Creative Energy
Creative energy has been bubbling to the surface for me the last couple of days. It has felt good. I have been accomplishing many little tasks.
Yesterday I made fresh pasta from scratch. Bernie helped me for about half of the process. This is the pasta maker that he bought me for Christmas, pretty handy little machine (Thanks Honey!).
I have only made pasta from scratch a couple of times, and unfortunatly in the past it has been a process that frustrated me greatly, and made me quite mad actually. Nothing seemed to go right, and it is so much work, it felt like it just wasn’t worth it. This time thankfully things seemed to come together for me. It is still a time consuming process (maybe I am just not doing it right…) but I enjoyed it this time. A step in the right direction for sure.
Now I just need to get a drying rack to hang the noodles on so that they can dry. I started making this a little late in the eveninig, so they did not have a chance to dry as much as they should have I think. In the future I think I need to make the pasta around lunch time or something like that. It sure did taste good though when it was all done!
And then tonight I had a bunch of stawberries that we bought, that needed to be used before going bad. And, our rhubarb is starting to come up. What better combination than strawberries and rhubarb. So I looked up some recipes and decided on Rhubarb Strawberry Bars. As I sit here typing this post I have not yet tasted them, but I do have to say they smell wonderful! They will be a weekend indulgence!
Today I finished another shopping bag. I usually am not drawn to such bright colors, I am much more into earth tones and such. But I just loved these fabrics when I saw them, and decided to make a bag out of them. The stripy liner is a little hard to see in this picture, but the colors are exactly the same, and it makes a wonderful summer shopping bag. I have really been enjoying matching fabrics for the outside and liner of these bags.
We will see if the creative energy carries over into the weekend.
Fresh Beginings
Many of us set New Years resolutions, but find it hard to stick with them. Perhaps one reason for this is the energy at the time of year we do this. Even though we consider New Years to be a new start, energetically I think the first day of spring is a much better time to set new intentions.
Spring is a time of new beginnings, new growth, and fresh energy. What better time to chose to shed something old within ourselves, and bring out a fresh new part of our souls. Don’t we all feel energized and refreshed as spring starts to roll around?
One example that many of us identify with this time of year is spring cleaning. I believe this is very symbolic of what we are really trying to accomplish. When we clean up our surroundings we are trying to clean up ourselves. By uncluttering our living space, we are uncluttering our mind.
So this spring, as you find yourself energized and buzzing around with no particular direction, take a moment to stop and reflect. What does your soul really want to accomplish this spring? It might be something small, it might be something big, and it might be all kinds of things. Don’t let anything overwhelm you, just let your soul tell you what it wants to do. Maybe even take the time to write everything down, just so you can come back to this later, and see what you have accomplished. You may write down tasks and projects that you want to do in your outer surroundings, you might write down tasks and projects you want to do on a spiritual/internal level.
When you have a list, what ever size it might be, what ever might be on it, take a moment to really study what you have written down. Is there a theme? Is there something that has been calling to you for years, and you keep making excuses not to do it? Is there something that has just seemed too overwhelming, you just don’t know where to start?
Pick one thing off your list to start. Now take on this task like it is a fresh little seed within. That seed has been nestled within you, as if it has been within the earth, all safe through the winter. Now the soft warm spring sun is gently warming the seed. You feel a slight stirring (this is your item you want to accomplish). Now you can start nourishing this little seed so it can sprout and grow strong. You can start out with the basics. If it is something you have never done before, nourish it by doing the research you need to do. Now that your seed has set out its first little root, it pushes through the surface. You have started to manifest it! Your soul is happy, your little seed is quickly growing into a plant. It is being bathed with the warmth of joy within your soul. Before you know it, your seed has matured into a beautiful plant (what ever plant speaks to you the most, or what ever this item most seems like).
Is it a plant that provides you strength and shelter for many years to come? Is a plant that will die off at the end of this season, but has provided you with a large harvest to nourish and comfort you? Is it a plant that has simply surrounded you with beauty? Is it a healing plant that cleansed your mind body and soul?
Every task, project, or activity draws us for a reason. We are here on earth to learn. So don’t deny yourself the lessons you are longing to learn. If something is calling to you this spring, its a seed within that wants to burst forth and experience this world!
Artisan Bread
I bought a new book recently called “Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day”, by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. This is truely an AMAZING process!! It is the most simple bread making meathod in the world.
You mix up your ingredients, no kneading, just mix until there are no dry spots. Then you put it into your dough rising container, and let it sit on the counter for a couple of hours. Then you stick it into the fridge. Thats it for the dough. You use it within the next 14 days.
You take the piece out that you want to use, dont knead, there is never any kneading. You shape it into a ball by pulling the edges down, so the top is all smooth. Then you set it on cornmeal to rest for 40 minutes.
They suggest you use a baking stone, but I dont have one at this point. The cookie sheet has been working fine for me. You heat the oven to 450 degrees farenheight, put a broiler pan (or somethinig like that) on the bottom shelf that you will later put hot water into. When the oven is ready you slide your loaf onto the baking stone/cookie sheet. Pour 1 cup hot water into the bottom pan, and quickly shut the door. You bake it for about 30 minutes and it looks like this!
For better baking instructions visit Mother Earth News’ web page. They had an article on this, taking a couple of the recipes from the book. I still highly recomend buying the book, because there are all kinds of recipes in there. But to try it out, go here . When you get hooked on it you will run out and buy the book.
I have made things the last three nights with this dough. I need to make a new batch in the morning. I made rolls the first night, and a loaf like this the other two nights. It tastes sooooo good!
Finding Relaxation
For Christmas I bought my mom The Secret Daily Teachings, which is a desktop daily note pad with a page for each day for one year. I was flipping through hers and really was enjoying the messages enclosed within. She took hers to work, and so I went and bought myself one. I have been trying to keep up with it, reading a page a night. So far I am doing well. I am on day 11. I think some of these messages are very important, so I thought I might share them on here once in a while.
If you happened to miss the mass phenomenon that was “The Secret”, let me share the base idea. It is based on the Law of Attraction. This is a concept that I find very important in my life, and am working at embracing it more fully. There were mixed feelings on the secret when it came out, because the manner in which it was presented was rather material. “If you change the way you think you can have money and things”. This is one small aspect of the Law of Attraction. I personally believe the reason that it was presented in this way is because, our society is so focused on money and possessions. Most people are much more concerned with their promotion, or the bigger house than working on themselves. And so by putting the concept of Law of Attraction out there into the world in the material aspect it would attract the attention of many more people than if it was just sent out there as another spiritual/new age message.
No matter how an idea/belief is initially introduced into our programming, once we accept it, it will spread through our being. This can be good, bad, or just be; depending on what this idea/belief is. People will slowly let the Law of Attraction flow into all aspects of their life, and find that not only are they wealthy in money but also in love, dreams, experiences, etc.
So today’s daily teaching is:
Here is a simple, powerful process that you can do every day to bring yourself into positive harmony with the Universe and the Law of Attraction.
Sit down comfortably. Notice how you are feeling, and now relax your entire body. When you have relaxed your whole body, then relax some more. Now relax even more. And relax it more! Repeat this deeper relaxing seven times, each time relaxing as much as you can. When you have finished, notice the difference in how you are feeling, compared with how you felt when you began.
Now you are more in harmony with the Universe and the Law of Attraction!
Very wise words. We do not realize how much tension we carry around in our bodies on a daily basis. We get so used to the pain and discomfort it is just part of life. It doesn’t have to be. That tension is a sign that we are not being completely true to ourselves in one aspect or another. When you consciously melt away the tension like this, your body starts to remember what it was like to not be in pain. And you will naturally release stress from yourself. So now I relax….. and relax….. and ahhhhhh…….
Clear Chilly Day
This morning I pulled myself out of bed to another grey day, and shortly there after a bit of snow started to fall again. Ah, another day in the house staying warm, I thought to myself. But leave it up to our crazy weather lately to prove me wrong. An hour or so later blue started to break through the clouds, and before I knew it, it was almost clear out. So Bernie and I headed off for an adventure. We went to Hovander park to see what we could find as far as wildlife and scenery. Unfortunatly for Bern there wasn’t too much wildlife, but there were some nice scenery shots. And it was just so nice to get out and enjoy the sun. I am going to put up some more pictures from our outing once I get them worked on. For now, I have this one of a frozen slough/pond.
Hovander is an old homestead, and every time we go there I always spend a little bit of time reflecting on what it was like for the people that used to live there, and work the land. It’s a very beautiful farm, with this HUGE red barn (which I will post some pictures of in the next couple of days). I spend a lot of time day dreaming really….. and I love thinking about the simplicity/complexity of living off the land. There is a very large part of me that would be very content settling down on a farm and raising most of my own food. At the same time there is another large part of myself that is very grateful for the technology we use on a daily basis, and the freedom to go explore when and where I want.
For more sky shots visit:
Any Ideas?
Its been much too long since I did a chicken entry. I love our little banty chickens, they provide me endless entertainment when I go out to talk with them. Over all we have a very friendly flock. I cant say any of them are overly enthused about being picked up, but I snatch them up every now and then, I just cant help it, they are so cute they need to be cuddled and pet. I went out the other day and took pictures of them, unfortunately they were not being good subjects, so most of the pictures were dumped. The only ones that were somewhat cooperative were the cochins. This picture is of my beloved little white rooster, he is my favorite out of the flock, and that is quite a feat, because I think they are all the cutest things on two legs (well we do have a couple that are a little homely, but we wont tell them that).
This little guy is just the sweetest rooster you ever will see. He has such a zen attitude. He follows you around when you are out in the chicken yard, he makes these soft little sounds as he goes about his business, talking to who ever will listen. He will crow once in a while, but not nearly as often as all our other roosters. I love to sit down and talk to him, and the gold laced cochin girls that we have. They are quite friendly themselves. They want to come up close to me and visit, and then they look all surprised when I scoop them up off the ground. I don’t think it’s the goal they were aiming for, I think they were going more for the feeding option.
I will have to go out on another sunny day and try to get more of these guys to cooperate. There is quite the rainbow of chickens out in the yard, I love all the different kinds. While my mom would like to keep all the off spring produced around the chicken yard purebreds (which never happens, because they never get separated out into breeding groups) I love to see the genetics project that goes on out there each year. You never know what those chicks are going to grow up to look like. We have gotten some really unique looking chickens out of the mix. Muffin, one of my other favorites out there is a cross that was raised here on the farm, I will have to get a picture of her, because I think she is too cute also.
So I would love to name this little guy instead of calling him my white rooster, unfortunately I just haven’t gotten around to being creative. I like looking for really unique names, if any of you can think of something different, but beautiful/creative let me know. I will let you all know if something strikes me as matching his personality!
Refreshing Outing
Yesterdays’ outing was refreshing in many different ways. I was in need of an adventure away from the property, so we went to Hovander Park. It was wonderful to get out for a walk in the beautiful sunshine. The air was nice and crisp; winter has definitely arrived here in the northwest. We wandered around for a while and took some pictures, unfortunately there wasn’t too much in the way of wildlife for Bernie to get pictures of. Mount Baker was showing in full glory though, so we both snapped some shots of it. Bernie has some nice close up shots taken with his telephoto lens, and the above picture is one of mine.
As we were walking along, soaking in the sunshine I was filled with a great sense of gratitude for our beautiful lifestyle. We are able to go out and enjoy nature when ever we want to. We don’t have to request for days off from work, we don’t have to wait until the weekend. I am so grateful for the freedom to live how I want to! I am becoming better at being greatful on a daily basis for my life and the people around me. Its a simple practice of enjoying the little things on a daily basis, and eventually your day is just a long string of special moments.
I spent some time collecting rosehips along our walk. I really am not sure what I am going to do with them, but I have wanted to get out there and collect some. I will have to look up some different recipes online, and do something with them. This is one of my faults some times, I have a huge desire to go harvest something, and then once I do, I don’t always follow through with making something with it. I am trying to get better about that!
Hovander park is a nice local park that is an old homstead. There is a beautiful old red barn in great condition, and the old house is a museum now. They have done a great job with the grounds, and all sorts of events are held there all year long. Right next door is Tennant Lake, which has a great boardwalk winding along the edge of a pond. Currently the boardwalk is closed for duck hunting season, which is too bad, it would have been nice to go down there. I have always enjoyed the feel of these two parks.
In the morning before we left on our adventure we got some more siding put up on the pole building. That has been our ‘job’ the last couple of days, putting up siding. We are doing board and bat siding with the cedar that we just had milled. It looks really nice so far, even though we haven’t gotten too far. Once we get a little farther along I will have to post some pictures.
Do What You Love
My outlook on life is: if you are being true to yourself, and following your dreams, you will make the world a better place. When we find our bliss in every day moments, its spreads to those around us. We will never be able to change another person, but if we change ourselves, the world will change with us. So as much as possible I try to live my life following my dreams, it’s a challenge to always accomplish this, but as the years pass I find I am doing it more and more.
I find myself getting frustrated at all the negativity, violence, sorrow and fear in the world. I know the human race could accomplish so much more than we are. And then I remember if I just take a little time to go out into the world, and spread my own brand of sunshine, those around me will be affected. When we are at peace and enjoying our life, the stress and dis-ease within us melts away.
So if you find yourself full of stress and anger towards an aspect of your life, I highly recommend sitting down and asking yourself, what you REALLY want out of life. What are your true desires that either you or other people have told you just couldn’t happen? What would you rather be doing? It might not seem like it at this moment, but you can do it. You just have to change your perspective on how you are living life. Its not something that changes over night, you don’t want to go quit your job tomorrow. Just start with the little things. Start with one little thing that you have always wanted to do, and have always told yourself it wasn’t practical, or you couldn’t afford it, or you just don’t have the time. Go to the spa, go for a hike, take a soak in the tub, splurge on a special culinary treat. What ever that first little thing is for you, take that moment in, realize that you are actually accomplishing something you have wanted to do for a while.
If you want, you can keep a journal of your journey into the life you have always wanted. You will find as you give yourself permission to do the things that you really want to in life, the easier it will be to do more. Things will fall into your lap as if they were meant to be. As you follow your heart and accomplish your dreams you will find the ‘guilt’ that society has programmed into us will just melt away. There is never any reason to feel guilt for following your heart. Most of the time guilt is projected on us by those that are jealous because they have not given themselves the permission to follow their dreams.
I live an very different life style than most, and I know that I am blessed. Many people do not understand the way I live, because of their programming. I live on very little, my expenses are pretty minimal, but at the same time, if I find something that really draws me I do not exclude it from my life just because it costs me money. I do not have a ‘real job’. The closest thing I have had to a real job in the last 6 years was my very part time job as a breakfast waitress when we lived in Winthrop for two years. The most I worked was 3 days a week, and that wasn’t very common, I usually worked one or two days a week, and usually got the days off that I wanted. If we wanted to leave for a couple of weeks, most of the time I got that time off. And the reason this worked for me was, I stated what I needed, I didn’t ask permission, I wasn’t rude, I just stated what I was up to in life, and most of the time the universe has provided for me. I suppose that is one lesson I have learned in life, there is no reason to have to ask permission for everything, we need to take responsibility for our lives. This doesn’t mean we should walk over other people, we can be courteous to those around us, but we don’t need to let them walk on us either.
When we did live in Winthrop, I worked for the grocery money, and Bernie worked for our landlords in trade for our rent. In the two and a half years that we lived there, the only rent we paid was first and last, and I believe one month. There are ways to live simply yet fully. With the schedule of ‘work’ that we had, we were free to explore as much as we wanted. Often we worked on the weekends, and had the rest of the week to hike, take pictures, play in the river near our house, travel, watch tv on those cold winter days, and what ever else we needed to do to follow our dreams.
We have also done quite a lot of long distance hiking. Since we are not tied into a job or a home, we can take all summer to go for a hike across the country. There are also all kinds of volunteer opportunities to see the world. This summer we spent in the Aleutian Islands doing Sea Otter research. We were not ‘paid’ for doing this work, but they pay for all our travel expenses to and from, and a per diem to cover all food and supply expenses. We got to experience a beautiful part of the world, in a way most people never will. Love the places that you are, and if you dont like it, then move yourself to a place that brings peace to you.
Another helpful way to bring yourself to the place that you want, is to surround yourself with like minded people. As you can change the world around you by finding your bliss, having people around you that are already following their dreams, you will find yourself changing for the better.
Spend some time thinking of what you want out of life. Nothing is impossible. Some things might be a long journey from where you are now, but you can get there. You have to start the journey to reach the end. And the easiest way is to start with the little things. And remember, Do What You Love, Love What You Do.
