New Tutorial

Visit my craft blog for a *new* tutorial on
HOW TO MAKE POMANDERS.

Happy Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice and warm wishes to all who celebrate today! (And for my blogging friends in the southern hemisphere, Happy Summer Solstice!)

I *did* put up a tree this year-- our small one. It fit perfectly on the coffee table in the living room; that's why I love these "skinny" x-mas trees-- its much easier to find a spot to put one of these than it is a big, bushy tree. I surprised Firehand by having the tree up, along with a few other decorations (mustn't forget the mistletoe ball!) when he got home from work on Friday evening.

I am full of joy knowing that from here on out, the days only begin to get longer and longer! Huzzah! Welcome back, Sun!

Whirlwind Iowa Trip, part 2~ Family

SATURDAY PM

We arrived at Firehand's cousin's home around 2:30 PM and the holiday festivities were already in full swing. Everyone was just finishing lunch and Santa and his Elf were there visiting with all the young ones. After he left, it was time for all the kids to open gifts.

There was restrained order as every kid got to open a gift at a time around and around the circle, according to Great-Grandma's direction, while the adults looked on...

Once all the children's gifts were opened, chaos reigned. Below, Firehand is looking a little shell shocked from all the uproar.

The kids retreated to the play room and then the adults played a word game and had our grab bag gift exchange. All in all there were 19 adults and 8 children there for the day's celebration!

I got to make the acquaintance of one very special little boy, my newest nephew, now 5 months old, and as cute as can possibly be. He's feeling mighty sleepy in Grandpa's lap in this picture.

The festivities began to disband around 8 PM. We discovered our car was stuck in the mud, and all the men in the family tromped out into the wet and cold to solve that problem for us. Then off to the hotel for some quiet time with MIL, FIL, SIL and nephews before bed.

SUNDAY

Off to the holiday gathering at Grandpa & Grandma E's. Grandma (and helpers) had been cooking up a storm and we enjoyed beef with homemade noodles, her fabulous apple salad and all sorts of other good food for lunch. And off course we got our traditional plate of cookies and bucket of caramel & cinnamon popcorn to take with us when we left.

It was a much smaller gathering on this day, the only children being our 2 nephews, plus 10 adults. Still, that quite a few people in a small apartment! After gifts were opened, most of the adults played cards-- but I played with my newest nephew. A happier baby I have never met, I swear.

After leftovers for dinner, it was time for us to hit the road again...

... another 3 hours of driving to get to my hometown and family... More of the whirlwind trip on the way!

Whirlwind IowaTrip, part 1~ Traveling

Our trip back to Iowa to visit family for the holidays was a real whirlwind this year-- I think this one was the shortest and fastest trip we've ever done. Want to come along on the journey?

FRIDAY PM

We left Friday night, almost as soon as Firehand got home from work. We had everything packed up the night before and just had to do a few last minute things and get our suitcases into the car and go. Sorry Howling Hill, the cranberry bread went with us...

Here we are, somewhere on the interstate between Sterling, CO & North Platte, NE. It's a mighty long drive, so I was entertaining myself by taking night photos of the lights as we drove.

Late night stop for gas. We were getting pretty tired by this point, but decided to drive a bit further. We finally stopped in Kearney, NE around 1 AM to get some sleep.

SATURDAY AM

On the road again the next morning... we stopped briefly at a truck stop outside Lincoln, NE to get something to drink and saw these old-fashioned gas pumps there.

Woo-hoo! Welcome to Iowa! Crossing the state line and the bridge over the Missouri River.

We stopped at the Iowa welcome center to use their wireless internet. We had to retrieve Firehand's cousin's new address from e-mail so that we could find her new house, which was where one of the family gatherings was being held this year. Still a couple more hours of driving until we get there, though.

Next up... family, family, family!

MMmmm... Cranberry Walnut Bread

Made with fresh cranberries!

That's definitely good for a little Yuletide cheer. Oh yeah.

Feline Friday: Squished

This does not quite look comfortuhbuls...

... but a little bit of head squish doesn't seem to be deterring Moose from his nap, so what do I know?

Song Title Meme

Okay, so I found this meme over at Magic In These Hills a while back, and of course I have to do it and OF COURSE I choose Journey-- the Steve Perry years... what else? Duh.

Rules: Choose a singer/band/group.

Answer the following using ONLY titles of songs by that singer/band/group.

1. Are you male or female? Walks Like a Lady

2. Describe yourself. Colors of the Spirit

3. What do people feel when they’re around you? Why Can't This Night Go On Forever (**ROFLMAO** sorry, couldn't resist!)

4. How would you describe your previous relationship? Don't Be Down on Me Baby

5. Describe your current relationship. Stone In Love

6. Where would you want to be now? Escape

7. How do you feel about love? It's a Natural Thing

8. What’s your life like? Sweet & Simple

9. What would you ask for if you had only one wish? Precious Time

10. Say something wise. Be Good to Yourself

Bah Humbug This Year

Maybe. Maybe not.

We've been slow on acquiring the holiday spirit here at our house. For one, it's hard to think it's winter when the temps have been in the 50's. We have had snow a couple of times, but its melted within a day or two.

The only holiday decorating I've done so far is to put out the Yule wreath by the front door along with some silk poinsettias and our "Season's Greetings" sign. With having our upstairs so crowded with stuff from the downstairs, we have no room to put up our tree, even the smaller one. Not to mention, we can't reach the trees or ornaments because they are packed away downstairs while we've been rebuilding/refinishing the basement level. And it just seems like the house upstairs will feel even more cluttered if I put out holiday decorations. So I've been holding off.

But it would be nice to put a little bit of something Yule-ish out. I've been thinking maybe just the lighted garlands and giant pinecones and candles. Something really simple, from the box of stuff I *can* reach. Hmmm. Maybe. I'm thinking about it.

Surprise!

My surprise from Beweaver arrived over the weekend! Isn't it gorgeous?!

Not long after Samhain, Beweaver posted her spirit photos for readers to interpret and gave out 3 prizes. I won 3rd prize for giving an answer that made her laugh, so I got a surprise gift in the mail-- this beautifully stitched wallet. I love it!

Being that I am so NOT a sewer, I am just fascinated by hand stitched and appliqued items and Beweaver makes some of the most lovely items I've ever seen. Her stitches are so tiny and even-- how does she do it? Check out her textiles page for more of her beautiful work.

Thank you, Beweaver!

Tarot for 2008~ 12th Moon

The 12th cycle of the moon for this year began on November 27th. This is the moon cycle I've been apprehensive about, here's why:



Keywords/phrases from TP&S: chaos, shake things up, disruption, awakening, shock, havoc, major transformation, crisis, release from bondage, unavoidable change

Sound like fun? Yeah.

However, Tarot: Your Everyday Guide gives this insightful and helpful interpretation:

With this card, there is always the recognition that as traumatic as changes may be, they bring about the necessary end to something that is unsatisfactory, whether in one's personal life, or in one's greater social environment... If the Tower is about drastic, even catastrophic, changes, then the card read as advice to emulate suggests initiating such changes oneself.

Also: Consider where drastic changes need to be made in your life. The Tower has a lot to do with the toppling of structures, so a restructuring , or even total dismantling of certain systems may be in order. You must be flexible, imaginative, and prepared to let go of cherished beliefs and ways of doing things.

I've been hoping this card would only represent the chaos of balancing work with the holiday travel back to IA and all that entails, however, I have a sneaking suspicion that there is more to it than just that.

One possibility: I have had a tooth bothering me lately. I think that either an old filling is coming loose, or that there is a new cavity around it. At any rate, I need to go to the dentist, something I dread for many, many reasons. So much so, I've not gone to a dentist in aeons. As usual, I've been putting it off hoping I'm mistaken, but at this point, I'm sure I need to go. So I need to suck it up and find a dentist and go take care of myself.

Therefore, to help me motivate myself to do what I know I need to do, some empowering words from the Tarot Affirmations deck Tower card:

I am freedom from towering prisons of outworn defenses, habits and attitudes.

I am sudden disruptions in established routines that cause unexpected growth.

So be it!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American blogging friends! May the blessings and abundance of this celebration be upon you and your families!

I am thankful for:

• my husband; he's funny, loving, kind, understanding and cuddly-- and handsome to boot
• my marriage-- its not always been perfect or easy, but its better each year as the two of us share and grow together
• my Moose-man! such a sweet kitty, such a great lump!
  
• our house-- I'm thankful we have a house, a HOME, and are no longer renting; we can paint and personalize to our hearts content, as well as enjoy a yard to garden in and a patio to sit and relax
• family-- wish they were closer, but they are only a phone call away
• my spiritual path, spiritual guides & allies
• friends-- new, old, bloggers, and those I haven't met yet
  
• cinnamon rolls
• trees, herbs, flowers
  
• warm, fuzzy slippers
• flannel sheets
• candle light and candles
• crock pot recipes
• polymer clay-- and all art supplies!
• being able to create with my hands and mind
• the glorious color spectrum
  
• good books to read... and re-read
  
• fresh cranberries!
• house plants
• comfy new jeans
• my Subaru Forester; it fits me just right, its safe, dependable, in good repair
• a job I enjoy
• commuting with my husband to work-- bonding time + saves gas!
• my awesome camera
• all our bills are paid each month
• good music and the way it makes me feel when I listen to it
  
• our president-elect
• vintage china
• down throw blankets
• footstools
• holiday baking opportunities
• Swheat scoop cat litter
  
• comfy pajamas for lounging in
• being able to do laundry at home!
  
• soups of all kinds
• tarot decks
• sunshiney days
• much needed rain
• yoga
• alpaca wraps!
• pashminas!
• trade arrangements
• Birkenstock shoes
• felt tip pens/markers
• crochet and all you can make with it
• life in general
  

Value of Trade

I'm becoming friends with a woman I've met at work. She noticed that I'm always FREEZING at work; I wear layers and have my coat draped over my knees and still am cold. Most days I'll bring my pashmina and wrap it around my shoulders and arms while I work, too.

Anyway, so she commented on my pashmina because she loved the color, and then told me about how if I liked shawl-type wraps that I should try alpaca because its really warm. She said she had an olive green alpaca shawl that she bought and never wore because it's too hot and she felt like she's drowning in it. She said she'd bring it in for me to see if I liked it and maybe we could work out a trade.

So yesterday she brought it in and I wore it during the afternoon. OH! So warm! Like, *immediately* warm. Better than wool. As soon as I wrapped it around me, I could feel the warmth rising in me. It was wonderful. And quite a lovely shawl, very simple but elegant-- green with a scalloped edge with fringe and a button to hold it shut. Fuzzy and warm, warm, warm! I told her I loved it.

Well, let's talk about trade, she says with a gleam in her eye. Yep, she definitely had something in mind. She knew I crocheted and what she really really really wants is... (drumroll please)...

a crocheted tea cozy!

That's it! Can you believe it!? I don't know why, she says, I've just always wanted one. I like the idea of them. And you're the first person I've met who could make me one. Her teapot? Round, 3-4 cup size, she wants something in blues. She drinks a ton of tea, in fact earlier this week I brought some special Red Bush Chai blend to share with her because I knew she'd appreciate it.

So. I'm scouring the 'net for a nice crocheted tea cozy pattern. I'm thinking maybe I'll make her a nice little set as a surprise... tea cozy, napkin ring, place mat or something like that.

I hope that will make a fair trade. I dunno, I'm new at this. But I like the idea of trading. Each of us gets something we really like and want. And it's nice to be able to give something that I created.

AWOL, Memes & More

I've been AWOL this past week. Maybe it was noticed? Maybe not? My hours at work started up full-time again the day after Election Day, so now my days look more like this: long commutes, busy all day, tired in the evening and in bed early; which hasn't left me much time to do much of anything else, let alone blog. But it's good to be FT at work, and I'm enjoying my new project and meeting new people.

Playing catch up in the blogosphere this weekend!

First off, Talamuir, one of my very first blog friends, has tagged me for the Six Random Things meme and Kreativ blog award. Talamuir's blog was one of the very first pagan blogs I found way back when I started blogging years ago. We lost track of each other for a while, and recently reconnected, which makes me so happy. Visit her at her new place, Voices at Samhuinn and enjoy her lovely photography!

1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

I know I've done six random things in the past, but there are plenty of random things about me, so I'm going to share it some more!

1. I love to read historical fiction and non-fiction about the Tudor Period. I am fascinated with Anne Boleyn and her very tragic story-- and the other wives of Henry VIII. The great Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn's daughter, is also an intruiging woman.
2. I love vintage china and would love to collect it, but I don't see the purpose of having lots of stuff I don't use, so I mostly drool over it at antique stores and online. My favorite styles: anything chintz, especially in yellow/pink, and Clarice Cliff's Tonquin in mulberry. Looooove transferware and carnival glass, too.
   
3. I like to buy my books in trade paperback size. I carry them around in a zippered book cover during the time I'm reading them. I don't dog-ear pages or break the spine.
   
4. I've had the same pair of slippers since 1996. Firehand got them for me. They're warm, comfy sheepskin, all fuzzy inside. I wore off the fuzzy on the soles inside, so we had to buy new fleecy sole inserts about 6 years ago. It's about time for new inserts, again.
5. I love to crochet, but I am a "threadie"-- I don't crochet too much with yarn. I like making lace, doilies and such, instead. Especially floral motif doilies.
   
6. I took children's theatre classes when I was young and had many roles in theatre productions in junior high & high school, but I'd be terrified to be on stage nowadays. I don't know how I ever did it.

I've tagged six people in the past for this meme, but I've met some great creative people through Soul Coaching, so I'm going to tag a few more:

Jamie at Starshyne Productions because she is so inspiring and brings out the best in all that she touches.

Genie Sea at Reality Insanity* fierce and open sharing and beautiful digital tarot art collages.

Aurora at Foxy Art Studio inspiring quotes, lovely knitting projects and creative, honest journaling pages.


Also, my sweet friend Nydia at Bringing Up Salamandars nominated me for the "Love Your Blog" Award! Thank you! Along with the award comes this fun (or, if you're wordy like me, challenging) little meme where you have to answer the following questions with one-word responses.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse

2. Where is your significant other? desk

3. Your hair color? red

4. Your mother? inspiring

5. Your father? bearded

6. Your favorite thing? reading

7. Your dream last night? none

8. Your dream/goal? creating

9. The room you’re in? living

10. Your hobby? crafting

11. Your fear? many

12. Where do you want to be in six years? content

13. Where were you last night? pumphouse

14. What you’re not? slender

15. One of your wish list items? tarot

16. Where you grew up? Iowa

17. The last thing you did? potty

18. What are you wearing? pajamas

19. Your T.V.? off

20. Your pet? Moose

21. Your computer? emachine

22. Your mood? positive

23. Missing someone? Claire

24. Your car? Forrester

25. Something you’re not wearing? bra

26. Favorite store? craft

27. Your Summer? dry

28. Love someone? totally

29. Your favorite color? green

30. When is the last time you laughed? evening

31. Last time you cried? Sunday

Tarot & My *NEW* Etsy Store

My tarot card for this moon cycle is The Empress (3). Little did I know just how appropriate this card was going to be when I drew it last January for my new year's spread.

Keywords/phrases from TP&S: mother, fruitfulness, healing, prosperity, creativity, productive action, abundance. Now is the time to express creative instincts in productive action; any kind of artistic endeavor will prosper.

Why is this card so perfect for me right now? Well, the new moon cycle began on October 28th and that's when I began putting together my listings for my **new** Etsy store, which is NOW OPEN!


I am never more content, balanced and focused than I am when I am creating. It is a meditation for me and a banquet for my senses. I love creating beautiful items and it has been a goal for the past year or so for me to create enough pretty, unique and useful things that I could open an Etsy store and share my creations with others who will hopefully enjoy them, too.

This week I've realized that goal and I'm excited! I'd love to have you visit my new shop and share the excitement with me.

It's Here

And it's been framed and hung and it's just fabulous!


What am I talking about? The beautiful print by Emily Balivet that I won during Mrs. B's 31 Days of Halloween contest.


I had the perfect place to put it, right over my work area in my craft room. And being a tarot reader, I love that its theme is "psychic fortunes." It's a beautiful print!

Thank you so much Emily Balivet, for the artwork, and Mrs. B for hosting a fabulous contest the entire month of October!

Please Hold...

... I am experiencing technical difficulties in setting up my Etsy shop, but continuing to work on getting it all figured out and put together...

... in the meantime... let's just take a nice, deep breath and enjoy a Steve Perry moment...


Well. I don't know about you, but *I* certainly feel a little bit better...

Our Front Stoop, Samhain Night

Samhain Blessings

Usually for Samhain I will put together a special ancestor altar to remember my ancestors known and unknown and also family members who have died during my lifetime. But this year I just left my family altar as it usually looks:

I did, however, put up a special altar in remembrance of my sweet calico Claire, who died earlier this year. I printed some of my favorite pictures of her for the altar; the box contains her ashes and the little pink heart has her footprint. After I lit the candles and sat with the altar awhile, I realized I would give anything just to hold my baby girl on my lap again and smell her warm kitty smell. I cried for a little while, because I miss her company and her attitude so much. She was such a good friend to me.


Tomorrow, on Halloween night, when I put an apple out on our doorstep as food for the dead who are journeying to the Otherworld, I will also put out the last can of Claire's cat food in one of her little pink dishes, too, just in case her spirit passes by. If not, I know the neighborhood cats will enjoy it.

Spend a little time this Samhain remembering those you've lost... they live on in our memories-- even beloved pets. Blessed Samhain.

The Year Was 1986

Firehand and I have been listening to the XM radio 80's channel for weeks now on digital cable and it's been a total blast from the past. Lots of Huey Lewis & the News, the Bangles, Bon Jovi, Lionel Richie, Hall & Oates, INXS-- even some Squeeze! They even play old American Top 40's from the 80's. I once sent in a Long Distance Dedication that made it on the air; if we ever hear that particular countdown, I'll die of embarrassment. It was sappy as hell. We listen to XM 80's almost every evening.

SOOooOOo... when I saw this music meme over at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom, I had to see what came up for me:

The Rules:

A.) Go to Music Outfitters.

B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year.

C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you REALLY hate.

AND, just 'cuz I can, I'm adding color to the ones I absolutely adored and still do.

SAY HELLO TO 1986:

1. That's What Friends Are For, Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Gladys Knight
2. Say You, Say Me, Lionel Richie
3. I Miss You, Klymaxx
4. On My Own , Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald
5. Broken Wings, Mr. Mister
6. How Will I Know, Whitney Houston
7. Party All The Time, Eddie Murphy
8. Burning Heart, Survivor
9. Kyrie, Mr. Mister
10. Addicted To Love, Robert Palmer
11. Greatest Love Of All, Whitney Houston
12. Secret Lovers, Atlantic Starr
13. Friends And Lovers, Carl Anderson and Gloria Loring
14. Glory Of Love, Peter Cetera
15. West End Girls, Pet Shop Boys
16. There'll Be Sad Songs, Billy Ocean
17. Alive And Kicking, Simple Minds
18. Never, Heart
19. Kiss, Prince and The Revolution
20. Higher Love, Steve Winwood
21. Stuck With You, Huey Lewis and The News
22. Holding Back The Years, Simply Red
23. Sledgehammer, Peter Gabriel
24. Sara, Starship
25. Human, Human League
26. I Can't Wait, Nu Shooz
27. Take My Breath Away, Berlin
28. Rock Me Amadeus, Falco
29. Papa Don't Preach, Madonna
30. You Give Love A Bad Name, Bon Jovi
31. When The Going Gets Tough, Billy Ocean
32. When I Think Of You, Janet Jackson
33. These Dreams, Heart
34. Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone), Glass Tiger
35. Live To Tell, Madonna
36. Mad About You, Belinda Carlisle
37. Something About You, Level 42
38. Venus, Bananarama
39. Dancing On The Ceiling, Lionel Richie
40. Conga, Miami Sound Machine
41. True Colors, Cyndi Lauper
42. Danger Zone, Kenny Loggins
43. What Have You Done For Me Lately, Janet Jackson
44. No One Is To Blame, Howard Jones
45. Let's Go All The Way, Sly Fox
46. I Didn't Mean To Turn You On, Robert Palmer
47. Words Get In The Way, Miami Sound Machine
48. Manic Monday, Bangles
49. Walk Of Life, Dire Straits
50. Amanda, Boston
51. Two Of Hearts, Stacey Q
52. Crush On You, Jets
53. If You Leave, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
54. Invisible Touch, Genesis
55. The Sweetest Taboo, Sade
56. What You Need, INXS
57. Talk To Me, Stevie Nicks
58. Nasty, Janet Jackson
59. Take Me Home Tonight, Eddie Money
60. We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off, Jermaine Stewart
61. All Cried Out, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam With Full Force
62. Your Love, Outfield
63. I'm Your Man, Wham!
64. Perfect Way, Scritti Politti
65. Living In America, James Brown
66. R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A., John Cougar Mellencamp
67. Who's Johnny, El Debarge
68. Word Up, Cameo
69. Why Can't This Be Love, Van Halen
70. Silent Running, Mike + The Mechanics
71. Typical Male, Tina Turner
72. Small Town, John Cougar Mellencamp
73. Tarzan Boy, Baltimora
74. All I Need Is A Miracle, Mike + The Mechanics
75. Sweet Freedom, Michael McDonald
76. True Blue, Madonna
77. Rumors, Timex Social Club
78. Life In A Northern Town, Dream Academy
79. Bad Boy, Miami Sound Machine
80. Sleeping Bag, ZZ Top
81. Tonight She Comes, Cars
82. Love Touch, Rod Stewart
83. A Love Bizarre, Sheila E.
84. Throwing It All Away, Genesis
85. Baby Love, Regina
86. Election Day, Arcadia
87. Nikita, Elton John
88. Take Me Home, Phil Collins
89. Walk This Way, Run-D.M.C.
90. Sweet Love, Anita Baker
91. Your Wildest Dreams, Moody Blues
92. Spies Like Us, Paul McCartney
93. Object Of My Desire, Starpoint
94. Dreamtime, Daryl Hall
95. Tender Love, Force M.D.'s
96. King For A Day, Thompson Twins
97. Love Will Conquer All, Lionel Richie
98. A Different Corner, George Michael
99. I'll Be Over You, Toto
100. Go Home, Stevie Wonder

As you can see, I was a total 80's child. I liked almost everything. Lionel Richie got pretty overplayed and so did Madonna, though, which accounts for my dislike of them. I also was not swept up in the whole Tom Cruise/Top Gun mania that was so big that year, barf. Like barf out, totally! Fer shure! But I absolutely adored Level 42 and The Outfield-- in fact, I have them on (ahem) cassette and play 'em when I'm driving my car, even now!

Happy, Happy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
LITTLE BRO!!!

Okay, so he's not quite as little as this anymore, but wasn't he a cutie-patootie as a baby? This year he's 37! Wish I could be with him to help celebrate.

Love you, Little Bro!

To Tempt You

I have been saying for almost a year now that I'm going to open an etsy store. Well, it's about to become a reality! I plan to start listing items next weekend. Thought I'd give a little preview of some things that will be available...

All sorts of rune necklaces...


Herbal rune sets...


Scarab pendant necklaces...


Moon necklaces...


... and earrings...


... polymer clay votive holders with etched votives...

... boxes with intricately designed polymer tiles on the lids...

... and more! Hope you'll come visit my etsy store INTO THE DAWN DESIGNS when I open next weekend-- and perhaps you'll find something to tempt you.

Six MORE Things

Look what the lovely Mrs. B gave me-- a blog award! Thanks Mrs. B!

In accepting this award, I need to share six things that I love and then pass the award on to six blogs I love reading. So here goes:

• Flannel sheets are wonderful. I say this because it's that time of year for putting them on the bed. It makes sleeping so snuggly warm and cozy.
  

• I love tarot decks; I think they are fascinating. I love the psychology of tarot and seeing the different interpretations of all the archetypes. They are also like little mini-collections of art.
  

• Felt-tip pens. They remind me of my grandma, she always had lots of felt-tip pens and would draw all sorts of intricate patterns and pictures with them. I treated myself to a set of felt-tip pens for journaling and I use them all the time.
  

• My craft/Craft room. I love having my own space for creativity and spirituality. I love the colors of my room, it's warm and inspiring; and I love having all my books and altars and craft supplies all in one space where I can lose myself in creativity.
  

• Cats. I love our Moose-man, he is such a sweet boy. I am making friends with all the neighborhood cats, too, and whenever we go to a pet store, I always find a cat I wish we could adopt. I'd have a half dozen, if Moose would allow me. Unfortunately, he is not willing to share his humans.

• Herbs. I love them. I love having an herb garden, I love growing my own lavender, rosemary, chamomile, lemon balm, calendula... I love the smell of them, the feel of them, the look of them and the taste of them. I love using them in sachets or cooking or incense or teas...
  

I'm going to choose from my blogroll both here and at my craft blog, Into the Dawn for passing along this award:

1. What I Made Today- something new every day! A new favorite read.
   
2. The Long Thread- a blog about handcrafted goods in the age of mass production--another new favorite.
3. Skyclad Crafting- A wonderful pagan artist, specializing in unique wood crafts.
   
4. Weaving the Web- Creative and straight from the heart.
5. Enchanted Gypsy Travel Diaries- A nomadic family traveling the US in their converted school bus home run on veggie oil. She's a wonderful needle-felting artist, too!
6. Suzie's Sacred Space- Creative writing, photography, and more.
   

Feline Friday: Mr. Neuroses

I say that my cat is neurotic, and some of you may think I'm exaggerating, but I swear to you I'm not. Let me tell you a big, long Moose story and you will see just how strange he is.

First of all, Moose appears to have no "off" button when it comes to eating. If we put a bowl of food out with his entire daily serving, he will eat and eat and eat until its all gone and still think he's hungry, so he'll scream and scream and scream for more food. If you ignore him, he will get sulky and do things like stomp all over your head and knock stuff off the table tops. His favorite time to do this is all night long, while you are trying to sleep.


We finally hit on a solution-- part A) he was put on a high-fiber cat food that bulks up in his belly and helps him feel full and part B) he's on an automatically timed food dish that goes off 5 times a day and gives him a measure of food. The dish is set so he gets fed at (approximately) 6 pm, 10 pm, 2 am, 9 am and 2 pm. This has been working pretty well for the past 7 years.

The new problem became-- Moose has an internal clock. I think most cats do. However, add internal clock with Moose's OCD and you have him becoming verrrrrrrry upset when his dish doesn't go off when he knows it should. And he will tell us about it. Loudly. Constantly. He will lead us to the dish and point it out. Frequently. Until it goes off. Or we make it go off. We have learned to live with this.


However, he has recently developed a couple of new issues. The first one being-- he knows WHICH section of his dish is supposed to be open at WHAT time. So if his 2 pm feeding still has food at 6 pm, he won't eat it, because its the wrong food for that time. He wants his 6 pm serving, not the rest of his 2 pm serving. He is very particular on this point.

He has also decided that what he likes best is to eat when we eat. He loves supper time when we are all in the kitchen together, eating. He likes eating lunch when I eat lunch, he will often even save his food so that he can eat when I am in the kitchen eating. At 10 pm he will cry and lead us to his dish. "Moose, you HAVE food!" we've been telling him. Yet he cries and leads us to his dish a half dozen times. Often, if we gave him some lovin' he would then eat. But recently that hasn't been working. It took us a while, but we finally figured it out. He wants us to BE WITH HIM while he eats, whether we're eating or not. He evidently thinks he needs the company or he can't properly digest, or something.

So last night, Firehand sat out in the kitchen at 10 pm and read so that Moose could eat. Yes, Moose owns us. Problem is, I think he's beginning to figure it out. We are in so much trouble.

Six Random Things Meme

Livia Indica from Magic In These Hills has tagged me to share six random things about myself.

The rules are:

1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Okay, lets see if I can entertain you...

1. My feet are so small that I could not find women's heels that fit to wear for my high school prom and had to wear children's size dress flats. I still have a terrible time finding shoes that fit, which is why I prefer to wear Birkenstocks-- even though I wear an odd size, they always fit right.
   
2. I pretty much refuse to wear anything black. When I was younger I liked wearing black and white together and I still wear white now, but not black. It's just too... black.
3. Back in the '80's, I offended actor Richard Gere by loudly exclaiming “Oh my god, he’s SO SHORT” in his presence when I first saw him (he gave me a dirty look). He was making a film called "Miles From Home" in and around my home town at the time. Never heard of it? Most people haven't.
   
4. I have dated 3 Davids: one died, the second one mysteriously disappeared (I had nothing to do with either of those occurrences, btw-- just sayin') and the third one I married. (I also dated 2 Joes and 2 Mikes.)
   
5. I said "No' the first three times my husband asked me to marry him. I'm glad he asked one more time!
6. I have a degree in psychology and my all time favorite job was doing research for the Institute for Social & Behavioral Research. I'd love to do more behavioral research, it's fascinating.

In no particular order, I tag:

Nydia at Bringing Up Salamanders (let Lucas help you with this one!)
Sacred Suzie at Suzie's Sacred Space (maybe she can do it when she's back from vacation)
MrsB at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom (go wish her Get Well Soon)
Peppylady at Peppylady's Almost Prefect World (check out her Skywatch posts-- lovely photos)
Willow at Ramblings of a Witch (and stop by her lovely shop Goldentree Wands, too)

Weekend In Pictures

I am the sanding bandit! We did some sanding of the walls downstairs to smooth plaster from mudding. What a mess! Plaster dust everywhere! We were coated white-- if you look close, you can see it in my hair, on my face and shirt. I had to use a bandana for a face mask to keep from breathing in all the dust. We went outside afterwards and dusted each other off before we went into the main part of the house. I'll be so happy when this step of the work is done.


Had Firehand do some "modeling" of my rune pendant necklaces. I'm taking pictures for my etsy store. I've been trying to work up the courage to open an etsy store for--- oh, ages now. Nydia has recently become my cheerleader on this subject! Thanks, girlfriend!

Have been making sure the feeder is full for the birds. Here's a cute little finch who stopped by for dinner. Look how plump and colorful he is! I love finches.


Not pictured: We rented a few movies this weekend. Sweeny Todd (dark, gruesome and a musical, I've been wanting to see it for ages), Grace Has Gone (wonderful and sad film about a man who loses his wife in the Iraq war and is unable to figure out how to tell his young daughters), and The Golden Compass (intriguing fantasy with lots of moral/ethical questions). Firehand also watched Beowulf.

The Golden Compass was sort of filmed in a way that was confusing if you were not familiar with the story. The book is almost always better than the movie, so when we were at the bookstore this weekend, we got the GC trilogy to read. Looking forward to it.