And that does not have anything to do with making a soufflé. It translates to “this morning I saw my breath”. It was the first day since I’ve been here where there was no question I needed a jacket. It felt like November. Prior to today it has been in the 50s and 60s. Today when I stepped outside it was in the low 40s. I am not complaining. I know Maine has hit freezing many times already. It just made me a little less patient when Sophie insisted to sniff virtually every blade of grass in a ten foot length. Once I got moving on our walk, I cheered up and I decided I would make a fire in the kitchen today so I could work in there.

My kitchen is the most cheerful room in my house. I have my table, hutch, the hearth, and then the dedicated kitchen space with open shelves. It was the first room I saw when I looked at this house and it won my heart right away. I have hung pretty plates on the wall, and use my mom’s old table as mine. The table has a bit of lean to it but I love it because I grew up with it. On the open shelves I have little bits of my past. I have a picture with my dad at Goose Rocks Beach, a little gnome my brother Paul gave me, one of mom’s little butter pats and her ring holder. Just like her, I have her ring holder above sink for when I have to get messy in the kitchen. I also have my mom’s rocking chair that was part of the Victorian furniture she inherited from her grandparents. It is comfortable and makes me happy because I think of her when I’m in it.

Today I will sit here in front of the fire while Sophie naps. I will deliver my speech tele-therapy to students attending my old alma mater across the ocean. I will feed the fire and sip a cup of something hot. I am so fortunate to be in such a cozy, and beautiful place as this.