Vestella's Vale

Well-Being

2012-01-25T09:41:00.000-08:00

Jamie's prompt this week on Wishcrafting Wed - "what do you wish for your health & wellness?"

Quite timely, at the beginning of a new year - double, as this week we left Rabbit & entered the Year of the Water Dragon!

My first thoughts are more movement, healthy food, clearer home & serenity!
Yesterday I picked up my first Veggie share from my CSA. I've eaten mostly local OG veggies & fruit, & try to keep the rest of my food as close to home as possible, for most of my adult life - 40 years!

Our little family (daughter, her family & myself) have eaten Gluten Free for 2 1/2 years, & added mostly dairy free last fall. I experience more energy, healthy weight (weigh about 5# more than I did in my 201-40s), clearer sight, .... it's been great! & contrary to some folks experience, I see 'glue-y' items & am just happy they're not on MY plate!!

Movement - as a kid, I HATED PE - mostly ball sports with guys or 'jock' women teachers. Blagh!! Then in my late 20s, we went to see my oldest niece in Nutcracker - wow!! The next week I began taking classes (from a world class, Russian method teacher, whose 26 year old daughter is now the principle teacher) .... Here's my son Josh as 'Mother Ginger,' from the 2011 Nutcracker, with one of the principle dancers peeking out from under the skirt (my 6 year old grandson LOVES Nora!) Miss Emma insisted Josh keep his beard, tho the red hair isn't his :)

A few years later, I began taking (& later teaching) Tai Chi & Qigong, along with becoming a Massage Therapist.
The last few years I've taken occasional classes, along with my more regular ballroom & square dance, & have been going weekly this winter - so I plan to continue that. AND next week, am teaching my own Chi Based movement class - 'Dragon Dance,' at a local workshop centre. Stay tuned :)

I'm still at work clearing & cleaning my home! Was actually challenging on Monday (1st day of the Chinese New Year) NOT to sweep or clean much (just put the dishes in the sink, & swabbed a counter! - here's a sweet link for activites of each day)
I'm making headway, & it gets easier. Yesterday I cleared off the little shelves beside the kitchen sink (the house I grew up in had these, & my mom always kept ivy on one) .... & put up teapots & various blue & white cups & containers.
Now I need to deal with the stuff that was there!

My daughter said she feels this year of the Dragon is the year I'll 'get your little Breitenbush house back!' when I live with less 'stuff' around me, it's much easier to keep it neat! I have 6 or so bags in my car to take to Good Will, & a few bags for garage sales ....

What do YOU wish for health & well being in this year of the Water Dragon?

Reclaiming

2012-01-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

Wishcasting Wednesday, & Jamie's prompt is "What do you wish to Reclaim?"

I'm working on reclaiming my home!!

At almost 8 months old, Baby Z is getting more mobile, so it's time for baby-proofing - & beyond that, time to go through those piles that seem to accumulate & build up, over time! I spent Monday working on getting the dining 'nook' in order, & the center of the kitchen floor CLEAR for him to play in! And I took 4 bags to Goodwill, only brought one home! (some new clothes, so purging more of my closet as well)

Success! Today I want to clean out the fridge (he's at the other grandma's), & begin on my little pantry - to the Rt of the colourful pile (boxes I hadn't gotten to, draped to keep Mr Curious at bay ... I had it set up as a computer room, but have been using the laptop for more than a year now .... so it's time to get the equipment & desk out, & some shelves up.

As I reclaim my home, I will free up time & energy ...
I love Karen Kingston's book "Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui" Karen suggests asking yourself:
1) Does (an object) lift my energy when I look at or think about it?
2) Do I absolutely LOVE it?
3) Is it generally useful?

As I reclaim my space, I make room for creativity, guests, that lovely grandson ....

So off to the kitchen, to continue pulling stuff out of that pantry, clearing the counters, .....

What do YOU wish to reclaim?

Winter Chili

2012-01-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

I watch my 7 month old grandson 4 mornings a week, & cook lunch for my daughter & myself - & for her hubby, if we're at their house. It's been fun being creative with recipes & thinking up 'what to have!'

My friend Sheila King has produced a very sweet cookbook, "Sheila's Kitchen" & the format is 8 1/2 x 11", spiral bound & printed on one side - so there's plenty of room to jot down some of my new GF recipes! If you think ahead, you can bring the beans to a boil & soak overnight! I just decided to do chili in the morning, so used OG canned beans (all items are OG when possible!)

My nursing grandson had a diaper rash which we traced to tomatoes, so I left those out of the chili - you could certainly add canned tomatoes or paste, or my favorite, dried tomatoes! I dry them in a food dehydrator, & chop some & cover with olive oil, to toss into things toward the end of cooking.

This is a vegan recipe, you could use any meat you had on hand!

Here's a Chili for Fall or Winter days

2 Tbsp coconut or olive oil

2 medium onions, chopped

3-5 cloves of garlic, chopped

* saute onions & garlic in oil

1 Can OG black beans

1 Can OG pinto beans

1/2 C OG lentils (uncooked)

1/4 C cacao nibs

2 quarts soup stock (I simmer veggie trimmings in water while I'm chopping other ingredients)

** add beans, hot stock to onion/garlic & add spices:

1 T paprica

3 T chili powder

1 T gharam masala or pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp fresh oregano

2 tsp fresh savory

1 Bay leaf

2 Tbsp kombu or other kelp

** chop veggies & add: I used

1 medium golden or red beet,

1 medium carrot,

1/2 a black radish or turnip, 2 handfuls lovage (could be several celery stalks)

** bring to a boil, then turn heat to low & simmer ~ 3 hours.

Serve with cornbread or quinoa/amaranth & a big green salad

Winter Wishcasting

2011-12-20T22:39:00.000-08:00

Jamie asks 'what's your WINTER wish?'

Hmmm - on Solstice, (9:30 PM Wed the 21st, Pacific time) my wish is appreciation for the dark
"The dark half of the year
Suits me just fine
An incubation,
A percolation.
Winter time. The Dream Time.
Worms & calligraphy.
A quiet turning under,
the underbelly
A rich velvet basket,
Stars & frogs tucked around
the edges.
The Dark, my love, is a
Sweet loamy
Pocket for
Change-lings" Shae Savoy - We'moon 2011 calendar

It seems like we should be in ~ mid - November, & here we are at Winter Solstice!!

So my Mid-Winter's wish is for some slowing down, taking a breath, BEING here, at the longest night, the shortest day; appreciating as the wheel turns yet again toward spring & light return!

O Sada - it is good!

What is YOUR winter's wish??

WW - What's your DEEPEST Wish?

2011-12-13T22:24:00.000-08:00

Jamie's prompt this week - What is your deepest wish?
To be my authentic Self, & by my presence to bring inspiration, peace, and calm.

When I lived at the coast, about 15 years ago, one friend/student asked about studying to become a Reiki Master with me, as she wished personal MASTERY, & felt Reiki Mastery would 'fit' that for her, if I felt comfortable with that as her 'burning desire.' She had lived for a time down the hill from Findhorn Garden, & was already a very authentic, focused person. I love our work together, as I learned a lot from HER!

My time at Breitenbush also facilitated being 'real,' awareness of the phases of the moon, of the change of seasons, of the ebb & flow of guests & focus of workshops. It was easy to teach Tai Chi & Reiki, easy to gather with others in celebration & joy, sadness & quiet ...

As we approach Winter Solstice, a time of going within & quieting down, we are also caught up in the busi-ness of Christmas parties, celebrations, performances ... and time with family & friends ... I wish to be true to myself & shine ...

What Deep Wishes & fine dreams call you?

Give-Away

2011-12-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

Mmm - you know how much I LOVE coconut!!
Yesterday I made Hungarian Mushroom Soup using this recipe - but of course 'tweeking' it - coconut milk & oil, sorghum flour in the roue, savory rather than dill, nice fresh OG parsley came from my CSA share, & I had some left over roast chicken, so added that to the mushrooms! & 'of course' some garlic!

I first had Hung. Mush. Soup at Old Wives Tales in PDX, & love it! One (or more) of our Breitenbush Chefs had cooked there, & brought the recipe, or found it in the Moosewood Cookbook - & they offer a vegan version as well as the one with dairy.

Over on Bloggity Blog, there's a give-away for a tub of Tropical Traditions shredded coconut!! Wow - wouldn't that be awesome!! I'd use it up fast, too :) I have tried making coconut milk using bulk shredded coconut, & it wasn't great - so I'd like to try TT & see if it's as good as promised!

Head on over to enter the give away!!

Celebrate!!

2011-12-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

Jamie's prompt for this weeks Wishcasting - what do you wish to Celebrate?

I've been busy this last week, participating as one of an ASL team 'signing' the Community Choir Christmas Cantata, 'Festival of Light.' Several of the songs include the sign for 'celebrate' & 'rejoice' - it is a jubilant, light filled offering! My 'goddess' niggles don't even get tripped, which surprises me at times. I've been told by SEVERAL folks that they enjoy my signing more than the students (who are Seniors in an ASL program, while I had one term of ASL 31 years ago!! But a dance background, so can 'do' choreography) .... 'your aura shows through when you sign'

I celebrate having eyes to see & ears to hear, to enjoy signing, but not 'need' it!

I celebrate this journey to the darkest night, & Light's return.

I celebrate being a grammie to a LOVELY little guy, & his big sisters & cousins, & the blessings of spending so much time with my grandson Zander (almost 7 months old) ...

I celebrate having 'food, shelter, & warmth' during this season of cold. Last night, a neighbor's home burned (chimney fire) THEY are all safe - but what a sad time to be faced with decisions about the home, about where to be ... (blessings on them, may they also be assured of food, shelter, warmth)

I celebrate friendships - both folks I know 'in the flesh,' & those of you I know through the airwaves! May we all be blessed this season of Light's Return!

& HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMIE!!

What do you celebrate?

WW - What do you wish to Remember?

2011-11-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

Jamie's prompt on Wishcasting Wed is "what do you wish to Remember?"

I wish to remember how grateful I am for living on this beautiful, Blue Green Planet, what a blessing it is to be incarnate at this time!!

& for being born & living HERE, in the Pacific Northwest - where we have abundant water, trees, gardens, lovely OG veggies grown 'for us' by our CSA farmers, Katie & Casey For Grandchildren (5 - I am so blessed!), for music, dance, joy, vitality, health, and friends.

I wish to remember how blessed I was to be a wanted & cherished child, raised by parents who enjoyed being parents, enjoyed having ME (as ornery as I could be) & lived simply & honestly. Today would be their 62nd anniversary! (mama died ~ 7 years ago, & daddy 19)

& my daughter just shared a favorite, favorite memory: one sunny afternoon when she was ~ 9, we spent most of the day reading aloud, under the clothesline in our side yard - Anne McCaffery's 'Ship Who Sang' while her bro & papa were off collecting beetles with our Entomologist friend Jim .... 'one more chapter, please??' ...

This is Anne McCaffery's own memory of her son reading from that book for a camera crew: "I think the best story I ever wrote was 'The Ship Who Sang'. It still causes people to cry, including me. When Todd and I were reading it at Brighton, they had a BBC crew filming it. So there were these BBC cameramen hunkered down filming us, and comes the end of the story (which Todd always reads, because I can't go through it without weeping), I saw that these cameramen had tears rolling down their faces."
Anne McCaffery died yesterday, at 85 - may she fly with her dragons (Pern) & sing with the stars with Helva!!

I am blessed!!

What do you wish to remember?

Jamie Ridler Studios posts a weekly Wednesday Wishcasting prompt.

As Jamie says, "Wishcasting Wednesday is a safe haven for wishes, a fertile field in which to plant wish seeds and have them witnessed and tended lovingly. It’s a place where magic begins...Make a wish: Dare to dream."

"What would happen if every week you made a wish?

What magic might start to stir?"

Wischasting Wednsday - what is your Dearest Wish?

2011-11-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

The first thought that came - 'World Peace' a la that silly Miss America movie - ooo, what's it called??? "Miss Congeniality!!" Where all the candidates wished for world peace ...

The last few weeks my mind has been on this particular window of emerging consciousness, & sense that we can, each one of us, assist in birthing our OWN greatest, dearest being, shine our light, & encourage those around us to do the same!

This Saturday I'll be going to Portland (good weather, please!!) with one or 2 girlfriends for a class with an author I've admired for 20 years - Barbara Hand Clow & her husband Gary. Author of 11 books, founders & editors of Bear & Company - the afternoon offering 'Entering the 9 Dimensions' is especially geared for bodyworkers/ lightworkers to assist our clients in learning to tap the healing & energy of the dimensions for themselves.

Mundane wishes - continuing to manifest abundant nourishing food, safe secure shelter & warmth for myself & those around me being so blessed - & all of you!!

(the Picture is beloved Mt Shasta, recognized by several Tibetan Lammas as the New World holder of the energy of the Himalayas - "(Úytaahkoo in Karuk or "White Mountain": the origin of the name "Shasta" is vague, perhaps from Russian (Tchastal, "white, clean, pure") from the early Russian settlers in California) is located at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California, at 14,179 feet (4,322 m) is the second highest peak in the Cascades." (Wikki)

What is YOUR Dearest (Greatest) Wish??

Wishcasting Wednsday - Who do you wish to have tea with?

2011-11-09T00:07:00.000-08:00

What a lovely question Jamie poses "Who do you Wish to have to tea?"

My first thought was 'Gwynne, Cheryl, Janet & Elizabeth!' Gwynne lived awhile in England, & really knows how to *do* tea! The others - just seem like that would be a wonderful tea party! My granddaughters would have to be there, too!

Last Jan, KK's 6th chose a tea party for her BD, complete with hats, gloves, jewels ... the girls decorated various items, & were served tea & GF goodies on my mother's best china! So sweet.

Then I read Dionne's post on wishing to have tea with Vivianne, lady of the Lake, high priestess of Avelon! Wow - wouldn't that be an interesting tea party?? (I was already pondering who else I might invite, if there were no time/space/ reality limits!)

hmm .... I would like to take tea with Julian of Norwich! (ca. 1342 – ca. 1416)
Julian was an ancoress & visionary, living in a cell attached to the church in Norwich, England for a number of years, "her theology was optimistic, speaking of God's love in terms of joy and compassion as opposed to law and duty" She had a series of visions following severe illness, & with Goeffrey Chaucer, was one of the first to write in the English language (most formal writing was done in Latin or French)
Julian is best known for the phrase "…All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well"
I recall reading Anya Seton's lovely historical fiction book 'Katherine,' & being so struck by her portrayal of Julian. Like other reviewers, I find this one of the best written & engaging stories of historical characters, "Lady Julian's quotes made me cry, while Julian's prescriptions for Katherine's anemia made me laugh out loud" ... Katherine Swynford & John of Gaunt were parents or grandparents of a number of kings & queens - including Henry the VII & VIII, Elizabeth I ...

& perhaps while I'm at it, Sister Fidelma - there's a plucky, witty wise woman!!

Written by a historian, & set in 7th Century Ireland, Fidelma is both a religieuse & a judge (dalaigh ) "The Irish laws gave more rights and protection to women than any other western law code at that time or until recent times. Women could, and did, aspire to all offices and professions as co-equal with men. They could be political leaders, command their people in battle as warriors, be physicians, local magistrates, poets, artisans, lawyers and judges. We know the names of many female judges of Fidelma's period - Brig Briugaid, Aine Ingine Iugaire and Dari among others. Dari, for example, was not only a judge but the author of a noted law text written in the sixth century AD. Women were protected by law against sexual harassment; against discrimination; against rape; they had the right of divorce on equal terms from their husbands, with equitable separation laws, and could demand part of their husband's property in a divorce settlement; they had the right of inheritance of personal property and land and the right of sickness benefits when ill or hospitalised. Ancient Ireland has Europe's oldest recorded system of hospitals. Seen from today's perspective, the Brehon Laws provided for what might be considered a society approaching an almost feminist paradise."

& Juniper, the Duran, who is a wise seer & mentor for 'Wise Child' - Monica Furlong's enchanting triplet of books.

So Gwynne & co, my granddaughters, Julian, Juniper, Fidelma, & of course YOU!! - what a fun tea party!

Who else shall we invite??

Jamie Ridler Studios posts a weekly Wednesday Wishcasting prompt.

"What would happen if every week you made a wish?

What magic might start to stir?"

(The image and text above are credited to Jamie Ridler Studios.

Click here for more info on Jamie Ridler Studios and Wishcasting.)

Wishcasting Wednsday - how do we NOURISH ourselves?

2011-11-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

It's been quite awhile since I participated in this LOVELY practice of self-discovery.

Jamie's Wishcasting Wed question: "How do you Wish to NOURISH" yourself?

I think of being in (via transporter or flying carpet!) in the Hot Springs, soaking in the far meadow pool ... being fed lovely OG & GF meals, joining friends to dance, chant, doing Qigong under the trees ...

Yesterday when a client forgot HER appointment, I received a massage a co-worker - wonderful self-nourishment! & later picked up my luscious, fresh from the OG farm CSA veggies - having fresh, local OG food as the mainstay is very nourishing & uplifting for me.

Spending time with the lovely grandkids, esp my five & 1/2 month old grandson most weekday mornings ...

& just sitting on the couch with a comforter & book

Doing Qigong in the sweetness of my living space

Dancing, singing & signing with friends

Bliss!

How do you wish to nourish yourself?

Violet Flame for Transmutation - part the first

2011-11-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

* In the mid 90s I'd seen mention of the Angel 'Grace Elohim' with the colour of iridescent white, whose motto is 'Grace it, & Move On!!' We don't need to 'process, process, PROCESS' everything - if it can be shifted gently - that's GREAT!!

The book (on Holistic Astrology) mentioned that Grace 'paired well' with St Germain with his violet flame of transmutation, & using the two energies together - transmutation & grace, was delightful way to shift energy 'gracefully.'

I wrote a little chant that I use with this combination:

'St Germain of the Violet flame,

St Germain of the Violet flame,

Keeper of the Sacred Flame

Grace, Elohim,

Grace, Elohim"

I repeat these two 'sets' several times. Let the 'tune' come to you - for me, the first & third lines of each part have the same tune, 2 & 4 are slightly different, & I draw out 'G-r-a-c-e

In the late 90s, my friend Margo & I headed to Mt Shasta for fall Equinox weekend workshop, & on the way home, we stopped at the little 'I AM' foundation shop in Shasta City. She wanted to get another copy of a book she'd had, & I picked up little laminated cards with 4 versions of Violet Flame 'burn' patterns. A few weeks ago, found a little 'basic booklet' from the I AM folks at a bookstore in Salem.

So when a friend mentioned she was heading up to New Renissaunce Bookstore in PDX on Sunday, I quickly 'invited myself' along! The workshop was led by Astrologer Mark Dodich, who has been facilitating Violet Flame gatherings for several years. Mark says: "The purpose of the Violet Flame is to help you experience greater frequencies of your essential soul vibration in your daily life. It helps you to live in a loving place of power rather than a fearful place of powerlessness."

He mentioned his reading room is violet, & after the talk, I told him mine is too ...

When I walked into my Healing Room Monday, I had to laugh - not only is it painted (since ~ 2007) a lovely, mid range violet. - there's a picture of Quan Yin (also associated with the Violet flame), & one of Mt Shasta, a rayon hanging from Bali (purples & blues) with dragonflies & Stars, draped with a purple scarf; a print I picked up from Alaska in the mid 90s, a dragonfly/woman .... and my Intention & I AM tuning forks, which work with the Violet Ray energy ... plus angels, pink salt crystal, etc. I 'knew' all that - but seeing it with eyes attuned to that Violet Ray made it really striking.

Utilizing the Violet Flame is one of the quickest ways to shift energy. "Violet flame simply transmutes lower frequency energies into higher frequency ones that constitute a more natural way of being." (Pleiadian Workbook, p 87) "It's power to Transmute, it's power to change & raise Energy that has a slow vibration into Energy of a Higher Vibration. This is the magical, alchemical power of this most Sacred Violet Fire." (Quan Yin - Many Mansions)

I use a Violet flame 'portal' at the place my walkway joins the sidewalk in front of my home, so anyone coming to visit passes through that transmuting gateway. This is similar to the Native American 'burden basket,' leave your burdens at the door; pick them up again when you leave - or release them!

Mark led us through several meditations & exercises for us to connect with the Violet flame.

He set an altar with purple cloth & purple candle holders, purple 'light sticks' that we activated when seven of us read invocations of the flame, a picture of St Germaine, & larger cards with the 'burn patterns,' as well as a Zen Funeral bowl, for releasing a pattern we desired to be rid of.

You might wish to work with this picture of 'your own God Self' from the St Germain Foundation - Mark commented there are lots of websites/ books on Violet Flame teachings, each with their own 'spin,' so use the 'fish dinner' approach - pick out the 'bones' that don't fit for you as reading/ connecting with these offerings!

Utilizing that 'God Self' picture, "When the Student Calls to their beloved Mighty I AM presence' to surround her with the Electronic Circle of Protection & pass through her mind & body the Violet Consuming Flame, the "Presence" instantly projects this Wall of Light & Violet Flame around the physical, emotional & mental bodies. Thus, the Student of Light can move in the world, unaffected by the discordant, destructive creation of other human beings, as well as the accumulated discord of the past." (p 6, Purpose)

For many years, Quan Yin 'held' the Violet Flame energy, & is still associated with it.My pairing of Grace Elohim w/ St Germain captures some of her energy - use what feels resonant to YOU!

** Before the workshop, I did simple 4 part clearings & meditation found at Many Mansions, and shared them with the folks I was going to Portland with - we all found them sweet & powerful, & a great way to take the work to a new level. You may wish to do this first, then wait before doing others of the practices that appeal to you - use your own judgment! Mark reminded us that 'when invoking shifts, GENTLE IS FINE!!" That's one reason I 'pair' St Germain with 'Grace Elohim' - to invoke the 'grace' of moving beyond lots of process, & a gentle approach to the hearing.

I did the clearings of the Emotional, Mental & Physical & Etheric bodies, then the meditation given beneath the picture of the Lotus, with that 'I AM Presence' image in mind. I especially like the image of inviting energies from past embodiments 'that is not needed elsewhere' to be brought in, cleansed & transmuted for use' - recycling at it's best!

Violet Flame Basic invocations: "Burn, Violet Flame, Burn!"

''Blaze the Violet Consuming flame in its Purifying power of Divine Love''

''Blaze the Violet Flame through & around ____, transmuting its energy''

Note: violet flame is used from one's feet moving up through the body. I was intrigued wheh I realized several of my 'intention tuners,' which I found & ordered on e-bay just before taking the Auctonics workshop, are used this way, from the feet up - though I'd worked with Violet flame, hadn't really thought about that

- flames burn 'up' from the base!

Yesterday a client whose dad was a pharmacist remarked on striving for a clear blue/purple flame when using a Bunsen burner!! & I remembered waiting for the blue 'flash' when camping, & my dad put out the Coleman lantern! - flame #3 is a lovely violet.

Modes:

BOIL - the energy bubbles up through you & clears energy (above)

SWEEP - the flame sweeps through you (image on Rt)

SPIN - the flame spirals counterclockwise around you

DRIVE - more forceful - drives negativity out

One atendee asked Mark for suggestions in using the Violet Flame 'post workshop,' & after commenting that he dislikes 'have to do it this way' rules, he suggested a quick 5 minute practice of invoking the energy AM & PM, to move through you, clearing & transmuting any energy not in alignment with your highest good. He commented that this has REALLY improved his ability to fall asleep quickly!

You can also look for 'reminders' in the purple/violet colour range - a violet hand towel, candle holders, lavender essential oil in your bath (I add a few drops with Clary Sage & Rose Geranium to a jar of plain Epsom Salts, then add a handful to my bath water)

My African Etheric healing teacher suggests beaming 'rainbows' into your water before drinking - I find this a sweet practice (most healing teachers recommend 'blessing' ones water in some way) - remember to include violet! Another teacher commented that physical activity, which strengthens the root chakra (red) helps create the purple of meditation!

Mark & I have lavender treatment rooms, he said he painted his laundry room a VIVID purple (cleanse those clothes!!) & I painted my front door purple last winter!

This site offers a couple of sweet clearings.

Next time I'll share several exercises utilizing the Violet Flame - please share YOUR experiences!!

From the fairy garden

2011-09-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I went on a sweet self-guided bike tour of 4 local veggie gardens. I DID ride my bike, & began at my friend Ellie's - she & her hubby have gardened almost 20 years on their HUGE plot, three terraces, they RARELY buy any veggies (don't even buy starts!) ... They have a lot that goes down to the creek (they don't garden the floodplain area - & have a deer fence between the 'tame' & bottom land.) Though it's mostly a 'practical' garden, with flowers relegated to flower beds around the house, one planting that I want to imitate - asparagus with Bells of Ireland!

The second garden I visited was a plot more like mine. Mike's (pictured above) is a normal size city lot, with mounded beds, a few sheds, a little spiral herb garden, several Orach - the red plant top Rt in pic., he gave me a seed head!! I had read that there are enzymes in the seed casing that help the seed sprout, so seed of this quinoa relative is a welcome gift!
In the front yard, Mike used sheet mulch in a large area & planted fall crops. He also has corn, beans & squash (3 sisters) in a garden in front - along with sunflowers & other big plants. He had a chicken 'tractor' (w/1 chicken) & a rainwater catchment ...
Both Mike & Ellie grow 'Black Aztec Corn' - Mike grinds it for cornbread, & Ellie's husband parches the kernels. All the gardens use drip irrigation & had late summer/fall plants - carrots, chard & spinach, cabbage, beans, leeks, tomatoes & tomatillas. Mikes also had currents & blueberries, while Ellie has an espalliered fruit orchard, persimmons, grape, fig, thornless blackberry ...

The next plot was a CSA on a city lot - Paul doesn't like mowing lawn, so put in raised beds when he moved in a couple of years ago, ordered mushroom compost, & began gardening! (goodness, wouldn't folks who object to veggies in front yards have a conniption fit!) He grows enough on one lot to feed his own & several other families (the CSA runs 20 weeks). His was the only garden with boards around the beds - the others use mounded systems.

And last was the Community Garden on Salvation Army land - both individual plots, & ones that are harvested for food boxes. They did have a few 'boxed' beds, but most were also mounded. A local shop owner (who has her 'sunny garden' plot here) buys cut flowers from the Community Garden! Folks with individual plots work in the community area several hours every month, & pay a very modest fee for their rows.

I have been perusing gardening books for ideas on cover crops & what to plant late summer/ early fall, & crop rotation. I planted carrots, salsify, buckwheat & radishes in one side of the old garlic bed, & beets, buckwheat & radishes in the other. Borage comes up on its own in that bed.

In a bed close to the quinoa, I put winter spinach, chard, arugula, lettuce mix, Endive, scatter planted corn salad, & edged with parsley, corriander, calendula & nasturtium seed. I have a sweet little pottery 'hedgehog' for sprinkling the seedbeds with.

On Monday (Labor Day) I did the 'soil balancing process' from Machaelle Small Wright's 'Garden Workbook' series. (check out her entry on 'gut gardening' to get started!!)
I'll write more about this process later - basically, you use soil amendments in a 'homeopathic' manner, working with Nature to balance & vitalize the soil. Machaelle writes: "The soil balancing & Stabilizing Process impacts the soil's vitality & not its physical fertilizer levels. However, when you use this process, you will find that the soil will test for fewer fertilizer needs. The process will have improved the soil vitality, which allows for more efficient interaction between plants & their surrounding soil."

On Friday, picking a book I'd requested up from the library, I also came home with 'Gaia's Garden, a guide to homescale permaculture.' WOW - lovely book! I can see that several of Mike's garden ideas came from this book, including the spiral herb garden! I'm attending a Permaculture 'Convergence' mid-October, so this is a timely read.

In Gaia's Garden, Toby recommends sheet mulch to prepare new ground, & occasional 'hugelculture' plots - using brush that you tromp down, then pile on mulch, top w/compost or an inch of soil & plant. (he says potatoes & squash LOVE these 'mounds') He gives of ideas for garden communities - broadcasting several kinds of seed over the same area, & what to plant in succession in those gardens; for conserving water, thinking beyond the vegetable garden, etc.

The last couple of days I've been working up several areas, trying the sheet mulch & a hugelculture mound.
The pic with the tall grass (above) shows this area in the middle of May, when I was cutting the grass with a hand sickle. I just piled the grass in heaps on the areas I didn't work up. My raspberry patch is in the back of this pic.

In August I dug the bed on the Right (next pictures) over a couple of days, & dug in a bag of mushroom compost, some lime, kelp, & other soil amendments. The bed on the L has been covered with the thick layer of mulch, & is ready for the last layers of compost & top mulch. These beds join in a U or 'keyhole' shape, with the top of the bed also being covered in mulch.

For sheet mulch, begin the day before by thoroughly watering the site you plan to mulch, & gather your materials. The next day, slash any vegetation, leaving it in place to compost (I'd done that in May, & covered with the layer of dry grass). Cover with a thin layer of soil amendments (lime, bone meal, kelp, etc) & open the soil a bit by wiggling a spading fork in different areas, if needed.
Add a layer of compost or green plant matter (I used chopped comfrey leaves & compost) ~ 1" thick - sprinkle with water.
Next layer is cardboard (I had several big boxes from my office) or 1/4-1/2" of newspaper - no glossy sheets - very wet. Overlap 6", & wet this layer (I sprayed the back of the cardboard before laying it down.
Next layer: another thin layer of manure/compost/greens
Next: 8-12" of loose straw, hay, leaves, grass etc - with some green matter mixed in, or blood meal etc (for nitrogen) ... wet layers as you add them - should 'be the consistency of a wrung out sponge' (Bed on Left, above, is covered with this mulch layer)
Top with another inch of compost or soil (last picture)
And mulch with 2" 'weed free' matter: straw, pine needles, wood shavings.

I used pine needles from my daughter's yard for the final layer of mulch (they are quite happy to pass them on, esp if I gather them!), & planted with seeds as the sun was setting: lettuce mix, buckwheat, spinach, onions, calendula, beans & borage.

A gal friend is giving me strawberry starts soon, so I looked up companion plants for strawberries. Years ago I planted strawberries in an herb circle, & made a LOVELY patch! I'll get some thyme plants from Incahoots, & perhaps plant some other low herbs around the edge ...
Rather than digging or tilling these beds, you simply add compost & mulch occasionally, push the mulch aside to plant or seed the compost layer. You can also dig kitchen waste directly into these beds, rather than the compost bin.

Enjoy your garden adventures!

Land Tuning

2011-08-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

I've written about this before, but seems timely to post about it again!

Recently I've seen several posts concerning extreme weather in various parts of the country (Hurricane, drought). Let's think Local, & let it ripple out! The guides say "You may get asked to do several pieces of land. Thank you for doing this service."

Several years ago, my friend Molly Sheehan of Green Hope Farm Essences shared this wonderful land clearing practice, given by the guides of her land. She gardens co-creatively, & has a very sweet 'anyone can do this' attitude. Molly graciously gave me permission to share this, saying that the more people doing this or similar processes the better!

Machaelle Wright of Perelandra teaches similar processes in her Garden Workbooks, & offers her own powerful essences. I work with both of their processes & essences, integrating them into my own processes.

Molly comments that the guides & devas delight in being asked to help us, "A group of spiritual entities connected with Nature do the actual energy cleansing but this group cannot do this work unless a human asks them to do it. It is one of our vital roles in the co-creation & maintenance of earth. If a human doesn't ask for energy cleansing for a piece of land & this land is holding a lot of negativity, spirit's only options for removing this negativity are extreme weather."

What a perfect time to share this process!

** Imagine the boundaries of the land you wish to clear (you may want to have a map of your property, if it's larger, & may be guided to clear it in sections. If you're in an apt., clear your own space, imagining the grounding cord of the apt going into the earth below you, & clear the land surrounding the apt. Invite guidance for what best suites your circumstances!

Energy Cleansing Process

Find a quiet & comfortable place to center yourself. In the beginning, you'll want to be in the garden/ on the land you're clearing.

"Ask for assistance from:

The Overlighting Deva of the piece of land you want to clean. This being from the Angelic realm holds the divine plan for this piece of land. (Deva is a Sanskrit word meaning 'being of Light')

Angels Overlighting the land. They work with the Deva

The Elementals of the land. These are the beings who bring land into form & then hold it there so we can live in a physical world. Gnomes for the Earth element, Undine with water, Sylphs work with air, & Salamanders with fire.

Pan, Head Elemental of Earth (Machaelle Wright calls Pan the CEO of Nature)

Any Ascended Master of God realized being who is connected with this piece of land. There may or may not be any connected, depending on the piece of land. (You can always invite the presence of the Ascended Master Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, Quan Yin, St Germain, & other Masters with whom you you feel connected.)

Deva of the Earth's atmosphere, Lunaria

Deva of the Earth's surface, Sapphalo

Deva of the sun in the center of the Earth, Darndella

Our Sun, Helios & Vesta.

"After you call in this group, ask them to CLEANSE, CLEAR, RE-BALANCE & ILLUMINATE the land you are clearing.

"You can visualize all the negativity being removed from the land both below & above the ground. You can visualize yourself or an angel holding a sword (Michael/Michaella) cutting all the negativity free, perhaps spinning in a circle holding the sword out; or you can imagine a big gyroscope whirling & cleansing. The image only needs to work for you. If visualization isn't possible, it's OK. The land will still be cleansed because you have asked to have it done. Close the session with a thanks to everyone involved.

"This is the bare bones of a process. Over time you will probably develop your own individual approach. For example, you may get to know the names of the Deva & Angels of the land. You may get shown a process that will improve on this one. You may get asked to do several pieces of land. Thank you for doing this service."

** I also like to imagine a hedge of roses (think Brier Rose) with portals of violet flame at the entrances, clearing folks' energy as they enter or leave. At times I erect a golden pyramid above my property (rectangular here :) or a violet bubble - check in & see if any images come!

Any time you feel vulnerable, are concerned about weather or safety, take a few moments to do this process. It helps to have quick name for the process - you may simply invite 'Devas, Angels & guides of land clearing, please CLEANSE, CLEAR, RE-BALANCE & ILLUMINATE this land!'

* Besides clearing my own land, I often invite the Devas/guides of the city where I live (or someplace I'm visiting) to CLEANSE, CLEAR, RE-BALANCE & ILLUMINATE that place, as appropriate. I figure anyplace humans can toss litter, I can invite the guides to help clear! I especially see the 'green areas' being cleared, parks, the planting strips & flower pots in the downtown, etc. Molly invites us to listen to our guidance, & network with the devas, guides & elementals on this!

* I printed out a copy, put it in a vinyl 'sheet protector,' & posted it in my shower, & would clear the land each morning as I cleansed myself! Currently I keep one on an altar, & one at my office. It really does only take a few minutes, & is well worth the extra effort! Molly does it daily, I usually do it weekly, but at times more often.

If you have a name for your land/home, use that. Journal about the process, share it, do it with a group - & do it whenever you're worried about 'weather' or other extreme happenings around the planet! It helps.

* When you're gardening, do a clearing first, & imagine that you're infusing light into the soil as you play in it. Bless the water you offer your garden, & the plants as you place & nurture them. At Findhorn Garden in Scotland, the original gardeners worked in close harmony with nature, & were enjoined to bring light into the soil as they worked with it, to eat from the garden, & to drink lots of water.

Today I was reading Doreen Virtue's "Healing With the Fairies. I have her deck of the same name, & enjoy pulling a fairy card or two to for inspiration.

On page 71 she writes:"Deep within lightworkers' hearts & guts, they have a sense of time urgency.
"... think of a smog layer over the earth, but imagine instead of air pollution, it is a collection of fear-based thoughts. It consists of all the anger felt during morning commutes to work, plus 'lack thoughts,' where humans believe they lack the money, love or time that they need. These negative energies clog the dense level hugging the earth. ... it has a detrimental effect on everyone on the planet, including Mother Earth herself.

"If lightworkers lived & breathed this 'smog' which we call' race-mind consciousness,' they would become depressed and incapable of helping to eradicate it. So the heavenly supporters to lightworkers -- including the archangels, master healers, teachers, elementals, & starpeople -- send strong bands of lightwaves to the lighworkers. It is usually received in one ear as a high pitched tone that can seem loud, & even painful. This tone elevates the body's frequency above the race-mind consciousness, so the lightworker can retain a pool of energy & hopefulness that will motivate him or her to contribute to the solution."

Performing Land tunings on a regular basis contributes to the solution, & helps reduce 'smog' & raise vibration - both our own, our land & those around us. Won't you please add your 'tunings!'

Fall Gardening

2011-08-22T23:35:00.001-07:00

As the slow starting, but now very nice summer rolls toward fall, my thoughts turn to planting some fall veggies! I'm lucky to live in an area where fall/winter gardening is fairly simple, though I don't always remember to get things planted at the right times!

The bare bed in the back of this pic held garlic which I harvested & braided a few weeks ago, the one in front has tomatoes, an artichoke, cantaloupe, cucumber & crockneck squash. Russian Red Kale is already coming up in that bed, self-seeding from plantings past. I've dug a couple of new beds, after covering areas of lawn with cardboard & grass clippings (this sounds more civilized than it is, some is 2' tall, & cut with a small sickle!) And have been reading up on crop rotations & increasing soil fertility.

This summer there have been a few 'rages' over folks planting their front lawns to vegetables, while others extol that practice as ecologically & visually sound. In Western Oregon, we're lucky that many communities seem to welcome, or at least accept, veggies in the front yard, composting, rain barrels & the like. I have a mix of herbs & flowers in front, with most of my veggies in my big back yard (lot is 50' x 100', with the house toward the front, so lots of room for veggie beds, fruit plantings, etc.)

I've had a CSA share the last couple of years, & we're also blessed with a couple of weekly farmers markets, one that runs 12 months of the year. Our local OG farmers grow both familiar & unusual vegetables, & it's always fun to try a few new varieties.

Since quinoa is one of my favorite seed/grains, I've got a couple of rows, plus a few of amaranth. These plants are used in many cultures as both a green & for their seeds, so I've been picking & cooking a few leaves at a time.I also have the perennial 'Good King Henry,' which is setting seed this year.

A few weeks ago I came home the farmers market with a bag of salad mix from Growing Wild Farm which included a lovely 'green' with bright magenta tips, obviously related to lambs quarters/ quinoa - Yum! It was delightful in salad or cooked, & so pretty.
When I asked about it later, they thought it was purple orach, but from the pictures on-line, it looked more like Magentaspreen, so I ordered seed of both a magenta orach, & Magentaspreen from Nichols Garden Nursery, & will soon plant some.
In this photo, the Magentaspreen is on the left (both green & fuscia leaves), Red Hopi Dye amaranth in the middle, cherry vanilla quinoa on the Right, & the more familiar shiny purple basil at the top (to show size).

All of these (except the basil) are in the 'goosefoot' family, related to our more modern spinach, & have been in cultivation for hundreds of years. An article on saving seed warns against planting several varieties close together if you want your seed to be 'true' to form, but also comment you can get some interesting variations if you do so! And they can all self-seed - but are nicely edible!

My son has a good crop of wild Lambs Quarters growing, which we call 'Emily Spinach,' as his 7 year old LOVES greens, & will go out & harvest a batch, then bring it in & cook it herself! I'm thinking of giving them some of the Magentaspreen seed to try as well.

In the "Ladybug Letter," Andy, a gardener & blogger talks about growing orach & ruminates on how to market 'red greens' with such funny names (goosefoot or mountain spinach)!

These 'greens' are best picked when 8-10", or you can harvest individual leaves as I do, leaving the tops to set seed. Quinoa seed has saponin (soap), so needs to be rinsed before cooking; but is a simple 'grain' for the home garden - & wonderfully gluten free!

Some seeds/plants for late summer/early fall planting: Leafy greens (lettuces, salad mixes, quinoa & its relatives, spinach, arugula, chard and mâche [corn salad]); root veggies (beets, carrots, onions, turnips, radishes, salsify, and rutabagas); brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and Chinese cabbage); leeks & bulb fennel, and fava beans & peas will all thrive in the cooler weather and shorter days of fall. Some herbs & flowers(parsley, calendula, nasturtium, cilantro) may be planted now as well. In many regions, some of these cold-hardy crops will even survive the winter to produce a second harvest in spring.
You can plant small lettuce or sew seeds under tomatoes, to take advantage of the shade. Some gardeners recommend mulching around late summer sewn seeds/plants, to retain soil moisture. Seattle 'Tilth' publishes a great year round gardening guide for the NW, which gives month by month tips on planting & soil health.

Consider planting cover crops in some of the beds (one suggestion is to have 1/3 or 1/4 of the garden beds in a cover crop, to enrich the soil & hold it in place). These can be cut & dug into the soil or added to the compost pile. Buckwheat, clovers (red, Austrian, Crimson, white), alfalfa, fava beans are all options. Your county extension office will have suggestions for your area.
Buckwheat is good for any season, as it matures rapidly & can be cut when 1/3 of the plants are blooming & chopped into the soil. The feed store a few blocks from me sells such seed in bulk, which is very handy for the home gardener who may only need a handful of seed.

Happy gardening!

Medicine of Light

2011-03-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this lovely piece on protection & 'Medicine of Light' - blessed be!

A Hathor Planetary Message
Through Tom Kenyon

Medicines of Light:
Protection and Healing from Radiation Poisoning, Neurotoxins, Bacteria and
Viruses.

With the earthquake in New Zealand, followed by the earthquake in Japan, it
is clear that you have entered a more complex phase of the Chaotic Node.

We wish to impart a method for protection and healing from radiation
poisoning as well as other physical conditions. We call this *Medicines of
Light.*

This is obviously related to current events unfolding in Japan, however, as
future earth changes unfold, you may face similar challenges in your near
future from other locations around the world.

This method will assist you to both protect and heal yourself from exposure,
not only to radioactivity, but also to neurotoxins and to mutating forms of
bacteria and viruses. From our perspective you can expect to see an increase
of these in your near timeline.

The method involves connecting to your Celestial Soul, the BA. This action
is to connect to the realms of light that are a part of your being.

Everything that exists in your cosmos can be viewed as a *qualification or
energetic expression of light*—even your densest forms of matter are
essentially a form of light.

In this method you connect to your Celestial Soul, holding the intent and
expectation that it will impart to you an energetic that protects and/or
heals you. You send this intent to your Celestial Soul with the emotional
vibration of appreciation or gratitude. This is simply the vibrational
resonance that activates this higher aspect of your being.

Once you send this intent conjoined with appreciation or gratitude to your
BA, you shift your awareness into your heart chakra, receiving the energetic
of healing or protection into the heart chakra. You might experience this
energetic as a form of light, or as geometric patterns, or you may feel the
sensation of a descent of energy. You may also experience this energetic
simply as a thought/feeling.

Once the energetic is received in the heart chakra, it is ready to send.

For this phase you will need some pure water, since water holds this type of
information extremely well. Holding a container of water in your hands,
through intent, you send this energy that is in the heart chakra down the
arms into the hands and through the chakras that are in the center of each
palm. The energetic enters the water through this pathway.

We suggest you amplify this energetic by repeating the procedure three
times, for a total of three times—two more times in addition to the first.
You then drink the water. The water permeates the water element of your
body, and the healing and protective qualities eventually enter every cell.

Through this action you are qualifying light, causing it to descend through
the central pathway of your body into your heart and sending it into the
water element. The consciousness of the water receives this energetic, and
when you drink it, the body receives it.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have been exposed to
radioactivity you would engage this procedure as we have described it,
qualifying the energy that descends from the BA to protect and heal you from
any possibility of radiation poisoning. If you have other means to protect
yourself, you should obviously engage these as well, but even if you are
left with nothing but the tools of your own consciousness, you can protect
and heal yourself.

If you have been exposed to neurotoxins you would do the same. If you are in
the midst of an epidemic that involves bacterial or viral infections, we
advise you to do the same.

As you collectively enter more deeply into this more complex and intense
phase of the Chaotic Node, bacteria and viruses will mutate faster. This
method will allow you to protect and heal yourself from these mutating life
forms.

It is important to understand that you are creating the protection and
healing through the powers of your own consciousness. You have direct access
to your own light realms. You have the sovereign right to engage the light
realms on your own behalf and on the behalf of your loved ones.

If you find yourself in one of these difficult situations we have described,
we suggest you take the Medicine of Light—which is the water that you have
charged—several times a day, as your intuition guides you.

The physical ramifications of the earthquake activity in Japan and the
resulting tsunami are very difficult to deal with. But we wish to shift our
attention from the physical to the mental, emotional, and spiritual effects
created by such a disaster,

Due to the fact that you are in a Chaotic Node and energies from deep space
conjoined with solar flare activity are affecting your energy bodies, you,
as a collective, are more affected. What we mean by this is that witnessing
the suffering of your fellow humans shatters the heart. There is a
recognition that their predicament could easily be yours. This recognition
can create an opening in your heart, and it is through the heart—your
heart—that higher states of consciousness are realized, and so the
earthquake in Japan is, in many ways, an earthquake of the collective heart.

The times before you are not easy. From our perspective, increased earth
changes are upon you. But one result of such events is that you are shaken
to your roots and the mass hypnosis pauses for a moment. And in such utter
and surrealistic devastation, many of you see very clearly that your
civilization rests on tenuous grounds. We mean this both literally and
figuratively.

And so our advice for this phase of the Chaotic Node is to learn and master
the ability to create Medicines of Light for yourself, so that when the time
arises, you know how to engage this power of protection and healing that you
possess in your very nature. And we suggest you navigate through these times
not only with your minds, but with your hearts—and let your hearts be
touched, for it is through your hearts that you will ascend the spiral
pathway to your own greatness.

The Hathors

*March 16, 2011*

------------------------------

Tom’s Thoughts and Observations

I have been channeling the Hathors for about twenty years now and started
posting their Planetary Messages in February of 2003. And in all that time I
have never sensed in them such an urgency to post one of their
communications. Usually, I am given several days to dwell on and contemplate
their messages before writing my comments. But that luxury does not exist in
this moment. They have asked Judi and me to post this particular message as
soon as possible, and so I will make my comments brief and to the point.

The central message here is that all human beings have the ability to create
what the Hathors call *Medicines of Light*. And this type of medicine has
an inherent capability and potential to protect and heal us not only from
radioactive poisoning, but also from the effects of neurotoxins, as well as
bacterial and viral infections.

The method is simple and to the point. Since some of you reading this may be
new to the whole idea of a Celestial Soul (or BA), let me clarify its
location and how to engage it. The BA, or Celestial Soul, is an aspect of
your own consciousness that is outside the constraints of time and space.
Some of you might refer to the Celestial Soul as the Higher Self. But
whatever you call it, your Celestial Soul exists in what the Hathors call
the *light realms*, and this aspect of you is engaged whenever you send it
appreciation or gratitude.

Your BA does not have a location in time and space since it is transcendent
to both.

But it does have an entry point to your energy field, which is about arm’s
distance above your head. If you were to raise your hands over your head and
touch your fingertips together, your fingers would be in the vicinity of
this entry point. And this is where you place your attention in the first
phase of their method for creating a Medicine of Light. (Do note that
placing of your hands above your head is only for orientation purposes. You
do not actually put your hands over your head when creating the Medicines of
Light).

Once you place your awareness in the area of your BA point, you hold in your
mind the qualification of light you wish to receive. Let’s say, for example,
that you have been, or will be, exposed to dangerous forms of radioactivity
and are in danger of radiation poisoning. After focusing your attention on
your BA point above your head, hold the intent that the energy that descends
from your BA will be an energetic of healing and/or protection from
radiation poisoning.

You then send the feeling of appreciation or gratitude upward from your
heart chakra to the BA point above your head—as you hold the intent or
qualification that the energetic imparted to you from your BA will protect
and/or heal you from radiation poisoning.

Next you shift your attention from your BA point to your heart chakra (in
the center of your chest beneath the sternum) and then wait to receive the
energetic of protection and healing from your BA.

Those of you new to this may need to send the intent or qualification along
with the feeling of appreciation or gratitude to your BA several times
before you notice a response. But just keep sending this intention joined
with the feeling of appreciation or gratitude upward to your BA until you
feel a descent of energy. When you feel the descent of energy from your
Celestial Soul, shift your awareness to your heart chakra. Allow your heart
center to receive this energetic of protection and healing.

You then place your hands around or over a container of pure water and send
this energetic received from your Celestial Soul into the water. The
energetic of healing and/or protection that has entered your heart center
will move down your arms and into the water through the two chakras that are
in the center of the palm of each hand.

Repeat this process for a total of three times. Then drink the water.

If you are in a precarious situation, the Hathors advise that you create a
Medicine of Light several times a day and drink it according to your
intuition.

As the Hathors point out, Medicines of Light have many more applications
than just protection and healing from radiation poisoning. You can use these
to protect and/or heal yourself from neurotoxins, as well as bacterial and
viral infections. Although they did not mention it, I asked the Hathors
after they gave this message if the method would work for other physical
challenges such as cancer. And they said that Medicines of Light could most
definitely be created in the same way to deal with this type of situation—as
well as others.

Obviously, if you are dealing with a serious situation such as radiation
poisoning, exposure to neurotoxins, and/or epidemics of bacterial and viral
infections, you will want to avail yourself of all medical remedies. In
other words, this method is not meant to replace medical or public health
solutions, but is meant to be an adjunct, something you can do *yourself—for
yourself*.

After giving their message, I asked the Hathors about making Medicines of
Light for those who are unable to do it for themselves, like children and
pets. They said that you would use the same method, except for the fact that
you would qualify the intent for the child or animal you are going to give
the Medicine to. For example, if you were creating a Medicine of Light to
protect or heal yourself from radiation poisoning, you would send the
thought that the energetic you are going to receive from your Celestial Soul
is for your own personal protection or healing. If you were going to do this
for a child or a pet, you would send the thought that the energetic you are
going to receive from your Celestial Soul is for the protection or healing
of the being you are going to give the Medicine to, i.e. your child or your
pet.

It is here that I would like to interject something. It is far better to
teach someone how to create a Medicine of Light than to create a dependency.
The ability to create Medicines of Light is an inherent ability in all human
beings. It is part of our multidimensional legacy. And to empower someone to
do this for him or her self is a service to his or her mastery.

I would personally hate to see this method being used by “healers” to create
Medicines of Light for others under the guise that they have some special
powers that others do not. This method for creating Medicines of Light is a
human birthright, and my feeling is that it should be shared with all
persons.

There is much that I would like to share about this simple method for
creating Medicines of Light, but philosophical and metaphysical observations
will have to wait for another time.

The Hathors are insistent that we post this information and circulate it as
quickly as is possible.

------------------------------

You may make copies of this message and distribute it in any media you
desire so long as you do not charge for it, do not alter it in any way,
credit the author, and include this copyright notice.

*******************
Nadya here:

I want to echo Tom's suggestion to teach this/share this with others, rather than doing it 'for them'
when possible!
Also, many of my healing teachers have suggested similar 'water blessing' rituals - so simple!
Yet often forgotten - DO THIS!!

Nutritional Protection from Radiation

2011-03-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Joining a world that's stunned by the effects of the Tsunami off the coast of Japan last week, & the deterioration of the Nuclear Reactors, I've been thinking about Iodine.

Sea weed expert (& biologist) Ryan Drum writes about this essential nutrient:

"About a half billion years ago early chordates (the vertebrates and animals with a notochord) decided to use Iodine127 for their respective thyroid hormones. This decision to use stable Iodine 127 as the definitive element in regulatory hormones is probably a significant factor in Chordata survival and success.

Chordates developed in the oceans where Iodine 127 was always available. Once chordates moved onto land, their iodine requirement became problematical. Land animals must derive their iodine from food and water. Fresh water often has less iodine than seawater. Unlike seaweeds, land plants seem to have no requirement for iodine and thus accumulate very little iodine.

Over time, most land animals developed efficient Iodine 127 extraction and storage mechanisms, becoming innately iodine-conservative with iodine reserves stored in thyroid glands and secondarily as circulating iodinated hormones bound to blood globulins. The absolute stability of Iodine 127 favored reliable longterm storage.

Prior to the 1940’s, there was no biologically available Iodine 131. This means that prior to the development of nuclear devices and facilities, animals had no prior experience with unstable Iodine 131 and probably no special protective mechanisms.

Are animals at risk for Iodine 131 uptake and subsequent radiation damage? Yes and no. Amazingly, animals can detect the atomic weight differences between the lighter stable Iodine 127 and the heavier unstable Iodine131. But, this is apparently the only detectable difference between the two iodine forms. Because of their innate iodine conservation mechanisms, iodine-dependent animals will readily take up radioactive, heavier Iodine 131 if they are deficient in Iodine 127. The Iodine 131 is placed in molecules, cells and tissues where iodine is needed, just as if it were Iodine127. The safety factor is: ANIMALS WITH COMPLETE BODY COMPLEMENT OF IODINE127 TEND TO NOT TAKE IN RADIOACTIVE IODINE131."

-- So, our task, if we wish to take it, is to be certain we have a 'complete body complement of Iodine 127!

Eating Sea veggies is one of the easiest ways to get that complement of Iodine 127. In 'Seed of Life Nutrition, Summer writes: "Bladderwrack, wakame, kombu and dulse have the highest iodine levels and therefore the most protective properties. Sea palm is good, as well. Nori isn’t known for having the highest levels of iodine, so in this instance wouldn’t be my first recommendation unless it is the only kind of seaweed someone likes or tolerates. For kelp powder 1-3 grams per day is a maintenance dose."

I use a piece of kombu when cooking beans or soups, (usually cut into smaller pieces, so it's easy to eat), & love to munch on wakame. I enjoy finding kelp powder that's not too granular, & sprinkle it on most anything I'd use salt on. Tuesdays I swim with my 6 year old granddaughter, & since the pool water is chlorinated, I take an iodine capsule. (chlorine, bromide & fluorine are in the same halogen group, & displace iodide 127!)

In my mid 20s, I developed pre-menstrual breast tenderness, & after reading one of Dr Jon Wright's articles, began taking a few drops of Lugol's Solution, & within a couple of months, that was no longer an issue. Dr Jarvis writes in his books on (Vermont) Folk Medicine that Lugol's Solution added to apple cider vinegar would reverse mastitis in the Dairy Cattle, & a few drops with a couple of tsp. vinegar in a glass of water would 'Calm the Race Horse type child!' Interestingly, he also recommends against wheat, (along with white sugar, etc) & comments that the folks in Vermont do better eating corn! hmm -

Dr. Jarvis was quite interested in the need for iodine, & the effects of consuming/esposure to other members of the same Halogen group:

Relative
Halogen Atomic Weight
Fluorine 19.
Chlorine 35.5
Bromine 80.
Iodine 127.

As always, remember I'm a massage therapist, & while interested in nutrition & well being for most of my life, am not a doctor. I encourage you to do your own research!

Always Apply a Joyful Mind

2011-03-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

This morning, reading a bit in a library book before I rolled out of bed, I ran across this quote by Akisha, 11th century. "Always Apply a Joyful Mind" Rather like the 5th Reiki Precept: 'show gratitude.' I am grateful, indeed I am grateful for many blessings, health, happiness, family, food/shelter/warmth, clients, time, music .. & I have much joy in my life.

Life has been good & busy - since I began 'facebooking' I notice I've blogged less & less - instant gratification? & communication with a vast community - I recently read that 1/3 of the internet use is spent on Facebook ... now is that really true? While I write here, my FB is 'open' so am I considered spending time there, while I'm actually 'here' ??

(excuse me, I had to pop over cause I had comment notifications ...)

You see how it goes! & then there was a call from my March Red Hat Hostess, checking to see if she had everyone's contact information ... we're going to Wednesday Wines, with catering from Harvest Fresh across the street! Yes, those lovely photos are actually of the produce & other shelves! & if I didn't have a CSA share, I would be quite happy with the lovely OG & local fare -

A week or so ago, my former hubby called my daughter to ask about HIS family history - two of his sisters & a niece & nephew have celiac & have gone gluten free. My son & his family think about doing so, but haven't really stepped off the wheat wagon, ...

Now what is wrong (um, short sighted?) with a family of biologists, who, when they see several members of the family have a 'disorder' that is now known to have genetic links, & have health problems that are also related, but 'wonder' if they could also have gluten issues?? Do you think? He is lactose intolerant, which often follows gluten sensitivity, & 'does better' when he doesn't eat bread ... it's not just about bread! Sigh. At least he's asking questions!

Yesterday I received 'Gluten Toxicity' e-book from Shelly Stuart - a compliation of her research & info she'd posted on her website - yea!!
Love these quotes: "Unfortunately, gluten appears to be a difficult protein for everyone to digest. Humans don't have all the gastric (stomach), brush border (intestinal) & pancreatic (pancreas) enzymes necessary for ... it to... be broken down & digested easily." (chapter 2)

A DIFFICULT PROTEIN FOR EVERYBODY TO DIGEST!

& this one: 'like a ticking time bomb, perhaps, everyone who is ingesting gluten has the potential for an unfavorable outcome" (cancer, auto immune damage & diseases, malnutirition ...

Off to enjoy the morning - lots of light, off & on sun ... blessings on your day, may it be joyful!

Purple Door & Feng Shui

2011-01-14T11:26:00.001-08:00

Welcome 2011!

I've been following my dear, inspiring friend Gwynne's Feng Shui 18 day program to nutrure business success for the coming year, & the task for day 3 was to clear & bless your entrance or 'Mouth of Chi' by clearing clutter by your front door, sweeping the steps & porch, making sure the street numbers are visible, & washing the door - or painting it! Gwynne's suggestions were: glossy red for good luck, black for career & money, or green for growth & new beginnings.

I've done some things at the office, & some at home, so my front porch got some needed attention! I swept, cleared, washed the door, took the mailbox down & repainted it (gold with red), took the shutter by the window off (to the L, facing the door), so I could move the house numbers to a 'visible' position, & thought about choosing a new colour for the door!

My home has vinyl siding, & the door & vinyl shutters on several windows have been teal blue. I considered painting it red ... my friend Leonard mentioned having looked up possibilities on-line - which colours are harmonious for the direction your door faces.
Mine faces East, some possibilities include: green, blue, & turquoise. One author commented: "in feng shui, purple is the only colour that you can place in any direction." Hmm, purple ...

Reno Berkeley writes: "a purple door signifies royalty and wealth, but not necessarily monetary wealth. Purple is a spiritual color, and in Feng Shui is connected with psychic activities such as spirituality & meditation. ... painting your front door purple can show the world that you are open-minded and willing to think outside the box. Purple is universally known as the most spiritual and versatile color in the spectrum."

So I headed out to find some paint - & chose a glossy purple for the door, & pale lavender for trim. Painting is so satisfying, very quickly you have a whole new look!! I washed & painted the porch window trim as well - still have to do more clean up, & find a nice new doormat!

The Chinese New Year - year of the Rabbit - begins on Feb 4. On Saturday, I went with my friends Donna & Marvin to the Lan Su Gardens in downtown Portland, had tea, enjoyed the gardens, & got a few goodies from the gift shop. My feng shui packet from Gwynne & 10,000 Blessings contains a lovely selection of cures for enhancing the fortune of the year, Chinese coins on red ribbon, loose coins, ingots, incense ...

The Rabbit year is an especially favorable & mild one, following the more exciting year of the Tiger! I'm a Tiger, & my Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes says: "A happier year for the Tiger. Some good news is forthcoming, love & business affairs look rosy. There are still some obstacles, but (s)he will surmount them with little difficulty, & will be quite content with (her) achievements." That sounds good!
In general, a Rabbit year brings "A congenial time in which diplomacy, international relations & politics fare well. We will act with discretion & make reasonable concessions without too much difficulty. Money can be made without too much labor, our life style will be more languid & leisurely. A temperate year with an unhurried pace."

Remember last year's preparations - my grandkids especially loved rolling oranges across the doorstep! This Saturday my LAc co-worker Lisa & I are hosting an open house at our business, & rolling those oranges!!

Blessings on your year! May it indeed be congenial, prosperous & leisurely!

Mid December Musing

2010-12-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

As the year rolls to a close, I'm enjoying time with grandkids ('grammie, we always have sleep overs at your house - you need to stay here tonight!'), the square dance calling, de-thugging more of my clutter, Holiday Harp gigs ...

Tomorrow my Bodacious Babes Red Hat group travels to one of our favorite local tea rooms, & I'll again make GF scones, this time for myself & one of my gal friends, who's been GF about 2 months now! I intend to use the recipe I used for macaroons for a dessert buffet, reducing the sugar a bit more. I adapted a 'normal' (non-GF) recipe:
1/2 C basic GF mix, 1/4 C sorghum flour, 1/4 C coconut flour
1/2 C Spectrum OG Palm oil shortening (for butter)
1/2 C coconut sugar (only used 1/2 C sugar, prob cut to 1/3 C for the scones)
1 T ground flax/chia seed mixed w/ @ Tbsp coconut milk (for egg)
My daughter just got a box of Montina, so I'll add a couple of Tbps of that as well GF RN suggests using a small amount to boost the nutrition in recipes.

& I've been reflecting on the changes I've seen in myself & my family over the last 18 months of being gluten free. In the summer of 2009, my daughter sent DNA samples off to TX for the genetic testing, & both she & her girls had two genes for sensitivity (her husband had one sensitivity, one celiac gene) Since they lived next door, & I felt it would be easier on my grandkids if grammy was also GF, I stopped eating wheat, rye, barley & any products I knew or suspected contained them at the same time.

Having been interested in health all of my adult life, this is one of the best things I've ever done for myself! Cousins remember that I wouldn't let my kids eat 'refined sugar' at family outings, & my pie crust was always whole wheat pastry flour ... oops!!

Gluten Free RN comments "Celiac disease is associated with over 300 signs and symptoms. The reason the problems are so diverse, is that complications are a manifestation of four causes. This is what makes celiac disease and gluten intolerance extremely tricky to recognize."

1) the body recognizes gluten as a pathogen & responds with inflammation
2) chronic inflammation causes T cell dysfunction
3) chronic inflammation causes an auto-immune reaction
4) celiac or gluten sensitivity can cause malabsorption or malnutrition symptoms

So what have I noticed personally over the last 18 months of being Gluten Free?

* lost 20# & my post menopause 'tummy'/ feel more like my 30-something self than 60!

* my scalp no longer itches! My mom used think it was lice, as I ALWAYS scratched my head. (I'm careful to use GF skin products, vitamins, etc)

* very little gas

* rarely need a nap (though I still enjoy one occasionally)
I'd usually eat bread at Breitenbush when I lived there, often a second slice with a bit of honey & butter; & remember struggling to stay awake doing that first massage after lunch - warm room, sleepy sleepy ....
when filling-in these days, I always choose the 'special diet' (gluten, dairy & egg free) & same warm room, but no problem staying awake!

* slight numbness in my hands some morning - that was becoming common, is reversing. My X's older sisters who've been ID as having celiac had Raynaud's (extremely cold hands & feet) years ago - which is now seen to be a sign of gluten sensitivity or celiac.

* mental clarity

* looking for the right word - ambition is almost right - I'm more enthused to clear clutter & keep a neater house!

* my main seed is quinoa - love that!! (it's in the beet family, so a seed rather than grain) Cooks in ~ 20 minutes, I usually add 1 T teff & 1 T amaranth to 1/2 C, cook with ~ 1 1/2 C water/stock or coconut milk - mmm.
I tend to cook it plain, then can add spices when I reheat - often have ~ 1/3 C mixed in with cooked veggies (or stuffed in pumpkin - yum!), take it in my tiffin, etc.
I used to eat a lot more rice, but tend to limit that now, so I don't overuse it. Rice cakes & crackers are a good option for when I'm out & about, & I use a basic mix that has rice flour. A major difference I notice is I'm less hungry eating less grain! We think of grains as 'fillers' - but I actually ate more of everything - perhaps that malabsorption bit GF RN mentions; the body craves more because it's actually starved for nutrients! Where I could easily eat a couple of pieces of bread, or a bit of every desert, it's now fairly simple to fill my plate (medium, not huge) or eat half of a restaurant meal; & only a piece of GF desert. It's not because it's not good - far from it! I've had some of the best deserts I can imagine that are GF! I'm just not as hungry!

* I take a multi-vitamin/mineral, Vitamin D-3 (5000iu in winter), magnesium (important for >300 biochemical functions in the body; I take 700 mg - some is from my multi) fish oil or chia seed, lithium ('think young into your 90s with this anti-aging secret for your brain'), sub-lingual or liquid Vitamin B-12 (absorbs in the gut rather than stomach, & is often low if you're Gluten sensitive), digestive bitters (1/2 tsp before meals), & coconut milk kefir (probiotics)

* My 10 year old granddaughter did go off her anti-seizure meds over the summer. She is doing well (though we still need to watch her); she also raised from level 12 to level 22 in her Spanish reading this fall! (the family Dyslexia is probably gluten related)
This week my niece commented she'd mentioned my granddaughter's progress at a party, & later one of the men took her aside & told her his 19 year old son recently had a seizure while driving - he & mom were OK, but the car was totaled when he seized while driving! They had no idea he'd been having seizures, & the dad said the boy could 'eat a loaf of bread or half a cake' at a sitting, so after hearing about my granddaughter, they planned to ask the Doctor to check for gluten issues! I warned her that the Doc might not know much about gluten sensitivity, & they may need to look into it on their own!

* My 5 year old granddaughter is much calmer, happier, & more alert. While she may get feisty, she rarely has the flares she did while eating gluten. Her little hands are smooth & soft as long as she avoids wheat flour play dough & soaps with a lot of chemicals/ gluten. & did I mention happier?? Her playschool teacher commented several times what a difference it made for her 'she just WOKE UP!'

* My daughter is seeing a new doctor who is working on healing her 'leaky gut' & helping her safely reduce/discontinue her anti-depressant. Her last blood work showed sensitivities to more foods (whey, so no yogurt/milk; hard cheeses are OK) egg whites (mildly sensitive) as well as yolks; & cane sugar (another grass, like wheat, rye & barley) among others.
She's been anxiety free since the first week GF, but has been taking the anti-depressant for a number of years. He's recommended a good digestive enzyme, & an amino acid supplement. She's pregnant, so he & her midwife want to avoid postpartum depression, so are being very careful! For protein, she's adding ground pumpkin seed into smoothies. I recently got some hemp seeds which are great on salads, & always roast the seeds of the pumpkins & squash I'm baking this season.
Her European doctor (primary care) is a proponent of limiting animal proteins, fish being the only meat he recommends. He also recommends NONE of his clients eat gluten containing products in America, tho when his family visits Europe, they eat bread & pastas. Dr Radzik's concerned about the GMOs & other American farming practices, feeling we'd ALL be better off avoiding wheat.

So if you've wondered if YOU might be gluten sensitive, now's the time to check it out for yourself - have the Genetic testing, or simply go gluten free for a few weeks & see how you feal! (it takes much longer for the body to heal, but you will probably notice some changes over the first weeks) & if you've been GF, & slipped, don't beat yourself up, just go GF again!

Here's to a wonderful GLUTEN FREE holiday!

Gluten Free Thanksgiving

2010-11-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

Had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at my daughter's - 19 gathered for a wonderful GLUTEN FREE feast!
Turkey n ham, mashed potatoes (both vegan & w/dairy)
...
I brought Rattatoui (Rroasted Veggies), mostly from my CSA share; carrots, parsnips, Jerusalem Artichokes, golden beets, leeks, garlic, sweet potatoes & yams ... chopped them all first, & had in bowls to saute in coconut oil in the wok, then transfer to the baking dish. I added a bit of veggie stock to moisten, & Italian herbs w/ a bay leaf & pieces of kombu.

Orange Cranberry sauce - had to settle for 'regular' oranges as blood oranges aren't quite in season yet; & used ~ 1/2 C honey (my daughter has sensitivities to both cane sugar & agave) - mmm - added a bit more sweetening when I've had left overs (but would rather not have it too sweet in the beginning!)

Pumpkin pudding - I used both pumpkin & butternut squash, which I baked at 350* earlier in the week. To make it egg free, I ground flax & chia seeds (2 parts flax to 1 part chia), & used 3 Tbsp in place of 3 eggs, & blended the baked pumpkin with a bit of the coconut milk. I used a tsp garahm masala with the other spices, & again used honey rather than Agave - YUM!!

My sweetie brought curried quinoa (cooked in coconut milk), 'good' olives, (inc green with garlic - which my 5 yr old granddaughter LOVES), & roast chestnuts! He also has a whipped cream maker that uses little canisters to do instant whip - YUM! Went great on the GF brownies, apple pie, & my pudding.

Good time with family & friends, lovely Gluten free food, what more can we ask?? Happy Holidays!!

Pumpkin time again

2010-11-08T09:28:00.001-08:00

Yesterday our church had a Harvest Party out at the Heritage Center S of town, & our Square Dance club performed & invited folks to join us on the dance floor! Was a big hit. A gal in her 80s who was a club member, but has had health issues & has memory loss joined the 'lesson,' & didn't miss a beat! Her daughter was in tears, watching mama out on the dance floor, helping her partner figure out where to go! So sweet.

I brought pumpkin soup & a big green salad to the potluck - this fall I got a copy of Gluten Free Girl & The Chef's wonderful cook/story book, & they have been sponsoring a weekly recipe 'cook off' - the first week was making their pumpkin soup! YUM!

Chantrelles were just hitting our farmer's market, so I made mine with fresh chantrelles, leeks, celery root & coconut milk (replacing red onion, celery & cream :) Have made it several times - it's great!

I roast the squash or pumpkin whole, as suggested by my CSA farmers Katie & Casey, till soft enough for a knife to easily pierce, then cut & scoop meat & seeds out. I roast the seeds - Shauna has a great recipe for pumpkin seed hummus on her blog.

PUMPKIN SOUP (adapted from the recipe in Gluten Free Girl & the Chef)

5# pumpkin or squash - roasted & meat scooped out, seeds roasted & set aside

2 Tbsp coconut oil
half dozen chantrelle mushrooms (or others in season - chantrelles are
nice & orange)
* saute the chantrelles & set aside

2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 large carrot - large diced
1 leek (white part) or onion - diced
2 stalks celery or 1/2" slice of celery root (celeriac) large diced
5 cloves garlic, smashed & peeled
* saute the veggies in a medium stock pot, ~ 10 minutes till soft add 1 Tbsp chopped fresh sage, saute till you smell the herb

1 medium sweet potato, peeled; medium diced
1/2 tsp fresh nutmeg (freshly grated)
1 bay leaf
2 quarts veggie stock
* toss sweet potato into the stock pot with the other veggies, cover with stock & add herbs. Add salt & fresh ground pepper. Bring to boil, reduce heat & simmer about 15 minutes.

Finishing: fish out the bay leaf, & puree about 2/3 of the soup in batches in a blender or food processor. Taste & season with salt & pepper - add 1/2 Cup coconut milk, & reserved chantrelles.

If you wish, add roasted pumpkin seeds to each bowl (Shauna has her method for roasting with the pumpkin seed spread recipe) I roast my pumpkin/squash whole, then scoop out the seeds, & put them in a pan, sprinkle with salt, & return to the hot oven for ~ 10 minutes or till they're lightly toasted.

Made the soup - yumm - then made a green salad, & a fun, creamy vegan PUMPKIN DRESSING!
1/3 cup pumpkin
1/3 Cup Coconut milk Kefir (plain)
1/3 Cup olive Oil
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I used Garam Masala)
1 Tbsp balsamic or cider vinegar
Blend till smoothe
This has been VERY POPULAR at my daughter's house!! The girls love helping MAKE kefir, & sometimes drink it ... my daughter has recently found she's sensitive to whey, as well as egg yokes (& somewhat sensitive to the whites) ... so some of the creamy dressing options aren't good for her.

I've been making kefir steadily since receiving the grains in the mail back in the spring. I still drink a cup of milk (coconut) kefir morning & evening, but haven't been making the water kefir. I tend to use canned coconut milk, & add 1/2 scoop cal/mag powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, & 1/2 tsp maple syrup, honey or agave nectar. Cover with a piece of muslin & fasten with a rubber band, & leave at room temp 24-36 hours.
Then strain the 'grains' out, & store the cultured kefir in the fridge; starting a new batch in a wide mouth quart jar. The girls usually want a bit of honey or agave nectar in theirs (less than 1/2 tsp!) & usually want to help me strain & start a new batch when they visit.

Happy fall - soup's on!

Soaring like a Crane

2010-10-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend at the beach with my galfriends - 'Sister Circle's' annual retreat at the Sylvia Beach Hotel - marvelous! It was rainy but not to cold; by Sunday had cleared off & there were high tides, so lunch at Depot Bay offered lovely view (without danger of being swept away!)

In a few weeks I'll begin Level III of Soaring Crane Qigong . ('chee gong') with Jo Ann Albrecht.
This form is designed to energize those in very poor health - "Professor Chen (who brought this form to Oregon) was diagnosed in 1982 with terminal cancer. Doctors gave her a 25% chance of recovery. In search for a cure, Professor Chen was introduced to Qigong.
"At that time, Professor Chen was an English Professor at University of International Business and Economics in China. After her remarkable recovery, Professor Chen became a devoted practitioner and has dedicated her life to teaching Qigong."
Jo Ann studied with Professor Chen & offers the teachings in a clear, dedicated way.

I have been practicing this form for ~ 8 years, having begun studying Tai Chi/qigong in my early 30s. My massage mentor suggested it as a way to learn good ergonomics, & felt it was well suited for exercise classes (& hoped we'd learn to teach it!)
When I lived & worked at Breitenbush Hot Springs, I had the opportunity to offer a 'daily well being' program & developed a style of 'drop in' Tai Chi which incorporated quite a bit of Qigong, focusing on the basics of breath, slow movement, attention to posture, & releasing 'negative' energy or chi, then bringing in positive energy.
Guests & fellow staff members often commented on my youthful appearance/radience after a class - & I looked forward to those bi-weekly offerings. When one of the cooks began offering Yoga classes, I sat across from her at dinner just after her first class, & noticed that same 'glow!'

In preparation for class, I've re-read the Soaring Crane level I manual, & been pulling out other qigong books. 'Qigong essence of the healing dance' by Garri Garripoli - one I ordered from Powells Books some time ago, is fascinating, with chapters on healing, on children & qigong (the author played with chi as a child, & assumed everyone did!) & interviews with masters from US, China & Canada; including one of his mentors, 92 year old Duan Zhi Liang. who does qigong in the morning, then 'spars with Kung Fu masters a third his age' before going to his offices & offering Chinese medicine & medical qigong (charging ~ $1 US per treatment!)

Gerri speaks of qigong as a dance, master Duan "uses the Chinese word hundun when he refers to his family's form of Qigong - 'chaos' ..." (p 26) mixing up movements, doing them in a different order each time, truely a 'dance.' This fits well with the classical Russian Ballet I began with (in my late 20s) where the teacher would listen to music, eyes shut, then give us the warm up routines for that day! One student, who'd studied ballet with my Tai Chi teacher (!) was quite puzzled that there was no set 'warm up' - it varried from day to day & class to class. Hundun.

This is the way I've taught Tai Chi/qigong; varying the order, using the same routines, but mixing them up, 'listening' for what to teach that day. The 'set form' of the Soaring Crane routines attracts me; will I actually teach this way?? (If I'm certified to teach it!!)

From Qigong essence: "When I began (with Master Duan) I had years of training in Tai Chi, ... in a world that seemed a bit crazy & unmanageable, perfecting my Tai Chi forms & repeating the prearranged sequence provided a sense of pride & security. Master Duan entered my life with his chaos theory & turned everything on its head. This 92 year old master never did anything in the same way or order twice." (p 17)
& "Bring the principles of Qigong into the basic activities that consume your life. With each step that you would normally take in a semiconscious way, bring consciousness into it. Link a deep breath to it. ... Reach for the door handle, . . . breath out. Pull it toward you . . . breathe in. ... Link a breath with action, this will slow you down." (p 33)

Essence of Qigong - bring presence to our daily activities!

Tiffin

2010-10-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

Since childhood, I've loved the line in a poem: "October's Bright blue weather" - a day like today!

With fall & return to school, it's a great time for all of us to think about packing lunches - & what fun options are available theses days!!
I was admiring stainless steel sets on-line, looking for 'the right one,' & a friend gifted me with this sweet three tier 'tiffin' - which closes with bails - rather like my dad's old aluminum mess kit!
They're sitting on a napkin I made last winter - there's a pocket for the chopsticks & spoon in the middle. This is reminiscent of one of the first 4-H sewing projects - a roll up placemat with pocket for utensils - I carry it in my purse! The Half moon napkin is double sided, & folds into a cute 'Christmas tree' - I made a bunch using fat quarters for my MOMs group gals last holiday season.
I've been reading about ideas for packing bento & tiffin sets, even the recommended amounts. Whew!! The height conversion chart puts me at 165 cm (typical Japanese woman is shorter, at 157) so the lunchtime amount would be closer to 800 calories (the recommendation for 157 cm is 600 calories/boxes containing ~ 600 ml).

Each tier of my 'tiffin' holds 2 cups, about 480 ml - so the contents of two well packed tiers is about the 'right' amount for lunch!! As 'Biggie' says: "So you ordered a bento box online, it arrives and you’re shocked at how tiny it is. People try to tell you to just eat less, but you have a sneaking suspicion that you may have accidentally bought a bento box sized for a 2-year-old instead of an adult."
LOL - that's exactly how this looks - & the amount of salad I'd normally pack explodes out of one of the tiers - so I intend to get a glass storage container to keep in our large fridge at work for several days worth of greens, & pack other veggies in the tiffin!
There's also a sweet tutorial on tying a furoshiki - which does double duty as a wrap for lunch & placemat! Since I already have the napkin & utensils, I'm set! I may also get a larger stainless steel container (our natural foods store carries several options) for days I'll be elsewhere & want a bigger salad! I also have a couple of stainless steel water bottles (two sizes) for days I'm not at the office.

I'll make my first furoshiki out of a couple of 'fat quarters' binding them with solid red or brown bias tape. I've thought of making a bag as well, but may just do this!! Love the comment "The Japanese Minister of the Environment recognizes the furoshiki as ideal for helping to minimize the waste of plastic bags." A small basket is another option.
This is a lovely way to meet your own dietary needs - gluten free, low carb, diabetic . . . just pack what YOU can eat!!
* use rice, quinoa or other GF grains; you can add sauted veggies to the grain or lightly stir fry - & think 'nutrient dense' - quinoa & amaranth are two of these super foods!
* pack small fairly solid veggies - cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, olives, shredded carrots & beets - eat from the rainbow - choose bright colours for maximum nutrition
* my set has a small sauce/dressing container, save your 'wet' ingredients for that
* when you're cooking for the week, make some of a main dish in ramekins or cut small servings from the main dish - freeze some for a variety of meals (label & try to use fairly quickly!)
* add spices to yogurt or kefir for dipping veggies - savory or sweet
* Keep some 'basics' at work - gluten free tamari or Braggs Liquid aminos, flaked nori, wakame or other seaweed to sprinkle on salad, a container of your homemade salad dressing (most commercial dressings are made with corn, soy, safflower etc. oils -stick to coconut & olive oil for maximum health!
* Pack your favorite eating utensils, & find napkins in colours you enjoy - anything you can do to make meals more fun & colouful.
* Pack whole, in season fruit separately when possible
* Think of creative ways to use leftovers (planned overs!) - I cook my grains (usually quinoa w/ a T of teff & one of amaranth) without seasoning, then season according to the meal, grate stirfry some veggies to add, etc
* if you have kids, engage them in packing/ choosing their own lunch fixings.
* when preparing veggies, toss onion skins, garlic, veggie trimmings (no dirt or mold) into a bag in the freezer to make stock - you can freeze some of the stock in an ice cube tray, then pack in a covered container to toss in when you're cooking veggies or soup!
* Peruse the bento sites for more beautiful & creative ideas for making your packed meals something to look forward to!
* Friends of mine have a blog with meal & recipe suggestions for using the veggies from our local CSA shares - this is another great resource! Check their archives for what's in season where you live.
* Tiffin/bento packing is great for increasing your consumption of local, in season food.

Please share your ideas for fall meals & ways you 'pack your lunch' - Happy eating!

Yard Projects

2010-09-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

I've been working on cleaning up my yard! My 'BD gift' from the city was a note that I needed to get rid of 'noxious weeds' over 10" tall. Now I *love to garden* - & get overwhelmed with the amount to be done . . .

My daughter lived next door several years, then moved across town. I'd relied on her & her hubby for help, in *exchange* for a lot of babysitting :) That's shifted the last few years, now that the littlest is in kindergarten, I don't even watch them Monday mornings!!

My son Josh was going to be in town, & I asked Mary & my friend Leonard if they could help - we got THREE loads of yard debris to 'Greenlands' - the composting branch of our local garbage service! We did one load last Thursday (my birthday :) & got most of the rest into the driveway for taking yesterday - what a nice change!! Leonard brought a weed eater, Mary, Josh, Alyssa & I clipped & chopped extra brush & the ubiquitous blackberries . . . Josh would ask 'why did you plant this?!' & I'd reply - I didn't - the birds did!!' Hazels, an oak tree (way too close to the fence, & our native oaks get HUGE) . . .

This morning I'm clipping a bit more in the driveway, chopping out a few weeds, & moving the garbage & recycling bins closer to the 'garage.' Mary still has a bunch of boxes in the garage that need to go home for sorting - another use for that nice big truck! There be spiders, so we need a few sunny days.

& Leonard brought over a 1x6 board to replace a couple on my back step that had rotted out - which necessitated a trip to Lowes for nails - & I found some lovely big rings on eye screws that I'll run a hazel rod through to make a new clothes bar for the square dance outfits I'm accumulating!! I think I'll put up two, one for the fluffy petticoats -

Josh brought his post setter, & drove a green fence stake into the ground so we could slip an 'umbrella' clothesline post over it - viola! A new clothesline!! My folks hung clothes & bedding out whenever they could, & I've missed having one here! A gal friend got one at Bi-Mart last summer, & someone suggested the fence post rather than sinking a sleeve into concrete - made sense to me, & I just happened to have an extra post from an old bit of fence! This morning I hung out a few clothes!

My next project is a new compost bin. I helped Leonard with a few projects around his yard on Monday, & he has a pile of pallets for a project - with some extras. I have one of those black bins (back left in the shed photo, behind the blue tarp) which is great, but I've wanted something a bit easier to access - so checked on line & found this fun bin, made with pallets! I'll line it with hardware cloth to keep rodents out, & plan to cover it with a carpet strip as suggested (with 1x1s nailed to the ends, so it will drap over easily, but also be easy to remove! I may use a devider with hardware cloth down the middle, so effectively have two bins, fill one first, then begin the second, with lots of room for the worms to 'migrate' to the second side!

I'm also thinking of what kind of fence to put up at the back of my yard - Mary & I took out the huge shrubs on her side of the chain link fence, & we installed a gate - with new neighbors, I want something taller again. The neighbors to the N & S have cedar fences, & we looked at the cedar boards at Lowes. One friend did a lovely fence using both cedar & bamboo, I need to visit & see how that's weathered.

Iskiate & brain health

2010-08-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

Recently my son-in law sent a text asking where I get my Chia seeds? . . . I replied our health food store carries them - over in the seeds for sprouting section. When I was at their house a few days later, I noticed a recipe for Iskiate posted on the fridge, & when I got home I made a batch - yum!

8 oz water
2 T whole chia seeds
1-2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1-2 tsp sugar (maple syrup, honey...)

Mix together & let sit 5-10 minutes. You can experiment with the liquid; coconut milk, sun tea, water kefir . . .

Matt's a runner, & recently hired as the Assistant Track Coach for the HS (he also manages the local Starbucks) - sounds like he'd been seeking a more 'natural' high electrolyte recharge drink - this is a great one! Inexpensive & easy to make it yourself.

Another friend recently mentioned the book Born To Run, about the Tarahumara Indians 'a Meixcan group of super-athletes,' & how they run barefoot. They also drank Chia Fresca or Iskiate; which has been making the 'circuit' in the running world since the book's publication. Today I picked up some Grade B Maple Syrup to use instead of sugar (I've also used a bit of honey or agave nectar) & here's another 'take' on the recipe.
I sometimes use ~ 1/4 C of my water kefir in the mix, I tend to drink more of my coconut milk kefir, so it's nice to find a new use for the water kefir! Already tart, & with herbs added in a second 'culture,' the water kefir is also high in probiotics. Chia seeds are high-fiber, omega-3, high-protein, antioxidant, & anti-diabetic. Myelin, the 'white matter' of the brain, is the insulation that surrounds the brain & nerve axions. Omega 3 oils support the recovery & regrowth (re-myelination) of the myelin!

This week I was invited to a talk on keeping our brains healthy as we age, by Roger Anunsen. I felt lucky to get a 'booster shot' from this expert on keeping our brains flexible & alert. This was an hour long overview of 'what's new' & a refresher on the info he presented last year. Roger is working on web casts, as he constantly seeks new info on optimizing brain health! He comments that he & a few others are working on translating the research into 'plain English' so more of us can access & utilize the info! The 'cogwheels' that support brain health are:

Pysical exercise
Mental exercise
Socialization
Stress Management
Nutrition & healthy diet (inc. plenty of antioxidents & Omega-3 fats)
Adequate sleep, including naps (ideal naps are: 23 min, 45 min, 0r 90 minutes)

I was tickled that dance provides the first 4! & calling square dance is a particularly good form of mental stimulation & social activity! He commented that some 'stress' is good - & encourages taking on the challange of learning something new fairly regularly.

Another 'brain health' expert, in his talk on 'Movement is Medicine' commented that ballroom dance has an Altzheimer's Risk REDUCTION factor of ~ 75%! He & his wife began taking ballroom lessons shortly after learning about the mental health benefits! His formula for "Optimal aging" includes: life satisfaction, social participation, self reliance, coping ability, setting new goals.
& a reminder for anyone who hasn't heard how great coconut milk & oil are for enhancing brain health, check out Mary & Steve Newport's story of reversing Steve's early onset Altzheimer's with the help of coconut & MCT oil!! Steve's last MRI (April 2010) "was reported as "stable" compared to the previous study." (June of 2008, about the time they began using coconut oil!) I use coconut oil for all my cooking, mixed with olive oil in salad dressing, & drink ~ 10 ox of coconut milk in the form of kefir daily.

I love this summer season of abundant fruit & fresh veggies - though with our longs cool spring, home crops are a bit limited. I am also thinking of how to 'revamp' my back yard - want to make some new raised beds, & clear more of the tall grass! I currently have apples, pears & a loaded fig tree! I dried some of the figs, as I couldn't eat that many fresh, & the grandkids who LOVE them are 2 hours away.

In good health!

Healing Rays, Grounding, Aura Clearing . . .

2010-08-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Returned this week from a lovely 4 day 'stint' at Breitenbush' - ah, Breitenbush, your river dreams a dream, you mountains sing, & your people, we grow strong' (from the Breitenbush tape 'concert for the Trees)
- You can just see a tiny corner of the roof of my tiny second Breitenbush home (92-93) on the left in this photo - it was 9'x19' with a loft bed!! (think of that when you're feeling your living space is 'tiny!')
The shared kitchen at that time was about half that size - now replaced with the lovely structure in the mid-left - two industrial size stoves & two sinks, plus a lovely large fridge. My garden plot was just beyond the tall motherwort in the right of the photo.

While staying in 'North Wind' - my next home (fall of '93- fall of '94), I enjoyed the evening air through the open window of the loft, & skimming several books on 'Telos' Mount Shasta, & Lemuria. Sweet.
In the late 90s, my friend Margo & I went to Mt Shasta for a fall equinox gathering, & fell in love with that mountain! Leaving the area, Margo saw Mother Mary's face on the mountain, & I saw a white dove fly across in front of us! Ascension teachings indeed! (My daughter & I had seen a white dove on our way down from Breitenbush a few days before this excursion - the symbol of ascension, or embodyment of our divinity)

As I read, the sections on daily preparations & Rays stood out. Daily practices can be so powerful, & serve as basic reminders that we are indeed fragments of Divinity, exploring human incarnations! Does it matter what the practices are? I think not, as long as they raise your energy & make you more available for this life journey!

Here are a few suggestions :
AM: Ground yourself - connect to the center of the earth (* instructions below for those new to this concept) Invite your angels, guides, Higher Self & Masters to support you as you release any old thoughts & habits that no longer serve you. Invite a new perspective - the unknowing mind, the knowing heart. Invite the lessons/experiences of this day to be easy, gracious 'mirrors' to awaken consciousness.

Throughout the day: Pay attention! Invite the energies of trust, love, faith, compassion, grace, & gratitude to flood your cells & your DNA with the purest vibrations & to build your energy. Do some Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga; take a walk through a park, breathing in the Air & admiring the beauty. Even if you just take a couple of minutes for 'conscious movement' it will help build your energy!
Do the 'Land Clearing' for your property/public areas close by, any other areas you feel OK about clearing. 'Cleanse, Clear, Rebalance, Illuminate!' is the 'quick phrase, after you've done it awhile :)

PM: Receive & embrace in profound honor all the day has brought you, & set your intention of integrating it into your heart. Feel your cells & DNA expand to the new Vibration. Express gratitude for whatever abundance or insights have come your way.
Before sleep: Thank your guides, angels & Ascended Masters for their blessing & assistance this day. If you wish, ask travel to 'dream school' in a lovely, Green Jade temple (in Telos, under Mt Shasta, or another favorite healing/learning space with which you resonate.)

Here are some practices to explore: grounding, shower of light, aura shield, & harmonizing your interactions with others.
I recommend beginning with grounding, & if you're often 'spacey,' try grounding daily for a couple of weeks, & see if it makes a difference! One of my teachers comments that healers esp are often 'ungrounded,' perhaps because we work with that unearthly healing energy!

* Grounding Basics (inspired by Erica Ginnis, Berkeley Psychic Institute & my personal practices)

Sit comfortably & take a few breaths into your belly ).
Allow a cord of energy to flow downward from your belly or a bit below(first chakra): Through the chair you are sitting in.
Through the floor and down through the building you are in.
Through the foundation and into the deep earth beneath.
Allow your grounding to flow down into the earth past all the rocks and layers of the planet, past the water, deep deep into the earth, into the heart of the Mother. Until it reaches the fiery center of the earth.

Sit with that image for a few minutes, breathe, relax, & allow any emotions or energies you feel 'done' with to sink into the fire in the Earth's Heart. You may feel emotional release, a bit of sadness, joy, just allow the feelings to gently drain away, & within a couple of minutes, you are likely to feel peaceful & centered.
* imagine anything you release being burned in the core or feeding the Earth as 'compost.'

Play with the images you use, & see how they feel:

Imagine a waterfall, flowing and cascading from your first chakra down through all of physical reality to the center of the earth.
Next change your grounding into a supple and strong root of a tree, allowing it to grow from your first chakra to the center of the earth. (note how this feels, breathe, enjoy)
Now shift your grounding so that it is a laser beam of light, shining though everything straight down to the center of the earth. (again, sit with it awhile)
Play with colours, choose one or two favorites, & let your grounding 'root' or light shift colours. Breathe it in, send it down.

Throughout the day, whenever you think of it, take a minute to let the old cord 'dissolve' & create a new one. This is a great time to play with colours, & see what 'fits' for you.

Some folks find it's important to feel themselves 'anchored' between earth & heaven, & you may find you wish to send your spent energy to the sun or angels to dissolve. Do what feels best for you!

When you enter a new space, take a moment to ground yourself, then imagine a green thread going from your feet to each corner of the room. Imagine a gold thread above your head, going to each corner of the ceiling. You are now anchored in the space. Many folks can be anchored in the same space - try it next time you're in a class or at a party! Absorb the cords or let them sink into the earth when you're done.

Shower of Light

Standing - Ground yourself & imagine a a channel passing from the crown of your head down through your backbone, belly, & continuing to the earth
Imagine a cosmic 'showerhead' a few feet above your crown, & invite it to shower you with vibrant golden light, which washes over your body, & through the central channel
Let the shower run for a minute or two, washing away sadness, fears, anger, doubts
Switch the shower to violet, & let it run for another minute, transmuting all of these outdated emotions & feelings into the highest good for you & all that you touch.
Turn the shower 'off,' & move a bit to integrate the energy - shake, dance, wiggle

Aura & Roses:

Standing - Ground yourself & imagine a a channel passing from the crown of your head down through your backbone, belly, & continuing to the earth
Imagine your 'bubble' or aura shield, about arms length around, above & below you.
Sweet aura colours:
Celestial gold (your body's own 'self affinity' colour - this colour helps you maintain your highest integrity) this is the basic, other colours are layered over gold. Turn a circle with your arms outstretched to 'define' your aura egg. Imagine it the same distance above your head, & into the earth below your feet.
You may wish to experiment with Silver, & see if that 'fits' better - or platinum :)
True Blue - (over gold or silver) give your aura a light coat of true blue when you venture into public places, & when you wish to speak your truth.
Violet - St Germain's transmuting violet flame - this protects you from negative energies of others, & keeps your energy 'to yourself' when you're out of sorts. Great to remember to put on the violet when you go to the mall, or into the city!
Rainbow - think of the irridescence of oil on water, or a soap bubble! This is fun to play with when you're in nature, on a walk, hanging out with girlfriends.
The colour of the Ray for the day (see below) - again, begin with gold or silver, then layer with yellow, or pure white, or emerald green . . .

After you've got your 'aura colours' in place, imagine 4 beautiful roses, in your favorite colour(s) - one in front, one on either side, & one behind you, just outside your aura. These assist in absorbing energies that are out of balance throughout the day. Place a 5th rose above your head, perhaps a rose bud, poised to bring in insights & blessings throughout the day.
At the end of the day, thank the roses & allow them to dissolve. If you have a stressful experience, let the roses dissolve & melt into the earth or pass them to an angel, & imagine a fresh bouquet surrounding you! You may wish to imagine a rose above you at night, or at the entrance(s) to your room.
In the morning, after renewing your aura 'sheath,' start with new roses.

Ideas for harmonizing interactions

If you have an intense experience of any kind, take a few minutes to reset your grounding cord (you can let the old one dissolve into the earth), then check your aura & place new roses.
When you find yourself in conversation with someone who has similar issues to yourself, place an extra rose between you & them, inviting it to 'catch & dissolve' any 'matching pictures' of the issues that you share!
Before you encounter that person again, or when you go for a job interview, etc, imagine yourself & the 'other' as tall as trees, & invite your high self to 'visit' with theirs, setting your intentions for the meeting - that it be aligned with the highest good for each of you, that the outcome be positive, beyond any expectations! As my friend Peter Moore said "whenever I remember to do that, things always turn out better!"

& finally, the idea I began this, connecting with one of seven 'healing rays/flames' on each day of the week!
Sunday - Yellow Ray/Wisdom/ Divine Mind
True wisdom arises from the higher perspective of consciousness - merge Divine Mind with personal mind to bring more congruency
Monday: Royal Blue Ray / Divine WILL .
Focus on Divine will, align with Divine Will to experience Divine Harmony. Bathe Mind, body & Soul with Divine Energy daily - & Invite the Blue essence into the second chamber of your heart.
Tuesday: Rose Pink Ray/ Divine Love
Divine transformation of love dissolves limits, heals & harmonizes all things. Breathe in & merge with the rose pink divine flame of love. Multiplies all you desire & deserve.
Wednesday: Emerald green Ray/ Divine flame of Healing precipitation & abundance
Focus on energies of divine Healing in all aspects of life. Balance & soothing for all the disruptions you have created. Invoke & Visualize radiant Green Liquid healing light transforming & uplifting all areas, bringing balance, peace, joy. This green light also energizes abundance & manifestation.
Thursday: Golden Ray of Resurrection/restoration of Divinity
A day to remember we are Divine beings, experiencing Human Life & learning from it!
Invoke & merge with purple & gold energies of Resurrection/ remembrance of all gifts & abilities of that Divinity.
Friday: Pure Dazzling White Ray of Purity & Ascension
Alchemical Union of Human & Divine Essence of purification. This ray purifies all miss-qualifcations of Divine Energy, clears negativity, false beliefs, poor attitudes & habits that distract you from your Spiritual Mastery. Fill Auric field & every cell of your physical, emotional & etheric bodies with pure dazzling white ascension flame.
Saturday: Violet Ray of Divine Transmutation & Freedom from Illusion
Violet flame of change, alchemy, freedom from limits, royalty, diplomacy. Fill your auric field & heart with the violet flame, invite the frequency of violet flame to clear all obstacles, & karmic blocks to manifesting your purpose.

You can add the 'ray of the day' into your shower of light - on Friday, bathe in the Violet flame a bit longer. Violet can be draining if you're not used to it, so gradually add a bit more time, as you feel ready!
Loving your body as a Divine Repository of Spirit is important to loving the totality of your spirit.
"I AM a being of Light & joy, reflecting perfection to all beings.
Fountain of Youth: become a fountain of pure light. Visualize light pouring out from you, ever being filled by the eternal fountain.
Monitor your thoughts: "How would a Master View This? What action would a Master take in these circumstances?"
When in doubt: Sit with It! don't take action yet; ground, bathe your aura, connect with the ray/light of the day, invite insights & ENJOY!!!

Blessings

Behind the Scenes

2010-07-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Three cars arrive at 5, the girls begin unwinding cords & plugging in their mics. Tho they are smiling & exchanging news, they quickly get down to business, practicing an ever growing repetory of music - we're 'Girls Night Out,' & we call square dance!

When I began taking Square Dance lessons last September, little did I know that 8 months later I'd be calling! Since we began last spring, we've met weekly to practice, & called 'tips' at three dances!
Summer has been a bit harder, we've missed a few rehearsals, but when we met yesterday, there were few glitches.

On the weekend we did several demos - two senior care facilities on Friday evening, & at the Amity 'pancake breakfast' Sunday morning. Club members are 'promenading' in the photo below.

And we've been booked for our first full dance - Sept 11 for the Sweet Home 'Squarenaders!'
Our caller Leonard recently became their club caller, but had a prior commitment for that Saturday, so GNO has been booked to do the dance! So we have been working on some new songs - last night we practiced 16!

As Charlotte & I visited after rehearsal last night, I thought again how fortunate we are to renew this friendship! I moved to Breitenbush about the time she began calling & remarried, & we lost touch. Oh, we knew HOW to reach each other, but we rarely did. Another blogger wrote of her experience reconnecting with her college roommate after a 20 year hiatus - I feel the same!

New Phone

2010-07-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

After almost FOUR YEARS with my first cell phone, I've got a new phone!! I loved it when the guy at the phone shop said 'you can't really upgrade from that phone!' that it was pretty bullet proof (yes, four years of being dropped & run down & . . . my daughter's been through 4 or 5 in that time)
. . . but we've switched plans, my daughter now 'shares' with her hubby's plan, & I'm on my son's plan . . .
so there was an 'upgrade' credit we'd loose if I didn't get a new phone . . . .

Bless his heart, the sales rep, Mark, took in my 'deer in the headlights' look on being faced with the choices, & recommended one (I'd told him my 'basics') . . . how fun!! I 'could have' gone online with my old phone, with its small screen & number type pad. . . today I booked my first on-line apt using my phone!! & have transfered some of the phone #s etc . . . & run down the battery . . . & taken some awesome pics - wow! (these were 'old phone' photos - & darn it, I just learned how to 'zoom!' . . .

I'm still trying to figure out how to add photos for folks' contact info (if I have the pic in my phone or on my facebook page I've been able to do it) . . .

Meanwhile, I played for weddings the last two weekends, both at wineries, both on lovely days, with georgeous views. Last week my donation of harp music had been 'won' at an auction; this week I played for both wedding AND the cocktail hour, & the weather was perfect!
I had to pose Rowan with the wine barrels last weekend (Willamette Va lley Vineyards) & on Sat (Wine Country Farms) by a hop vine. Thus ends the summer's weddings - unless someone decided, last minute, they must have a harper!

Weekend before last also marked the lavender festival, with a market in an area park, & various farms opening their doors to the public! Treats like lavender lemonaide & lovely vistas awaited those venturing out seeking lavender, lavender goodies, photographing & painting the fields.

I took a friend, tho I passed on clipping lavender to take home - I have half a dozen bushes myself, one particularly full. I did buy a dark purple variety from Van Hevlingen Nursery - friends whose herbal knowledge & variety of plants I've enjoyed for about 20 years!

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day! Rather overcast here awhile - after 'morning sun!' . . .

We are (square) dancing on the float in another parade this evening, so I'm hoping it clears off & warms up! This will be the 3rd parade of the summer, in a small local town (Willamina) followed by their fireworks. Since our local firework display moved from a school ~ 15 blocks from my house, & easy walking distance to a site closer to the airport, with lots of congestion, I haven't been 'out' to watch them. My daughter is also happy to celebrate rather 'quietly' at home with her hubby, their girls & a few sparklers!

My dad disliked driving on holidays, even 'back in the 50s & 60s' when traffic was much lighter! I know he'd drag his heels at going to this parade, travelingon one of the busiest highways in the state! So with others, I raise prayers for travel safety, & clear skies!

July brings several musical events - I'll be playing harp next Friday from 11-1 at Turkey Rama, & for several weddings at pretty vineyards the next few weekends.

It's almost a year now that we've been gluten free, & a weekend at the coast with my galfriends highlighted just how much I want to avoid the stuff. On the ride home midday Saturday, I wrestled with a a migraine (which I RARELY experience). I combated it with homeopathic gelsemium & arnica - by the time I got home & took a nap, was feeling almost normal. Was it triggered by histamines from the wine the night before? But I didn't awaken with it . . . or . . . .

I didn't intentionally ingest gluten, but picture the breakfast 'bar' Sat AM: a lovely fritata Martha made with fresh duck eggs, aspargus, local garlic & onion, topped with avocado - next, loaves of bread from the night before peeking out of their warpper; then the pan with sauted bacon, nice & crisp, followed by a plate of G containing muffins!
This was laid out before I noticed - I did go through the line 2nd - but who laid it out? Did they wash their hands between placing items?

Did anyone even HESITATE to place the bread between the main dishes? & did the person in front of me take bread? Does a bear poop in the woods? Well, of course they took bread! I got bacon with my own fork, & went outside to the deck overlooking the ocean, to dine with my friends. & within an hour or two, had stiff shoulders & a headache.

Ironically, a few weeks before one of my friends asked if I were coming on the beach retreat, & when I expressed concern about gluten contamination, she said - yes, we talked about that, & that it wouldn't hurt ANY OF US to go gluten free for the weekend!

Well . . .

Some of us headed over Thur, & ate out that first night. One of the bread baskets was in front of my plate between two of us, the other shared between the other four. When that basket ran dry, 'ours' was passed down (whew!) but more bread was requested. (& later someone asked me if the basket in front of us - which they'd emptied - had any more, & I quipped that I didn't intend to be their 'pusher')
I had a salad, stuffed chicken breast & aspargus. The chef recommended against the rice pilaf, ('can't guarantee that it's G F') so I had a baked potato. We had desert at home, inc yummy GF brownies Martha brought, in their own box & well labeled. (the rest had 'regular' brownies, from a seperate box)

Dinner Sat was lasagna - I brought my grain mix, & asked Donna to reserve some sauce & cheese, rather than bringing her GF noodles (knowing she was likely to bake it at the same time as the 'regular' lasagna) & cooked my seed/grain mix while I made the salad.
The seed & grain mix: quinoa & millet in equal parts (1/2 C each) & a Tbsp each of teff (African millet), amaranth, & chia seeds - bring ~ 2 C of water to a boil, pour in grains, stir, reduce heat & cook ~ 20 min. This is great for breakfast or dinner, & you can season as you wish.
Local strawberries over ice cream & a GF brownie for me (angel food cake for the others)

Snacks included the brownies & bags of chex mix, pretzles, M & Ms . . . . I brought dehydrated veggies, & found a pretzel in the bag, when I got home - I'd put it out on the snack table - should have put some out in a dish with a spoon, & kept the bag in my basket, where I had rice cakes, rice crackers, & a coconut mango bar. If I go next year, I'll ask that all the gluten items be placed on the snack table, & that any GF snacks be in a different area.

Do my friends have chronic health problems that are associated with gluten sensitivity? Yes, inc Asthma, Diabetes, Chronic pain, weight issues, one sleeps with a c-pap machine, . . . . & only one has expressed 'considering' going GF for a week & "seeing if it helps" . . . (another wanted to share the grain mix, as she's 'doing' weight watchers, but didn't avoid other gluten)

Yesterday, I visited with my daughter's friend Karen, who started us down the GF path, after hitting 'early menopause' in her mid thirties (yes, ANY fertility/ miscarriage/ premature birth issues can be linked to gluten sensitivity), & commiserated about people just 'not getting it' - she'd spent a 'mixed' Thanksgiving with 'well meaning' family members, & even after explaining how GF folks should serve themselves first, & others should only DIP food with the utensils, & not spread anything on bread . . . others jumped ahead of them in line, & immediately someone dipped & spread cranberry sauce on their bread . . .

Like others on this strange journey of being GF in the land of wheat, wheat, rye & barley, find it frustrating at times, but joyfully health giving!

Watched Julie & Julia Friday night at my daughter's, & think of Julie as I blog - fun to see her cooking her way through Julia's book, & thinking of Shauna's GF tome, due at the end of the summer! Now that would be fun to cook through . . . .

Happy Summer Solstice

2010-06-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

Ah, the sun!!
Our spring/early summer has had rather chancy weather - rain, cloudy skies, low temperatures. A few weeks ago I played harp at our Farmer's Market & by the end of the day my fingers were quite chilly.

Today I had fun playing harp at a Summer Solstice Wedding (the second weekday wedding this year!) with a lovely 'cast of characters' - the bride & groom are actors in NY city, & had brought friends & family in from around the country! Several actors & a soprano with the Met. Opera blessed us with readings & music.

10 or so years ago, a friend's daughter got married on a riverbank, & they had received a wind chime as a present. The minister blessed the chime, & told the couple that if they were experiencing difficulties, to listen for the chime, & think of all the people who had gathered for the wedding, & were supporting their union. As he spoke, the wind 'riffled' the harp strings!

I later told the bride & groom about that, & make a point of sharing that story with other couples, when that happens at their wedding. Today was a wind harp day, & the bride, wearing a family heirloom wedding dress, put her hand to her heart as I shared the blessing of wind (her husband is part Chokta & Cherokee, & I'd played the Native American flute as they spoke a Cherokee prayer)

On the weekend our Sq. Dance club was in another parade, & I found it easier to dance on the float, & to know when I was with the 'wrong' partner (just keep dancing!!) . . . I wasn't dancing when we went down the hill (I'd heard about that! Hard enough to keep your footing on a moving float!)
The week before, we'd done a 'visitation & camp out' at the ocean. It was a LOVELY weekend - sunny & over 70* - which is great for the Oregon Coast. We danced Sat PM & Sunday afternoon at the Toledo 49rs BD (or anniversary) dance, GNO got up to call a tip, & we got lots of compliments, & a bunch of dancers on the floor.
At one point, our caller was up on stage with the Host caller - one of the gals from GNO was in my square, & warned me it was a 'Plus' tip, & I realized that when she met me, I'd just begun going to dances, & got lost a LOT! I assured her I'd 'graduated' from the plus lessons, though I hadn't danced it much. I didn't get all the calls - but at this point, I usually don't get lost unless the whole square is breaking down!

At the Parade, Leonard gave one of the teens a 'purple heart' for being in a square with 3 callers - I was in the square, too, so actually four callers! Though I'm only doing the group calls at present! AND both Jackie & I got up on the stage for the last call with all the callers present! It's hard to believe Girls Night Out only began rehearsing in April!

This weekend I have another trip to the beach, this time with my 'Mom's Group,' then GNO will be calling a 'tip' at a dance in Salem Sat evening (so I'm heading over Thur with the 'advance' group.)

I won a Gluten Free goodie bag from a Facebook Group: G Free Foodie - fun hat, & some 'gormet marshmallows' (without HF cornsyrup!) I like the concept of 'foodie' emphasis - we really DO enjoy eating & food!! Just not the gluten . . .

Gluten Freedom

2010-06-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

It's been close to a year now that our 'family' has been gluten free! Today my oldest granddaughter is in for her 'sleep deprived EEG' to see if she can go off her seizure meds!! Her 'mild seizure disorder' was one of the reasons we looked into the genetics, to see if we were prone to gluten sensitivity - yes; we had the genes!
One of our friends brought her 'gluten sensitive' family tree to the local GIG meeting Saturday, showing which members have which combo of genes, her husband's a geneticist, & predicted which combo some would have, from the others in their direct line.

It would be nice to do that for our family. I'm an only child, but have a number of cousins who display symptoms of gluten issues. My X husband (my son's dad) has a niece & nephew who've gone gluten free, two of his sisters have been diagnosed with celiac Disease. He, his third sister, a niece, nephew, & his two sons haven't gone gluten free or been tested (tho he finds he feels better eating fewer grains in general)

His younger son (15) has a genetic liver disorder, & received a transplant several years ago - was it the double whammy of TWO genetic disorders that made his liver condition so severe? Bread & cottage cheese were two favorite foods, & he often just doesn't feel good. He's MUCH better since the transplant, for which everyone is grateful!

Our 36 yr old son & his family have a number of health issues that seem to be gluten related. A few weeks ago, my youngest granddaughter stayed overnight with her Uncle & cousins, my daughter & I picked her up in the morning. Uncle Josh had given Kayleen a zip lock bag full of cereal for the trip home - which he had checked, & was wheat free - but each cereal was sweetened with Malt - barley malt - so not gluten free!!
Here's a list off gluten free & 'dangerous' grains it IS tricky to figure out!!

His 6 year old gets BAD 'poison oak' that their allergist was surprised at 'I've never heard of someone getting poison oak when they just visit a house where it is, but aren't out in it themselves . . . ' (duh!! I've known a number of folks who experience that!!) & doesn't sound like he has a clue there's a relationship between skin issues & gluten sensitivity . . .they've decided to try minimal gluten, esp with her, & see if it helps!! I sure hope it does . . . & so glad they're looking into it!

Anyone have chronic pain? This site has a wealth of info for pets & their humans!

A month ago, one of my co-workers challenged our new office manager to go gluten free for a week, & see if it made any difference in her energy levels, etc.
She took the challenge! & has been loosing weight (wasn't heavy, but wasn't her ideal weight), has fewer headaches, & is much clearer mentally after lunch.
She's had several 'oh ooh's - the blue cheese (not a gluten 'safe' one) dressing at our local natural foods deli; a 'green salad with no bread' that came compete with croutons! (she picked them off - as she was already back at the office before discovering them), a 'normal' brownie on the weekend.
Like us, each time she gets some gluten, she feels bloated, gets an instant headache, & says 'was that worth it?' . . . no! & is a gluten for information - she's doing great, looking great.
She had extremely low Vit D levels when she joined our office in Jan, & I recently read that's another symptom of gluten issues - fats aren't properly metabolized, so fat soluble vitamins aren't properly metabolized or absorbed . . . she's been on a high vit D supplement, so that's probably one of the reasons she's loosing weight! (this link was on my favorite FB group - Coeliac Disease - not just a food preference!')
This morning, CD. . . posted on correlations between Vitamin B-12 deficiency & celiac or gluten sensitivity. This is a great little form - you can fill in blanks on the questionnaire, & see if you are likely low in B-12.
~ 25 years ago, I had bursitis in one shoulder, triggered by overuse with a new massage stroke. In one of his books on nutritional therapy, Dr Jon Wright suggested both B-12 (usually shots!) & Vit C. Around that time, I discovered sublingual B-12 supplements & began taking them (the bursitis corrected in ~ 5 -6 months) .
Since B-12 is absorbed in the intestines rather than the stomach, levels don't increase with 'normal' supplements - hence 'under the tongue' (sublingual) or injections are most efficient ways to increase the levels . . . & since gluten issues involve the gut, & often signal poor nutrient absorption, it makes sense this is a vitamin we'd be low in.

Meanwhile, a group of my friends are planning our annual beach trip in a few weeks, & I've been torn . . . do I risk going along, & them trying, but not really understanding gluten free? One commented "we can live without that 'nasty gluten' for a weekend" - (& with their range of aches, pains, & health issues they might even feel better for it!)

But I think of the 'nice dinner' one of the 'most supportive' friends preped for her hubby & me last month. I'd played at a wedding in their area, & was invited to their house afterwards. She cut up veggies & put in a roast. Made a big green salad. Pulled out the tin of bake yourself (wheat) rolls, & realized the roast wasn't 'done' enough to take out of the oven before she needed to put them in. . . . she probably 'always' made rolls with roast, & thought her hubby wouldn't be happy if she didn't! Did she ASK him? (he wasn't home yet, but has a cell phone, & is well aware I'm avoiding gluten) . . .
No . . .
So she covered the roast with foil, & put the rolls in, serving them (on the other side of the table) with dinner.

Was I terribly sick? I think I took my digestive enzymes & experienced - the usual 'little bit of bloating & gas' . . . they ate the package of rolls between them. It was a lovely roast, but was making rolls necessary?? She carefully watches her own diet - is diabetic & has asthma - mmm, yes, both can be symptoms of gluten issues, & her hubby has digestive issues, they both are heavier than they want to be. . .

Meanwhile, Girls Night Out will do a 'tip' at a dance in Salem that Sat., so I have a great excuse NOT to go on the beach trip. I could go 'early' (Thur/Fri), as some of them are; & it sounds like they want to make an effort to accommodate my needs.

What would you do?

Girls' Night Out

2010-05-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

We did it!
The 'debut' performance of Girls' Night Out was on Sat in Salem at the Square Dance Center. Since it was a holiday weekend, we expected maybe 2 or 3 squares - no . . . . more than 70 folks, enough for 6 squares throughout the dance!! Yikes! (we heard that quite a few folks decided to come just to hear us!) Since it was a 'callers & cuers co-op' dance, like a jam session, folks signed in at the door, & went on stage in that order. The host for the evening decided to put us up just before the break - so not 'till after 9, & the dance began at 7:30. So lots of time to dance, & try to forget being nervous!

Our outfits were so cute, they HAD to like us, don't you think? We actually did well, & received lots of nice comments! & we got to hear a lot of those at the break (it was a 50s/60s & 70s dance, so root beer floats were the special treat!)

We sang & called our 'theme song' - 'Girls' Night Out' & 'Dizzy' (I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning, like a whirlpool it never ends; cause it's YOU, you're making me spin, you're making me DIZZY!' (complete with 'dizzy' choreography)
The only 'glitch' was that the sound system, though set up for 4 cords & mics, didn't work quite right, so Jackie & I (in the middle) were hard to hear. Sandy & Char (the ends) have had lots of experience, project well, & their mics worked fine . . . so some trouble shooting in order before we perform again.

It was really fun. I have made several drapes for my music stand, white for weddings,a brocade plaid for other events, now one in blue denim for GNO. We rehearsed again tonight, & began working on a few new songs. Sandy is listing us in a SQ D magazine, so we have to learn enough music for a dance! It's fun to do some of the slower, sweeter songs - 'Any Dream Will Do' & 'Rainbow Rider' are two current favorites. We tried 'Devil Went Down to Georgia' which is fun, too!
Sandy & Char can 'carry' doing several individual 'tips' (set of two dances) & Sandy & Jackie 'cue' (choreograph the round dance) & Char's done some of that - dances alternate between two 'called' dances & two that are 'cued' We're doing 2-step in this photo - Char with her husband Bill, me with Sandy's Al.
We'll be calling a tip at the end of June, during one of Sandy's dances (the caller has the prerogative of inviting a guest caller to do a 'tip.'

We have several advantages - being unique - there are several guys' groups, but no other girls' groups; we have good timing; & those cute outfits . . . . .

Getting Closer

2010-05-22T21:31:00.000-07:00

Next weekend Girls' Night Out will make it's debut, at the caller's & Cuer's co-op dance in Salem! Yikes!! The other three gals sang a few weeks ago at another Salem dance - I wasn't there, & one of our friends said 'it wasn't really GNO without you!' Aww . . .
Am I nervous? YES!

So we've been rehearsing weekly, & selected the two songs for our 'tip' (plus a couple more, if they ask us back up) & making our outfits! Jackie found some cute pink fabric with little girls kicking up their heels - & we each picked up a denim shirt (thrift store-ing!), & are putting on yolks & lace. Jackie finished hers & working on Sandy's this weekend - mine is also in process.

I took it along to work on this afternoon at the ballet studio (yes, that's an intriguing contrast!) during rehearsal for the spring Dance Concert. Several girls asked me if it was for one of the pieces - & everyone thought it was cute. I was in 2 pieces - a Tai Chi number, & playing the harp for an improv piece followed by 'reverance' - the curtsies! So sweet!
I went across the street for Mexican dinner, as the studio provided sandwiches (not GF :)

Friday I went to Washington with my son & his family to attend my cousin Lori's memorial service. It was a LOVELY service - & 6 of the 8 first cousins that are left were able to attend. My son Josh is good friends with Lori's daughters, so we went over to the family gathering after the service.

Here I am with my cousin Louann - Lori was her older sister. Family resemblance is strong, isn't it? As an only child, the family dance is something I am a bit in awe of. I don't spend a lot of time with these cousins, but love them dearly! Lori & Letha (my Aunt) had early August birthdays, & began having 'family reunion' BD parties in the 70s.

Our Uncle Ray was the last of the 5 Aunts & Uncles to pass - at 92!

I had fun asking cousins if they'd square danced! I knew Lori's folks Letha & Lonny did, & my Aunt Irel & her husband Ed; but which of my cousins??
I was intrigued to see how many said 'oh, yes - ... & I did!' Cousin Leonard (in the middle here, between Doris & me) & his wife danced till she broke her leg while she was pregnant, & spent the pregnancy in a cast!

His sister Arlene & her husband Bob began after retirement, when folks from their church 'persisted' - Bob's new wife (not a dancer!) asked "do gals still wear those (silly) full skirts?"

OH, YES WE DO :)

Other cousins 'grew up' dancing with their folks - or remembered spending the evenings out in the car, while mom & dad were in dancing! (those were the days!) Since my mom was on crutches, my folks didn't dance (I think my dad was glad of the 'excuse') but enjoyed the music.

There were some sweet photos that included my mom in her 20s, with the young cousins (she didn't marry& have a 'chick of her own' till her late 30s!) She taught several of them to swim in the pond at the farm, & loved spending time with them. Lori was 14 when I was born, & her daughters are ~ 10 years older than my kids.

One more week . . . . .

Littlest Purple People Eater

2010-05-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend, our Square Dance club has a float in the anual 'Alien Days Parade,' an Oregon clasic (& the second largest UFO fest in the country! "The festival began as a way to honor the famous 1950 Trent sighting in which two local citizens witnessed and photographed a UFO, said to be some of the most credible images of UFOs to date. Read a detailed history of the Trent sightings." A friend of my 94 year old mother-in law also saw the UFO/ strange object in the sky that day in 1950, & a sis-in law later lived on the Trent farm for awhile.

My daughter & I usually attend the parade with the girls, & have talked about how fun it would be to dress up & participate - this year I will! Here's my 5 year old granddaughter 'posing' (is that how aliens stand?) in my 'one eyed, one horne (flying) Purple People Eater' hood, & freshly 'sparkled (glitter infused puff paint) purple T-shirt.

Our caller has been working on the calls for THE song, & has a cordless mike; we'll be dancing on the float! Judging is at 11 AM, with the parade at 1 - & prospects are that the warm, sunny weather is here for several days - always appreciated for a parade.

My gal friends & I meet weekly, to practice our singing calls. They actually did a couple at a dance last weekend - I hadn't gone, but the other three were all there. My challenge is singing in a lower register, as it's easier for the guys to understand the calls if they're not too high pitched!
I've been a soprano all my life - now to CONSISTENTLY sing alto - yikes! But it's happening. & I can get through a whole call, singing all the moves! (which has also been work!) I've borrowed a mike, & practice with that at home & our rehersals.

My daughter is getting closer to moving across town! This AM I finally got to see inside the house, as the family was having an Estate Sale, & the kids wanted some of the furniture. I found a couple of stainless steel pans,

Had to take a break to clip some GRASS in my back yard!! My daughter says I should get rid of all the grass, & turn it into a BIG garden!! Nice idea - working on it! & delighted to see my Spitzenberg apple branch (on a 3 way tree) is FULL of thumb sized apples!! 'Rumourred to be' Thomas Jefferson's favorite apple, it 'doesn't bear heavily' - but it is absolutely delicious!

What are you up to this fine weekend?

Tra La, tis May

2010-05-05T01:37:00.001-07:00

Had a lovely day - playing Rowan (my biggest harp) at a wedding - in a BARN!!

We've been in lots of settings - this was a first! We were in the loft, blessed with a solid floor (a piece of plywood across the beams) & lots of skylights. & tho it was windy & rainy, the sun came out after the wedding, & a dear friend attended, so I stayed for the reception.

This morning I'll help at Playschool, which is always fun. Hard to believe that it's the last month, & next year that littlest granddaughter will be in Kindergarden! I mentioned that I'd miss going to school with her, & maybe I could come visit her classroom? She readily agreed that was a good idea! She will probably tell me partway there that we 'should have' driven (it's about 4 blocks!) esp if it's raining! I remind her I only drive if I have a massage to give afterwards!
She loves to sit in the 'trunk' (very back) of the station wagon - which is also the harp's favorite riding place.

What are you up to this fine Wednesday??

Gluten Free Scones for Beltane

2010-05-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

I'd usually make oat cakes for Beltane, but GF oats are now ~ $4- a # - yikes!! So for our dance tonight, I decided on scones.

I found the inspration for these on-line last summer, when my Red Hat group was going out for tea, & the hostess said she could do every course except 'you'll have to forgo the scones!'
Loving scones, I decided to do a bit of sluthing, & found this recipe. It quickly became a favorite - scones are one of those 'quick & easy' breads that are perfect for GF baking.

Gluten Free Scones
1 C favorite GF flour mix (I use a basic 'brown rice'potato starch/tapioca flour mix)
3/4 C sorghum flour
1/4 C coconut flour
1 Tbsp Baking Powder (aluminum free)
1/4 tsp baking soda
~ 3 Tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
(1/2 tsp garam masala spice mix, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, & ~ 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger - optional)
1/4 tsp xanthan gum (not absoulutely necessary in 'quick bread' recipes)
3 Tbsp cold butter, sliced fine, & 3 Tbsp coconut oil

cut the oil/butter into the sifted/stirred flour mix
add 1/2 C nuts &/or 1/2 C dried raisins or other dried fruit (chopped)

mix together:
3/4 C coconut milk or C milk kefir
1 egg (we just use the whites, as my daughter's sensitive)

Add wet to dry ingredients, & gently knead, then roll & cut into 8 wedges, or pat into wedges or rounds (I pat into ~ 10 - 12 wedges) I bake on a clay baking sheet, so put them on the cold sheet, & heat the oven as they're cooking.

400* for 12 - 20 minutes - I stick them with a toothpick @ 12 min, & ~ every 5 min till it comes out clean.

Enjoy!! & happy Beltane!

Full Moon in Scorpio

2010-04-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Lovely full moon time again - with Mercury a wee bit retrograde, across the sky in Taurus.

This afternoon, the sun 'in the sky' will be trine my natal sun - about which, my favorite astrology site says: "you experience a time of balance and equilibrium in your life, when you can be yourself with the fewest obstacles from people or circumstances. Various affairs in your life will hum along very nicely now, and you may be tempted to think that they will always go this well. But in fact this is the time to firm up your affairs and make sure that they are strong enough to withstand troubles that may come later on."

The sun will be in my 8th house for several weeks: "You will have a strong desire to experience life on a feeling level, and this is just what you need. One very real possibility at this time is that an encounter with someone will produce the need for very searching psychological self-inquiry or will force very powerful changes in your life. This person may challenge your value structure, or there may be a powerful intermeshing of your personalities."

Years ago, one of my friends showed me the back of her chart, where another astrologer had marked these sun transits, when the sun 'in the sky' would enter each of the 12 houses of the natal chart (marked from the time of day you were born) & the emphasis of that month! I recall being intrigued at the time, & observing times this monthly overlay was particularly 'acurate.'

If you do know the time & place you were born, Astro is a fun site to peruse. You can calculate charts simply by entering the data (if you sign up, you can 'store' unlimited data at no charge; anyone can do a few charts) here's an overview of what they offer. Even without any knowledge of Astrology, you can use the 'astro click portrait' feature to click on lines & symbols of your (or someone else's) chart, & get a basic overview.

Of course it's more fun to have an actual reading with a real person!! But this is a good way to familiarize yourself with the lingo, & some of the basic information.

Things to look for: what elements are your planets in?? Esp Sun, Moon, & the Ascendent (horizon line - the left side) Where are Mercury (how you think/process info) Venus (female energy, often how the world 'sees' a woman, what kind of woman a man is attracted to) & Mars (male/active energy - how a man is viewed, & in a woman's chart - the kind of man she's attracted to). While I'm a Virgo, my Venus is in Leo, a more vibrant & 'center stage' energy. Folks are often surprised to find that I'm a Virg0, 'you're not like the other Virgos I know!'
Venus & Mercury travel close to the sun, so will be in the same sign, one ahead or one behind the sun - so this is actually a fairly common placement.
'High' manifestation of Leo energy (my Venus) is both the ability to be 'center stage' oneself, AND to encourage others to be comfortable in the limelight. (low side is to want to be there all the time oneself - combine that with being an only child; make sure you NOTICE me!! - esp when I was a kid! Now I more easily manifest 'high Leo' energy.
Each planet & sign has these 'high/low' offerings, the trick is to learn how to use the energy well.

The site has several tutorials, so you can learn a lot just poking around :)

Ooo, look to the right; I just added the current planet positions on the Vale's sidebar!! > > >

Enjoy the moon, your day, & tra la, tis almost MAY!!

Sacred Geometry

2010-04-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, before moving into my current home, I had a phone consultation with a psychic. Her suggestions included 'anchoring' my home space by placing a small crystal (individual or small cluster) at each corner of the house, & I did that (clear quartz & amethyst).

I've used various clearing techniques for my home & land since the late 80s, & this felt harmonious. I enjoy doing little things like this that feel 'happy.'
In the mid 90s, I studied Lightwork with Amorah Quan Yin, & played my harp to help set the 'Dolphin Star Temple' energy daily during the month long workshop. Amorah comments: "There are numerous mystery school systems on Earth now & (have been) in the past. I just happen to be a dreamer/channel/anchor for one of these. Each system has equal beauty."

Dim memories of living & swimming in warm water oceans & an affinity for 'the blue place' attracted me to Amorah's teachings, & the term 'star temple' has its own sweet resonance. Toward the end of one particularly intense session (the 25+ students worked in small groups & we were clearing 'contracts' on the etheric level) I'd begun playing my harp. A friend told me that the music had really anchored the Star Temple 'as soon as you began playing.' (I also send Reiki with my music.)

Recently I've thought about that anchoring, both for a personal space/home, & for places folks gather intentionally (& it feels appopriate) - placing the corner - stones & others at the midpoints of each wall - but out 3 or 4' (or at the lot line).

My daughter & her family will soon move across town, & we talked about each of the 4 family members choosing an 'outer' stone (by their Astrological element - N by Earth (Taurus), E by Air (Aquarius), S by the youngest (also an Earth sign - S is fire, summer, play) & W by Water (Scorpio).

A newly opened center in downtown Mac has a sweet selection of ~ 1/2 " stones that range from 2/ $1 to $1.50, these are the ones I picked up Saturday. I plan to take the girls in to choose stones for their new home! I thought the 'dalmation jasper' would be nice on the front corners of the house, the pink agate for the back corners (these were each 2/$1 :)

Apache Tears: good luck, tapping 'what is
Blue Lace Agate - communitly, clarity, loyalty, trust
Botswana Pink Agate: stabilize, strengthen
Chiastolite (cross stone) creative, practical, solve problems, Insight, Soul Purpose
Dalmation Jasper (2: for the front entrance - either side) protect, nurture, absorb, cleanse
Lepitolite: Rebirth, lighten heart, elevate moods
Nephrite Jade: steady, good luck
Sodalite: heal emotions, relax, de-stress
Unakite: dissolve past blocks, move into present

I also intend to place 'outer stones' at my house - loved the times I lived in a yurt (round) & later in an octagon - fun to think outside the box.

Off to work!! Had a LOVELY quick 'recharge' trip to the beach Sunday with my daughter & her girls - 66* & sunny - with no wind!

Tax Time Again

2010-04-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Here it is, April 15 . . . got the taxes off (yes, I put them off - a-g-a-i-n!!)

It's funny, it really doesn't take me that long to go through my paperwork & get the figures sorted out & down - why do I put it off?? Mmm could it be because I know I'll have to pay?

& despite my resolve, I only paid the first quarter's estimates last year - I sent those off again with my payment, & broke down the quarter into each month's contribution - will post that somewhere at my office - maybe in my the change & credit card slip bag in my drawer! (it's funny - April, June, Sept & Jan don't quite seem like 'quarterly') Also the amount I want to contribute to my IRA.

Last year I was busier the first & last months of the year, & business really does seem to have picked up a bit. On the 14th, I did a bit of 'first aide' chair massage at the tax office where my gal friend works - much appreciated! She & I plan to have lunch tomorrow, celebration time! Our Red Hat group is going to a tea room that wasn't interested in working with me to find GF options 'Everything we make has gluten!' . . . 'we don't serve salads' (well then, thanks!)

Last week my daughter & I attended a fascinating talk on Mental Health & food intollerances, with a focus on gluten sensitivity. Gluten Free RN was the main speaker, she discovered her own sensitivities 4 years ago, when her health had seriously deteriorated, & she felt she was on death's door. I esp. enjoyed her description of having 'Polish Potato Picker Legs' which had developed pitting edema - at 40! Yikes! She's lost 35 # in the 4 years since, & we were both wearing 'skinny jeans!'
She's a great local resource, attending our GIG, Gluten Free Friends' monthly meetings, & offering insight.
She had been an ER Trauma nurse, & on her site, comments: " I have been an ER nurse for 16 years, I saw multiple doctors, and still could not figure out what was killing me.
"Within 2 weeks of being on a gluten-free diet, I felt much better! By February 2007, I started RN On Call, my own business. In March 2007, I became a gluten intolerance/celiac disease educator.
"I can save more people with this information than I ever could have saved in the emergency department."

She's also on Facebook; as is celiac nurse, who has a great 12 part series with information about many of the ways gluten sensitivity can manifest. Both these great ladies are on Facebook, too:)

My daughter-in law & her two kids are spending the night - she works with the 'horse vet' from a local clinic, & will be riding on 'rounds' with her tomorrow. My son has an early job (at Nike) so will come over about the time she leaves, as I have an AM massage to give. It's fun to have them here - they had a grand time running around with their cousins!

My daughter's kids are in the middle, my son's on the outside - 6, 10, 5 & 4 years old! (can you see the ballet influence? :)
I fed them free range chicken, mixed grains, & greens from the garden with root veggies from my CSA share. They put the sun to sleep, staying out till the last possible moment!
Now they're all tucked in & sound asleep.
My daughters girls are back home, across the fence, sigh. Next month they'll be moving across town! It's good, their house is way small, & the new one is the same style, 50s with hardwood floors, etc; only 2 owners before them! & on a double lot! With veggie garden already in place . . . still . . .

Calling all dancers

2010-04-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

So here's a new development.

Last fall I decided to take Square Dance lessons at our local Grange, which you can read about here. I began taking the lessons so I could attend our dances, 1st & 3rd Saturdays, & have a chance to do Round Dance, which alternates with the 'squares.'
I'd attended one dance before taking lessons, got hauled into a square ("It's easy - you can do it" . . . then they called out: "NEW DANCER - NEW DANCER" when it got too complicated, & Leonard came down with his cordless mike, & moved through the square behind me, guiding me through it - whew!!)
It does get easier each time I attend a dance, but I'm still not great at it! & it surprises other dancers when they find out that I 'round dance,' (which I am pretty good at!) Many dancers begin with the squares, & later study round ('choreographed ballroom').

You'll remember that my college roommate, Charlotte, began calling shortly after begining to square dance, back in the 80s while I was donning leotards & point shoes. She took a break for the last few years, while finishing up her PhD; & recently, she decided to begin calling again!! YEA! I've tagged along to dances with other folks from the club, or with our 'cuer' Jackie & her husband, getting to one or two dances most weeks through Feb & March - Char & Bill have been at several of them.

A few weeks ago I called Char to see if they were going to a dance at the 'Square Dance Center' in Salem, & they were. Then she sprang her idea - that she wanted to put together a woman's 'singing group' to SING (& call) at square dances. Sounded rather harmless - would I like to be one of the gals?? Sure, why not! (thinking she & Sandy, already callers, would focus on the 'calling' part . . . )

At the dance, she talked to Jackie, & invited her as well. Now 'cuers' choreograph the ballroom 'round' dances - partners move down the line of dance in a circle, just like regular ballroom, and are given the moves just before executing them. Cuers 'speak' the moves, rather than singing them - so while Jackie has a rep of cues, she's as new to calling as I am - & it's a whole new world! (callers generally alternate between 'patter' - which sounds like an auctioneer, & 'singing' calls, where they sing the instructions, & parts of the verse of the song)

Monday, having sent numerous e-mails back & forth, we met at Sandy's house in Albany (like Char, she's been calling for a number of years), & surrounded by her computer, mikes, amps, (& lots of square dance outfits) . . . began to listen to music, & tried to both sing the lyrics AND alternate calling the tip!!
YIKES - I said "Yes" to THIS?? . . .
For THREE HOURS we sang & tried to make sense of it!
And when we left, they told us they thought it went pretty well (kind words . . . .

As new as I am to square dance, I'm even more a neophyte when it comes to trying to 'call!' The eventual goal is for us to rotate singing the call between the four of us. . . . um, what's the pattern??
While Sandy has over 400 songs on her computer, Char's are still on vinyl, & she's slowly entering them into her computer (Jackie knows how to do that) We hauled out Sandy's old turntable, & switched the mike cords to sing along with several of the records.

So today Jackie & I met for an hour, listening to & singing along with the songs Sandy recorded for us, with the calls written out. Jackie had an e-mail from Sandy clarifying the pattern flow, so that now makes more sense. (I followed some of this from dancing it, & being aware of patterns in music & dance, but hadn't broken it down as precisely as this!)

- first there's an 'opening,' where you dance with your partner
then the figure, where you do a pattern with your partner, & move to your corner (the guy to your left), then a second 'figure' (usually the same pattern) moving to the fellow 'across' from where you began.
Next, the 'break' where you dance with that 'opposite' guy - (this may be the same as the opening, or a separate sequence)
Now two more 'figure' patterns, moving to the next two dancers;
& finally the 'ending' when you're back with your original partner.

So a, b, b, c, b, b, d (a, c & d can all be the same - or slightly different; & you can vary the b parts a bit)
In our 'Plus' lessons, Leonard will often give the number of beats that each of the more complicated patterns should last, & I had 'gotten' the general pattern of moving counter clockwise around the square, dancing with each guy in turn (if I don't get lost somewhere in the pattern!) He often refers to 'Caller Lab' for the precise wording; this org. standardizes calls, & give a lot of support to the callers. (I've begun spending time on this site as well.)

So we worked on talking/singing the call pattern & verses on most of the songs - & came out pretty well on most of them! Sandy also made copies of Char's cue cards for us- with several call patterns in 'shorthand'
sq -- square through
p -- pass through
sw /prom swing & promenade
T by Trade by
S F G Sq Sides Face, grand square (this is a longer pattern, so a chance to sing the words of the song you're using)

Then there are all the 'cute' ways to say it: 'swing your pretty girl, & promenade home . . . '
'all the dishwashers promenade inside that old ring, come back & swing your own'

I've spent a bit of time on a favorite site that has animations of the patterns. I know that Char & our caller, Leonard, both took lessons in calling when they began - we sure could use some! For the time being, I'll pay more attention to the patterns when I'm sitting out at the dances this weekend (Milwaukie Sat PM, & Lebanon Sun afternoon)
Dance is supposed to be one of the things that helps us stay young . . . did I think when I began learning Square Dance last fall that I'd be learning to call in the spring??

I pulled a fairy card (Magical Messages from the Fairies / Doreen Virtue) & got Travel (well - that's for sure!!) "An upcoming trip proves to be life-changing in positive ways. You'll soon be traveling to an important destination where you'll learn & grow through new experiences & discoveries. Ask the fairies to help you with the finances & details; most of all, enjoy yourself on your journeys!" (I did sign up for a dance camp weekend at the end of April, Leonard & Jackie will be calling/cueing Fri, & different folks on Sat; & our hostess promised to as the food folks about GF options)

I'll keep you posted!
What projects are on your plate this spring?

happy Eostre (Goddess of the Divine Female)

2010-04-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

& happy April!
Busy busy week - lots of sessions, consutations for playing harp at TWO weddings (one mid April, one on Summer Solstice - what a sweet way to spend Solstice!)
Yesterday I was watching my granddaughters so their folks could have a 'Date' & the oldest (gotta love her) asked 'can we make some Kefir?' She'd just had some to drink, & had figured out that I made it - sure!!! I've been making it for just over a month now, & drink almost a quart of the (coconut) milk kefir daily. (here are the first Kefir posts)

So they helped open the can of coconut milk, strain the kefir from the day before (we began with scooping some of the culture out with a spoon, then ran through the lovely canning funnel a friend suggested, with a strainer on top. The 5 year old lost interest, but the 10 year old helped through the whole process, encouraging the kefirs to grow, helping cover them with the cloth & rubber band . . .

Then time for the water kefir (it takes a couple of days, while the milk kefir cultures in 24 hours) - straining, eating some of the grains - a 'flirty' look, as she wanted to eat more - & more . . . yes, it's OK to eat the grains - increases the probiotic 'bennies' . . . Here's a great little piece comparing the probiotic benefits of yogurt & kefir.

After we'd strained the kefir, & washed the grains (you don't need to wash milk kefir grains, but it's recommended with the water kefir) & measure sugar (OK, so she wanted to lick that spoon - when we were done, too) stirred it up, added the kefir grains (& eat a bit more), & cover it with the cloth (the jar in the middle); it was time to 'doctor' the strained kefir for a second ferment!

To one jar (those water kefir grains increase QUICKLY - tho I have shared some of the milk kefir) we added 'chai' herbs - slices of ginger, star anise, fennel, licorice ('but licorice isn't gluten free!' - 'this licorice is - it's just the roots!' . . . 'oh :)' such smart girls!), cinnamon (I snip a strip of whole cinnamon with my kitchen sheers), ginseng, astragulas, pepper, schizandra, hawthorne, cardamom; she loved smelling the herbs before putting them in the 'brew;' then stirring the mix, before we capped it (another piece of muslin - the jar on the Rt above). A number of the herbs in this mix are 'adaptogens' - tonic or 'building herbs.
The three main actions of adaptogens are:

nontoxic to the recipient.
produce a nonspecific response in the body—an increase in the power of resistance against multiple stressors including physical, chemical, or biological agents.
has a normalizing influence on physiology, irrespective of the direction of change from physiological norms caused by the stressor.
& while all adaptogens contain antioxidants, antioxidants are not necessarily adaptogens and that is not proposed to be their primary mode of action.

A young accupuncturist friend once engaged in a 'discussion' with folks from a multi-level marketing group, who were touting the values of their 'patent' adaptogen formula; inviting them to recognize that the Chinese have been perfecting these formulas for years, & that he had researched sources of high quality ginseng, etc - to no avail! Their product was vastly superior to anything anyone else had ever thought of . . . (hmm - & rather expensive, as I recall!)

In the second jar we used a simpler mix of lemon ginger herb tea, nettles & a bit of damiana. She helped with the whole process, wishing the herbs well as we covered the jars, & tucked them in to 'brew.' Quite the budding herbalist!

Herbs a Planting, gardens a growing

2010-03-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain, rain! Those 'April showers' seem to be here already - tho I hear there may be sunshine on the weekend! Yesterday I invited my granddaughters to help me plant the herbs I picked up for the garden out back that I'd been weeding. I practiced restraint, & only brought home a few plants; with the intention of getting them in the ground before buying more!!

Two thyme plants, Lemon Verbena (this one I'll plant in a pot on the front porch - tho it could be in the ground in the summer) & on the Right, Stevia or 'sweet leaf,' good for adding a 'sweet' taste to teas!

Here's the garden plot, almost ready - the sticks help 'remind' my daughter's huskey mix to stay out of the garden, please!! We'll be planting the newly opened area on the top left.

And the big girl; she planted ALL the herbs I brought home! She donned the gloves, chose her favorite tool (mine, too) & we proceeded to dig the holes. She remembered how to coax plants out of their pots, & how to loosen the roots before tucking them in!! Now it's time to pick up more herbs!!!

My plants came from Bi-mart & Incahoots. A local nursery (with an olive press!) Red Ridge Farm is celebrating having reached 300 Facebook 'fans' by offering a 15% discount through the weekend, if you 'mention' you're one.

Anything coming up in your garden yet? Or plants you are working on finding homes for??

Happy Spring Equinox!

2010-03-20T10:17:00.001-07:00

We slipped into Aires @ 8:22 this AM - time to get out into the garden!! Here are a few things blooming in my yard - plus a section of the herb garden that's waiting for new plants:)

Peach in bloom - last year I got several LUSCIOUS large peaches from this tree - the blooms are so lovely!

The herb bed is thinned out (lots of lambs ears, quack grass (ugh!) & a sad old rosemary with just one branch - the little tree in the corner is one of my olives!! About 1 1/2' high! The honeysuckle rambling over the bush beside it will flood the garden with fragrance this summer. & the rue in front of the stones is growing up.

flush of Snowdrops

One of my 3 Asian Pears - these 'apple pears' are such a delightful treat - when I can wrest a few for myself - my grandkids LOVE them!!

What are your plans this lovely spring day??

Socks

2010-03-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

What on earth do you do with your 'extra' socks??

This AM I decided to tackle the laundry 'pile' - fly-lady asks, 'where's your laundry?' & reminds us of the FIVE basic steps: Sort, Wash, Dry, Fold,& Put it away! (the link is to a variety of thoughts from 'fly-babies' on 'solving the laundry quandry)

I CONTINUALLY do all 5 steps with my massage laundry, (sheets, hand towels n face cloths) - so 'home' laundry is rather 'catch as catch can!'

As I sorted the singleton pile, I asked myself 'would I wear these if I did find the mate??? So thinking of sending them into the compost bin! & found several 'matches' that I do like, so put them in the official 'sock PAIR' basket, & saved some of the singles in another basket.

My son-in law is a pro at sorting/cleaning & all that! His solution - each family member has their own main sock pattern (the 5 year old: white with pink toes & heels, etc) so that it's easy to sort, & they ALL match! Yes, there are still some 'character' socks, but not as many!!

I enjoy more variety, tho I see his point! I've been knitting part bamboo socks -using 'left overs' from the fingerless gloves to do the cuff/foot, leaving the heel open, & knitting the toe with the bamboo mix! How fun these have turned out - a veritable rainbow! My intention was 'mix & match,' but I've done several pair (& left some toes open as well!) The photo on this link shows the first two pair, I've done some in 'thyme/green' which were sweet for St Pats :) - & 'of course' had to buy new yarn for pairs . . .

OK - back to the sock mine!! What's your task today??

Rants

2010-03-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

A lovely - but cold - day! Debating whether to go out in it - I went out & practiced the dance to the Directions & then did Soaring Crane Qigong, but mighty nippy still. 'Fly Lady' suggests working on the kitchen this week - today is 'clear the counters!'

My 'rant' is - I had bible carrying ladies at the door this AM - why can't I just let them talk, or stay in my power?? No, I have to say that Earth Based spirituality, & a Universal (beyond 'father') God is more my style - & point to the harp, mention 'remembering' playing harp & healing time out of mind! & which early humans really thought 'god' (creator) was MALE, for heavens sake!! Which of the male animals around them was giving birth??

Sweet lady - her 'point' was 'we don't need to repeat suffering' & of course 'father & creator' god (ah, they're so much better coached now, with snippets of glimpses into other ways of thinking!) Co-creation & having any part of it all . . . nope :)
My women's spiritual book group is reading Carol Christ's 'She Who Changes,' & I find process philosoph so matches my sense of how it is (as much as we can see!) 'For process philosophy, the whole universe is alive & changing, continually co-creating new possibilities of life. . . . The world is a web of changing individuals interacting with, affecting & changing each other.' (p45)

Why do I feel the need to argue?? Sigh . . . it's more - I try to open the windows to thinking, beyond the pablum their ministers (all male) feed them. My mom had lovely discussions with some JW missionaries, until they began arriving SUNDAY AM (they're a Sat Sabbath bunch, which is historically 'correct'), knowing my folks attended Church every Sunday, rain or shine - unless we were camping. She'd sit in her chair by the open curtain, & 'ignore' their knocking - if they couldn't respect her beliefs, she didn't feel the need to open the door.

I open the door, & vary my response, today just went for it Hafiz & all 'The awake heart is like a sky that pours light.' (Persian poet, 1320-1389) . . . might I have quoted my favorite Celtic (fictional) 6th Cent religouse - Sister Fidelma?? Who lived in a time women enjoyed more freedoms & equal footing with men, lived in 'joint' houses (she was of Bridgit's mixed gender monastery)

So after they left, I went into my back yard & did a round of The Dance to the Directions, then & Soaring Crane qigong, sending some healing to the earth grid. Some of my friends have been working on manifesting (saying they feel there will be) an earthquake in the NW - I sent my intention of steadiness' to mama/sister earth, that if it's in alignment, may the NW be stable & assist in the Earth rebirth in other ways! O Sada - may it be so! & have been singing 'cleanse, clear, rebalance, illuminate' to the public places (parks, parking strips, well known trees, gardens) all around town; doing a 'tune-up' where I go.

** On Sat, my dau. attended the Gluten Free Friends group. There's a GF nurse that's a great resource for the group, she suggested going more for the whole grains, & less of processed things (noodles, bread) & adding nutrition, since our systems have been deprived while fighting off the damage of wheat. Sweet potatoes (I still have some from my CSA share) are one of the suggested additions.
So I made a mix of millet, amaranth, quinoa & a Tbsp of Teff (one of her favorites, but tiny) & ran peeled Sweet Potatoes in my mini processor - cook 20 min (a bit of kombu - kelp - as well) mmm - was Quite a hit with my dau & her honey - she added the rest of the pan into the rice she'd cooked!! Made another batch this AM.

While I was at it yest, I ran beet & carrot as well (I pre-chop into ~ 3/4 " pieces) & added them to my salad of fresh CSA & garden greens & a few dandelion flors, with some sprouts, kefir, & tahini, olive & coconut oil vinaigrette.

Among the herbs

2010-03-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

Lovely day for being outside, again!
I putzed around in the kitchen for awhile, reorganizing my herb/spice rack, & clearing off that counter. Doesn't it seem like things like that take an inordinate amount of time?? But so nice when done!
I made yogurt out of the last of the goat's milk - will see how my grandkids like it! It's easy - & the milk is available from a friend - nice option. The 'milk' kefir cultures so well on the coconut milk - nice & thick, plus tasty!
It's funny - I ordered a case (12 cans) of the coconut milk, but I've noticed that it takes awhile for the message to get to the right folks at the natural foods store!! I saw 'more cans than usual' on the shelf last week, & asked if my order had come in - the checker went & looked (in the back) . . . . No . . . .
Last year I asked for them to carry the coconut OIL I like in a larger size - & there were several quarts on the shelf before I got called to say 'it's in.' So my sense is, when the 'special order' comes in, they just shelve it, unless it's the person who took the order doing the stocking! So I need to ask again, (seems like they were extra busy or I was in a hurry when I did ask) & suggest they come up with a more consistent system?

Meanwhile, yesterday a friend mentioned having smudged her yard, & I mentioned my 'land clearing process' as another option - so sent her the link to my post on that - tuning & clearing! It will be nice to get her feedback - I love doing it! In the afternoon, I began weeding & trimming my herb garden. Some of this garden was already in place when I moved in, & I've added to it over the years.
Lavender, sage, rosemary, bronze fennel, lemon balm, a vitex & a grape, rue, several Thyme plants, chives, catmint, parsley & feverfew (that self sew) . . . with a border of lambs ears that gets bigger every year, & stones. I trimmed lavender & thyme, pulled some weeds & roots, & decided to use a bit of that in the ground edging I got a few years ago at a master Gardner event as a border, & ripple the edge of the garden a bit.

I got quite a bit done before the light faded - plus had phone calls from two old friends that I hadn't heard from in awhile :) More tomorrow, weather allowing!

Garden Time

2010-02-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

In Western Oregon, there is often a 'nice spell' of weather in Feb that's condusive to gardening, & flowers like this patch of violets on the way home from ballet yesterday. Last Sunday I planted peas & divided garlic (a few 'hidden' cloves) with my granddaughers.

I made my first Nettle Pesto yesterday, after taking seeds I picked up at Rose Marie Nichols McGee's talk on Container Gardening at our library over to show my former hubby, a botanist. (he has a lovely nettle patch)

I knew he'd be particulary pleased to have a few more Crambe maritima (Sea Kale) seed - he has a small patch with both seed he harvested from the Coast by Newport (where a small colony has been on a hill for more than 100 years) & a few from seed he ordered. It needs to be 'stratified' - soaked, outer cover removed, then put in & out of the fridge for several weeks before planting. Since it's perenial, it needs a permanent home in the garden. (Nichols offers a generous 25 seed, the company he ordered from supplied 5!)

Other seeds I am trying inc. 'Okahijiki' (Salsola komavovi) - 'land seaweed' (will add kelp to the soil of both these babies!) Fun to read that it's in the tumbleweed family, as I grew up on the 'dry side' in Central Oregon, where tumbleweeds abound!! The name okahijiki is literally land (oka) seaweed (hijiki - a black 'worm like' crunchy seaweed, which was my son's favorite!)
Suggestion is to briefly blanch (bring to a boil & turn off) then marinate or saute, or add raw to salads. I think one of the venders at our Farmer's Mkt. had some last year. A bit salty & crunchy. It also has edible seeds! (Wiki also says several of the other species have edible shoots - who knew?)

Purslane, is also a nice, crunchy salad addition (& high in Omega 3 fats!) This is one we've encouraged on the garden beds across town (where my former hubby caretakes his almost 94 year old mama). I'm working on trying more greens from different plant families (amaranth - good for both seed & greens, etc), as different plants have different health enhancing properties.
I've been doing a seed inventory - do you also tend to buy seed, & plant a few, but then forget to plant again, or to plant them AT ALL?? I still have the CSA share, & enjoy the variety of fresh OG veggies available; but I also plan to do more gardening, as it's something I love, & I enjoy having some greens fresh from my own yard daily!

In Rose Marie's talk, she recommended using ANY containers you have available - just be sure that you poke drain holes! & add fertility (I intend to soak some of my seaweed - Nichols offers granular 'Sea Magic' to "Use as a foliar spray for quick effective results and/or water in around the roots."- The instructions are to empty the 30 g packet (1 oz) into a gallon of water (the concentrate), then use 3 tsp. of concentrate in a quart of water for the spary & to put around plants. I have Kelp I've gathered at the coast, & some from the bulk bin at the Feed & Seed, so will use my own to make up a batch.

A fellow with a soil ammendment & such shop downtown recommended seaweed as a spray to enhance blossom set on my peach tree, & for other applications. & carries a range of 'goodies,' inc Molasses.

Another of Rosemarie's gems - bring your Meyer Lemon (& other citrus) in during the winter - it will live outside, but not set blossoms!! Sigh! Mine is full of fruit, but I left it on the porch too long. 'no wonder' . . . She said folks often proudly state 'well, I left my lemon out on my porch, & it did fine!' & she'll innocently inquire "& did it have flowers??" which add such a delightful fragrance in the dead of winter! NEXT YEAR I'll bring it in early, I promise

She detailed root pruning - take ~ 1" off all the way around, plus any brown root 'spirals' that are at the bottom, add back new potting soil & some (organic) fertilizer when you repot (can keep in the same pot if you take 1" off, or move to a bigger pot if you could still move it :) & take about the same amount off the top of the plant - do 'good pruning' where you remove crossing branches, etc. (This advice is for any perennial pot plants)

She had slides of gardens she's visited, & their use of containers. A rooftop above a Portland Restaurant with 12 or 13 wading pools was delightful! They poked holes in the bottom, filled with kitchen compost & potting mix, & produced all the produce for the restaurant! They also had little 'green sheds' for tomatoe plants (protection from the wind!) & other containers. Made me realize that this pool from last year might just make a good garden, lol! Colorful (theirs were the harder plastic, mostly blue or green)

-- The first batch of 'milk' (Coconut this time) kefir was done this AM - & YUM!! I shared some of the yogurt with my daughter, & she asked if I'd make it 'all the time' for the girls. It's mild & no extra ingredients - just the agar agar - more seaweed :) to help it gel!

Time to get out in the SUN!!
******************************************************

Went on a walk with my daughter & the girls, then (having asked if I could use last summer's pool) proceeded to make a couple of Gardens. I have orchard grass, morning glory, & some pretty heavy soil (great for the nutrients, but challanging at times!) Plus my daughter's big dog doesn't recognize 'garden' borders.

The pool was ~ 7' across, so I cut it in half - down the side, across the middle & up the other side, to make two ~ 3 1/2' garden pools! I poked more holes in the bottom, put a bit of duck tape on the strip, & filled partway with the leaves I pulled off the other gardens, compost (full of worms) & a bit of dirt from the garden next to the pools!

Here are views of the outside & inside one of the new gardens.

Kefir!

2010-02-27T00:22:00.000-08:00

The Water (& milk) kefir 'grains' arrived in the post today! (Thank you, Marilyn 'kefierlady')

I went off to a square dance, & (horrors!) popped them in the fridge -- then got home & opened the packet, which warned against refrigerating them - yikes!! Poor babies! (the outside of the package didn't mention that!)

So I held them, warmed them up & did some Reiki, then 'as suggested' - stirred 1/3 Cup raw sugar into almost a quart of purified water, added a scant ~ 1/8 tsp Cal/mag powder, & the 'water kefir grains' - & set them on top of my stove hood, where the light provides a bit of warmth - & they're bubbling!! Looks a wee bit like a lava lamp, bubbles float up, . . . .

The instructions say "don't worry about all the other ingredients for now. This will feed them for a few day while you gather (them) In other words, do not make them wait to be fed just because you are missing an item or two. Keep them out of the refrigerator!"

I'll move them to a cupboard, as they don't really need to be warm (40 - 80*) but thought they needed a 'head start' after I so rudely made them cold!! I've been enjoying the coconut milk yogurt (there's a suggestion of using coconut milk with the water kefir grains, too) & have eaten/drunk about half of them. I found powdered agar agar, so will try that in the next batch.

Our Health Food store has a water purification system (filtered & alkaline), & you can ask them to fill bottles you bring in so I got a gallon or so yesterday, plus some grapefruit probiotic to wash produce.
A favorite herbalist author, Lalitha Thomas, suggests using GSE in her '10 Essential Foods' - & when I asked the owner 'OK, it's a grapefruit probiotic for washing veggies?' she took me right to the shelf, & commented 'oh, yes! We use GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) on the produce here!' It's very concentrated, so you use ~ 10-20 drops in a gallon of water, & soak the fruits of veg ~ 20 minutes.
Check out the website - there are so many uses for the GSE!! My daughter has been fighting skin problems that have flared since going Gluten Free - maybe this will help! & a bit internally can help fend off an upset tummy if you ingest allergins!

For the milk kefir grains, I asked the friend from whom we get Cherve if I could get some goat milk, that will come Monday! I don't tend to buy milk, but my daughter does, & could prob. spare a quart of 'store milk' till I get the goat milk . . . (I shouldn't 'make them wait to be fed' either!) Her girls love yogurt - hope they enjoy the kefir as well!!

The dance tonight was fun - I rode with severl folks from our club to the town just north of us, for their dance with a different caller - interesting adapting to his quirks & sense of humor! I thought to bring along a GF cookie, so had my own 'cake' (um, cookie) with their ice cream (it was their 'birthday dance')

I'd picked up a dress awhile ago at a thrift store with an intriguing Egyptian print fabric. I'd meant to do 'something' with it, as I didn't really like the style - a 'tent' with full elbow length sleeves. Ah ha! Cut off the skirt, hem the top to make a square dance shirt!
I began the project yesterday, & when I found the red & black ribbon in my sewing box, decided to make it into a 'ribbon shirt'. Our club is 'Braves & Braids,' & while my native heritage isn't obvious to most folks (a little bit of Cherokee on my daddy's side), this seemed like a fun dance costume! I found a black tiered skirt at a thrift store Thur, which I wore tonight.

I'll use the skirt fabric from the 'old' dress with yardage I found today to make a new, fuller skirt. (& pulled the 25% discount slip, so got that discount on my whole purchase!)
There's also a 'club fabric' which I can get from one of the other dancers; they ordered a bolt of print, & a harmonizing brown solid. It's fun to see the different way each gals have put the fabric together, & the matching shirts for the guys.

It was a rainy afternoon, so after my weekly grocery shopping (on 10% when you bring your bag day) I asked if I could 'tuck in' to a cushy chair in the local yarn shop, so I could finish putting the ribbon on the shirt. The bookshop, a couple of coffee shops & the library have comfy corners, too; but the yarn shop seemed a better choice for a crafty project.

Yep - the water is still bubbling away - yea!!

Cultures

2010-02-23T22:59:00.000-08:00

YEA - The Yogurt Maker arrived today!!
I was excited to see the big box on the porch, & took it over to my daughter's to unwrap . . . then home again with my granddaughers to have a 'play date' (ie: 'let mom & dad watch a movie for grown ups!) & to make some yogurt!

We went to the Natural Food store to pick up some Agar Agar (seaweed to help the coconut milk jell) & home again to fix dinner, wash the jars, & then make the first batch.

I ground the agar agar flakes in my trusty seed mill, which broke it up some, & emptied two of these cans of coconut milk into a glass saucepan to heat (just above 110* - warm on the wrist) with the agar agar.
I LOVE Greek Gods yogurt, so got a small one to use as my starter. The 'live & active' cultures include S Thermophilus, Lactobacilis Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, & L.Casei. (for a dairy free starter, I could have used the S O Delicious Cultured Coconut Milk, or the contents of dairy-free acidophilus capsules.)

After taking the pan off the heat, I put ~ 1/2 C of the coconut milk into a glass measuring cup, & added several Tbsp of the Greek Gods yogurt, then returned the mix into the pan, & stired some more.
Two cans of Coconut milk filled 6 of the 7 small glass jars. I usually add ~ 1/2 C of filtered water to a tin of coconut milk (transfer to a quart glass jar as soon as I've opened it) to make it a more 'milk-like' consistency, but I hadn't for this batch of yogurt.

To fill the last jar, I heated ~ 1/8 C water with 1/2 tsp of the agar agar, & let that simmer a few minutes, then added coconut milk from the fridge, & a tsp of Dalmatia Orange-Fig spread & a tsp of honey to the milk as it was warming. After I took the pan off the heat & let it cool, I added a spoonful of the yogurt, & stirred before pouring it into the last jar.

For the next batch, I'll simmer agar agar in a 1/2 cup of water at the beginning, then add the coconut milk. I intend to experiment with using tapioca starch (already a powder) - simmering the starch in water first. And I can culture futer batches with some of my own yogurt!

The black bar on top of the lid indicates the time the yogurt should be done - then it should cool in the fridge for an hour before eating (ha!)

Within the next few days the kefir 'grains' should arrive, & I'll begin making some sugar water kefir.
On Sunday I attended a wonderful Gluten free BD party with my daughter & granddaughters, & had a brief conversation with a friend who's made water kefir in the past, & said she really likes it! (here's a tutorial on making Water Kefir)
I also found this blog - & happened on a post on water kefir!!

I look forward to these new adventures, & to experimenting with different adaptogen herbs during the second ferment, & experimenting with the milk kefir grains. They culture at room temp, & are a more liquid 'product' than Yogurt.

What adventures have captured your fancy this week?

God of Wealth

2010-02-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

Feels like spring!! Sunny, sunny day, & flowers are starting to bloom! Here are some violets & a bit of daphne (mmm) from my yard!
Thursday marks the 'God of Wealth's birthday,' & again my lovely friend Gwynne will be at Portland's Chinese Gardens, doing ritual & talk. I want to visit the gardens again soon - haven't been there for more than a year!

This seems to be a week for ordering goodies! My daughter helped me sign up as a practitioner with Pure, so we could order vitamins & other supplements (it's the brand her doc's office carries) & they should arrive on Friday! They're very high quality & 'hypoallergenic,' a real plus for us Gluten Free folk!

I love using mineral make-up! Most of the time, I don't bother; but I tend to use some when I go to a dance or other 'dress up' activities. A little over a year ago I ordered sample sizes from CMH Essentials, & I've been very pleased!! The 'sample' 5 gram size is $1.95m & I've only used up two - Chamelion Sparkle eyeshadow, & the Shimmer Veil!!
My order included an eye shadow collection, so I substituted the Chamelion for 'Enchanted Emerald" (which I have) & got the 10g size of the Veil (the only larger size I ordered - a little really does go a long way!) One reviewer said: "This eyeshadow (Chamelion Sparkle) is FUN! It adds a great twist to any other darker eyeshadow you may have, reflecting lots of different colors. The base color for Chamelion Sparkle is brown." It's the one I use most, & do still have a bit left!
Christine writes: "Being natural, they are allergen-free and contain no chemical dyes, added preservatives, fillers, perfumes, oils, talc or other ingredients commonly found in traditional mineral makeup products. CMH Essentials makeup contains only pure mineral pigments in concentrated form. Due to their concentration they perform the functions of concealer, foundation, eyeshadow and skin care all in a single application which binds to the skin so well that very little touch-up is required as the day progresses."
What a treat that is!! I looked at 'mineral make-up' in our local beauty supply shop - & there were lots of fillers inc talc!!
This line doesn't contain "Bismuth.Oxychloride, a thick, heavy mineral, which makes it difficult for many people to wear. It must be packed into your pores (heavy application), which can sometimes result in plugged pores and irritation of the skin. B.O will feel smooth between the fingers." The popular 'Bare Essentials' line contains B.O.! I've gotten a few of their products, as a local spa carries them, & I went for a 'make-over' several years ago. CMH also carries make up brushes - again, a lot less expensive than elsewhere.

The other item I ordered is a yogurt maker!! I found it on Amazon a few weeks ago, & called our Health Food store to see if they might be able to stock it, as I'm trying to buy local when possible. The manager called back, to say she'd looked it up, & was having trouble finding a distributor she could buy from - & that Target seems to stock it! Since we don't have a Target in town, & I don't know when I'd get to one, I decided to order from Amazon, as it qualified for the free shipping . . .

The 'Yolife' yogurt maker comes with glass jars & has 2 lids, a short one for the little jars, & a higher one for using your own pint or quart jars - nice option! I've written before about our trecks to buy raw milk when my kids were young, & finding a great little local dairy. We also frequently made our own yogurt, wrapping the jar of warm milk in a towel, & leaving it in the oven (turned off) overnight.
A common problem with gluten sensitivity is developing problems with other foods, which frequently includes milk. (after 6 months or so aftter going Gluten Free, the other sensitivities may go away!) These days, I use coconut milk for most recipes, & did try making my own coconut milk yogurt once or twice. It didn't set too well, so I plan to experiment with adding tapioca & perhaps a bit of gelatin.
I also like the 'greek style' yogurt (OK - Greek Gods yogurt is almost better than ice cream!!) & intend to use some of that as my 'starter' . . . another suggestion is to use buttermilk as a starter for one's own 'quark' (that was in one of the Amazon reviews!) . . .
I found this post on making coconut yogurt - she used 2 T agar agar - (seaweed) (I'd grind it in my trusty seed mill!!) & I think a combo of that & some tapioca (either starch, or making a batch of tapioca & using some of that) should work well!
When I want a sweetish treat, I often make tapioca, adding dried fruit & cocoa or carob powder, & a bit of sweetening. My son-in law also REALLY likes tapioca, my daughter's more neutral. It's so easy to make 'from scratch' rather than using a pudding mix! Just soak the tapioca for 20 min or so, then add some more liquid (I add coconut milk) & bring to a boil, stirring frequently, & simmer for ~ 15-20 min more!

Ooo - & then I decided to check out Kefir, & found Dom from Austrailia's fascinating site!! So much info - inc. how to make 'water kefir' - cultured on sugar water (& possibility of adding herbs, fruit, etc, to make your effervescent potion even more delicious!) He responded quickly to a question about ordering - but pretty expensive to ship stateside . . . . (do check his site!)
So I poked around on one of my yahoo forums, & found the suggestion to check out Marilyn the Kefir lady - so will be sending her $20 for live Water Kefir Grains!!! She only takes cash ("I don't bank!") & ships on Monday - so one can order today & have the 'grains' next week!

Have a great week - SO enjoying the sunshine! Red Hat 'do' Friday :)

Chinese New Year's Eve

2010-02-13T07:34:00.001-08:00

Count down to midnight & Chinese New Year!

My daughter & son want Valentine's weekend Dates, so we're juggling kids throughout the weekend - two stayed overnight with me last night - this morning the youngest just came from next door to see if her cousins are up yet!! YEP!! Now time for breakfast (millet,buckwheat, amaranth, teff & hazelnuts - cook in ~ 20 minutes, so a great quick grain combo)

& Oranges! I have a bowl of oranges & a bouquet of flowers on the dining room table, so KaKay peeled SEVERAL to share! I've been getting fresh flowers for my office the last couple of weeks, so brought my flowers home last night & added them to a few others.

My girlfriend Gwynne has lovely tips on her blog for celebrating Chinese New Year on Sun the 14th, inc: 'Roll 88 cases, or 88, or 8 single oranges one by one through your front door (& every exterior door that enters your home) and across your threshold, as well as real coins, ingots, gold chocolate coins into your home & business to symbolize filling them with abundance of good luck & prosperity. Then share with friends & neighbors.

Here's my 'money tree, (there's an old Chinese legend of a tree with branches of coins & gold, 7 when you shake it, the gold falls like rain from heaven) - I need to add some coins in red envelopes :)

I'm still working on the preparations (which 'should be in place by the afternoon of the 13th . . . #1 - Give your home & business a fabulous spring clean! Clear away dirt, clutter, & old stagnant chi to welcome new energy for the New Year. Everything should be sparkling!!

Pay off debts, & "Treat yourself to a brand new purse & wallet, & fill it with lots of cash!"
I've been paying bills, got a new red wallet, (guatamalan - I got a new purse a month or so ago.)
When I was making my deposit Fri (inc an IRA contribution :) I asked for 27 uncirculated $ bills, & 33 new 1 $ coins! The teller was intrigued, & quite helpful - I got some extra $ coins for giving in red envelopes . . .

I didn't have any of the lovely 'official' ones, so yesterday I stopped at the Dollar tree, & found a set of invitations that came with Red Envelopes! They have a white box for address, so I pulled out the gluestick & red & gold napkins left from last year's beeswax collage Valentine project to give these a more traditional look, & some of that sparkly gold (which doesn't show as much in the photo) - what do you think?

Other suggestions inc. getting a new haircut & red jewels - (I got one a few weeks ago, & two of my grand daughters got their hair cut Friday!!). I found earrings & a red necklace this last week at two local shops (one locally made!), &

My son's kids caught fish at the sportsman show, so that's part of dinner (the word for fish, 'yu' sounds like the words for both wish & abundance, serving fish at the end of the New Year's eve meal symbolizes a wish for abundance)

The kids have danced (ballet) & are fed & tucked in watching a movie at Mary's - back to that 'shining' & clearing!

Dancing Tigers

2010-02-08T21:32:00.000-08:00

I've been square dancing for about 5 months now, & our class (inc several teens) just 'graduated' in January. (Here I am with my certificate & our teacher /caller, Leonard)
I'm still getting the mind-body connection, making the leap between what's called & what I'm supposed to DO - after several years excelling at ballroom, I am humbled by my many 'oops!' moments - when I'm headed left & should be going right, or I'm facing out & should be facing in, . . . or not moving when I should be . . .

Our club dances the 1st & 3rd Saturdays, & I was working on talking myself out of going Saturday (classes ended several weeks ago, 'everyone' else got to attend Mid-Winter the weekend before - with lots of clubs, classes, demonstations & dancing - while I was hanging out with my grandkids . . . I was rather tired) when my college roommate Charlotte phoned, telling me she & her husband were coming to our dance!! YEA!

Now I need to go back a few (mumbldy mumble) years:
Feb 1968, college 'priview' weekend at OCE (now WOU) in Monmouth. I came over the mtns with my dad, & Char was there from the next town, to check out the school. Two shy, bookish & musically inclined gals, we decided to be 'alone together' & went to the orientation meetings, walked around campus, checked out the library & the dorms, . . .
We both opted to attend OCE (not a hard choice for me, since I wanted to be a teacher, & both an aunt & Great Aunt attended in the 20s, when it was 'Oregon Normal School' (teacher's colleges were 'normal' schools - setting the norm)
Char put me as her roommate choice (we wanted to live in one of the older dorms, not a modern one! & my mom wasn't sure I 'knew her well enough' to list her for a roomie choice - but I didn't know anyone else, either! I think she was nervous 'cause Char was one of 10 kids, & I was an only - we got along fine!!)

She was a music major, with Secondary Ed minor, I was El Ed with Music Minor . . . & that first year we jumped out of bed ~ a quarter till 8 FOUR mornings a week, for our music Theory class! I was in Honors Western Civ, we took creative writing together, & worked on getting those 'basic' classes out of the way. She took flute lessons, while I studied voice, we sang in her church choir, & I only locked her out once! ('No, you can't lock me out, I don't have anywhere else to go!!')

A friend of Char's introduced me to my boyfriend, she began dating as well, & a few years later, both Charlotte & I were married & raising kids (her daughter just turned 39 on Feb 3rd, mine on the 7th) . . . Char went back to school (while working) & finished several degrees over the last 40+ years, most recently a Doctorate in Psychology! I became an LMT in the early 80s, & though I have lots of education, mostly in the healing arts & music, I don't have a degree.

We have one of those psychic connections, & would often 'think of each other' just before one or the other called. She went on to adopt several children from two of her sisters, & we visited back & forth. Our kids looked like they were siblings or at least cousins! We ate a lot of popcorn, slathered in butter, had giggly slumber parties, & drank white russians (our kids liked it when we did that, then we were sure to stay overnight!)

In the 80s, Charlotte began Square dancing, & I was taking Ballet. With her beautiful voice, she decided to become a 'caller.'
Now women don't often 'call' - it's pretty much a men's world - tho women often 'cue' the round dances. (One of my best friends from Grade & High School was square dancing as well, & BOTH those gals met their husbands @ sq. dances!!)

Back to the present: I'd been regretting that when I began taking Sq. Dance lessons, Char had taken a break from calling - boo~!~!~! OK, So she was finishing that degree program, her husband had knee & hip replacements, & her music is all in 'vinal' form!!

So a few weeks ago, she was at that Midwinter Festival, & talking to our Caller Leonard, & mentioned that her friend took the fall lessons at his club ~ but I going by a nick-name, hard for old friends to adjust to - so she used my 'old' name!! It took awhile for just who I was to register :)
When it did, Leonard urged them to visit our club, & invited her to 'call a few tips!' She & Leonard began calling at the same time, & would often run into each other at used book/music stores, & 'fight' over the records, & often called at each other's dances. I appreciate the graceful way he includes other callers at our dance. Our Cuer, Jackie, is great about that, too; down to coordinating outfits with a gal she frequently shares cuing dances with!

That weekend Char ran into another old buddy caller, who told her he could transfer her music to disk (or computer?? They have some pretty fancy systems these days!) So she's decided to begin calling again!!

I told her she was just picking up my mental 'prodding' to do just that!! Well - it just didn't seem fair that she was such a fantastic caller, & I'd begun dancing after she stopped! I was 'on the ceiling' the whole evening!! That whole 'only child' bit - I get to 'choose' my siblings, & those oldest & bestest friends are so precious.
Char & Bill invited me to visit their club (in Milwaukie) next weekend - &, as the other dancers say, I need the 'floor time' to really integrate the dance!! &, when she rejoined Leonard to sing harmony on his last call, he told her she doesn't need to ask if she wants to jump in on a call - just - jump in!!!
He reminds me, just a bit, of my dad or one of mine uncles - this is a good thing . . . .

Imbolc & Count Down

2010-02-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

Imbolc is one of my favorite 'cross quarter' holidays, (the ones between Solstices & Equinox) : the time the goddess washes her face, & is renewed!
Fiona Morgan, writing in the We'moon calendar says: "A pure new light sparks as we emerge from winter's dark sleep. . . We recharge our psychic batteries as the entire universe begins to quiver & pulse its cosmic rhythm. Earthlings feel Her intensity acutely as the Wheel shifts in these troubled times."

I often play harp, light candles & incense to honor this cross quarter (tho astrologically, the halfway point is closer to the 6th or 7th)

Last Thur, I 'attended' my friend Gwynne's 10K Feng Shui confrence call on preparing for the upcoming year of the Golden Tiger last week, & am working on her suggestion of getting as much clutter cleared, & systems (filing, bills caught up, etc) in order over the next few days!

Gwynne shares many lovely suggestions & a wealth of information on her website & blog, & offers 'case history' suggestions, like this one for a Home Office makeover! The conference call was inspiring - Gwynne always is! [We were 'sisters' at Breitenbush in the early 90s, & share a birthday (tho I'm a Tiger, & she a Rabbit) - I always have admired her integrity & her ability to hold space.]

It was frustrating to need to wait to begin the clear out, as I watched my grandkids from Thur - Sun (& all 4 overnight Sat - which is actually easier, as they entertain each other!) at my daughter's home, while she was off on an anniversary trip to Las Vegas!! & tho I live just next door, I needed to put 'my' projects on hold.

I intend to make a soul-collage card soon, "I am the one who delights in her warm & welcoming home! I am the one who entertains with ease & grace, I am the one who has streamlined her life & surroundings, to flow graciously & gracefully."

I've been working on my first of the month bills (& Gwynne suggests pre-paying any you can, & going into the year as 'debt free' as possible)

Cleaning off the front porch (the Fly lady 'mission' for Tue - this week's focus is on the entrance & dining room - great, since I've been planning to move my sewing project & 'Sally' (Singer) upstairs, & reclaim the dining room table.
Following my 24 hour dish rule - not let dishes sit around more than 24 hours before washing up! At my daughter's Ihad the kids load the dishwasher after meals, & ran it several times over the 4 days they were gone. I have a dishwasher, but as a single person, rarely use it!
Getting behind the L room couch & restoring order
Sorting through my closet & piles (& piles) of clothes, earmarking some for a couple of jumble sales planned this spring, taking others to the thrift shops.
Getting & hanging/placing some new art - am replacing my dad's photo of Mt Jefferson from the Head of the Metolious River with a waterfall photo in the prosperity corner of my upstairs bedroom. My dad took SO MANY photos of Mt Jeff & the Metolious, one of his favorite places - when I found the nicely framed waterfall @ Goodwill, & noticed it had a PDX photographer's stamp on the back, 'guessed' that it was the falls at Oneonta Gorge on the Columbia River, a place my dad & I hiked into when I was a teen! So another place he enjoyed, off the beaten path!
Kitchen counters & floor! FInd them :)

I'm enjoying the focus of this project - I've been working on clearing clutter for awhile - with greater & lesser success, lol; it feels good to be at it again!

What are you up to this Imbolc & eve of the Year of the Tiger

TIGERS & Chariots

2010-01-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

After a lovely lunch with my dear daughter Mary (Thai) I came home to concoct a salad with greens from our Sat. Market & roots from the CSA share, & from my yard, this little pile of Chickweed (Stelleria media) & yarrow. With a light sprinkling of raspberry vinegar & my (wamred up) olive/coconut oil & balsamic vinegar this was just what I needed! Susun Weed is a great fan of Chickweed, & it's a sweet, mild green - if you've never tried it, it's a great winter salad green.

This post on simple & frugal fare is inspiring - I'm also a fan of raw (GF) rolled oats!! & salads . . . . green smoothie girl offers lots of suggestions for the dinner Arlene suggests. & if you ever think your home is small, check out their 'mini-moblie' cottage!! Less tahn 200 sq. feet!! The single-wide I lived in for several years, at over 400 sq. feet was HUGE! & my 950 foot home is a castle!

In a few weeks it will be the Chinese New Year, & the year of the Tiger! I'm a metal tiger, & will turn 60 this fall, so am looking forward to this year. It already feels exciting, intriguing, fresh & happy. My friend Gwynne, who is a Feng Shui practitioner, is offering a FREE confrence call this Thur, Jan 28, offering tips for welcoming the year &

Astrological forecasts for a Metal Tiger year
Predictions for the year by Feng Shui Grandmasters from Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Singapore
Simple, fun and inexpensive ways to prepare your home and business for the Chinese New Year
How important it

is this year to use Feng Shui to rock the Tiger energies with my forthcoming “Chinese New Year Party and Rituals in a Box” and “Golden: Year of the Metal Tiger” live events
Just click on this link to register for the free call!

I've begun driving my daughter's last car, as she & her hubby inherited a newer Nissan from his grandparents in the spring. I had my dad's '91 Chevy Lumina (Bluebird) since his transition in the early 90s, & it's been good to me. I've passed it on to friends who were in need of another vehicle, so this 'loop' feels good.

'Aurora' is a '99 Mercury Sable wagon - great for hauling harps n grandkids; a bit bigger than I'd thought my 'next' car would be - but a great price (free!!) & newer. I took 'her' in for an oil change (with the mechanic that's worked on her for my daughter), & had a tune-up a s well; next new tires.
I tend to balk at driving a car I haven't driven before, but am enjoying the shift. She's a long car, & the grandkids LOVE riding on the bench seat in the very back! Took all 4 of them to S. School & then out to lunch on the weekend, & no one was crouded!

I've been working on rearranging my living room, & attacking the clutte r (yet again!), & Gwynne suggests that as the first step in preparing for a new year - clear the decks. The new arrangement of the L room feels good - I've moved the couch away from the wa ll, & made a 'cozy nook' for reading/knitting by my lovely Tiffany style lamp.

I need to rearrange the rest of the room, & think about having the piano tuned . . . .

OK - time to head to work!!
What are you working on??

Rangoolize

2010-01-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

Isn't this a fun word?? I discovered 'rangooli' over at voyages d'iles, voyage d'elle basically, what I'd call 'doodling'
I have doodled off & on for years - esp in school, as I am one who learns better if my hands are occupied! My kids remember me on the phone in one small house, sketching a 'blue onion' dish pattern around the door & on the walls - I'd fill in with blue paint later. Like now, the rest of the house was in piles & stacks . . .

Do you fill notbooks, edges of programs & other such with rangooli??

Or 'journal' in circles & spirals at times?? A friend who taught journaling in the 80s sugg. playing with what you put on a page, & how - change it around - play with it! Notice how it affects your writing - does taking a different 'route' change what you write?
And for all you Gluten Free (or want to be) folks who've missed GRAHAM CRACKERS - go check out G F Girl's recipe!!! SUPER YUM!

Square through four

2010-01-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

New Moon yesterday - how the year is flying! Molly offers some great tips on Clearing while you're cleaning - great to combine with New Moon (Would be easier if I could find my floor, lol!! But I am making progress & want to implement some of these ideas!)

I've been doing Lots of dancing - ballet, ecstatic, & I finished the 'basic' Square dance lessons on Monday! Our class 'graduates' this Saturday - & I feel much more 'at home' with the calls! One of my best friends through grade & High School & my college roommate both took up Square dancing in the late 70s, when I began studying Ballet. My roommate became one of the few female callers, & called for several clubs over the years. She's now 'retired' from calling, but still dances.
For about 15 years I took ballet classes several times a week, did some point work (beginning that when I was in my mid 30s!), was in performances with our local studio, & enjoyed it immensely. For awhile, the whole family took ballet, & this last winter, all my grandkids (& my son & dau-in law) performed in the Nutcracker.
Over the years, I added other dance forms - belly dance, Ecstatic (free form), Dances of Universal Peace, studied & teach Tai Chi/Qigong, & love them all.

I began taking ballroom classes about 10 years ago, & learned more about 'partner' dance, as much of what I'd done had been more core or individual work. With the ballet background, I was often chosen to help the teacher demonstrate, & that was fun too!
Though we have a lovely ballroom, dances haven't been well attended, & are rarely offered, & dances in other locations are often fundraisers & quite expensive, so there's not much opportunity to practice what we're learning! And while the teachers recommend 'rotating' partners during lessons, which gives the beginning dancers opportunities to practice with more experienced dancers; at actual dances, it's much rarer to dance with more than a few folks, as most couples dance with each other.

Then a couple of years ago, my Ballroom buddy Steven invited me to try Round Dance, basically, ballroom done with a 'cuer' who gives direction, so everyone does the same moves. Fascinating! It takes the pressure off the 'lead' to think of patterns. Our cuer teaches two step, waltz & cha-cha, & we took each series. Having grown up in the Grange, it was fun to go out to the hall for the Round dance lessons, & I went to a dance or two, but with only a sketchy memory of grade school Square dance, I sat out half the dances, which alternate square 'tips' & round sets.

Steven wasn't interested in Square Dancing, & is busy with the ballroom (which he manages), so last fall, I decided to join the Square Dance lessons on my own. (& invited a gal friend who used to dance to join the lessons mid-stream)
Our club hosts dances twice a month, & area clubs offer 'New Dancer Dances' (& our members car-pool to attend) around graduation (they offer classes around the same time); so I've gone to a couple of dances already - & rarely sat out!! One of the 'rules' is that NEW DANCERS NEED TO DANCE! So the more experienced dancers dance with us!! There were enough dancers at our last dance for 6 squares (48 dancers on the floor, with another 8-10 sitting out!) & I only sat out a few dances! I was asked by THREE different guys (inc. a teen who took the lessons with us) to dance when I did sit down!!
The club also has 'experienced' clothes sales, so I've picked up several skirts (remember tie skirts?? They make a great square dance skirt, with a bit of eyelet sewed to the bottom) & one outfit; usually $5-10 per piece, & several soft petticoats. A number of the gals dance in 'prairie' skirts - about calf length, & not as full as the shorter skirts. My galfriend also got a skirt & top - pink Seminole style patchwork - lovely!!

Yikes!! It's almost 11, time to join my Red Hat sisters for lunch (& get all dolled up!!)
My most recent project is starting some socks - bamboo & superwash wool!! Several of my friends have been knitting socks, so I got a book from the library with a likely sock pattern, some of my mom's kneedles, & (sigh) another trip to the yarn stash store, to choose something yummy to knit with - I'm calling the colour 'nutmeg' (BBQ sauce doesn't roll off the tongue quite right, . . . ) cheers, babuskas!

* MAGIC *

2010-01-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

 I think my word for 2010 is  * MAGIC *

This year already feels full of possibilities & opportunities.
& I'm seriously working on reducing clutter, both at home & in the office
(& yes, need to get off-line & on task!!!)

I take part in an on-line 'conversation' group of women who respond to questions every few weeks. This morning, the gal who invited me to participate sent a personal e-mail quiring if the ~ 20# weight loss I experienced over ~ 8 months & mentioned recently had been 'mostly' from the switch to coconut oil.

While that's defiantly contributed, the switch to Gluten Free has played a big part as well! This is what I sent to the group:

yes, (much of the weight loss) seems to have resulted from the shift in oils (using coconut
& olive oil while avoiding others) in the spring, then going GLUTEN FREE in the summer!
I love having a waist again :) The mainthing I notice if I get some stray gluten is bloating.
I use high quality digestive enzymes or vinegar in water with questionable meals.

My energy level is up, & I WANT to move/exercise more because of the extra
energy, I find myself craving 'bad' stuff (anything with gluten, high
fructose corn syrup, & unsaturated oils) tho I still love things like GOOD
chocolate, fresh fruits etc. Pomegranates - I will miss those when the
season's over!!

This link to Grain Damaged offers a good overview of gluten sensitivity.
(the gal who asked about my weight loss suffers from IBS, & this article focuses
on food sensitivities usually playing a huge role in IBS, with wheat/gluten being the main
cluprit!!)

Hmmm - I also got a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) membership this
year, with a local organic farm. I tend to buy local/Organic as much as
possible (I choose coconut as one of the 'from far' foods - still OG) but
having the CSA membership really cuts down on buying 'other' (non-organic)
food. & prompts me to eat more veggies, which we 'should' anyway!

So that's another slight shift. Since 'my farmers' use water from their own well, the
veggies are grown fluoride free - & fluoride interferes with the body's
ability to absorb necessary iodine, while the chemical fertilizers used by
NON OG farmers cut the amt of Magnesium available.
One of my 'additions' this year is a good water filter - that removes the
fluoride! Sigh. Why do *they* have to mess with our lovely NW water??

& 'of course' cutting soy as much as possible from my diet has helped (my
dau still uses some in cooking, & it's also 'hidden' in lots of things)
since soy depresses the thyroid, & coconut balances it, the inclusion of
coconut combined with the exclusion of most soy tends to boost the
metabolism (unless one had an overactive thyroid, then coconut would help
calm it down!) & much commercial soy sauce contains gluten, so Chinese
restaurants are pretty much 'out' unless they're conscious & REALLY offer
gluten free (soy sauce free) options.

Many women start eating more soy during menopause, for the phyto estrogens
- but with the thyroid depression, I suspect that's tied to weight gain!

Restaurant eating has gotten much more selective - I'm a Virgo, & have
been 'health conscious' for years; going gluten free gives me the 'excuse'
to say "Aw, I'm grain damaged - can you bring me . . . ." (a salad w
olive oil & vinegar - or no dressing, a soup not thickened with flour, not
something breaded or fried . . . ) & lots of nice veggies . . .& watch
my friends scarf down a huge plate of something greasy . . . (fried in
un-saturated un-healthy oils to boot!)

****** so that's my personal 'formula' for having dropped ~ 20 # in the last 18 months. & people
have begun noticing - one of the NDs that shares our office asked how much I'd lost the other
day! Her husband has dropped 30# since going Gluten Free last spring; she & their teen son still
eat some, but much less than in the past.
"LIVING WITHOUT" mag has a list of 10 'Must Dos for New Celiacs' (I so like the term 'Grain
Damaged!)
1: Understand your disease - research!
2: Build a Medical team
3: Join a Support group (my dau's best friend is part of ours, I haven't gone yet)
4: Check your Pantry (read lables & toss. Segragate gluten-containing food if one or more family
members still eat the stuff!)
5: Stock the Basics, including some good GF mixes! - Personally, I enjoy having a 'larder' of flours
as well, so I can add play with tweeking recipes (like the chestnut scones!) but I've always been
a 'creative' cook!
6: Dust off your apron (& make some new ones!)
7: Buy a bread machine (my dau got one for Christmas that has a low carb/gluten free cycle
I'm more an oven gal, myself! But do have access to it! & a dear client brot me several GF mixes
as a Christmas gift!)
8: Patronize Local Businesses - YES! & if they accomodate you, TIP WELL & let them know you'll
return!
9: Don't settle
This could be our motto for life - don't settle!! Breathe it in!
10: Exhale - relax - it will be all right - & even better!

Exhaling reminds us to - INHALE!
A psychic friend told me in a reading that when I found myself craving bread, to remember to
take a moment to breathe! That my body was craving more *fuel* - & to think of Oxygen first!
so go outside, hug a tree, & take a DEEP BREATH!!

Oh, dear!! Here's a link to an article on how agave nectar (which I use sporadically) is made!!
Guess I'm retiring that bottle!!

2010 - Dance of Spirit

2010-01-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo - New Year! It feels good already - & (come Feb New Moon) it's a Tiger year - & I'm a metal tiger woman!

I often spend some time revamping my living space (painting, re-arranging, tweeking) & most of Sun was in the kitchen, washing counters, folding laundry (have one of those laundry closets off the kitchen) . . .

& that afternoon, went out for a friend's BD dinner (Chinese, so just had salad & steamed rice, as they cook EVERYTHING with breading &/or soy sauce, which contains wheat!) . . . & a glass of plum wine :) Then a GF desert at a nicer restaurant (chocolate flourless tort!) & off on a shopping expedition where I found this lovely red PURSE!!

My dear friend Gwynne, who is a Feng Shui consultant, suggests a shiny red purse as a statement to the universe that you expect abundance! When I saw this one at our fav. discount store, & checked that it had adequate pockets & a zip for the checkbook etc, I knew it needed to go in my cart for the New Year! One in Purple is another option.

I have a sweet Red Hat coin purse that a friend gave me from her mom's stash, a sweet sparkly addition to that red purse! The Staffordshire 'CALICO' tea pot is full of yummy chai I made from scratch! My Breitenbush housemate Ray (who worked in the kitchen) would be proud - he'd make fresh chai every few days, which our other roomie, Emily & I would happily drink; but always begged off making!

This is a variation on Rosemary Gladstar's "Longevity Chai" (from 'Family Herbal' p. 38)

6 slices fresh ginger (fresh)
a cinnamon stick, broken (or several Tbsp cinnamon chips)
tsp ginseng rootlets
tsp licorice root
6 shizandra berries
6 crushed cardamom pods
4 whole cloves
simmer for 15 min (don't boil!) in 1 quart water.
Strain into a warmed tea pot, add ~ 1/3 C coconut milk per cup of tea (I just added in the teacup) & stir briskly - add a bit of honey (I used 1/4 tsp per cup) - mmmm!! She suggests adding vitex berries or pepper corns, I had the schisandra, an 'adaptogen' like ginseng & other long life herbs - this is from the Mt. Rose Herb website: "The lignans in the (Schisandra) berry appear to protect the liver by stimulating cells that produce much needed antioxidants. Because of its adaptogenic properties, it has been applied next to some herbal medicines like Ginseng as a stimulator for the central nervous system, increased brain efficiency, improved reflexes, and an accelerated rate of endurance."
It's common for Asian users to steep berries in fruit juice, or do the 'soft simmer' (as for the chai), using ~ 1 tsp daily.

Well, I must be 'off' to my office, to RECEIVE a massage from our newest therapist! What a great way to begin the year - 'see' you soon!! & Many blessings for a prosperous 2010!

Chestnuts a'Roasting

2009-12-22T23:31:00.000-08:00

The season/month/year continues to speed past - where does the time go?

Today I played my last Holiday Harp Gig in a local insurance company lunch room - & am not ready to put away the Christmas music. Hmm, family, beware!

I'm enjoying the treats of the season - huge pomegranates - I brought one to a Solstice Circle last night, appropriate for the longest night.
At Saturday's brunch, our hostess had mixed pomegranate seeds into melted chocolate - what a lovely treat!

I'd noticed a basket of local chestnuts at Harvest Fresh, & then this bit on Suzie the Foodie's blog about roasting chestnuts!
Sold! Over the years, I occasionally get a few handfuls of the nuts (though the blight wiped out many of our N American Chestnut trees, there remain pockets of trees which survived)

Fresh chestnuts are ~ 1/2 the price of imported Italian Chestnut flour - & I can whir them in my mini processor to use in a recipe or two - perhaps some pumpkin scones? Or Chocolate brownies??

Susie recommends getting out the rolling pin to smush the nuts & begin to extract the meat.

So I scored, turned the oven to 375* & roasted for ~ 20 minutes. Hmm - I'd forgotten how similar to sweet potatoes or squash roast chestnuts taste! & you need to peel the inner skin as well as the outer - I'm glad I only roasted ~ 20, lol! I roasted the second large blue squash a day or so ago, so think I should try the pumpkin scones (egg free!)

We're going to my daughter's in-laws for a Christmas brunch, these would be fun to take along - & my granddaugters are always interested in grammie's concoctions. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a perenial favorite - it will be fun to see what they think of chestnuts!

****************
Yum!!
I found a suggestion not to use xanthan gum in quick bread recipes over on gluten free gourmand after making the scones - will try leaving it out next batch!

Vegan Pumpkin Chestnut Scones

combine coconut milk & vinegar before mixing flours to make 'buttermilk'

1 1/3 cup brown rice flour blend (brown rice flour, potatoe starch, tapioca flour
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/3 cup chestnut flour (fresh roasted & ground)
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground cardamom (seeds from 3 pods)

-- sift dry ingredients together
-- cut in 6 tablespoons of coconut oil

-- puree:
¼ cup agave nectar or honey or brown rice syrup
1/2 cup pure pumpkin (I rough chopped & pureed with other ingredients

1/3 cup of coconut milk (or your favorite milk) combined with
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (& a splash of raspberry vinegar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Puree wet ingredients till smoothe, then mix into dry, adding more coconut milk if needed. I bake on a pizza stone, so I don't preheat the oven! Flatten dough on stone, cut into 8 wedges, bake at 425* for 10-15 minutes (till toothpick comes out clean)

What a simple vegan recipe! While I've been using a mix of coconut oil & butter, it came out great with just the coconut oil - & no eggs - my daughter will be happy!
Chestnuts have been called 'the grain that grows on a tree' - fortunatly, gluten free! They are a very low fat nut (54 calories per oz, hazelnuts have 180)
Here's a table with some of the nutrients from this website.
There's a more complete breakdown here - note the high level of potassium, there are only a couple mg. of sodium! Since they have a high water content (1/3-1/2 water) they are best stored in the fridge or frozen.

Chestnuts, cooked/4 ounces
Calories	149
Total fat (g)	1.6
Saturated fat (g)	0.3
Monounsaturated fat (g)	0.5
Polyunsaturated fat (g)	0.6
Dietary fiber (g)	5.7
Protein (g)	2
Carbohydrate (g)	32
Cholesterol (mg)	0
Sodium (mg)	31
Vitamin C (mg)	30
Potassium (mg)	811
Magnesium (mg) ----------------------------- 53 Calcium (mg) ------------------------------- 46

Gifties & give-away(s)

2009-12-17T22:37:00.000-08:00

The countdown continues! How are you doing 'getting ready' for the holidays?

The gal friends & I have a holiday 'brunch' & present exchange over at Martha's on Saturday - I'm bringing the lovely gluten free scones, & found this latkas (potato pancake) recipe over @ Suzi's - I may make a couple for myself before I head over, (or take along my mini processor n the 'fixings') as one gal is bringing a potato dish & using 'regular' flour - boo!!

I made a 'sample' batch this PM, using sorgham flour, a potato, 1/2 onion & clove of garlic from my CSA, & a free range egg - delicious!!

I finished my gifties for our exchange; sweet half round napkins that you can fold into a 'Christmas tree' shape! I found the holiday angels & skating girls in the discount area of a local fabric store. These are two sided, I used 1/2 a 'fat quarter' for the reverse. I'll take along the Nisse I made last year, with his bag stuffed full of the (wrapped) napkins.

I made one for myself that includes a little pocket for the wooden chopsticks, spoon & knife which I carry in my purse (for times other folks might use plastic utensils.) It rolls up & tucks away quite neatly.

Check out the give away over at Two Thousand things - a $50- gift certificat from Bamboosa - wow, what a neat company!! Organic bamboo, & US made products! Check them out - & enter the give away! I have several bamboo shirts that I LOVE! These look especially nice.
& there's a note to go check out the other blog - Tigerlily's Book - & there's a wonderful give-away there as well, for non-toxic nail polish!! So check out Piggy Paint 'natural as mud' - I WANT SOME!!

I invited my almost 5 yr old grand daughter over for awhile this evening - it's always fun to have her visit & get to be an 'only child' for a few hours. She typed a bit (is picking out her name!) & had a foot bath (with epsom salts) before heading home.
On the weekend as we walked through the back yard, she told me that I was "probably lonley, since you're not married to that guy - I forget his name - any more, & you live all alone!"
Wow!
She'd just seen 'Papa Michael' - 'that guy I was married to' - earlier that day! But he has a teen son with health problems, & he works out of town, so isn't very 'involved' as a grandparent!
Still . . . . out of the mouths of babes!!

Tomorrow it's time for my Bodaceous Babes to meet for tea - this time at 'Tea's M e' in Sleighbells - a wonderful year round Christmas shop! I invited my friend Donna, & she's coming to check out the group. I called the owner a few weeks ago to discuss gluten free choices - she suggested the Curry Chicken salad (Fowl Greens), I'll have that, minus the scone, with a pot of the White Christmas tea. (Mutan White Tea, Vanilla, Almond and Cardamon). It's interesting to see how different places approach gluten free. At favorite local restaurant, the host said 'we'll bring a bowl of fruit!' to replace the bread . . . no problem, not an issue.
At another (VERY well known 'nice') restaurant the waiter said 'the soup only has a tiny bit of wheat in it - it won't hurt you!' thanks but no thanks! I had a chicken 'pannini' without the bread - came very nicely presented, with extra meat & cranberry sauce. No minestroni soup, sigh.

I am still working on legwarmers & the fingerless gloves. I've been reading knitting novels (Chicks with Sticks & a murder mystery series, beginning with 'Knit one, kill two') & knitting - fun combo - except . . . all those descriptions of the lovely yarns in the fictional yarn shops entice me to stop in 'next door' (the yarn shop is 1/4 block from my office!) & pick up a yummy skein of this or that. Sigh . . . today it was some lovely red silk! & NOT on sale -