet! Chocolate Yogen Fruz! A DQ Blizzard - Reese Peanut Butter Cup. Restorative Yoga. Indian Food on a lovely Patio. Time Reading in the Garden. Trip Planning with my Bonita. Class. Writing. Fringe shows. Pool time with Lakey and the Ladies. Refreshing Lemon Drops. Homemade French Toast topped with a sprinkle of icing sugar, maple syrup and fresh blueberries! Spending as much time as I can enjoying and soaking in the warmth of the sun, blooming flowers and green green trees! A season of anniversaries, birthdays, hellos, farewells and my dear dear sister's Wedding! My new brother Robo. Bliss. Love. Kindness. Wine and Cheese. Grandma in the city. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins. An entire new family to welcome and meet and drink and eat and chat with. Speeches. The sound of Laughter. Warm Hugs from people I know and who know me without having to ask me a single question. Dancing. Bubble Machine. Friends. Girly Time. Cuddles. Cake lots of Cake. Lemon Crumble, Chocolate, Carrot, Caramel Cheesecake AND Creme Brule. Lessons. Changes. More food. And more to drink. Alcohol, Giggles, Tears and more Giggles. Packing. August and September bring yet more changes. Sarah and Robo. Love. Pilates Teacher Training Course - Completed! Travel Plans in the works and approaching oh so quickly. Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Yoga Training Program in Bali. 3months and then home for Christmas. Confusion and an adventure.

Food Diary: I have eaten a lot of delicious food over this last month. And Lots of Gelato and Ice Cream with all of this heat! Here are only a few highlights. 1) There is nothing more divine than a campfire veggie dog and smore sitting out in nature with your sister. It is a tradition that tastes like home. 2) Spa day at the Scandinave Spa and eating in Blue Mountains. Beavertails were had - Lemon and Cinnamon :) Greek Food. I said a hell yes to the Fig Feta Appetizer. And driving in the car with a chai tea latte is simple but oh so sweet 3) Wedding Prep and Family Week - Halibut. Almond Crusted Trout. Crispy Polenta. Beet Salads. Pizza in Little Italy. Variety of Cheeses from the St. Lawrence Market. Wine. Desserts. Dinner Hot Spots in TO: The Standard. Fresh. Live. Universal Grill. Faema. El Palenque Casa Del Mariachi. Messis.

Joy Blast:

" Spinning with my love"

Quotation: Second Reading from my Sister's Wedding. A classic, but as I am learning, it seems we need to be constantly reminded what love is.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;

Love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;

It does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

Does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails...But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13

Reflection:

This weekend was not only a time of celebration, but it was also a time of learning. The summer is a busy time for holidays, traveling and inevitably weddings. Today, we think so much about the dress, the hair, the invites, the food prep, the music, the money, there are so many details that I think we forget the purpose of a wedding and what this old tradition is. It is a right of passage and one tradition that we still have left in our society today. It is a reminder to all of us that love exists. I realize this may sound extremely cliche, but it's true and we need to be reminded. We need to dress up and have a day that is meant to feel out of the ordinary to commemorate and remind us that this is special. This is important.

Perhaps it was because she is my dear and only sister, but as I took part in her day this weekend, and my first time being a Maid of Honor, I felt proud. I felt proud to be her sister. I felt proud of our family that came together to support her and Rob and I felt proud that the presence of their love and the love of our families were so strong it was overwhelming to me. Because I do not live in the same city as most of my family, I was amazed with the energy and joy that each of them, individually, and as a group fill me with. As a younger sister, still looking up to my big sister and as a young woman who is trying to find that somebody, I was inspired this weekend. As an entire two week period ensued, I was happy in an old and familiar way. I didn't want it to end and I didn't want everyone to go back home. This was one of the moments where you turn back and say "Remember When...". And for that, I am the richest girl in the world.

People are important. Be good to one another. Enjoy the people in your life. Love fearlessly.

Reminders from Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

As I watched the movie, after reading the book last year, a few key points hit me again!

1. " Ruins" are necessary for transformation.

2. Believe in love again.

3. "Il bel far niente" The beauty of doing nothing.

4. Vacuum your thoughts. If you get rid of all the negative thoughts, there is so much space and room for new thoughts. Positive thoughts."

5. Experience and feel what you do to the fullest, and then move on.

6. We have to pick our thoughts like we pick our clothes in the morning.

7. We must remember it is ok to fall out of balance in love, as this will bring balance to your life.

8." God dwells in you, as you. AS YOU."

Challenge of the Week: Love. Love Yourself. Love the People in your life. Love the home you live in. Love the food you eat. Love the people you pass and whom you do not know. Love the weather and the gusts of wind. Love the exact place and moment you are in, as it will pass. LOVE. Dedicate a minute. A day. This week to Love.