tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64870973813941262272024-03-20T00:18:45.006-07:00Bubbles + LightT. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-79571639255209850112012-10-09T19:47:00.002-07:002012-10-09T19:47:49.784-07:00::Here I Am:: This space has sat vacant for most of the year... and I find myself drawn back. Not sure where to begin, but here I am. The shifts that have occurred during this break are deep, and rich and truly too numerous to mention. Again... but here I am.<br />
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Where am I, exactly?<br />
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Okay. The low down:<br />
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I'm 37 weeks pregnant and excited for our planned home birth attended by midwives.<br />
I'm savoring alone time with Sebastian before he sinks into big brother-hood.<br />
I'm nesting and resting and settling into Autumn by cozying up near the fire in our hearth, slurping savory soups, luxuriating in warm baths, constantly burning candles and making my space feel as sacred as possible.<br />
I'm rejuvenated and renewed by the many cherished visitors who have travelled to spend time with us in the past few weeks.<br />
I'm gently delving into shadow work with the women of <a href="http://www.soulodge.com/soulodge-e-courses/">Autumn SouLodge</a>... dreaming of and breathing as Panther.<br />
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In short, I'm doing the work. Preparing, waiting and listening to my body. As I dig deeper in the coming weeks, I will be glad to share in this space.<br />
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<br />T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-74867214285198114202011-12-12T01:02:00.000-08:002011-12-12T01:07:54.729-08:00Kinder by Copper Wimmin<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P9PX31loh_c?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
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Beautiful... & so exactly right on with the messages that I am trying to infuse myself with right now. So grateful that this found its way to me (Thank you, Lodge sister!!). If we all let this sink in and treat ourselves with gentleness & love, perhaps our joyful spark will spread like a wildfire and bring that change that we have been waiting for.T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-86039257907132629732011-12-06T15:53:00.000-08:002011-12-06T15:54:26.750-08:00Shadow, light, crimson & aqua.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm just marinating in beauty these days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr0mFAP9q00QLezDYh6HGr63phB3uQwiYcy78vGosLy4IcOzWrZ-_q33KN6OFrlyFsRMb5aAM1zPnn88mBW5UuxfLb9Qrfrsn24U9mDUIL-95USnoN51eZcxt4lQPLB4yac1D6bS8EYo/s1600/walkinthelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr0mFAP9q00QLezDYh6HGr63phB3uQwiYcy78vGosLy4IcOzWrZ-_q33KN6OFrlyFsRMb5aAM1zPnn88mBW5UuxfLb9Qrfrsn24U9mDUIL-95USnoN51eZcxt4lQPLB4yac1D6bS8EYo/s320/walkinthelight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Exploring the woods around our new home has lit this tiny spark in my belly and it's burning bright.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IZt1k38OZa2qZd_-kMnod4hc0-r1PURt3bGfmherG2Ujful2Hz6VkrXzlgKEmfXBlNygVcQ8ytOPRPgLxXTaol7mOBM0WDnDjM_7RpU8-45jdK6labLUoRe-4mWKCKwMErFo-XlELn4/s1600/thelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IZt1k38OZa2qZd_-kMnod4hc0-r1PURt3bGfmherG2Ujful2Hz6VkrXzlgKEmfXBlNygVcQ8ytOPRPgLxXTaol7mOBM0WDnDjM_7RpU8-45jdK6labLUoRe-4mWKCKwMErFo-XlELn4/s320/thelight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I find myself walking daily, falling into a rhythm, taking care of business... you know, basically living naturally what I have been working toward for so long. Seems that a little movement, both physical & emotional, goes a long way.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0U5bqfHACocFAsATvsst837UplqkpT8I3xrn26vMhDWgsKUW6FLawhk_NqnDr4W3RSeb_hI4VvGvHW3KA6xsV5srbpNj3tzcIl_wBwMpxiu1al49XwO6ksuPgdmERPtWNsAqcWnMt6e4/s1600/crimsonforest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0U5bqfHACocFAsATvsst837UplqkpT8I3xrn26vMhDWgsKUW6FLawhk_NqnDr4W3RSeb_hI4VvGvHW3KA6xsV5srbpNj3tzcIl_wBwMpxiu1al49XwO6ksuPgdmERPtWNsAqcWnMt6e4/s320/crimsonforest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The biggest, most striking revelation has been that I don't have to gather the courage to confront shadow. It just has to be done. No prep work necessary... and that in doing so, actually staring into that expansive abyss, the light seeps through and the path is made clear. It is just so juicy, I can hardly stand it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZRFlSasT5w0CpcXdubT0cFDthFL1j4hu7XT0IfwuqAKbJQBY4IltIxR__C4Gz2S-usxyMzK_kCVoFX0skcM30StxOQuOnDyKmDW52v-de6KiuIyL-LcgDH8o9o4pdlsoa16F48NFZMA/s1600/peacefulshadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZRFlSasT5w0CpcXdubT0cFDthFL1j4hu7XT0IfwuqAKbJQBY4IltIxR__C4Gz2S-usxyMzK_kCVoFX0skcM30StxOQuOnDyKmDW52v-de6KiuIyL-LcgDH8o9o4pdlsoa16F48NFZMA/s320/peacefulshadows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's to newness, crisp air, long walks, doing the work... & peace.</div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-82313318625615223282011-11-28T22:58:00.000-08:002011-11-28T22:58:55.322-08:00Unapologetic.Maybe that should have been *20* days of gratitude and beyond? No matter. Truthfully, I have been shying away from this space because 1) way too much has been happening in a short period of time and I have no words to express my gratitude 2) every day is a grateful day, so how could I stop at 30 days? 3)as grateful as I am, some majorly deep, dark stuff has been surfacing and I am in the throes of working through it all. MAJOR stuff. Really. I feel like I have been shaken a bit more awake than usual and that I have to focus all of my intention on integrating what has bubbled up while simultaneously delving into that which is just below the surface. Pixie Campbell's <a href="http://pixiecampbell.typepad.com/soulodge/">SouLodge</a> has been the catalyst for so much of this soul movement. I'm throwing out some major manifestation mojo to see how I can come up with the cash to sign up for all SouLodges in the year 2012. If it's meant to be, it will be. I'm unfolding into the flow and letting it all be as it is. Trust. It's so much more than I have ever allowed myself to believe in...<br />
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And so... Truly, there are not enough words. I'm cocooning. I'm reveling in the cave time. I'm prepping for winter and I am just not in a place to share. Feeling intense, magical, charged, quiet, vulnerable, naughty, excited... and unapologetic. And, I've got to say: It's about damn time.T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-30117994196578858332011-10-28T22:50:00.000-07:002011-10-28T22:50:36.235-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 20!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do you get when you have a giant mound of boxes, one very large truck & a box of donuts? MOVING DAY!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yep, it's that time already. All of our painting and packing has paid off and there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Whew! Tomorrow is promising to be a long, full day... and the reward at the end of it is that we will be sleeping in our own home (punctuated by a bath with Baz in the whirlpool bathtub!). It's all a blur of excitement, exhaustion & gratitude. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzSix0klQyGhesmSbsSo4H8TyNCjm7v2VBkbeXWyt_3uwx8aAr62T_wsZJVhyphenhyphenoFvmf9nn736wwbWCbwhE7Pq0mvISGfFgzLf3b3JHtBYbySdrlN80EGlyY3IshbkQSUJ42PLzbaGfEhw/s1600/photo-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzSix0klQyGhesmSbsSo4H8TyNCjm7v2VBkbeXWyt_3uwx8aAr62T_wsZJVhyphenhyphenoFvmf9nn736wwbWCbwhE7Pq0mvISGfFgzLf3b3JHtBYbySdrlN80EGlyY3IshbkQSUJ42PLzbaGfEhw/s320/photo-12.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<b><i>SO incredibly, overwhelmingly grateful that everything has come together so smoothly and that all of our hard work has paid off.</i></b><br />
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*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">We will be offline until Tuesday as we get settled & wait for internet installation. This very spread out 30 days of gratitude will continue next week! </span>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-50256839649343708732011-10-27T20:53:00.000-07:002011-10-27T20:53:51.670-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 19!Happy New Moon! That means that I should be on a 3 day raw cleanse, right? Too much on my plate & feeling the need for the grounding that comes with heavier foods. Also, very hard to do a cleanse with very limited kitchen access. Going to get settled into the new place and bump my cleanse by a few days or so. Still planning to do it, just need to get settled first. I'm going to need it after a week of fast/convenient food.<br />
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<b><i>Grateful for the ability to check in with myself and listen to the needs of this moment & to let go. Proud of the ability to be gentle with myself. It has taken much practice to get to this space of allowing. Grateful for the many opportunities for practice that lie ahead. </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-51188684018820453272011-10-24T22:33:00.000-07:002011-10-24T22:33:57.992-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 18!Exhausted doesn't even begin to describe my energy level. We've been packing, moving, unpacking, cleaning, painting & doing all manner of other moving related jobs on top of the everyday chores. You know what? It feels good. Having something to focus on distracts from getting stuck in headspace. I've really needed to be pulled back from the internal, to 'lighten up', to find that all around glow.<br />
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<b><i>Grateful: for a peaceful mind, a full heart, new dreams, wishes realized, an able body, hard work to do & to look forward to + a rekindled heart flame. </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-46510291953402280242011-10-23T01:16:00.000-07:002011-10-23T01:16:48.783-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 17!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Filled to the brim with gratitude & blessings for another amazing firewalk! I carpooled with friends up to the Portland area & enjoyed a day off from 'being mom'. We gathered, sang, drummed, built up energy, released, transformed & celebrated. Each person touched & gave energy to every log that made up the fire. We gave offerings of abundance to the fire. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8cyNSkThhozaw_6lFHuCf2lEL2Uw-CLc6-T2skxNv4wSPAtYdkRkBKlSevgD-eId4XKlLZPbxCXKHdrg-iLrWHIHauEvxfYmeMfXeHalfYCxKEn2n9O6WX8WIzI-lB0oCXvrbSDSakQ/s1600/firebuild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8cyNSkThhozaw_6lFHuCf2lEL2Uw-CLc6-T2skxNv4wSPAtYdkRkBKlSevgD-eId4XKlLZPbxCXKHdrg-iLrWHIHauEvxfYmeMfXeHalfYCxKEn2n9O6WX8WIzI-lB0oCXvrbSDSakQ/s320/firebuild.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We all started the fire with individual matchsticks. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We watched her begin to blaze. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hYYNXIKQJ9Cvl1uKknMtMzlk3QhZv3IA3pW6ok2JIgCYuFvx7Py7qjfdqVoq9wiJcyq0mYdIF2IkRGm5LBeqASvco2wSRIuJbJ-WKoukNy6B2Jb78yPjGFowaZ1BuYKGdkbWGFnhPTk/s1600/Firebegin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hYYNXIKQJ9Cvl1uKknMtMzlk3QhZv3IA3pW6ok2JIgCYuFvx7Py7qjfdqVoq9wiJcyq0mYdIF2IkRGm5LBeqASvco2wSRIuJbJ-WKoukNy6B2Jb78yPjGFowaZ1BuYKGdkbWGFnhPTk/s320/Firebegin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And blaze... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJF8Brr7uoRJn4TZISEI61y5QLIFtU3lPe7zCS_v5Fw64urbF6uKQuimtBodsaJTPbOxeC6VST96ngSw6w-Hf7lvjLQtDpkneBL7i4EnFvKSfs5gcltcHARICVkjLBh6bwQ9yVMq-xYQ/s1600/fireburn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJF8Brr7uoRJn4TZISEI61y5QLIFtU3lPe7zCS_v5Fw64urbF6uKQuimtBodsaJTPbOxeC6VST96ngSw6w-Hf7lvjLQtDpkneBL7i4EnFvKSfs5gcltcHARICVkjLBh6bwQ9yVMq-xYQ/s320/fireburn.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And when she was raked out... we walked over her burning coals. Yep, that is me below... believe it! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBvlPPO0VylHRAuRV9mrDHA5eD7KJWFBAeClpcB3IYn8OtMWdYnLdE4xD1wPU232UZ7w3mgzfKS3J1-0r-PfRvXTZT5-ERD74fgJlTCqjUuD589j4gjQQcP5scm48-9hXPV1TRuyncBw/s1600/firewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBvlPPO0VylHRAuRV9mrDHA5eD7KJWFBAeClpcB3IYn8OtMWdYnLdE4xD1wPU232UZ7w3mgzfKS3J1-0r-PfRvXTZT5-ERD74fgJlTCqjUuD589j4gjQQcP5scm48-9hXPV1TRuyncBw/s320/firewalk.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The experience of walking is always so different & dependent upon what is being given up, transformed or what energy is being received. This was my 4th firewalk... First in something like 6 years. My 22nd trip across the coals & perhaps my most powerful. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>I give gratitude for fire & her amazing energy, for her willingness to take & transform & for the beauty & community that happens around a ritual of this magnitude. Thanks & blessings for taking my fears & turning them into courage, confidence, love & vibrant joy. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-17912384576398551232011-10-21T15:05:00.000-07:002011-10-28T22:57:51.568-07:0030 days of Gratitude - Day 16: The Next Chapter...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The biggest news in some time + numerous reasons to be grateful! We signed a fat stack of papers a few days ago... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0L6chayLRdZFEZKNLMfAA5qkTkJcWxCPvSi0ZlXqHvUW52RsmnKiVgfxlZjMzvlHvygrOWqWI8WeFjeUM3SGZiUZ5II3DTsKg5Z4rOdqEJj_JiM929uOCA8O5aUMPREZQIMHjCpqxbw/s1600/Bensignspaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0L6chayLRdZFEZKNLMfAA5qkTkJcWxCPvSi0ZlXqHvUW52RsmnKiVgfxlZjMzvlHvygrOWqWI8WeFjeUM3SGZiUZ5II3DTsKg5Z4rOdqEJj_JiM929uOCA8O5aUMPREZQIMHjCpqxbw/s320/Bensignspaper.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">And magically entered into the new & curious territory of home ownership! Can I scream it loud enough?<b> WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! </b>Literally, I'm jumping up and down. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF8eXzLzlu6guipbLnVhSq_t_5S8BfxlhRrPYC9emzCnu8UESys0LcAWI7dTkhjv0IqzvOxRMuMF0UQ5MCpQ46Y-OA0YGFsvOHHUrmWAKLElGb4wYF8SprqkAjWEnNJ9oGg_yvJd4nZU/s1600/housekey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF8eXzLzlu6guipbLnVhSq_t_5S8BfxlhRrPYC9emzCnu8UESys0LcAWI7dTkhjv0IqzvOxRMuMF0UQ5MCpQ46Y-OA0YGFsvOHHUrmWAKLElGb4wYF8SprqkAjWEnNJ9oGg_yvJd4nZU/s320/housekey.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It looks like it ought to be an easier move this time around (I can't express enough my gratitude for not having to move again in the foreseeable future... so done with moving!). Our new home is just 7 miles from where we are now! Loving this community. Loving putting down our roots.<br />
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So, you take a drive into the country, toward the sea & hang a left at the sweetest little church.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPoQtmDTvlEnhNFjDqqkBO5tIbkjRDLJ_9aXCmaVwv2pxGhY7l1Cq_AGBOjZBfNckBiCegX4PMYsM_QDe1bMGJbGEPbQGFmKnjr6XHziIEmRcDTzdpVAXMh720eDVQgJuWA0bd1ikdmM/s1600/church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPoQtmDTvlEnhNFjDqqkBO5tIbkjRDLJ_9aXCmaVwv2pxGhY7l1Cq_AGBOjZBfNckBiCegX4PMYsM_QDe1bMGJbGEPbQGFmKnjr6XHziIEmRcDTzdpVAXMh720eDVQgJuWA0bd1ikdmM/s320/church.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">You cross a stream and enter into the forest. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8wl-1SiJsbUEeV3ERtJQYuZZcBZgUXF9o3uUycy3ae8pxQb6h1Az7z1Eyr6ZhfQTHWcdZ3dqxpbtz0221vX3-zY2x15EIGyyszGk1b4moVDOgUOy1uvULnVcAHT9W_uTUnY62kj8piI/s1600/treesondrive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8wl-1SiJsbUEeV3ERtJQYuZZcBZgUXF9o3uUycy3ae8pxQb6h1Az7z1Eyr6ZhfQTHWcdZ3dqxpbtz0221vX3-zY2x15EIGyyszGk1b4moVDOgUOy1uvULnVcAHT9W_uTUnY62kj8piI/s320/treesondrive.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A little over a half mile through the forest & up the hill you'll find us: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgPu7dy6UUAFhTfW45yJ9KrcQbKkxxhDDZeXH6nIjtVBoTbqfdBbvVpusNY7Y45lMr9xqWEMujc_Tb9cU5KT07QhNO9M-JoCEAvjjSTYKsS6JyyMrBdaDA4mSh6Sa9IQnNcXUljeLGAM/s1600/B%252Bbhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgPu7dy6UUAFhTfW45yJ9KrcQbKkxxhDDZeXH6nIjtVBoTbqfdBbvVpusNY7Y45lMr9xqWEMujc_Tb9cU5KT07QhNO9M-JoCEAvjjSTYKsS6JyyMrBdaDA4mSh6Sa9IQnNcXUljeLGAM/s320/B%252Bbhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We arrived this morning with goodies and enjoyed a celebratory first breakfast in our new living room. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjWdaashq3z8-yO1SoOp09GRyxvbRjvWUQxyE3oXzfWvUATcltTjR2pmf3ATueAclBN2f1b9-emfWEcf6KaBveUgo1boXJ2zRPPgL5drAIQvXGrS-wSlBmJU24zIap-xTXzBunzTZ0ds/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjWdaashq3z8-yO1SoOp09GRyxvbRjvWUQxyE3oXzfWvUATcltTjR2pmf3ATueAclBN2f1b9-emfWEcf6KaBveUgo1boXJ2zRPPgL5drAIQvXGrS-wSlBmJU24zIap-xTXzBunzTZ0ds/s320/breakfast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and then we went out exploring. Baz immediately made friends with "a funny little fuzzy critter". Caterpiggle! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yNkLIUtXTdkATIBfy4Q0dE1QwTBLQyp-Rs1lXR9Qgm3KAjcoJcCmiMgS56w1nlcUbdMzZXOXFo5NVoq-J59gitkCc7IK-bDmxvlpYCZop8xzSsHcUY5Qs7U6yQPg0HQQ5Km51zpI028/s1600/caterpiggle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yNkLIUtXTdkATIBfy4Q0dE1QwTBLQyp-Rs1lXR9Qgm3KAjcoJcCmiMgS56w1nlcUbdMzZXOXFo5NVoq-J59gitkCc7IK-bDmxvlpYCZop8xzSsHcUY5Qs7U6yQPg0HQQ5Km51zpI028/s320/caterpiggle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We walked through the forest & checked out every inch of our land (.96 acre!). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD82NJLMd5_p2ugss3W_bLipL7XGelRVyOc-KAIxEp_wm9OjXq-tfh3ORR4xYici-idlX0m7-MMz1gVwSKA4TLWf6lOonbFuADLcZZU-QX-sh5ySANsYDKmloMDPqNrnJENHj530ipxvI/s1600/bazforest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD82NJLMd5_p2ugss3W_bLipL7XGelRVyOc-KAIxEp_wm9OjXq-tfh3ORR4xYici-idlX0m7-MMz1gVwSKA4TLWf6lOonbFuADLcZZU-QX-sh5ySANsYDKmloMDPqNrnJENHj530ipxvI/s320/bazforest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We conspired to get the hot tub scrubbed out & ready for action in the next few days. Can't.even.wait!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdfKWxNQ3B3LbymUHQULxkerOZYRlz-2b4ODhCXb3dN_2_0S7B_DKBWyuWggBb_WJrh09lvu_4HXitkMlEWFJhgQokCXEier6bJ-HdrZ7Y309IVU9oaHC11SZZfe1XRvlqPwroUSktCY/s1600/hottubby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdfKWxNQ3B3LbymUHQULxkerOZYRlz-2b4ODhCXb3dN_2_0S7B_DKBWyuWggBb_WJrh09lvu_4HXitkMlEWFJhgQokCXEier6bJ-HdrZ7Y309IVU9oaHC11SZZfe1XRvlqPwroUSktCY/s320/hottubby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We said hello to some of our trees... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfOYGg-lrhnx1nIUpN35ItyOURM-K6AVm90xyfz0utsB4tI0Yuf7yMkeXAcQHUoZG5Gcy0FsVe8invjkfVCDnk51dac1iIFkfc4FD27a6GG_3LYXQBvxYMVa-MTkdwB_0gqIk07-KRRA/s1600/treeeee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfOYGg-lrhnx1nIUpN35ItyOURM-K6AVm90xyfz0utsB4tI0Yuf7yMkeXAcQHUoZG5Gcy0FsVe8invjkfVCDnk51dac1iIFkfc4FD27a6GG_3LYXQBvxYMVa-MTkdwB_0gqIk07-KRRA/s320/treeeee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Ben looked happier than he has in a very long time. SO happy. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzFRcD0NGhvf683_c3BQreYz4-59ThjApUvUvLTccLihH8GmFoes-M7stfc7SCCM3qhJ4o5tQkCPNwglJL-cJlRA1i_3X3j2erl-RM9P2tPC-uGcF9Ix5I4IDg5cS20u0Rrm8F7zRTaI/s1600/benonhisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzFRcD0NGhvf683_c3BQreYz4-59ThjApUvUvLTccLihH8GmFoes-M7stfc7SCCM3qhJ4o5tQkCPNwglJL-cJlRA1i_3X3j2erl-RM9P2tPC-uGcF9Ix5I4IDg5cS20u0Rrm8F7zRTaI/s320/benonhisland.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We took goofy pix in our master bathroom. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiEqXzyCHeau0lDcr-_ZJJTRvecd24fEnfb8iN0_lnRtrIQ0paSpqZ0tsHjOVYnV5wZ5JhCR9JmyHbI6IG33RAyAKfDEzIq9JQwwdIZMhzCDX_-UaUHq2QAtOZK-xIBVmO8yoGblN52M/s1600/b%252Btbathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiEqXzyCHeau0lDcr-_ZJJTRvecd24fEnfb8iN0_lnRtrIQ0paSpqZ0tsHjOVYnV5wZ5JhCR9JmyHbI6IG33RAyAKfDEzIq9JQwwdIZMhzCDX_-UaUHq2QAtOZK-xIBVmO8yoGblN52M/s320/b%252Btbathroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...and generally laid claim to our space. Perfection. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB6dwfVIB8GMmC0-Jl4FmZheaQjgNuHhB1dgMVz2Knj-pK8ArNAT5MqIG9dALf2vK2jqhjWTY-S_zyrlyTWDLNBkvROsLJYP8aV1Msy-qHrb6JLbKgCuccGvO5djj6DQeQYZCa46r3qo/s1600/tiffonhersoil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB6dwfVIB8GMmC0-Jl4FmZheaQjgNuHhB1dgMVz2Knj-pK8ArNAT5MqIG9dALf2vK2jqhjWTY-S_zyrlyTWDLNBkvROsLJYP8aV1Msy-qHrb6JLbKgCuccGvO5djj6DQeQYZCa46r3qo/s320/tiffonhersoil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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It's a fixer upper with a whole lot of quirkiness & we are excited for the challenge. We never ever thought that buying a house could go so smoothly. We made an offer just about a month ago and it was accepted immediately. I didn't know until we were driving around the neighborhood scoping the place out, but the house is about 3 blocks from a house I had my eye on way back when we lived in Davis. Somehow, I guess I just knew where we were meant to be. So here we are. We're beginning the next chapter. Turning a new leaf. Savoring the newness & the beauty of Autumn and working hard to make this move as smooth as possible. We have 20 days to move and my fantastic cousin is coming from California to help out, so it is all looking incredibly doable.<br />
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<b><i>Simply overflowing with gratitude. </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-78378583381405112322011-10-20T23:09:00.000-07:002011-10-20T23:09:26.632-07:0030 days of gratitude: Day 15!Practicing 'being here now', and it's no easy feat when so many exciting changes are just out of reach. Tomorrow: a very special breakfast with the family. Saturday: fire walking for the first time in 6?, 7? years. In the next week or so: finishing up Baz's halloween costume & a trip to the pumpkin patch. SO much fun to be had. It really is hard to stay present... but I'm working on it. <div><br />
</div><div><b><i>I'm thankful for movement, change, excitement & the onset of the holidays. </i></b></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-21423244814860044552011-10-19T11:33:00.000-07:002011-10-19T11:33:46.652-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 14!Well, thank goodness I'm making up my own rules about this 30 days thing. I never did specify whether or not these gratitude days would be consecutive. There is a big old heapin' pile o' schtuff on my plate currently & I am just being gentle with myself. It's not that I have nothing to be grateful for... quite the contrary, in fact.<br />
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In the spirit of keeping this thing rolling at a time when I am not quite ready to share some of what is on my plate, I've compiled a list of fab internet links themed around what I've been discovering & working through lately. <br />
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Hey <u>you</u>: <a href="http://findyoursparkle.ca/">SPARKLE</a>!<br />
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When we <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53856294/shine-5x7-fine-art-print?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_query=shine&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_category=art&ga_page=5&ga_facet=">shine</a>, we <a href="http://www.rootsofshe.com/2011/10/bring-light-to-the-darkness.html">bring light to the darkness</a>.<br />
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When we pull ourselves out of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEFhFNP_tWg">drama</a>, our own or collective, we cannot ignore the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qX7ZsxD3Ik">beauty in the world</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Thanks to Jen for introducing me to this song!)</span>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kindovermatter.com/2011/10/sacredness-of-anger.html">It's okay to be angry</a>. Honor <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LHIYEf7nro">your experience</a>.<br />
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Claim & <a href="http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com/2011/09/26/learning-to-take-up-the-space-you-deserve/">own your power</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://dearmusketeer.blogspot.com/2010/10/be-brave.html">BE BRAVE</a> & remember that you are <a href="http://www.tut.com/resources/notes/">not alone</a>.<br />
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It begins with <a href="http://quotingeccentricity.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/you-are-beautiful/">y</a> <a href="http://www.rootsofshe.com/2011/06/you-can-let-your-true-self-out.html">o</a> <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/12252828">u</a> & <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQfnAwFG6Jw">me</a>.<br />
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<b><i>I'm so grateful for insights and upliftment, purity & truth & you. </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-90512332846754187332011-10-13T23:37:00.000-07:002011-10-13T23:37:21.101-07:0030 days of Gratitude: day 13!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Autumn rushed in with its fair share of rain & I realized that if I didn't motivate and get those little tomato beauties off of the bush they would all pop & sacrifice themselves back to the earth to be reborn next year. Hence the glorious harvest below: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5YzO-YLOS8LNsw2oRNQgkphjffbd9qARUwXEpxaJvnXtcxuoNcy4BPQHhPb3VchCv7El4yZnVam6hK4sWZy28dwScvohgSkrcMJwbAvpOMERMcrbtBgKX0M22CwBI3D5euTEK7Q-zT4/s1600/baz%2526tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5YzO-YLOS8LNsw2oRNQgkphjffbd9qARUwXEpxaJvnXtcxuoNcy4BPQHhPb3VchCv7El4yZnVam6hK4sWZy28dwScvohgSkrcMJwbAvpOMERMcrbtBgKX0M22CwBI3D5euTEK7Q-zT4/s320/baz%2526tomatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Our sunroom has temporarily been transformed into greenhouse/ripening room. The sunflowers have been hung to dry. The beautiful <a href="http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5084059">cat faced orb weaver spider</a> that lived all summer long in the largest flower was gently rehoused. The tomato cages have been stacked away in the shed until Spring. More work ahead. Plants will be yanked up tomorrow and fallen tomatoes will be worked into the ground. Zucchini & cucumber plants are done working their magic and will be evicted from the garden, as well. Cherry tomatoes will be made into a cold salad with the end of season cucumbers... and those green guys? They'll be sauce once they gain their color. Perhaps this will be the year that I finally dare to try friend green tomatoes. Oh, yes! I'm thinking fried green tomato party! We eat them while we watch the movie?<br />
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Baz is completely enamored with the sheer bounty that we manifested. He talked his stuffed monkey through the harvesting process and cautioned him to be gentle with and try his hardest not to disturb the tomatoes while they "get ready to eat". He exclaimed at one point, "Oh, mama. They are SO beautiful! I love them so much!" He even picked a favorite ("It's so lovely & fat!"):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-JmY5AAzRLQd6zsJelR8n02CjzSdZ1-LLGhAyk-ouDHuns6tMFYZsdxQ9oliC7gwu4UaLCQRNFUyp4tI7ADQvI79cFAkFC5B5gWpvY1u7mD3dPE4qCo-Zxc2dqg3raJyCqRy7Q7cG0Y/s1600/Baz%2527sfavetomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-JmY5AAzRLQd6zsJelR8n02CjzSdZ1-LLGhAyk-ouDHuns6tMFYZsdxQ9oliC7gwu4UaLCQRNFUyp4tI7ADQvI79cFAkFC5B5gWpvY1u7mD3dPE4qCo-Zxc2dqg3raJyCqRy7Q7cG0Y/s320/Baz%2527sfavetomato.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><i>Grateful hardly begins to cover this one. A blessed harvest, touching & being touched by nature, gifting my little guy with a childhood filled with gardening & finding my center through the process... again & again & again. </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-32010546732036557422011-10-13T00:45:00.000-07:002011-10-13T00:52:00.001-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 12!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">La Luna. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She educes a howl from source.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Outside, under her spell, my body ingests her luminous glow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quenched. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Satiated. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Restored.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC2iEZsoKrFStkVKcp9_UrYrAImoBZWUmgSfsel1Ibt6y-3YJgGHhtBF-LrZPSs8DAqLOYjbCc0iR-E0F9Li7b0DOQ321fzEzkNHd4azgP24qvMHEX_l5PYcdb2C8yWXhyphenhyphenMLDdld3mCU/s1600/mooooon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC2iEZsoKrFStkVKcp9_UrYrAImoBZWUmgSfsel1Ibt6y-3YJgGHhtBF-LrZPSs8DAqLOYjbCc0iR-E0F9Li7b0DOQ321fzEzkNHd4azgP24qvMHEX_l5PYcdb2C8yWXhyphenhyphenMLDdld3mCU/s400/mooooon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<b><i>I'm so thankful for Mama Nature's reminders. Seeing the night sky filled with light challenges me to find that light within myself... especially when it seems almost impossible to locate. Dreams are clearer; stronger. Intuition is high. The thinning of the veil is imminent. Do you feel it, too? </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-11680845108871463052011-10-12T22:56:00.000-07:002011-10-12T22:56:24.491-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 11!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Goddess night. Every other Tuesday. A little slice of heaven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We chat, we conspire for good, we snack, we share, we open, we are healed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEaEfZB4m7NwLAZwikqdoiHl1Sn-yEQt_yySks-hFJ5V1_1ld1EmEyCzmfZkpJUIzmKFg20jyf6-oZxFUVSr6utO2PZMCIQhWojLRj95MbzoEzmAc3jNJ2gvjmrOnBPaCyw1jjiFTdcA/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEaEfZB4m7NwLAZwikqdoiHl1Sn-yEQt_yySks-hFJ5V1_1ld1EmEyCzmfZkpJUIzmKFg20jyf6-oZxFUVSr6utO2PZMCIQhWojLRj95MbzoEzmAc3jNJ2gvjmrOnBPaCyw1jjiFTdcA/s320/photo-11.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<b><i>I am heart-swellingly grateful for the Goddesses. You ladies inspire me & nudge me outside of that comfort zone that I have a hard time getting out of on my own. Sisterhood is so divine. Bless your hearts. Looking so forward to growing our little group into an abundant community of wild women, and reveling in the sweetness that is 'just us' in this moment. </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-82025229187772723292011-10-10T10:57:00.000-07:002011-10-10T10:57:44.291-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 10!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You'll notice a gap in posts... I just couldn't bring myself to post the past few days. Yesterday was spent entirely in a pile of feather pillows & blankets on the folded out futon in the living room in an effort to be gentle with myself. Bursts of tears kept creeping up on me and I would find myself in a mess of a state, crumpled up & mumbling unintelligibles. Why? I have no idea. At one point, Ben was hugging me and asking what was the matter and the tears turned on and I blurted rather pathetically that I could not find the tv remote. Then we both laughed at the silliness of the situation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, truthfully, I have some idea. There is a whole lot on our plate & I've been feeling like I am not engaging Sebastian enough. It's rainy & we have stopped exploring outside. I know that going to a playgroup would be good for both of us, but I just have not been able to muster up the energy/courage/effort to make it happen. When I do go out, I am constantly worried that Baz is too much for people to take (and he is extra excited to be out since we have been cooped up lately). I feel sad, unsupported, judged *and* I know that mostly those are just my feelings that are most likely based in worry and fear and irrationality. Feelings are strong, though. And so I am in melt down and rebuild mode. It's all temporary, of course. I'll be picking myself up and dusting myself off. Soon we will be out dancing in the rain again, jumping in puddles, making friends; etc. My cousin is coming in a few weeks to spend some time with us through Thanksgiving. REALLY looking forward to that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning I came across <a href="http://www.goddessguidebook.com/the-goddess-with-post-natal-depression/">this</a>. Thankfully, gratefully, the happy tears began to emerge. Finally! Someone is talking about how hard it is, this journey and initiation into motherhood. It will seem silly to some, surely, but I am still wrestling so much with my untreated postpartum experience. Yes. My son is almost 4. Daily struggles that are simple for many are world stopping for me. An impending drive to the store is sometimes too much. I've been meditating, singing kirtan, dreaming myself into healing and I am just exhausted knowing that there is so much work still to do to get to "okay". And maybe things are okay. Maybe this is my new life. Maybe I am just too hard on myself. Even the maybes get me down. I've been living in my head too much and stuffing my emotions; covering up my heart stuff under the rationale that perhaps if I am meditating and not crying it out I will be or at least seem somehow "normal". What the hell is normal? Why do I care what normal is? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a whole lot to dump at once, but I need to get it out... so thank you. Thank you for reading this and being witness to my "normal". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ben brought home flowers this week. Spontaneously. Such a simple gesture that has worked great wonders for my soul. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf8g4YgSEjaV2cx_Tr9UIKQ5B8eQFrgRg-YKbPr6xuRbOBW-ohhHjlFxZRCCLnT0R-TNSBtsAOsOUL80CYAD2iN4LtiQu6nn_dn8tKlfTjE0dVNWrmMCClp7845utg3yIS2EsNquz9nA/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf8g4YgSEjaV2cx_Tr9UIKQ5B8eQFrgRg-YKbPr6xuRbOBW-ohhHjlFxZRCCLnT0R-TNSBtsAOsOUL80CYAD2iN4LtiQu6nn_dn8tKlfTjE0dVNWrmMCClp7845utg3yIS2EsNquz9nA/s320/photo-10.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>I'm grateful for my life; for being mama. I'm grateful for my triumphs and struggles, even when it seems that the latter is dominating. I give gratitude for cocooning time. I'm thankful for the bootie dances of Baz that pull me out of my darkness and make me laugh uncontrollably. And I am thankful for the simple, quiet support that my husband generously gives. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-76564481281681284132011-10-07T12:17:00.000-07:002011-10-07T12:18:31.224-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 9!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picked up our CSA at the farm, visited the farm stand for fresh potato donuts, scored some fall threads at the local thrift store, consumed one very delicious tiny pumpkin latte, ate that veggie burrito that I've been craving & attended our good friend Corie's high school volleyball game. A very, very good day. Here are the girls in action: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipT_q0WEj8FeHuvEB3ok0FD-WW4TK8nCKYqcq1qsIRQKuACYigwAhivH6LouTf2HQCwaqgbxJJJyVdvsDaw1sgQcv81TpnUGBEeI8QQT88F76SeCP9SRy_rE-Jmei-tU5_0TCatLUyO-w/s1600/photo-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipT_q0WEj8FeHuvEB3ok0FD-WW4TK8nCKYqcq1qsIRQKuACYigwAhivH6LouTf2HQCwaqgbxJJJyVdvsDaw1sgQcv81TpnUGBEeI8QQT88F76SeCP9SRy_rE-Jmei-tU5_0TCatLUyO-w/s320/photo-9.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
They switched things up a bit and wore pink instead of their school colors (orange/black/white) & collected donations for breast cancer research. Awesome.<br />
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Ended the day catching up a bit with my sweet friends, took a dip in their hot tub (Thank you!!) and enjoyed a glass of wine before bed. Talk about refreshing sleep. :)T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-16817299021366896742011-10-05T23:18:00.000-07:002011-10-05T23:18:59.366-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 8!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another perk of Autumn? Fire in the hearth! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iVB43z9k1p4OVlid2aMI5MHjk6PIkfBgN2Qw1hOT2xu_tbyT3FmDgAy_MIbCqpdmal8L6L-rAvLrLu5Bxrysb0ROPhdXoGQwevGQbkmpaqK3KN9Os5q-K5xEXc-bu4u0GT2D6C8itrE/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iVB43z9k1p4OVlid2aMI5MHjk6PIkfBgN2Qw1hOT2xu_tbyT3FmDgAy_MIbCqpdmal8L6L-rAvLrLu5Bxrysb0ROPhdXoGQwevGQbkmpaqK3KN9Os5q-K5xEXc-bu4u0GT2D6C8itrE/s320/photo-8.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<b><i>Tremendously thankful for this place which we gravitate to each eve to connect with one another (and, of course, to warm ourselves). </i></b>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-8654550226026470392011-10-04T11:10:00.000-07:002011-10-04T11:10:39.894-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 7!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I awoke to a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">n</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">w</span> on the altar this morning! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taking this as a reminder to explore the relationship between stillness & beauty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiaZPzODOresGJa_N01UQuWZQomUhAJtcw171OfJaqgUHNwAeQE0VeHMCR66mqHOW6w7_lDjfmUpseBpW5vJ0HuEdXZZEzGex_KAfkSD6W7N4muM-v087xwbDkt9kWKkWjdZGPzrjT9g/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiaZPzODOresGJa_N01UQuWZQomUhAJtcw171OfJaqgUHNwAeQE0VeHMCR66mqHOW6w7_lDjfmUpseBpW5vJ0HuEdXZZEzGex_KAfkSD6W7N4muM-v087xwbDkt9kWKkWjdZGPzrjT9g/s400/photo-7.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the 3rd day of <a href="http://www.spiritvoyage.com/GlobalSadhana/BeinFlowWithYourHighestWisdom">global sadhana</a>, a 40 day meditation leading up to the shift into the age of Aquarius on 11/11/11. It's my first serious venture into any kind of meditation practice, and I find it interesting what has been coming up for me. I have learned that it is not a good idea (for me) to meditate just before bed as I doze off and trance out. Morning practice is nice, but I really enjoy waking up to 45 minutes of kirtan. Putting the meditation & kirtan together brings the practice to an hour... and that is much too much alone time in one sitting to ask for when one has a spirited 3 year old just itching to be a part of everything. 15 minutes alone, I can do. So, thinking of including Baz in the morning kirtan practice. He knows many of the chants already and just loves to sing. It's a sweet way to begin the day and such precious bonding time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>I am filled with gratitude for this abundant life that affords me the ability to arise daily with presence & to model a healthy daily rhythm for my child. </i></b></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-69495718388169229382011-10-03T14:09:00.000-07:002011-10-03T14:09:39.290-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 6!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A walk in the rain & playtime in puddles. SO fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fcq-wBuRVIJUXIJBhBYYkqeBYDe1TYKirc6LS9aXl-jcRcONlRAbee9tXvmBqol5_56OP4Jh7efkmej_fh-qn7kO1kz6SNszxuAdVRxtTNPvAHvbbj6SS9sgKYw33UBE2WjafgbFU0M/s1600/photo-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fcq-wBuRVIJUXIJBhBYYkqeBYDe1TYKirc6LS9aXl-jcRcONlRAbee9tXvmBqol5_56OP4Jh7efkmej_fh-qn7kO1kz6SNszxuAdVRxtTNPvAHvbbj6SS9sgKYw33UBE2WjafgbFU0M/s320/photo-6.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Incredibly grateful for walks with my boy and reminders to play & have fun in the simplest of activities. </i></b></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-31657333842550422292011-10-02T12:05:00.000-07:002011-10-02T12:05:29.547-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 5!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my many current meditations: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">"I hold the power to shape my child's health destiny." </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm taking it seriously... & thank the funny lords that I am not met with resistance. In fact, the kidlet makes pretty amazing requests for snacks & meals. For example: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIain9HMPRd57E3VC51VbOm3rDbKalhRigZI8-w-b8xC9Qck6aK_Sc1YX9PDDy9JbKXDqK-UELTJhNs4_32zxp8HRNEOxhyphenhyphenq9807XzbgdtZl4HBNwLGhyjL4BMGELgy8EDHyU4iYfA_Vs/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIain9HMPRd57E3VC51VbOm3rDbKalhRigZI8-w-b8xC9Qck6aK_Sc1YX9PDDy9JbKXDqK-UELTJhNs4_32zxp8HRNEOxhyphenhyphenq9807XzbgdtZl4HBNwLGhyjL4BMGELgy8EDHyU4iYfA_Vs/s320/photo-5.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
"Mama, may I have some crackers with cheese? Maybe some avocado and tomatoes? Pleeeeease?" Who could say no to that?! And for the record: total fan of both goat cheese and green tomatoes. He's nutritionally way ahead of where I was at around that age. I didn't willingly eat a tomato until I was 20 years old. He's teaching me about healthy choices just as much as I am teaching him. Honestly, he is surely teaching me more.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I raise up BIG thanks and gratitude for my healthy child & the choices that we make to ensure that his little body is growing & thriving. </i></b></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-75331534832328316252011-10-02T00:59:00.000-07:002011-10-02T01:00:15.090-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 4!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First heavy rain of the season (& first fire in the hearth!), rainy day cuddles with my little guy, breaking raw cleanse with popcorn (totally worth it!), confirmation that I am down 11 lbs (!!!), play time with my fat cat...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">& a midnight request granted:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "BenBen, a riverdance before bed?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqm-lr4fFcl1xlu-DQyrGl1nLOLT9vK2KteeBsNv9kPlgiiiJlFBnfak00P0iZNO7xzgO6SKNO8EJpdEKXG6KTGhtyoc_alvBK1Vi44JH7e3rnNiJe3qK8DQZ_x9BGCNprgwBB69-cvY/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqm-lr4fFcl1xlu-DQyrGl1nLOLT9vK2KteeBsNv9kPlgiiiJlFBnfak00P0iZNO7xzgO6SKNO8EJpdEKXG6KTGhtyoc_alvBK1Vi44JH7e3rnNiJe3qK8DQZ_x9BGCNprgwBB69-cvY/s320/photo-4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Promptly followed by a charlie horse. Bwahaha. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwUD6okQBBi5vCd4YIgl3mxLqQXLzZ2bocnDtXt6AwS5eYcLhiE5qLUzkNQDZ_Bax9ol4oiK5IrZc2QQWoBDz7QnLgx5dod6ZsYlH6Sw5WU6g121CFVnlykoJ8InTy5kd9b-wdLZwvd0/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwUD6okQBBi5vCd4YIgl3mxLqQXLzZ2bocnDtXt6AwS5eYcLhiE5qLUzkNQDZ_Bax9ol4oiK5IrZc2QQWoBDz7QnLgx5dod6ZsYlH6Sw5WU6g121CFVnlykoJ8InTy5kd9b-wdLZwvd0/s320/photo-3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
...and then more dancing, another charlie horse, more dancing, *another* charlie horse...<br />
You get the idea.<br />
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I cherish the spontaneous spirit of my ridiculously hilarious husband. I could make a list of all the ways he makes my heart go pitter pat, and you can bet that making me laugh would be right up on top.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>So grateful for my sweetheart. </i></b></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-58520274024125994822011-09-30T21:11:00.000-07:002011-10-01T10:53:02.417-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've been rising earlier. Yes, the whole family! So many benefits have become obvious... How have we been sleeping away such precious time together? We hop out of bed, get the hot water going, Ben makes his coffee, I make my tea, Baz eats his fruit or yogurt and we all meet out on the back deck for a chat while we watch the sun sparkle through the tree canopy. I listen to my favorite <a href="http://newworldkirtan.com/">kirtan podcast</a>, sing along & dance around like a buffoon much to Ben's embarrasment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning we met up by the tomatoes and marveled at the abundant harvest that seems so late to us. Still getting used to Oregon cycles and how they differ from Utah and California cycles. Loving every moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K2xQ-JU78fkAIMlOaL9RZi3ah6dSjal-bIlh-jwZ0Z0wWeT1Il2LtpL2oMaYXUOb4Ao4ML1lPvgpyb6DLb6GbWQtM18LpdZMjJpF-r5uAuSX7hNRJWdreNO0HCyURur2Y8-QgxMeHzc/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K2xQ-JU78fkAIMlOaL9RZi3ah6dSjal-bIlh-jwZ0Z0wWeT1Il2LtpL2oMaYXUOb4Ao4ML1lPvgpyb6DLb6GbWQtM18LpdZMjJpF-r5uAuSX7hNRJWdreNO0HCyURur2Y8-QgxMeHzc/s400/photo-2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>My entire being is shining with gratefulness for these morning moments with my sweet little family, for the sunshine which we realize is all too fleeting & for the blessing of beginning each day with such <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">light </span>&<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;"> love</span>. </b></i></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-70572867297417180872011-09-29T09:48:00.000-07:002011-09-29T09:48:45.127-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 2!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>I am so grateful for the </i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">a</span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">n</span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">b</span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b4a7d6;">w</span></i></b><b><i> in my refrigerator! </i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeB6YYEV_0RhIu-C5Xd4tLffxYJNg0Y2GwvTFcsYV8AFiCTEj5btWU6O0Eq8KRBcpGA7guPW-3kEuG0xfU5SHwOh3c9ecr8B0_IdYF8a39ltK5wofoITmLS_sCtrEoO0kLrT6gIgWGQ8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeB6YYEV_0RhIu-C5Xd4tLffxYJNg0Y2GwvTFcsYV8AFiCTEj5btWU6O0Eq8KRBcpGA7guPW-3kEuG0xfU5SHwOh3c9ecr8B0_IdYF8a39ltK5wofoITmLS_sCtrEoO0kLrT6gIgWGQ8/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
When I opened my refrigerator this morning, I was struck motionless. I stopped and stared at the rainbow of produce beaming at me. I am truly grateful for the abundant cornucopia of fresh, live food that feeds the bodies in & that visit my household. A perfect time for a raw/veg/fruit/green smoothie cleanse? Yes. The night before last, I committed to this 3 day cleanse with two of my goddess sisters. We're thinking of making this a permanent monthly cleanse around the new moon (perhaps the full moon, as well?). This is the first run, however, so talk to us about further commitment when we're through it. ;)T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-17939556397097331752011-09-28T09:49:00.000-07:002011-09-29T09:55:53.614-07:0030 days of Gratitude: Day 1!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just dipping my toes back into the blogging world & adding a splash of color to the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROc9zbcM0Ko37KSZyTgOvKVvR-HJ6NR1p7_cL2LR4yMjDW101IqcM1oHDAuBdaRxzGzEQN8YyQSet1VBJxIVJCuomQdJgixAh64z-yCJ18lSxDZVKq_2JJbPUld0qUbVsiYOtTZTUdJQ/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROc9zbcM0Ko37KSZyTgOvKVvR-HJ6NR1p7_cL2LR4yMjDW101IqcM1oHDAuBdaRxzGzEQN8YyQSet1VBJxIVJCuomQdJgixAh64z-yCJ18lSxDZVKq_2JJbPUld0qUbVsiYOtTZTUdJQ/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been awol too long. This space is beckoning to me... So many changes occurring and I am not yet ready to share deeply. Summertime brought so much food for thought and I have been chewing on that content for months. As we slip into Autumn, I find myself excited to get outside, to play in the leaves, to defeat the neighborhood hill on a daily basis, to circle together with sister friends, to prepare soups and salads and green smoothies and to feed my community. Fall is truly the season in which I blossom and flourish. How is it that it is a surprise every year? I think I am wired funny... Summer is when I experience SAD. ;) Autumn is all about happy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I wish you an enchanting gratitude season. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmmm... feeling inspired to share my gratitude this season. 30 days of Gratitude? Yes. Just what the doc ordered. I'm not one to really wade in the shallow waters, so I guess I may as well dive in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><i>I am so grateful for my sweet little boy. For his smiles & laughter & natural joy. He inspires me to remember my inner child & divine light and to laugh every day... and he makes my heart swell (to almost bursting) with love. Thank you, Sebastian Fox, for adding so much color to my world. </i></span></b></span></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6487097381394126227.post-75893571491209009672011-07-31T11:46:00.000-07:002011-08-02T16:38:06.689-07:00The Yums: Blueberry Magic Muffins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVARU5hg1k8EJBVAq2dB0fy8pZW06T9p3LYENQY16wdon-93VxskebB0NcSOU6y96tCVn47AFpJo0UxOgCWo_Df2SBYN2uZlIjPcpdvbdgOHTAiojyLpL8mYXz5wJ6bjKr7yoB0thIetc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVARU5hg1k8EJBVAq2dB0fy8pZW06T9p3LYENQY16wdon-93VxskebB0NcSOU6y96tCVn47AFpJo0UxOgCWo_Df2SBYN2uZlIjPcpdvbdgOHTAiojyLpL8mYXz5wJ6bjKr7yoB0thIetc/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Muffin batter: </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">1/2 Cup butter, softened</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">3/4 Cup turbinado sugar</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2 eggs</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">1 tsp vanilla</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2 Cups unbleached AP flour</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2 tsp baking powder</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">1/2 tsp sea salt</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">1 Cup almond milk</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2-3 Cups blueberries (the more the merrier, right?)</span></span></span></div><div class="ingredients" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Struesel: </span></span></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2 TBSP all-purpose flour</span></span></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2 TBSP brown sugar</span></span></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2 TBSP turbinado sugar</span></span></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">1/4 tsp cinnamon</span></span></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">2 TBSP butter, chilled</span></span></span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">In a large mixing bowl, mix together sugar, flour, baking powder & sea salt. In another bowl, cream together butter, eggs, vanilla & almond milk. Add wet mixture to dry and stir until smooth. Gently fold fat blueberries into your mixture and set aside. In a clean bowl, add struesel ingredients and mash together until well mixed. Grease muffin tins with butter and fill with muffin batter. Pull struesel apart into tiny bits and sprinkle across the top of each uncooked muffin. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. These beauties are very crumbly when warm and soft, but stable when cool. Enjoy with butter, honey or as is! Honestly, these are sweet enough for skipping the honey. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Also, the above photo does not do these babies justice. They are truly scrumptious! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><div class="recipe-details-lg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;"><a class="nutritionanchor" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6487097381394126227&postID=7589357149120900967&from=pencil" name="nutritionpanel" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"></a><br />
<div class="nutri-div nutrition" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px; width: 500px;"></div></div></span></span></div><ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li></li>
</ul></div>T. Shaktihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17007048158614811690noreply@blogger.com0