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karen.sotbp

“The busy bee has no time for sorrow.” - unkno

“The busy bee has no time for sorrow.” - unknown

When the going gets tough, light a fire, switch on

When the going gets tough, light a fire, switch on the lava lamp, put on some Beethoven, and bring out the Shenandoah National Park North Entrance puzzle!

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone, I can see

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright, bright, bright
sunshiny day ☀️

My latest blog post: Life During Wartime: My broth

My latest blog post: Life During Wartime: My brother gets ready to tackle the grocery store and what to make for dinner during an existential crisis (link in my bio).

Day 7 of quarantine: Even in the best of circumsta

Day 7 of quarantine: Even in the best of circumstances I am at most a reluctant and indifferent gardener. But, inspired by my expert friends, @beckyecalvert, @j_miles_art, @jleerevelution, and @smallannabillman among others, today I planted my Victory Garden with kale, broccoli, and mustard greens my mom sends me from Johnny’s. The other day, Tom fashioned me a pallet planter and painted it sky blue, so I am starting on little plants for that too. And! I’m growing citrus trees from seeds! Look at these little dudes go! Yesterday, I hit the wall and let myself spin in despair. (I think it’s because I did not make my bed! Ahem @wfblock!) But today is a new day and I’m determined to keep life going in all its various forms. 💗 How are you surviving and maybe even thriving these days? No matter what, we owe it to ourselves and each other to keep going each day, even if it’s just a step or two...). Sending all of you love, good health, and a big dollop of hope! ☮️ ❤️ 🌱

Day 3 of national quarantine: We’re doing fine!

Day 3 of national quarantine: We’re doing fine! Sun is shining in spite of a forecast of rain. I just learned, via my SIL and another friend, that every night at 8:00pm, the Spanish open their windows and cheer and clap for the health workers. Our friends in Barcelona heard this last night as well. Not sure whom to credit for this video taken last night here in our town but it is a lovely testament to the strength, courage, hope, and sense of community en España. I’m heartened by this and all the actions I’ve seen worldwide, from singing in Italy to American friends buying food for those in need. Keep it up, y’all. 👏❤️

From our neighbors. The husband is from France and

From our neighbors. The husband is from France and owns a champagne vineyard there. Gotta love the French! 🇫🇷 Allez Les Blues.

Lovely day in a charming village inland having lun

Lovely day in a charming village inland having lunch with a friend. Drove through orange groves along the way, smelling the blossoms in full flower. On the way home, stopped to make a beer run for friends in town this evening. The supermercado parking lot was packed. At that point noticed about 5 texts from my SIL letting me know Spain has declared a state of emergency. Here’s a pic of the produce shelves. Missed my chance for veggies but at least I got beer! 🤪 Here goes nothing...be safe, y’all!

Smooth 😎 . . . #misobrino #mynephew #12yearol

Smooth 😎
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#misobrino
#mynephew
#12yearold
#smooth

Whelp, so much for my new dining room table! 🤪👍
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#priorities
#kayaking
#twopersonkayak
#herewego
#expatlife
#sotbp

So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1979.

So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1979.

Goat love ❤️

No matter where you are in the world, sometimes yo

No matter where you are in the world, sometimes you just gotta embrace your American-ness!

One year ago today I boarded a plane to Spain, a d

One year ago today I boarded a plane to Spain, a day earlier than expected due to an impending DC snowstorm. Two days later, Tom picked me up at the airport and drove me to our new home. The first thing I remember was the scent of our Winter Jasmine plant. We went up to the roof to watch the sunset. A year later I was wondering when our jasmine would come back into flower, and then, suddenly, yesterday it did! Then, this morning, after three days of unusually foggy, damp weather, the skies cleared and I could watch the sunrise from the roof. I’ve come full circle. It’s been a truly amazing year. ❤️

It took me awhile to write my latest blog...over f

It took me awhile to write my latest blog...over four months, to be exact. It's hard to distill down, in a relatively short space, the love and goodwill from Andrew and Jeff's wedding. It's even harder to force myself to come face-to-face with my own fears and how they keep me small. Coming up on my one year anniversary living in Spain, I'm reminded all over again, how lucky I am to have the friends I have, who support and empower me, all over this beautiful world. In spite of how sometimes, especially of late, we can think otherwise, the world really and truly is still beautiful. (Link in my bio.)

Morning hike up to Cap Prim. Showing this rare dam

Morning hike up to Cap Prim. Showing this rare damp, chilly, foggy day who’s boss! 👊

Lazy Sunday: my SIL always cooks the most amazing

Lazy Sunday: my SIL always cooks the most amazing Sunday late afternoon lunches. The boys are on half-term break next week so it’s an all day PJ fest! Afterwards, we played charades. Had to act out The Nervous System, Florida, Melting Pot, Curious George, Sugar Daddy, Snow Leopard, and Queen Elizabeth.

Hmmm...which vegan dessert to choose...?

Hmmm...which vegan dessert to choose...?

We got a lotta baby goat cuteness around these par

We got a lotta baby goat cuteness around these parts...

Tom’s homemade marmalade made with the super tar

Tom’s homemade marmalade made with the super tart mandarinas from my SIL’s tree that hybridized with new nearby lemon tree. He added grated ginger and star anise.

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