Butterfly Dreams

 I'm one of those folks who never stopped crafting, drawing and creating ... Prayer flags and spirit dolls I  was the kid who drew in the borders of programs, and chose paint by number kits, then got blank canvases to use the leftover paint for my own creations! In grade school, I was asked to draw a camel for some Christmas art project.  My mom took knitting to meetings, taught me to knit, crochet and sew, and took candle making and basket Weaving classes! We made dolls and did embroidery... after retiring, my dad learned to tie his own flies for fishing.  My mother-in law Dorty and I learned to spin together when she was in her 60s (and she learned to knit, crochet and do needlepoint ... I took a few Art classes in college, and later at our local Community College, and often doodle / sketch in meetings .... I enjoy encouraging folks to access their own innate creativity and wisdom, so am drawn to teacher trainings with that emphasis. (Next up - SoulCollage®)  ...

  This afternoon I harvested the small volunteer pumpkin from the garden, Hollowed it out, and then found a pattern for an incised face.  My daughter got pumpkins today as well, which she, her husband and two teens will carve tomorrow - my grandkids love the toasted pumpkin seeds! Dios de los Muertos pumpkin   Winter squash is often more tasty than pumpkin - one way I prepare either is a  Pumpkin Pie Quinoa bake  . I use an Air Fryer (about 25 minutes at 325°), this makes a nice filling in half an acorn or delicata squash (scoop some out, to use in the filling) I sometimes add 1/4 C shredded coconut, raisins, 1/4 C carob powder &/ or 1 Tbsp cacao nibs! Lovely pumpkins Here's  another blogger 's take on ways to spice it up - "Quinoa, like anything else, has to be cooked right to taste right..." Do you love quinoa?  Or find it just 'so-so'?

  This SoulCollage® suit is the 'Council of Archetypes.' The word Archetype comes from the Greek 'archetypos,' meaning 'first of is kind.'  Jung described archetypes as part of the  'collective unconscious.'  These Larger than Life figures are Universal, appearing over the centuries in many cultures, lands and stories.  We create Council Cards for these archetypal Figures who guide our lives. They can provide the inspiration and wisdom we need to understand ourselves, and perhaps make better choices! Seena called these beings ' Neters' - a word used by the Egyptians for cosmic beings and qualities. From the description on the KaleidoSoul site: we build this suit  "with openness and reverence, following our intuition and allowing the images we are drawn to reveal themselves to us when we are ready."  Wisdom Seena Frost described Archetypes as, 'the invisible guides, challengers, creators and destroyers, know across time and cultur...

  Do you ever find yourself in a place you don't 'have enough spoons' to keep doing something, and wrestle with how pass it on, or whether to just end it? I have! (And I try to do it graciously!)  Several years ago, my friend Linda and I were ready to pass leadership of a creative group to someone else, and no one in our collective stepped forward, so it went on pause.  We'd met in person (I hosted a gathering in 2019) then virtually.  A year or so after we stepped down, a new graduate took on our region - but the umbrella organization neglected to have her network with us!  I did email Constance when I saw she was now coordinating our region, and passed on our contact list, but the transition was less than ideal! When I suggested other newer graduates to contact, she replied, 'that's above my pay grade!' And the last virtual gathering she facilitated is a year past ... (Lol - Linda and I were also volunteers!) This year, a friend who's been coordinati...

 In so happy to be at Family camp again this fall!! Growing up camping and then living at Breitenbush in the 90s, it feels like coming home. It's a rainy this weekend, so I'm doubly happy to share a cozy cabin! Hearth in the Lodge For the  several years , church members and friends have been invited to spend a fall weekend at Camp Arrah Wanna, on the beautiful Salmon River in the Cascades, near Y'East (Mount Hood). Some congregants grew up coming to camp when young, as have my grandkids.  Salmon - in the Salmon River   We have several workshops each morning -  One year  I led a couple of the craft projects. I'm planing on craft time with Sunshine and Sarah again this year, and tomorrow I'll lead Tai Chi.  I'm with my daughter Mary and her 8th graders, who are enjoying time with some of their friends. In '22, my middle granddaughters Emily and Kayleen came with us, which was a treat. We call out Forced Family Fun - the only forced bit is the obliga...

  Amongst my house care chores, I include a Blessing Hour most weeks. I set a timer for 10-15 minutes, & go through a round in each room. If I do a couple of rounds, I take a 10-15 minute break after an hour.    Salt in small saucer Blessing Hour - is a process by which everything in your home supports & nurtures your essence. Open windows, put on happy music, light a candle & some incense, brew some tea Put salt in a bowl  (dump 24 hours later) Bedroom : Make your bed, pick up clothes, tidy surfaces, sweep Kitchen : wash any dishes, clear the counters, put away anything out of place, sweep  Living room :  clear surfaces, piles, paper, clothes, sweep, Bathroom : swish & swipe (toilet, counters), wash the mirrors, hang clean towels, sweep Break: Relax, admire, drink tea Medicine Basket 2nd round:   (you can cycle through several times, or stop at one!) 10 minutes in any room that needs a bit more - Kitchen, Living Room, bedroom Do a load...