words to ponder~

http://www.magicalomaha.com/New%20Folder%20(16)/imbolc.jpg

"The Wheel of Time turns,

 and ages come and pass,

leaving memories that become legend.

Legends fade to myth,

 and even myth is long forgotten

when the Age that gave it birth comes again.

In one Age,

called the third age by some,

an Age yet to come, an age long pass,

 a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist.

The wind was not the beginning.

There are neither beginnings

or endings to

 the turning of the Wheel of Time.

 But it was a beginning.".

unknown

52 projects...week 2

http://52paintedhouseprojects.blogspot.com/

my mind has been stirring with all sorts of ideas

thoughts of things i have wanted to do

but just don't

this is why i am thrilled by all means

that Jane has created this project for us

definitely a way to remain inspired

and actually put forth the efforts to make something

this was the simplest project i think i have ever attempted to do!

this was an old picture frame i had and painted  a couple years ago

i pulled it out

cleaned the glass

and laid the vinyl lettering on

and rubbed away

within a matter of moments

this is what came to be!

this frame i found at a thrift store

already painted white

i just used some sand paper to add to it a little more

i have a thing for rustic

and again

cleaned the glass

laid down the vinyl letters

and another frame was made

~i think you should try too~

January Full Moon Wolf Moon Dream Board~

http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/full-moon-dreamboards-the-full-wolf-moon?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JamieRidlerStudios+%28Jamie+Ridler+Studios%29

Jamie says:

The Full Wolf Moon starts us off powerfully for 2010! This is the time when the wolves howl. They howl their yearnings. They howl their desires. They howl to connect with one another and to say “I am here!”
What are you seeking under this full moon, at the beginning of this new year, as you launch into this new decade? What is your heart yearning for? What is stirring in your heart and soul? What is ready to come into your life, here under the full moon? Howl your desire. We will hear you!

Let’s share our dreams!

my intentions set forth out into the beautiful world

and under the full moon

is to continue to be inspired

and dig out the creativity i DO have

someone ever so sweet encouraged me

 to bring out my glass nibs and calligraphy pens

so you see

I DID IT

many years they have been tucked away

along with that quiet time for me to let free

and all that i want to achieve

so today

and all the days to come

i have hopes to continue to be

a CREATIVE unique individual

LEMON~

Yart over yonder at http://urban-eco.blogspot.com/

teased our taste buds with her picture of Lemon Jelly...

my mouth was watering oh so badly

and in her post below she further says

a link for Marisa over yonder at http://www.foodinjars.com/

who tantalizes you even more by her Lemon Curd...uuuggghhh

can you tell this hit a spot with me!

so thank you both for such

 beauitul pictures information motivation inspiration

and recipes....

i had stock up shopping yesterday

and lookie lookie what i stumbled upon

what was discovered by me

as if waiting...calling my name

MEYER LEMONS

a huge container full

and ironically

my mother in law had just gifted me a whole new box

of canning jars!

so lemon curd will be brewing in the kitchen today

knitting and crocheting and a calender to be made

a visit with family

a few calls to loved ones far away

a dreamboard waiting patiently to be

paperswap gathering

the day is still young

what more can i say

pondering breakfast as loved one still lay

possibly blueberry Lemon waffles their way

hoping the clouds will lift and the rain drift away

a composting bucket waiting to be emptied

wanting to nourish the soil that awaits

and some prunning of plants and trees

i guess that should be enough for me

oh and always

SAVOR my moments with loved ones

this is what my hands will be doing today...

Six word Saturday~

http://www.showmyface.com/

i can not see the moon

by~ RadiomonkeyCaso

for the last few days the moon has been out in all her glory
and now the clouds are thick
the rain is pouring
and i can't even sneak a peak...
can you?

words to ponder~

http://www.designsbywillow.com/site/22-Celtic.html

“The essence of life is

finding something you really love

and

then making the daily experience

worthwhile.”

Denis Waitley

waxing on~

if you haven't figured it out yet,

 i do very much LOVE taking pictures

and have a hard time resisting the temptation

 when a moment arises

i can feel the pull

and will do anything to take advantage of the moment

we were coming home from a lesson last night

and i was going crazy that i could not stop to take pictures

my battery died

and the clouds were giving little peaks of her

i charged my battery for a quick moment

and ran outside so i could capture the essence

 of her and the sky above

i think one of the greatest things about the sky is

 it never shows you the same picture

it is a constant change that i try to savor when possible

words to ponder~

“Dream as if you'll live forever,

 live as if you'll die today.”

James Dean

http://mythinglink.ubiquitysoft.com/eraseme/gfxgallery/dec2008/700faerie.jpg

i think of this often,

especially when i hear of or see

such tragic loss

in our daily lives

time seems to go by so quickly

and most often we are walking around oblivious

 to what is really happening in our moment

frantically trying to achieve so much

that we soon lose focus

and forget to savor all that surrounds us now

embracing the love that is around us and within

seeking more

when it may be right in front of us...

our eyes are closed

 they need to reopen

and grasp the life we are living

refocus and reflect upon what is now

almost there~

last night i happened to walk by the backdoor and look what i could see

So damn easy to say that life's so hard

Everybody's got their share of battle scars

As for me, I'd like to thank my lucky stars that I'm alive and well...

It'd be easy to add up all the pain

And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames

Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain

But not me...I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me

Breathin' in and out's a blessing can't you see

Today's the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive

And well...I'm alive and well

The stars are dancin' on the water here tonight

It's gonna fall a soul when there's not a soul in sight

This boat has caught its wind and brought me back to life now

 I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me

Breathin' in and out's a blessing can't you see

Today's the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive

And well...I'm alive and well

Kenny Chesney & Dave Matthews  I'm Alive

this is one of my favorite songs

and

for some reason when i was downloading these pictures

 it popped into my head...

if you have never heard this

i do suggest you listen

truly a beautiful song

I'm Alive

little one asks~

why so foggy dis mornin mama?

Fog is a cloud which is in contact with the ground. Much like clouds in the sky, fog forms when the air becomes supersaturated, meaning that it can no longer hold moisture in the form of vapor. As a result, water precipitates out of the air, forming a fine mist of water droplets. If the air becomes saturated enough, the droplets will turn into drizzle or rain.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fog.htm

“Truth is the torch that gleams through the fog without dispelling it.”

Claude Adrien Helvetius

“Derive happiness in oneself

from a good day's work,

from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.”

Henri Matisse

 

“The best ammunition against lies is the truth,

there is no ammunition against gossip.

 It is like a fog and the clear wind blows it away

 and the sun burns it off.”

Ernest Hemingway

Most consequential choices involve shades of gray,

 and

some fog is often useful in getting things done.

Timothy Geithner

another happy day~

yesterday morning i was stumbling along reading daily posts when

Debra She Who Seeks http://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/

passed along this award to me

then in my inbox was an email from

Rue http://rueandhyssop.blogspot.com/

who ever so kindly bestowed this award to me too

both these ladies are quite lovely...

i truly enjoy what each of them shares with us

Seven Rules

1. Thank the person giving the award (or, in this case, the person and rabbit giving the award).

2. Copy the award to your blog.

3. Place a link to their blog.

4. Name seven things people don't know about you.

5. Nominate seven other bloggers who you admire.

6. Place a link to these bloggers.

7. Leave a comment on their blog notifying them of the award.

so without further ado...here are seven things you didn't know

 

1. my husband and i met when we were 12 years old...

our paths grew apart as we got older

but somehow as i say FATE brought us back together

 

2. i have tattoos~ to me they are symbolic

they represent and reflect many of my precious "life" moments

 

3. i also have body piercing~ some are now gone but a few remain

 

4. i have been writing a book for almost two years now...

i know thats a long time but its a difficult road to reflect upon.

i hope to finish and have it published one day!

 

5. i love fishing, crabbing, clamming, shrimping...spent childhood by the sea

 

6. i get overjoyed when we are driving along a country road in the summer

 and for only a brief moment

the sweet smell blows in through the window

and leaves you feeling exilarated...ah LOVE!

 

7. i am a pisces and am pretty darn spot on with its personality

 

so now i bestow this award to
more delightful inspiring women
 who i have come to adore reading their blogs
and appreciate all their beautiful talents~

 

1. Jane http://paintedhouse52.blogspot.com/

2. LaWendula http://wovenletters.blogspot.com/

3. Meagan http://ecomilf.blogspot.com/

4. Eliza http://elizalynntobin.blogspot.com/

5. Ange http://wordsonwood.blogspot.com/

6. Liz http://thefragrantmuse.blogspot.com/

7. Megg http://creatingwings.com/

these are in no particular order...thank you so for being such inspiring kind women

Wishcasting Wednesday~

http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/wishcasting-wednesday-january-27?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JamieRidlerStudios+%28Jamie+Ridler+Studios%29

What do you wish to awaken?

courage...i wish to awaken my courage from within

to walk with audacity...not letting my inner fear stop me

determination as it once was

to set forth and achieve all i wish to try

to take steps daily that provoke me to step outside the quiet path

without hesitation...to be bold and brave 

fearless

i want to jump on this crazy thing called life

and allow it to take flight
to lead me and guide me
in the directions i have stayed so far away from
i wish to invoke, inspire and infuse courage within me

words to ponder~

"Winter teaches us
about detachment, numbness.

 But it’s a way to get through.
From winter we learn

silence and acceptance

 and

the stillness thickens."

Gail Barison

January...Wolf Moon

The word January came from the Roman name for this month. It was
named after the God Janus, who was the God with 2 faces. This was the
God of the past and future, beginnings and endings. With January
considered the first of the year, being named after Janus is almost
perfect.

This is the perfect time to put aside
the old and the bad in your life and

start anew with fresh new thoughts and goals.

i also found~

Full Moon Names and Their Meanings

Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Since the lunar month is only 29 days long on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year. Here is the Farmers Almanac’s list of the full Moon names.

• Full Wolf Moon – January Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. Thus, the name for January’s full Moon. Sometimes it was also referred to as the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule. Some called it the Full Snow Moon, but most tribes applied that name to the next Moon.


CORRESPONDENCES FOR JANUARY

NATURE SPIRITS : gnomes and brownies

HERBS: marjoram, holy thistle, nuts and cones

COLORS: white, blue-violet and black

FLOWERS: snowdrop, crocus

SCENTS: musk and mimosa

STONES: garnet, onyx, jet, and chrysoprase

TREES: Birch

ANIMALS: Fox and Coyote

BIRDS: pheasant and the bluejay

DEITIES: Freya, Inanna, Sarasvati, Hera, CH'ang-O, Sinn

POWER AREAS: Sluggish, below the surface, beginning and concieving,
protection, reversing spells, Conserve energy by working
on your own personal problems that involve no one else.

Time to work on new goals.

http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/tigris/567/id67.htm

guess what came in my MAIL box~

i have been eagerly awaiting its arrival

and yesterday my little one went to the mail box

me watching anxiously as the little hand pulled out the envelope

my heart jumped as i knew what it held...

sarah over yonder http://rowenleaf.blogspot.com/ 

had a giveaway awhile back

and i was the lucky winner!

this picture looked so sweet

but

let me say

it is oh so DIVINE in person

SARAH~ thank you sooo...

LOVE...LOVE...LOVE

star windows~

another fun creative activity i found to to do with little ones~

Imbolc Kids Activity Star Windows
http://avalonoftheheart.yuku.com/topic/2907/t/Candlemas-Imbolc-Crafts-and-Activities.html


From the book Earthways (To order visit http://www.ghbooks.com/activity/10024.html)

These little windows of colored light are a special addition to a window near your Season's Garden. They also create a seasonal mood, depending on the colors and forms you choose. To the children, they are magical when placed on the window so that the sunlight shines through.

You will need:

Construction paper (Deep red and blue)

Scissors

Colored tissue paper (Gold, yellow and white)

Basket or tray

Pen

White glue using small saucers and cotton swabs (or pencils with new erasers) or glue sticks

Cut the construction paper into frames in the shape of your choice. A plain rectangle with rounded edges to soften the shape is fine; a star would be extra special, but will take longer to do. The total size is up to you, but make it no smaller than 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. The frame edge itself should be approximately 3/4 to one inch thick. Run a bead of glue all around the back of the frame near the outer edge and press a large piece of white tissue paper over it. Trim the tissue paper. Cut the yellow and gold tissue paper into star shapes, in varying sizes if you like. By folding the tissue accordion style, you can cut many stars at the same time. Place the stars in a basket or on a tray. Write the children's names on the backs of the frames (the side with the tissue paper glued on). This is the side on which they work.

Give children a glue stick or have them share a small dish or saucer of glue (just put a little on the dish). They could use a cotton swab to apply the glue, but use these sparingly as they cannot be reused. You can also use erasers on new pencils to dip in the glue and dab onto the stars. The erasers can be rinsed off and reused. Using a tiny drop of glue for each star, the children cover the white tissue with stars.
Encourage them to fill the surface, although the younger ones may just place a few stars on the tissue paper. It is fine to overlap the stars, as this creates interesting shapes and beautiful and surprising new colors. When they have finished, add an extra covering of white tissue as you did in step two. While not completely necessary, it provides a nice protective backing and gives the transparency a more finished look. Let the children hold them up to the light. The children are always captivated by the results.

Cover your classroom windows with star windows, or send each one home so the stars shine there. This technique for making tissue paper transparencies is endlessly variable. The frames can be cut into any shape, from pumpkins (fall) to eggs (spring). Just choose the tissue paper in seasonal colors and cut the construction paper into appropriate shapes. Generally, white tissue paper is used for backing in all cases.

52 projects...project 1~

http://52paintedhouseprojects.blogspot.com/

so i know its monday...off to a bad start as this was the first post and i am late! we were away for the weekend a tad bit longer than expected...

anyways, my first project i have finally made are these little squares knit from organic cotton yarn...i stopped using cotton balls as one more step of eliminating waste and not spending money...i needed a solution to replace what once was my cotton ball...i have been wanting to make these little squares for my toner after i wash my face...perfect! i am excited how they turned out and will be making more....saves money and they are enviromentally friendly to...reuse reuse reuse...

the organic cotton yarn is SOOO soft

snickerdoodles my way~

played with another recipe yesterday...i had long forgotten snickerdoodles...

Preheat oven 400 degrees

Cream together

1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs (add one at a time)
2 tsp half and half

Mix until fluffy...Add

2 3/4 cup flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Mix until incorporated

Chill dough

Scoop tablespoon drops on to sheet

Bake 8~10 mins

Cool and store in glass container

Six Word Saturday~

http://www.showmyface.com/

two are already up this morning!?!

http://www.fiercedove.com/cheezygrin/images/faery3.jpg

wishing for silence just a tab bit longer

it is 6:30

oh this just isn't soooo

this is my quiet time in the mornings for ME

selfish it may be

but i derserve it just as well

lights are on

television flipping pictures

blinky and flashing bright

uugghh

well i guess i should just be

thankful to have my family indeed!

52 projects...give it a whirl~

little mrs JANE over yonder at

 http://paintedhouse52.blogspot.com/2010/01/big-announcement-and-lots-to-do.html

has put forth into action

 a BRILLIANT

fun way to try our hand at something

NEW

each week on sunday visit her blog

add your name to the link she will provide

and

therefor you will show the world what you have created

this is something i very much will look forward to

 as my mind is constantly swirling with new ideas

hopefully this will help me to continue to attain time for myself

 to create and explore

 and

experience life in a whole new light

What about YOU!?!

words to ponder~

“Change is the essence of life.

Be willing to surrender
what you are

for what you could become.”

unknown

www.vaughnsphotoart.com/uploads/images/catalo

Imbolc ideas for those young and wise~

in looking for new ideas and ways to celebrate Imbolc and incorporate learning with my little ones i found this wonderful fun list of ideas...thought i would pass along...

13 Ways to Celebrate Imbolc

http://avalonoftheheart.yuku.com/topic/2907/t/Candlemas-Imbolc-Crafts-and-Activities.html

By Heather Evenstar Osterman

Regardless of what religion we grew up with, most of us have favorite memories of things we did every year for specific holidays. These traditions were what made our celebrations special. So what do you do when the holidays you celebrate now aren't the same ones you grew up with? How do you share the joys of Imbolc with your family?

Imbolc (or Candlemas/Brigid/whatever you choose to call this celebration) falls on February 2nd and is a time to honor the quickening of the earth and the first manifestations of spring emerging from winter. This Sabbat is sacred to the goddess Brigid in particular, and is a wonderful time to acknowledge your own creativity, expand your knowledge, and practice the healing arts. Here are my suggestions to get you started developing your own family traditions!

1. Help your kids go through all their clothes, toys, and books to find the unwanted and outgrown items. Donate everything to a charity that will give the items to children who need them.

2. Collect canned goods from family and friends to give to a food bank. Yule isn't the only time people are in need.

3. Go for a walk! Search for signs of spring. Take off your shoes and socks and squish your toes in the mud.

4. Open all the doors and windows and turn on every light in the house for a few minutes. Let the kids sweep all the old energies out the doors.

5. Lead the family on a parade around the outside of your home, banging on pots and pans or playing musical instruments to awaken the spirits of the land.

6. Make corn dollies and a cradle for them to sleep in.

7. Create a sun wheel out of stalks of grain and hang it on your front door.

8. Meditate as a family. Have everyone explore what it would feel like to be a seed deep in the earth, feeling the first stirrings of life. Lie on the floor and put out tendrils. Stretch and bloom.

9. Have your children hold some herb seeds in their hands. Talk to the seeds. Bless them with growth and happiness. Fill them with love. Plant an in-door herb garden.

10. Decorate candles with stickers, metallic markers, paint and anything else you can think of! Light your candles and give thanks to Brigid for her inspiration.

11. Help your kids make a special feast! Spicy foods and dairy dishes are traditional. Try Mexican or Indian cuisine. Top it off with poppy seed cake. Drink milk or spiced cider.

12. Set a fabulous dinner table with your candles, evergreen boughs spring flowers, dragons, sun symbols, or whatever says Imbolc to you. Use the good china.

13. Let your children make their beds in a special way to represent Brigid's bed. Go camp style with sleeping bags or build a makeshift canopy! Have sweet dreams...

procrastinate...lead me to wonder~

one of those days...i procrastinate...i AM, i DO and WILL always BE......i really don't mind..it is just me...USUALLY this does not really have an impact on me, it is me and how i function. strange enough, i tend to do better when my plate is full...except for moments i had yesterday...i for a moment thought twice about why i had waited to accomplish my task.

i had a review to complete and was at the end of my deadline to submit...well i spent yesterday morning frantically typing, the sun was creeping out and soon it was full force...my little ones yearning to be out there...me just hang tight...i can do this...hit submit...session timed out...re login in and ALL of me review...GONE...please can we do something...it was as if the sun was taunting us all...i am here...i want you to come play...focus...aw...complete...

so how could i not but go again and play outside...it just isn't so to be having such lovely days in january so we spent the day with friends and headed over to a park...

oh thee enchanting trees

a gentle flowing creek that welcomed littled feet

i wanted this soo...told my husband i could have seen it

me carrying this to our car and good ol' ranger comes by

uh ma'am may i ask what you are doing?

oh you know it was speaking to me and asked me for a new home

i heard his words

but don't think it would have flown...

so i left it as it should be

 beautiful colored glistening little jewels to be found

and an eye full of lush moist greenery for our eyes to enjoy

glad i did not procrastinate on taking our walk through the woods

live for the moments

the rest will wait

Wishcasting Wednesday~

brothersoft.com

our lives are like a clock in some sorts...

second by second

minute by minute

hour by hour

times passes

once those are upon us

they are here just as quickly as they are gone

we can not get back what once was

but only hope for what will be...

i do not want to feel the LOSS of a memory i could have had

so as she asks...

What do you wish for your family?

i wish for us to SAVOR each moment

embrace each second that is brought before us...

wrap ourselves up in eachothers uniqueness

a gift so special to each one of us

remembering that...during those times we feel so far apart

understand and see

accept and love

just as we are

expand our horizons to set forth on endless journeys

MEMORIES TO BE MADE

togetherness

united by love

linked by the word family

communicate calmly

hear the words of another

i simply wish for my family

 to Savor our life

just as we are

color in the sky...WHY~

i am overjoyed

to be able to soak up such beauty

in the morning and evening hour

but i finally needed a reason as to why

there is such beauty and color in the sky

What makes the sky have color? During the day, why is the color blue? What makes the colors of the sunset and sunrise? Why are they red and orange instead of blue? Why are the sunset and sunrise different?

yesterday morning our sky started out like so...

Does the amount of polution in the sky really make the colors of the sunset more vivid and varied? As children we all thought about many of these questions. The problem is that we settled for the answer of "That is just how it is." Instead there is a scientific answer behind the colors of the sky and what allows us to see all the variety of colors that we do in a day.

seconds later...saturation of color begins

The colors of the sky are created because the atmosphere between the sun and the earth consists of many different particles and chemicals.

painting such warmth

The sky directly surrounding the earth though, mainly consists of nitrogen and oxygen molecules as well as the dust and dubree kicked up by humans and animals on the earth's surface. So, when the light hits these particles it is broken up and the different wavelengths are scattered in different directions. This process is called scattering.

So with our atmosphere the sky surrounding the earth would be black and only lit up by the white light of the sun.

intensifying as time continues to pass

But instead we have an atmosphere that provides us with the colors we can enjoy.

a magnetism happening...i could not move

During the day the sky is seen as blue unless clouds are in the way or the weather is not nice. But why is it that the sky is blue instead of purple or orange? The answer to this question is that the wavelength of blue light is very small and can be broken up about ten times more than red light because red light has almost double the wavelength of blue light. So, blue light is scattered in more directions than the shorter wavelengths when it comes in contact with the nitrogen and oxygen molecules.

as it continued to paint...such delight arose 

Therefore, blue is the light that enters our eye. But, using this same scientific reasoning, it would seem logical that we would see a violet sky instead since it has the longest wavelength of all. But, human eyes are more sensitive to blue than violet so therefore we see a blue sky.

enriching

At dusk and dawn the colors of the sky change and the first portion of the visible spectrum is what appears to the viewer. During these times of the day the sun is positioned at a different angle to the earth than during the normal daytime. Because of this angle, the longer wavelengths are the ones that reach the eye. The blue and other shorter wavelengths are scattered millions of times and do not reach the viewer. When the sun does not shine directly on a certain portion of the earth there are more gas molecules between the viewer and the sun. Therefore, the normal blue color of the sky is no longer visible because the short wavelengths of blue and green are scattered millions of times and do not reach the viewer. Therefore the longer wavelengths that couldn't be scattered as many times are able to now hit the viewer in a more direct way.

such beauty to uphold

But the question that now arises is that the sunrise and sunset should appear to be the same. In reality, they are actually quite different. The sunset tends to be brighter and contain more vibrant colors than the sunrise. This is due to the fact that during the day animals and humans are usually awake and kicking up dust and dubree that will reflect the light. This refection will make the colors in the sunset appear to be brighter than those in the sunrise.

a blessing indeed

Lastly, if the sunset or sunrise of a big city is observed, it will be evident that the colors are more varied and tend to appear prettier than a sunset or sunrise that one would see in the country. (i beg to differ as i have been to the country lands and have had just the same treat) This fact is because the sky surrounding the cities is more polluted than that around a rural setting. The pollution in the air has many chemicals in it that will break the light up in different ways and scatter it differently than the normal atmosphere would do. Though it is unfortunate that some of the prettiest sunsets can be seen due to pollution, it is a fact.

from~http://www.sewanee.edu

i hope you have enjoyed this as much i had yesterday morning

i can't bare to not show

what beauty i experience