Weekly Featured Blog - Raven Moon Magic

You may have noticed a new entry to the right for my weekly featured blog.  If you haven't I would suggest that you take a look.  I found Sheree's site - Raven Moon Magic a while back.  My favorite part about it is the wonderful photographs she displays.  I love how she tells her stories as much with photos as she does with words.  Her eye for a great picture is fantastic.  Plus being in New Zealand, she has some breathtaking views to share.

She also has a must see Esty Shop - Monsheshe.  This is a treasure I only recently visited yet have already purchased a gift for my daughter from her.  She is quite talented in her creations. I am always looking for things that are unique.  I simply love her Paper Moon items.  Check them out when you have some free time.  I think you will agree with me on all counts. 

When A Short Walk Just Isn't A Stroll

With all the newness about us as spring unveils herself to us, what better time to take what I like to call a Gratitude Walk. Many of us take gratitude walks and don’t even realize it. A gratitude walk is when you take a walk yet at the same time you pay attention to your surroundings. You open yourself to the sites and the sounds… the smells and the sensations. You acknowledge the simple things that all too often are allowed to go unnoticed, unexperienced, unenjoyed.

As you acknowledge the many things that will come to your attention take note of those things that bring pleasure or a smile to your face. In turn say a quick thank you for the moment recognizing the small gift that was just given to you. Stop and smell that beautiful peonies that blooms in that radiant shade of red. Enjoy its fragrant aroma that only it can give. Or maybe it’s the local bakery that tickles your nose more. The smell of fresh baked bread or maybe a freshly glazed cinnamon roll. Listen to the sound of the mockingbird as you stroll past the small maple tree that it has claimed as its home. As you get closer you realize that it is not a song he sings yet a warning to steer clear of his territory. A smile crosses your face at his fierceness and tenacity to keep intruders from what he sees as his.

A gratitude walk can be taken anywhere. Examples: A walk in your local park, where one can admire the budding trees and the flowers that are blooming. The sound of playful children and the many birds that enjoy the abundant possibility for food or a home. The smell of the nearby popcorn stand where freshly buttered popcorn can be purchased if one so desires.

Maybe you would prefer a walk in a more intimate area such as a nearby wooded area. The sound of the small stream as it flows over the rocks at the bottom of the clear water. The majesty of the towering trees that sit at its edge and shade you as you stroll down a narrow well worn path. The flash of color seen as the bluebird soars past you looking for its morning feed. The many opportunities to experience true nature.

If a long walk is not necessarily something that you have time for, a simple jaunt out your front door and across the yard to pick up the daily mail can be a gratitude walk in itself. Each moment is different, filled with a new activity and occurrence. Who knows what newness you may come across just by stepping out into your yard?

I myself often take several strolls across my yard in one day. Now I do this a bit more often as I now take Winston out to do his business. Yet even before then I enjoyed taking my daily gratitude walk. This time of year has been exceptionally fun as of late. It seems that you can almost see the flowers bloom and the leaves on the trees emerge. Being the lover of birds that I am, a sighting never ceases to amaze me.  During my walks is also when I snap many of my photographs of nature.  I recently posted a few of my Roses over at My Photography Site .  Check them out is you want.

Yesterday I saved a small cow bird from the clutches of my cat Sunny, who sees himself as the great hunter. He grabs them so gently that if I manage to get to him quickly, I can usually save them. Today I took the bird carefully from Sonny’s mouth and held it to verify that it was ok. I was sure to convey the message that it should be more aware of how Sonny was and to be more careful next time. Then I release my hold. He perched on my fingers for a few moments keeping his eye on me the whole time. Then he flew to return to where he came from. It was a special moment indeed.

The next time you have the opportunity to take a short stroll or maybe even a long hike, take a few extra moments to look around at what surrounds you. Take notice of the many sounds you hear in the air. Draw in a deep breath through your nose and allow the smells to penetrate your nostrils. If you are lucky enough to be somewhere where you have the opportunity to taste your surroundings by all means indulge a little and pick that fresh strawberry as it lies on the ground all plump and red. There are things to be grateful for all around. Even the people that surround you can sometimes go unnoticed although they are there every day. Maybe a brisk gratitude walk is just what you need. Blessings to you.

Monday Mumblings - Babies, Mushrooms, and Fairy Gardens

Once again another week has past and we begin again. As we drove the two and half hour drive home from visiting the moms yesterday on Easter Sunday, I realized that we were already into the fourth month of the year. How time seems to fly sometimes… I could not help but recall that it seems like it had only been yesterday when the New Year had begun. They say that one grows older that time goes faster until you reach your golden years and once again it slows as it did when you were young and a child. Think I have a ways to go until I reach that point.

It was a wonderful visit yesterday. The weather was beautiful and almost hot with its 89 degree temperatures. This was Winston’s first road trip other than when we brought him home and he done exceptional. When we arrived home last night, he was completely worn out. He slept completely thru the night and did not wake until almost 6 am. I will admit that I woke occasionally through the night wondering if he was ok and also checking on Vincent. Vincent’s allergies were giving him hell yesterday and nothing he took seemed to help alleviate any of the symptoms. I finally persuaded him to let me doctor him when we arrived home and he felt much better before bedtime and like Winston slept like a baby. But then most of us women know how men can be when they are ill.

I am expecting my new grandson, Nathan, to be born this week. He has already turned, with head first, ready to make his grand entrance into this world. Due date was not set until the 12th, yet I am not sure if he will wait that long… Both baby and momma seem to be ready to have this over with. With no photos of the wee one yet, I decided to put one of my favorites of his big brother and sister.   I have also been working on his baby quilt as much as possible and hope to finish it up this week also. Of course photos of the finished product will be shared. My embroidery sewing machine never ceases to amaze me. What the women of old would have thought of such things.

This is also the time of year for many of nature’s wonderful secrets to come forth. Morel mushrooms have to be one of my favorite secrets. I would love to have some time to walk about some afternoon and see if I could possibly spy some of these treasures. If you have never had the pleasure of experiencing them, you are missing out. They have a flavor that is simply wonderful. People are said to die with the secret locations of their morel groves. I myself know of a few and am always on the lookout for others. It is definitely the time of year to have one’s eyes peeled.

Yet with so much going on, I am not sure if I will have the opportunity to sneak away for such an adventure. Besides the normal weekly chores that need to be done, the yard is softly calling me to mow. Seeds need planted and plants tended. The area which was cleared for the prospective fairy garden is also waiting for more work to be done. It has been cleared and the ground worked. Although I know it will be a task that will evolve over time, I am eager to begin. I do not wish to allow the grasses and such to overtake it again as it had before.

Thus another week begins and once again the chore list is full. Some items are things that definitely need to be tended to and completed, while others are items that if time allows they may see some progress. Of course there is also the list of items that are more personal. I am sure that as the week progresses that all will have some form of attention given to them. Have a wonderful Monday and may each of you be blessed with a little piece of joy. Blessings to you

Celtic Tree Month - Alder Astrology

hose born under the Celtic tree sign of the Alder are born pathfinders. They are the ones who will forge ahead blazing a clear trail for others to follow. Their intense passion for their cause often urges others to follow and help in whatever their focus may be. They are charming and charismatic and mix well with a variety of personalities. It seems that they get along with almost everyone. They possess a confidence within them as well as a strong sense of self faith. This in turn is contagious in alluring others into their surroundings. They have a keen sense and often see through smoke screens or superficial banter one may use in order to attempt to make themselves or a situation appear more than it is. They are motivated best by action which gives results. When pairing with other tree signs, they are best suited with Hawthorns, Oaks and Birch signs.