Mind Body and Soul - First Anniversary Giveaway

It is hard for me to believe that in a few short weeks I will have been blogging for a year. My how time does fly when one is having fun. On July 16th, 2009 I published my first post on Mother Moon. Little did I know at that time just how many blessings it would bring to me. I have evolved in so many ways during this time. I have had the wonderful pleasure of meeting so many truly wonderful people. Many who have touched me in ways they will never know. Some I consider close friends, some wise counselors that give me the words I need just at the right time, some gifted and talented in a multitude of genres, and some so much more then they realize. Regardless all have given me so many blessings.

In honor of this celebration, I would like to share a little of myself with those who follow me and those who have been so many things to me over the last 365 days. Of course a giveaway is what I had in mind. I do wish that I could send something to each and every one of you as I have so enjoyed this experience so far, knowing that it could not have been what it has been for me if you were not involved. Yet I have to be reasonable.

I call this giveaway one of Mind Body and Soul. As I stated earlier over the last year I have evolved in so many ways. Each change has reflected itself back on the three areas of Mind Body and Soul. Some of the change has been subtle, only enhancing something which was already present in me. Other changes have been a bit more noticeable, bringing out in me things which I had not experienced before.

I will be giving away a total of three Goodie Boxes.  Each will be filled with items reflecting back on the areas of Mind Body and Soul and how they connect with me. 

The first Goodie Box will represent Mind: This represents the inner spiritual me and the exploration which I have been on over the last year. In my first post I spoke of my beliefs and the need I felt to be true to myself and the things I believed or at least had question about. I wanted to come out of the closet so to speak and for once in my life voice so many of the thoughts and views I had. Well needless to say I have been doing just that. It is a continuous journey which I am even more excited about today.

The recipient of this gift will receive The Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza. I purchased this set earlier in the year because I felt led to. Yet when I received them, I realized that my intuition was not telling me to purchase them for myself, yet as a gift for someone else. Thus I feel whoever does receive this gift will be the one to whom they were meant to go. Along with the cards will come, a hand crafted bag to carry the cards as well as a custom made spread sheet. Candles, incense, and other little goodies will also accompany the contents.

The second Goodie Box will represent Body: What better way to represent the body then by food. Many of you already know that the kitchen is one of my most favorite places to be. I truly love to cook and even more to serve what I have prepared to others. I have never been that good at telling someone I love them to their face, yet I can sure fill their tummy to where they know I care.

The recipient of this gift will receive a package filled with many of my kitchen creations. From jams and jellies, to homemade vanilla, vanilla sugar, meringues, recipes, utensils, and more… it is my hope to share a little of the joy that I feel in my kitchen with someone. Of course when the winner is choosen I will also have a few questions in regards to what a favorite may be and try my best to fit the request into the contents.

The third and last Goodie Box will represent Soul: When I think of the soul I think of a place of peace and tranquility. Yes the soul can be restless yet there is always one thing that can soothe it back to a relaxing state of peace and contentment. For me this one thing is nature, or more precise, my garden. There is no better way to calm me then to let me go outdoors and play in the dirt, or gaze upon the beauty that is always there regardless of the season or the weather.

The recipient of this gift will receive a basket filled with items representing the out of doors and more specifically my garden. An assortment of seeds cultivated from my past and current garden flowers, flower pots, a dried flower arrangement designed from flowers taken from my garden, original note cards designed with my garden photography, as well as so many other little trinkets will be sent their way. It is my way of sharing a piece of my peace with you.

Of course any who know of my giveaways know that there is always other little items tossed in the box besides those mentioned. A few of the things which will be tucked into each box are: homemade prayer beads, homemade lashed willow ornament, a tin which contains an assortment of my yummy meringues, and other little things that I am sure I will find or think of as time passes.

Now for the Rules and details: The giveaway starts today and runs through July 18th. The winners will be chosen on Monday July 19th and notified via email. Therefore with each entry please make sure that your email address is accessible via your profile or leave it within the comment.

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   First - one must be a current follower of Mother Moon. If you are not already following just sign up when you enter.
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  Second – For one entry leave a comment about something that touches your Mind Body or Soul
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  Next – Additional entries can be obtained in the following manner

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    Post about the giveaway – An additional 2 entries will be given to anyone who posts about the giveaway. Be sure to comment if you do post a blog entry and leave the URL. You need only comment once about the post as I put all names in a bucket and draw.
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   Place a Giveaway Button on your site – An additional 2 entries will be given to anyone who places a Button on their home page with a link back to Mother Moon and the Giveaway details. Be sure to comment if you do post a button.

Thank you once again for making this last year such a wonderful experience for me. As I am currently working on many of the items that will be given away, more pictures will be posted during the next few weeks. Blessings to all of you.

Virtual Reality - Which Is It

Last week while skimming through the many blogs I follow,  I came across a quote that was exactly what I needed to hear at the moment. It remained with me for several days and thus I decided to ponder into it deeper and share it also, as it is something that I think we can never hear too often.

"By choosing your thoughts, and by selecting which emotional currents you will release and which you will reinforce, you determine the quality of your Light. You determine the effects that you will have on others, and the nature of the experiences of your life."
Gary Zukov--From "Seat of the Soul"

I have always been the type of person that seems to feel more than I wish to. Sometimes unfortunately I tend to forget this and allow the outside to meld with my own feelings and then become overwhelmed. It can be a confusing thing. Experiencing feelings of sadness and anger and not necessarily knowing why. It took me some time before I began to fully understand the whole process. Funny but the same person who showed me this quote was also the one who led me to a place where I could understand it more. Fate perhaps?

I think often we do not realize the impact that we may have on others. I have learned to often that there is always someone who is watching you whom you know nothing about. Yet to them you are a model, an example. Unfortunately also there are times when we are a bad example or model with never even realizing. Does this make us responsible? That is for the individual to answer. Yet it should make one think a bit before they say or do some things.

I know that it is impossible to be so cautious that we keep ourselves from partaking in the opportunities that life gives us on a daily basis. We cannot always second guess a reaction from someone which we may not be able to fully explain or understand. Each person is doing the same thing and thus there is always the chance for some form of confusion, especially if the issue is not dealt with. Yet still I wonder what my light looks like. I try to respond rather than react. Of course being human I do not always complete this act with the perfection that I may wish to, yet still the effort is there. Yet what is it they say of good intentions?

One can but do their best and each one of us is on a different journey. Although blogland brings us together in so many ways it also hinders us. We have the wonderful opportunity to let ourselves out via the written word and those who venture by can read and respond if they so wish. Many think that only those with kind words will speak yet there are also those who have differencing opinions. Sometimes the words or views they give are not what we may want to hear. Because we are not face to face sometimes it is much easier for one to give this different light. We cannot meet for lunch or afternoon tea and chat about the weather or the happenings of our families. We do not share the difficult times as easily as we do the uplifting. Thus sometimes we do not realize when one may be in a point in their lives where they truly do need a friend.

It is this fact that makes me feel so strongly about the quote above. Our lives are no longer restricted to an occasional visit or phone call. Many if any still send a written letter. The internet has become our favored vehicle of communication. Although it opens for us the opportunity to so many other people that we would never have had the chance to encounter before; it also takes the personal touch away. We are restricted to interpreting what is said simply by our own means. No tone of voice is heard, no facial expressions. This leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation.

Maybe it is just the older part of me speaking out. I miss the smiles that a friend brings when they visit. I miss the hugs when they say good bye. I know that it is a sign of the times yet sometimes I wish that technology had not evolved so well. I have met some truly wonderful people via my blog, don’t get me wrong. There are so many who have touched me in ways that have really changed me. I would never want to change this fact for anything. Yet I do wish I could sit and have tea with some, laugh till I cried with some, and just enjoy the gifts that real life brings.

PS: Thanks Mary

My Mini Vacation

Last week I traveled back east to finally visit my daughter and her family. It was a wonderful visit. Of course I was excited to see the new baby Nathan. He is a nice big baby which I have always loved. Of course he is a wonderful baby. He seldom cries and even giggles already. The other two kids are crazy about him as is to be expected. It was also my granddaughter’s 7th birthday. As of yet I have been fortunate to be with her for all of her birthdays. This is something I hope I am able to continue for some time. She is a great big sister to her two younger brothers. My middle grandson likewise is a good helper with the new baby. He loves showing his ability to help out in whatever capacity he can.

We managed to tackle a variety of events while we were visiting. Aside from hours of playing, reading stories, giving baths, and just hugging each other, I managed to cook a little with the kids, hunt for bugs, have a birthday party, go shopping and of course go out for ice cream. Truly it was just enjoyable to be able to be with them on a 24/7 schedule. I am already looking forward to later in the summer when they will be with us for some time. Being a grandparent has truly been one of the greatest joys I have had the pleasure to experience.

While I was away of course we did have some spring storms. Fotunately they did not cause any damage to us yet they did pass a bit close for comfort. It is Oklahoma though and something you learn to live with. Likewise while I was visiting Tennessee I was able to see some of the major flooding that had occurred there in recent weeks. I was so amazed at the wonderful manner in which the people came together to help one another. They truly do earn their nickname of “The Volunteer State”. Sadly it seemed that national news did not do the damage justice in regards to reporting the severity of it. There was little talk about Nashville yet there was much damage in other areas as well. Some smaller towns were totally isolated for days.

I returned home to find my grass grown, in need of mowing, and my flowers begging to be tended to. I was glad that the weather was moist and cooler as it helped with the lack of watering that I knew they would receive, yet the moisture also brought its own issues. So my first Monday back was spent in the yard. The birds likewise were glad to see my return as the raccoons had once again drank the majority of the hummingbird juice and the crows did a job on the suet cakes. Yet all in all it was an easy fix. I knew that I would need to complete  much of the work early in the week as we are expected to get more rain and storms this week also.

For the summer months ahead I am looking forward to creating a blog schedule which will enable me some free time. Already I have my Celtic Tree Lore posts each Monday and recently I started my Thoughts to Ponder posts each Thursday. I am thinking about a couple more throughout the week leaving the other days free for me to post a spontaneous writing if the urge moves me. I enjoy the set posts, especially when times seem to be busy, as it lends me the ability to post ahead of time. I apologize for my lack of comments on everyone’s blogs as of late. Yet know that I have been reading as much as I can. I do not think I could stay away for a very long period of time as I have grown to enjoy some of the daily visits so much.

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday filled with sunshine and special blessings. Remember to take a moment to stop and listen to the sounds around you…. Take in the aromas that surround you and delight in them… and find someone special and give them a hug. Whether it be for you or them, it will leave both of you smiling.

A Big Thank You

I have been a bit of a lazy girl.... Last week three wonderful ladies bestowed upon me a wonderful blog award and I am just now getting to sending out the thank you.... Please forgive me for my tardiness. 

So first and formost I would like to send a big thank you along with hugs to three wonderful ladies.  First, Antics of A Tameran Witch . A wonderful blog with simply beautiful things.  From her puppy to her wonderful finds, to her artistic ability.  Next, Go out Beneath the Naked Moon .  A bit cool still for that... but spring is fast approaching so who knows.  And lastly, Howling at the Moon .  Mundane musings as she says, yet I find nothing mundane about them.  Thank you again to all of you for your thoughtful ness.

Next I am suppose share seven things about myself so here goes:

1.  I have a terrible weakness for Lindt white chocolate.  It is absolutely my favorite.  One of those things you hide in corner and eat all alone, because its just so good and you don't want to share. 
2.  When I was growing up we seldom celebrated Christmas.  I did not know why until much later in life when I found out that my father had been raised Jehovah Witness although he never shared his faith in any way with us.  After my mother and father divorced, my mother went "overboard" as if making up for all the prior celebrations we had lost.
3.  It has been a lifelong dream of mine to write a best seller book
4.  I am an avid fisherman.  There is nothing better than getting out early in the morning just as the sun is rising, the mist still on the pond.  Tossing your hook in and the silence being broken by the sound of pulling a big one in. 
5.  My favorite cake is Tres Leches Cake.  And I am talking the real kind made by a little old Mexican woman.  :-)  A grandma preferably... they are wonderful.
6.  My favorite holiday is the 4th of July.  Probably because I am such a firework nut.  I  have fireworks in my garage year round.  We shoot one off on special occasions.  I purchase them after the holiday and get some wonderful deals. 
7.  I truly love my blog friends.  There are so many that have taught me so much and many others who have just been a joy to know. 

Now I am suppose to pass this on to 15 other people... Yet it is always so hard for me to choose only 15... so... to all of you... thank you... and if you would like to pick this up and do it... go for it.  It is always fun to find out more about everyone... Happy Monday

What Makes Me Happy - You Really Think You Are Ready For This?

Faerwillow over at Serendipity was a dear and gave me this award.  Her blog is always uplifting and full of wonderful things.  With receipt of this award I am to offer up to my readers 10 things that make me really happy.  Have to say there are probably much more than 10 things, yet at the moment this seems to be the things that are on my mind the most..  And Away We Go............

The first thing that comes to my mind when you speak of happiness has got to be my grandbabies.  They are such a big part of my life as well as such a wealth of smiles, love, and laughter.  I still have not figured out the complete secret of being a grandparent yet I know that there is something incredibly special about it.  It give a feeling inside of you that is unique all to its own.  Plus I just love the simple ways of a child.  They are so open to the world and accepting without question.  They have yet to be mucked up by all the sinicism of the world.  It is refreshing and delightful to experience their bare truth of reality.

The second thing that makes me happy is my Vinnie.  Funny how I have truly been in love with this man since I was 7 years old.  I just wish I had had my pushy ways back when I was younger.  Maybe I would not had to have waited until I was 42 to have married him.  He has brought me more love in the last 5 and half years of being together than I think I have had in all the years before.  He truly is my soulmate and best friend.  My very own Captain Morgan... what else could a girl ask for. 

Music runs a close number three with of course Matthew Bellamy of Muse being at the forefront of that.  I mean really girls the boy believes in fairies.  Music has always been an important attribute to my life.  It inspires, lifts my spirits, makes me cry, and makes me want to dance like a crazed loon.  Yes, I can get down with my bad self, believe it or not.  I think I will have the same feelings as well as the same closet groupie fetishes til the day I die.  From George Harrison of the Beatles to Mattie.... I will "forever" love the boys in the band. 

Friends and family come in next.  Goodness where would we be without this one.  Over the last year I have realized the important of both of these groups.  Whether they are right next door to you or clear across the pond, they still mean as much to you and can have just as much influence and impact on your life.  A true friend is hard to find and sometimes impossible.  I feel that as of late I have been blessed with several.  And that can do nothing but make me happy.

Cooking is another thing that makes me happy.  Let me feed someone and that is my way of telling them I care.  Not sure why I am like that, I think I get it from my mother.  Although since she learned I can cook she doesn't cook for me as much.  Just ask my kids they will tell you that I love nothing more than to shove food down ones throat.  A little melodramatic there... although my daughter swears I fed them too much as kids... Always having cookies and cakes baked.  What can I say... it is one of my many ways of saying I love you.

Full moons and fairies.  Yea I know this is two things yet to me I tie them together often.  I have always loved to gaze at a full round moon as it rises in the sky at night.  To feel its energies pulsating from it.  I have forever been a moonchild and feel extremely close to her.  As for the fairies, the wee folk have always been dear to me.  It saddens me that people truly do not believe in them anymore yet I can understand why.  They represent something that is unseen to most and therefore can be unproven.  Ah to be caught in a world where you can not believe what you can not see.    Something that definitely does not make me smile....

Nature and all her glory of course makes me smile and tremendously happy.  From the strength and wisdom of a tall aged oak to the soft touch of a gentle breeze.  There are so many facets of this area that truly touch my soul.  I have learned so much from the out of doors.  It is what is truly real.  It holds so many secrets for us if we only but listen to her.  Its stories are ageless and offer to us the answers to so many of the questions we often ponder. 

My garden makes me happy.  Over the last several years I have planted and nurtured several flowers, trees, etc.  It is now coming to the stage where it is starting to shine.  It has been a wonderful experience for me to learn.  Although the feel of the earth under my feet or the touch of fresh soil excites me in a way that only another gardener can understand.  The excitement of that little green sprout peeking out of the ground or the first bud on a rose bush makes me beam... I thank my grandma and grandpa for this love of the earth as well as Thelma Pate, a woman who taught me the love of a beautiful flower at a very young age. 

My camera and my love of photography makes me smile.  It goes with me everywhere and has brought me a form of satisfaction I had not experienced before.  It has taught me creativity, uniqueness and the means to accept myself as an artist. 

Lastly what makes me Happy?  Me Myself and I.  I have learned to love myself and who and what I am.  I can laugh at my shortcomings and not be too hard on myself... I love life and all that it has to offer.  I guess in a way Life makes me happy.  Sure it has its pitfalls and such but there truly is always something positive to be gained from everything.  No matter how cliche that sounds.  I have learned to lean towards the positive side of all things and in the end all will be better for it.  Not to dwell on the negative or the trivial as it will only bog you down and keep you from enjoying the goodness that surrounds you.  Now I have to send this on to 10 more people.  First let me say that I am not necessarily a lover of question and answer things such as this yet this one has been a bit of a blessing to me.  It made me focus on a bunch of positive  things and also made me realize that there is much more than just 10 things... In saying this I pass this on to 10 people whom have inspired me with their stories, their teachings and their lives.  People whom have made me happy .  I hope you have as much fun doing this as I have had;  PS:  Lyon, Rue and Mary:  I would send this to you yet see you already had it sent to you.... All three of you have made me smile several times as well as lift my spirits and taught me much... blessing to you. 

So in no specific order:

Tracy from Witch Path to Take

Bridgett from Doug and; Boo Plus 2

Iris from Iris Awakened

Sugar and Spice from Sweet and Sour Witches

Nan from Ole Crows Nest

Dede from Brightest Blessings

Birgit from Swapping Howdies

Bella from Memoirs of A Crazy Witch

Linda from Old Baggs n Stuffed Shirts

Lucy from Secrets for Happyness

Love all of you and Faerwillow, thank you so much for sending this my way.... Blessings to all of you. 

Monday Morning Rambling, a Day Late

Yes, yesterday was a Monday.  It is the day of the week that most identify with a bad day.  Why is that?  A good reason could be that it is when most are finishing up a delightful weekend only to have to return to the dredges of work once more.  Not necessarily a wonderful thought.  Yet for me yesterday  was a wonderful day.  I always seem to think I am going to be super woman on Mondays.  Tackle all the many things I need to do and make a decent dent into their completion.  It seldom works out that way..... Uusally I end up doing things that need to be done yet are nowhere near to the list I created, among lots of things that suddenly spring up unexpected... So of course they were not even considered at the time of the list's preperation.  It makes for a good excuse anyway at the end of the day.  By the way, my unexpected need that sprung up yesterday:  The beautiful sunshine - I ended up sitting outdoors in it all afternoon.  Although many may argue for me it was a need that just needed to be fulfilled. 

Yet I had no intention of writing in regards to Mondays or unforseen chores that happen out of the clear blue.  I have been trying for some time to frantically catch up with blog reading since before the holidays.  Several times I have just given up as there is just too many.  Yet there are a few out there that I don't want to miss out on.  It seems that the new year has gotten many of those in blogland energized with a new sense of purpose.  Some I truly think  do not even realize that they have it, yet thier post have definately exhibited the added adrenaline.  Depth is a good word to describe the overall feel of January posts.  I do hope that this pattern continues as I have read some wonderful posts.  They have been filled with knowledge not only found in books yet also from self experience and a true intuitiveness. 

I wonder sometimes if many of the writers realize just how profound their words are at times when they place them down for so many to read.  Some think they are way too young and early in their journey.  They are only starting out.  How can anything they say really enlighten anyone.  They are simply writing their progress down as an outlet for themselves in hopes that some support may be had.  There are others, older in age, who have been traveling for some time yet never really thought of themselves as someone whose journey was an eventful one or whose abilities on that journey were anything to really shout about.  They too are looking for some encouragement to continue on their trek as at times it seems lonely and the desire to sit for a long spell can be overwhelming.  It seems that even the seasoned travelers sometime take for granted the jewels to be had in some of thier gifts to us per their daily posts.

I very much look forward to the coming weeks.  Thus far this year, I have been educated, enlightened, and energized with much of what I have read.  I truly hope that the trend continues and that we continue to receive the morsels that I am quickly becoming accustomed to.  Also I hope that those who hands and minds have penned so much of the things I speak of realize the importance inside of themselves and also the worth.  We are all individuals, each with a gift to give.  We need to believe in that gift and not belittle it or allow anyone else too.  The strength we find within ourselves to continue is the strongest and most durable there is, for no one can take it away lest we let them. 

So in closing I say a big thank you.... It is a grand thing technology... Guess we should all send a thank you note to Mr. Gore for inventing the internet.  What would we be without it. 

Update on My Button

I have been saved... by a younger and much wiser (in computer jargon) woman... Heather from Girlchef was my hero for the day....  She helped me out with my button.  She did everything but paste it on my site...

And might I add her site is incredible... If you like to cook or if you just like wonderful recipes with some beautiful photography... I urge you to click on the picture above and take a gander... I am sure you will enjoy it...

I already have plans to make the party nuts this weekend during football.... Thanks again Heather you are a doll... But it is like I said... what else would you expect from a Scorpio...

My New Button

As some of you may have noticed I have attempted to create and add a button to my site. To be honest this has almost drove me crazy... I finally got the picture added to my sight, figuring out all the little quirks etc. Yet when attempting to figure out the addition of the hmtl text below... well let just say I think my computer savy went out the window.

The instructions I were given were simple enough and I attempted several times to complete them yet each time in doing so, it would raise havoc with my button.

Seeing how it only makes sense to me that when there is an easier route that does exactly what I want it to do is available I opted to go for it.

So in saying this, if you opt to post my button to your sight, it is quite simple. You just copy the picture and add it as a picture gadget. There is an area above to add a link. Simply put my blog site: MotherMoonsMessage.blogspot.com    Save and it is finished.

I guess I am just one of those girls who "has" to be different... Honestly... I am one of them old women who can't figure it out... Have a wonderful weekend...

Here Comes the Sun

There is nothing like a summer shower to break the heat. We have been fortunate enough to have approximately 3 weeks of cooler weather with a nice rain thrown in here and there. Once again our yard is green and lush like it was at the beginning of spring. Birds are more abundant and seem to be more active. New flowers have bloomed and flourished also since the beginning of our cooler wet spell. Yet it seems that summer is not quite finished with us yet.

Although July gave us a nice break from the heat and reminded us of the wonderfulness of fall, August came in and seems to be telling us that summer is not over just yet. The 100 degree plus temperatures are said to be heading back our way this week. The added heat has already given a nice boost to the grass and mowing is going to be a chore that will need to be tended with before the week is over.

The heat has also once again urged the sunflowers to once again grow and bloom their big beautiful yellow flowers. Lifting their faces towards the sun at the start of day and turning them slowly as if to follow it throughout the day to bask in all its warmth and sunshine. Being an avid bird lover, sunflower seeds are something that are abundant at our home. Throughout the yard small seedlings can be found. Not just underneath the obvious bird feeders yet also throughout the yard from where the birds have dropped them, the seeds seem to be everywhere. Many of these seedlings are mowed over or plucked from their place in the ground. Yet this year many have been allowed to grow and bloom.

Thanks to my granddaughter, who shared her left over pumpkin seeds with me a couple years back, I have learned the joy of cultivating the seeds of many plants and using them the next year around. Thus, the large yellow flowers that eventually drop their faces from the sun and lean over as if in exhaustion due to the weight of the seeds that have grown to cover their face, are then cut and dried. When fully dried the seeds are then extracted and kept until the next year to once again start the cycle over.

Granted many of my sunflowers are not grown in this manner yet from the seeds that have dropped from the birds, yet there are a few that still are planted from the seeds that have been recycled from the years past. This is still a project in the early stages. With flowers only being on a 2nd or 3rd generation. Yet I look forward to the years when I can enjoy the flowers that have been grown from seeds that have been taken from a plant, that can claim the first seeds as a long distant relative.


Much like an aloe vera plant given to me, which came from a plant that is over 30 years old. Many a new growth has been taken from her and many have enjoyed her remedies. Imagine 30 years. Silly maybe, yet to pass something, even a plant through time excites me.

Blessings
Raelin