Love, Joy and … Play?

The holiday season is here, and as you traverse all of the to-do’s on your list, don’t forget to add a bit of playfulness to your season.

Yes, that’s right, play. We know it’s the season for love and joy, but did you know that play can help you decrease your stress and feel the joy of the season more?

So for today’s writing, spend a few minutes thinking about a type of play you would enjoy. No one watching, no inhibitions, just the unfettered play of a child.

Now set your timer for 5 minutes and write about what it would be like. What would you do? How would you feel?

Here we go … ready … set … write!

Fall Traditions

My daughter loves to do creative projects. Sewing, drawing, building … or even carving.

Creative projects have defined many of our annual traditions, and in October, that creativity is expressed in a jack-o-lantern.

This year’s jack-o-lantern ended up being a whole camping scene with car, trailer, and tiny pumpkin person. It’s definitely the most elaborate we’ve ever had.

Watching her carve and create was so amazing … especially since we don’t get to see her in action much since she’s all grown up.

What about you? What are your fall traditions? If you don’t have any, what would you like to start?

Set your timer for 5 minutes and get ready to write about it.

Ready … set … write!

It’s Pi(e) Day

3.14, the day of the endless number. Or … if you have a sweet tooth, the day to celebrate pie.

I don’t feel like I can write a lot about an endless number, except that it is creepy how often it comes up in the world of math and engineering. However, if we are talking about pie, there is quite a lot I could say.

Today, I think my favorite might be Raspberry cream. There is a restaurant here in our town that gets pies from a local pie lady who makes the most amazing Raspberry cream pie.

At Christmas my favorite is Pecan, closely followed by Apple.

What about you? Do you celebrate Pi day with pie? Did you even know Pi had a day? Do you like pie? What is your favorite?

Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Baking Season

Date-pecan scone with words November is Baking Season.

November in the Pacific Northwest brings with it short days, cool (or cold) weather and snow – at least in the mountains. These things make me want to curl up with a good book, a hot drink and favorite baked item (fresh from the oven if possible).

That means it’s baking season. The aroma fills the house and soaks into your senses creating a feeling of home and comfort.

This week’s baking included the Date-pecan Scones in the picture. They are fluffy, tasty and filled with whole-grain goodness that let’s you accept a scone and still feel like you aren’t too far off your health goals. 🙂

What about you? Do you like to bake? What brings you the feeling of home and comfort?

Take a minute to consider it, then set your timer and ready … set … write!

Fall Traditions

Applesauce in jars and applesauce cooking on the stove. What are your fall traditions? KariMolaWrites and you can too!

Fall is a time for change and preparation – the weather cools, the colors of nature turn from green to shades of yellow, orange and red and here in the Pacific Northwest it’s also a time for apples. One of our traditions since we have lived in apple country is to make applesauce every year. And since we live where the fruit grows, we are able to make applesauce from the sweetest varieties – most often Honeycrisp.

There is a little family run fruit stand just down the road from us, and every year we buy several boxes of their Honeycrisp 2nds to make applesauce. Apples that aren’t perfect – have some spots, are a strange shape, or anything else that would keep them from going to the grocery stores. They still taste great though, and mixed with a little lemon juice and cinnamon, then cooked down for a few hours, they make the best chunky applesauce in the world! Okay, maybe I’m a bit biased here, but that is what my tastebuds tell me. 🙂

But what about you? What are your fall traditions? Do you carve pumpkins? Go look at the fall colors? Something else entirely? I’d love to hear about them if you’d like to put them in the comments. But even if you don’t want to share, this is today’s writing prompt. So take a moment to think about your traditions, then…

Ready … set … write!

A Place You’d Like To Be

Where would you like to be right now? A tropical paradise, a ski slope, exactly where you are?

Right now I’m exactly where I want to be, but it happens to be on vacation in Cabo, so I really can’t wax philosophical on being happy where I am.

Take a few minutes to think about where you’d like to be spending your time right now. Then take out your pen and paper (or writing media of choice), and ready … set … write!

Cinco de Mayo

On May 5, 1862, an outnumbered and out gunned Mexican Army fought and won a battle against the French invading army.

Though not the end of the war, the Mexican forces fought valiantly to defend their homeland from foreign rule.

Today, many celebrate this day as a time to remember and enjoy Mexican culture and food.

What about you? Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? If so, what does it mean to you?

Set your timers and ready … set … write!

Nutrition Month

As we near the end of March (which is also Nutrition Month here in the US), I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what changes you would like to make in what or how much you eat.

For me, though I eat a pretty healthy diet, eating at healthier times and limiting sugar is a constant issue and one I am focusing on right now.

What about you? Are there changes you would like to make in your nutrition? Take a few minutes to write about them.

Set your timer for 5 minutes and ready … set … write!

World Water Day

I walk over to my sink and get a glass of water. I don’t even think about it or worry about whether it is safe – unless it smells or tastes too much like chlorine. Then I am likely to complain or grab the filter to get rid of the bad flavor … but I know it is safe. The likelihood of having contaminated water here in the states is very low and if it happens, a bulletin goes out from the local health department to let everyone know to boil before drinking.

Unfortunately, safe water is not available to everyone. The CDC estimates that 2 BILLION people are without access to safe water. That’s billion – with a B. World Water Day is to raise awareness about the importance of clean water and how access to it can improve the lives of those currently living without it.

So for today’s writing session, write about all of the ways water impacts your life. Do you have access to clean water? It’s definitely something to be thankful for. Then, if time allows, write about how access to fresh water could change the life of someone who currently lacks access.

Are you ready? Set your timer and ready … set … write!

For more information visit the CDC website here, or the WHO website here.

Happy writing!