There are seasons when life forces us to step back from telling the story and simply live it. For a long time, I did just that.

My creative life moved elsewhere, into different containers, and for a long while this space went quiet. It wasn’t that I had nothing to say here, but more that I was so busy surviving and learning how to live the words first before I could share them. My days and years were filled with the kind of work that doesn’t translate neatly into posts or updates: mothering through darkness, tending to a home that was always in motion, learning how to navigate through the kinds of change that one hopes they would never see again.

The quiet here was necessary. It was formative. And in many ways, it gave me back the life I was trying to write about in the first place.

What I’ve learned during these last six years is that a meaningful life is built slowly, through attention. Through returning to what is already here. Through letting seasons — both literal and internal — unfold as they will.

Through all of this, somewhere along the way, walking became a kind of anchor for me, again.

Not walking for fitness or productivity or output. Just walking as a way to mark time. To notice light. To let thoughts loosen and fall. To come back into my body after years of living mostly in my head. It became one of the few places where nothing was required of me except presence.

That practice, small as it is, changed the shape of my days. It softened my relationship to motherhood. It shifted how I thought about home, work, and growth. It reminded me that sometimes forward movement simply looks like returning.

This space, Live, Love, Simple, has always been about that kind of return for me. Simplicity as a way of relating to life. A willingness to slow down enough to feel what’s actually happening. A commitment to living with intention rather than excess. A belief that meaning is cultivated through the smallest daily practices.

As I come back to writing here, I’m not interested in catching up or filling the gaps. I’m here to document what it looks like to live slowly and deliberately inside a full, imperfect, human life — especially in the midst of motherhood and constant change.

I’ll be writing again, gently. About seasons. About walking. About home and care and rhythm. About the quiet practices that help a life feel rooted instead of rushed.

If you’re here, whether you’ve been reading for years or you’ve just found your way in, you’re welcome in this place. There’s no expectation, no judgement, just an open invitation to read, reflect, and to return when it feels right.

This is me, coming back slowly.

The seasons don’t always make a grand entrance. Sometimes, they slip in quietly — in the way the morning light shifts, in the breeze that brushes the porch, in the sudden craving for something warm or cool. As a mother, I’ve come to notice these gentle changes more keenly. Life moves fast, but the seasons ask us to slow down — and one of my favorite ways to do that is with flowers.

I’ve made it a ritual to welcome each new season with romantic flowers, often delivered straight to my doorstep. No errands, no juggling, just a simple box of beauty waiting to be unwrapped and placed on the kitchen table, beside the sink, or on a nightstand. With flower delivery, I don’t need to carve out time to go searching — they just show up, like a little seasonal love note to myself.

Spring: Fresh Starts
After the long gray stretch of winter, spring feels like a breath held too long finally released. My kitchen fills with tulips and daffodils — cheerful and imperfect — tucked into mason jars or mismatched vases. I love placing them by the front door or in the windowsill, where they catch the light. Their brightness wakes me up. They whisper: It’s okay to start again. Everything is blooming — and you can, too.

Summer: Overflow and Joy
Summer is unruly — in the best way. The garden spills over, the kids are barefoot, and everything feels just a little wild. I stop fussing with arrangements and instead scatter flowers in jelly jars and glasses throughout the house — sunflowers, zinnias, daisies, whatever’s growing. Sometimes the kids hand me fistfuls of crushed blossoms from the yard, and those become the most treasured bouquet of all. Summer flowers are loud and generous. They don’t follow rules — they follow the sun.

Autumn: Letting Go with Grace
When the air shifts and the leaves begin to fall, I start to reach for deeper tones — burnt orange, plum, rust. I tuck dried grasses into old bottles, save stems before they wilt, and collect leaves and seed pods on our walks. Autumn arrangements feel slower, more intentional. They remind me that letting go can be beautiful, and that even as things fall away, something sacred lingers in the quiet.

Winter: Stillness and Scent
Winter is spare. The world hushes. But even in the stillness, I keep a few things alive — a tall branch, a bundle of dried lavender, a sprig of rosemary by the stove. These small touches anchor me. They don’t shout for attention, but they say, I’m still here. In this season, floral rituals become less about color and more about presence. A reminder to sit still, sip something warm, and trust that the light will return.

A Simple Way to Stay Rooted
I never set out to mark the seasons with flowers. But somewhere along the way, it became a quiet rhythm in my home — a way to pause, to notice, to honor the passing of time. I don’t need elaborate bouquets or perfect arrangements. One bloom on the windowsill, one jar on the table — it’s enough to shift the tone of a day. Through these small rituals, I stay grounded. In the moment. In the season. In myself.

I cannot believe that our sweet Samwell is 8-years-old.. actually I can. It feels like a lifetime ago that we brought our sweet boy home from the rescue. So much has transpired and changed in our lives over the years. And he is such a sweet and irreplaceable member of our family. Still, he is getting up there, especially in dog years, and I’ve started to think about what that means more and more lately.

Below are some of the things I’ve been thinking about, and I hope it may be helpful for others with pups who are getting up there in age.

As dogs age, it’s very common for them to develop pain and mobility issues. Recognizing when your senior dog is in pain is extremely important so you can take proactive steps to keep them as comfortable as possible. Here are some important signs to watch for that may indicate your older dog is experiencing pain or discomfort, as well as several ways you can help provide an aching, arthritic dog with relief.

Recognizing the Signs That Your Senior Dog May Be in Pain
Subtle changes in your dog’s behavior or activity levels can often signal that they are experiencing pain or discomfort in their body. Be on the lookout for these signs that your senior dog may be hurting:
• Greatly decreased activity levels – Moving around less, seeming slower and more hesitant to be active, sleeping for longer periods of time.
• Difficulty or reluctance going up or down stairs. Struggling to jump up on furniture or the bed when they used to do so easily.
• Stiffness and limping, especially after getting up from a lying position. Favoring a certain limb when walking.
• Having trouble finding a comfortable position. Constantly shifting positions while lying down. Pacing anxiously.
• Whining, grunting, groaning or other vocalizations when getting up, laying down, or moving around.
• Irritability, aggressive behavior, snapping, or other sudden changes in temperament.
• Loss of appetite or eating significantly less food over a period of days.

If your senior dog exhibits any combination of these signs, don’t assume it’s just normal aging. Pain often starts mildly but tends to worsen over time if left untreated. Schedule a veterinary exam to pinpoint the cause of their discomfort so appropriate treatment can begin.

Helping an Older Dog Suffering from Arthritis or Joint Pain
If your vet diagnoses your senior dog with arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia, or another specific painful condition, there are several ways you can help them stay as comfortable, mobile, and happy as possible:

Pain Medications
Your vet may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Rimadyl, carprofen or meloxicam, which can effectively treat inflammation and pain. They may also recommend joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin, which help rebuild cartilage and lubricate joints.

Alternative Pain Therapies
Some drug-free options to discuss with your vet include: acupuncture, massage therapy, cold laser treatments, or structured exercise programs – all of which could provide significant arthritis pain relief for your dog. CBD products are also sometimes used but be sure to consult your vet first.

Gentle, Regular Exercise
Going on short, slow walks and swims with your dog can help keep their joints limber and muscles strong, without overexerting them. You can also do gentle stretches and range of motion exercises to maintain flexibility. However, be careful not to overdo it.

Weight Management
Ensuring your senior dog maintains a healthy weight takes pressure off joints and reduces inflammation. Discuss an optimal calorie intake and diet with your vet.

Joint Supportive Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids support joint lubrication and mobility. Antioxidant-rich fresh foods help reduce oxidative damage and inflammation. Your vet may recommend prescription dog food formulated for joint health.

Comfort and Environment
Provide thick orthopedic bedding to cushion joints. Use rugs on slippery floors to improve traction and avoid falls. Help your dog use ramps or stairs and get in and out of vehicles. Consider a harness, sling or mobility aid if needed. Apply warm, moist heat packs to soothe stiff, achy spots for 15 minutes at a time. Gently massage areas of muscle tightness and stiffness to increase circulation.

Know When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
One of the hardest parts of pet ownership is knowing when to let go. If your dog is suffering and no longer enjoying life despite pain management efforts, their quality of life is poor, or there is little hope for recovery, it may be time to say goodbye. Consult your vet about end-of-life care for your family pet and follow your heart.

By closely monitoring your senior dog, consulting your vet, and making some simple lifestyle adjustments, you can help manage your dog’s pain and hopefully improve their quality of life. With proper pain treatment, your dog can continue to enjoy their golden years and your companionship.

It has been a while, old friend. I have been writing, though not here. But I have missed this space, a longing in my heart to return, to come home.



Where have I been? Walking many, many miles—grounding deeply into the earth, feeling its energy, coming alive again. I have been connecting with the moon. Simultaneously learning her rhythms and learning my own. Moving into a deep, sacred understanding of how we both work, how we influence one another, how there is a way to take all of that energy and integrate it, alchemize it.



I have been healing. I have been нєαℓιиg. The suffering that I carried for four decades—the pain, the horror, the trauma. I have been honoring and releasing them. I have stopped poisoning myself. I have started to take care of myself. I have learned to accept the truth, that I must hold myself, that no one else was ever going to do that for me. And also that, it was important I learned how to do that because I would need to. I will always need to. And oh, my arms are so strong and my hands are so soft and my legs are so sturdy. What a gift. I have been standing taller and straighter. I have stopped shrinking, you know. I have learned to take up space and to find comfort, even here. 

Oh, I have learned to set boundaries and to enforce them. Oh, the stories I could tell you, friend.

I have been snuggling with my babies. Holding them like my life depends on it… and knowing, all the while, what it means to let go. I have been watching them learn and grow and stretch, and doing my damnedest to teach them the right ways, to teach them the truth as I know it. 

Sacred and holy these days have been. Aching and stretching and learning and giving. I am here. I am whole. I am light. 

The storms around me are raging, but inside of my rib cage is the moon. Soft and glowing and knowing. I am the moon. We are light.

And yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment.

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment.

And yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.

Fluffy Pancakes With Syrup

A sweet, fluffy and healthy breakfast.

• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup butter (softened)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

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2. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

3. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

5. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Store your cookies in an air-tight container.

Dessert

American

Destination

Rhode Island

Duration

8 days

Favorite Spot

Fav RI Spot

Will I come back?

Absolutely!

And yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment.

And yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.