Push me–Pull me

I need to get up and go to yoga class,

(it snowed here today…not a lot, but it’s really cold

…..20 degrees as I type)

but part of me wants to stay home and snuggle in……

ever feel that way?!

Inspiration

Just a few pictures from my “INSPIRATION” board

on Pinterest

and what I find inspiring about them.

This pictures of paint brushes inspires me to

want to get out

my art journaling book that I’ve abandoned

for quite some time.

This little patchwork horse makes me think

it would be awesome as a rug,

or a jumping off point to hook some sort of animal

in a bright patchwork style with

a softer watercolor-y looking background.

There is a tutorial HERE for how to make these

snappy rain boots for cheap….

makes me want to get cuted up

and splash in puddles this spring!

This nubby, scrubby pillow makes me wonder what fibers

I could use and achieve this look in rug hooking.

I love it’s earthy, organic look!

Another rug inspiration jumping off point….stark-dark

angular shapes played against

beautiful girly colors….

love that

contrast!

If I ever get out my art journaling stuff,

I love the idea of writing about

myself in the shape of a fingerprint.

Would I get more done if my “to-do” list

looked more fun like this one does?

Hounds looking as chic as I know they really are!

Once I clear all the “junk and clutter”

out of the rug hooking room,

I think this would be way fun.

I already have a chalkboard door….

but a whole wall…..WOW!

Color for color’s sake!

Color

5 questions

I picked these up over at Of Petals and Wool and thought I’d play along.

1.What's your favorite kind of tree?

Hmmm, have never really given this much thought, but I do love a birch tree…..that peeling white bark….pretty in spring and ghostly in the fall. We have a birch in our front yard.

If you want to know about the Celtic symbolism of the birch tree read this from What’s Your Sign…..

The Celtic meaning of the birch tree deals with:

• Growth
• Renewal
• Stability
• Initiation
• Adaptability

Listen closely and you will detect whispers of transformation and growth in the midst of the birch groves within your soul.

The birch is highly adaptive and able to sustain harsh conditions with casual indifference. Proof of this adaptability is seen in its easy and eager ability to repopulate areas damaged by forest fires or clearings. Bright and beautiful, the birch is a pioneer, courageously taking root and starting anew to revive the landscape where no other would before.

This is a powerful metaphor for our lives. The birch asks us to philosophically go where no other will go (voluntarily or otherwise). The birch asks us to take root in new soils and light our lives with the majesty of our very presence. The birch sings to us: "Shine, take hold, express your creative expanse, light the way so that others may follow."

Paradoxically, while the birch is a brilliant symbol of renewal, it is also symbolic of stability and structure. The druids also held the birch as the keepers of long-honored traditions.

Associated with the sun, the birch is a solar emblem, and facilitates passion, energy, as well as growth. This solar association is paralleled when we learn the druids carried birch bark with them as kindling. Birch serves as a perfect igniter as it will start to burn even when damp. This makes it a prized fire starter over most other wood types.

Here again, this makes for a perfect analogy. The birch asks us to serve our fellow man with a fire in our hearts. In this respect, the birch reminds us that even if our spirits are dampened by the set backs in life, we can always catch fire from the spark of passions that drive us to divinity.

2. How did you celebrate the New Year?

New Year’s eve, we stayed in and had steak and potatoes and watched movies. My husband was asleep before midnight, but I woke him up to give him a New Year’s Eve kiss anyway!

3. Do you have any family traditions for the New Year?

no

4. I'm so glad I (fill in the blank) found yoga in 2011.

5. Did you have a nickname as a child?

Yes, still do. Tambo

Self Portrait

I’ve hooked and hooked on the big rug the past 2 days…..

I’ve got a lot accomplished but still a lot to go…….

My favorite part of this rug design is that no matter how you look at it,

it makes sense…..upside down,

right side up….

I am part of the rug, the rug is part of me…..

Pulling up the loops, one by one, is a meditation..

Hooking let’s you leave yourself, yet come back to yourself.

Happy New Year

 

Wishing you PEACE

LOVE

ABUNDANCE

Resolutions / Schmezolutions

Do you love Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin as much as I do?!

Here are their New Year’s resolutions…..

As for me, I'm not good with resolutions.....

as soon as I make them I start to feel hemmed in.....

I don't like people telling me what to do...

not even myself....

as soon as I feel like I HAVE to do something, it makes me hate it....

even if it's something good and something I would probably enjoy....

And what about tonight?

New Year's Eve.....

the pressure....

the pressure to have fun....

go out with a bang....

 

I have had a few memorable New Year's Eves..... the one that sticks out the most was when I was 20 and dating Kenny (my now husband).  It was cold and icy outside and I had on the cutest pale pink leather mini skirt and a pale pink sweater with some sort of sparkly design on it…oh yes, and pale pink leather heels….we went out to eat somewhere fancy with a few other couples and then went to the University Plaza for a New Year’s Eve party.

I was only 20 and you were supposed to be 21, so I’m not sure exactly how I got in, but I did…..

It was fun, we were dancing and drinking and living it up and then the power went out….no lights, no music, but they did light candles all around…..very memorable.

I think that tonight we are staying home….I’m cooking steaks, crack potatoes, grilled Romaine hearts and some molten lava cakes…..then a couple of movies….

This one looks like a chick flick….so I picked it out for me….

 

This one looks like something Kenny will enjoy….

However you spend YOUR New Year’s Eve…..stay safe!

Romo has a home

Yes, it’s a good week for the dogs! Little Romo has found a forever home….what a great way for him to end the year!

Keep your fingers crossed…..

…..Shannon just might be finding a forever home!

I clicked on her picture yesterday and it says she is “on hold”….I hope this is a good sign!

She’s been on my sidebar for several months now.

Perhaps she will get a forever home for the new year!

Self-indulgence and re-charging

Took a little time today to head up to Barnes and Noble…..

enjoyed some spinach artichoke quiche, chips and iced tea

and a BIG stack of magazines and books……ahhhhh!

Yes, you guessed it….

I know you’re going to find this surprising, but I’ve been in the glitter again!

This time I’ve been glittering some Christmas cards……

Start with a regular, cute Christmas card…..

Brush on a little glue or Mod Podge , where you want the glitter to be….

Sprinkle on glitter…..

Give it time to dry and then shake off the excess….

Voila!

This is just ONE of the reasons that I gave up teaching rug hooking

and dyeing wool for sale on eBay and locally….now I also have time

to do things that bring “Joy to my World”……like THIS!

Hope you are making time in your holiday season to bring

a little joy to your own world!

A bit more glitter

Today I’m finishing up my Christmas shopping, wrapping and all that.

Here are a few pictures of the front room……

The pinecones are all hand-glittered by Kenny.

Most of the packages are wrapped.

A few more deer in our collection….

I think the deer have been an accidental collection over the years, I looked up the symbolism of them this morning and here is what I found….quite beautiful actually!

Deer, Power Animal, Symbol of Gentleness, Unconditional Love and Kindness
By Ina Woolcott

Deer's medicine includes gentleness in word, thought and touch. The ability to listen, grace and appreciation for the beauty of balance. Understanding of what's necessary for survival, power of gratitude and giving, ability to sacrifice for the higher good, connection to the woodland goddess, alternative paths to a goal .
In the Celtic tradition, there are two aspects of deer - female and male. The Hind (the red female deer), called Eilid in the Gaelic language, symbolizes femininity, subtlety and gracefulness. The Hind is believed to call to us from the Faery realm, tempting us to release the material trappings of so-called 'civilization', to go deep into the forest of magic, to explore our own magical and spiritual nature. The topic gentleness is part of this tradition. Many stories tell of Hinds changing into women, often goddesses, to protect does from being hunted. The lesson to be gleaned here is that when we explore magic and spirituality, it must be with good intention, to harm no living being, but to enter the realm of the wild things in the spirit of love and communion. The Stag, Damh in the Gaelic tongue, is also linked to the sacredness of the magical forest. The Damh represents independence, purification, and pride. It is known as the King of the Forest, the protector of its creatures. For time immemorial people have sought to identify with the stag by ceremonially wearing antlered headdresses and imitating the deer's leaping grace.
Both Celtic and Native American hunters prayed to the deer to give them a good hunt, and in return promised to take no more than was essential for the survival of the tribe. This helps remind us that our spirit of gentleness and unconditional love should extend to all species, not only our own.
Maybe the most effective way to summarize the lessons of these beliefs, is to say that only when we move through life in the spirit of love for all beings can we melt the barriers that separate us from others, from other life forms, and from the beautiful mystery which is our own magical and spiritual gift.
By observing the ways in which deer behave, it is possible to see what amazing qualities - or powers - they possess. From the deer we can learn that the gift of gentleness and caring can help us overcome and put aside many testing situations. Only love, both for ourselves and for others, helps us understand the true meaning of wholeness.
If a deer crosses your path, this may show you that you are a very compassionate, gentle and loving person. If you don't have these qualities, then consider if you have a problem that needs addressing. Are you facing a challenge in your life, whether with a fellow human being or a delicate situation? If you are feeling negative emotions such as anger, try letting go. Think about whether a gentler and more loving approach can sort the issue out. It may be necessary to speak the truth, this is best done with kindness and from the heart, this will generally give a better result.
Deer teaches us how powerful it is to be of gentle demeanor, to exert keen observation and sensitivity. Deer's are in tune with nature and all it comprises. They are sacred carriers of peace and show those with this power animal how to open their hearts and love unconditionally.
Frequently twins or even triplets are born in the spring. Females and males reside in separate groups until the mating season. White-tailed deer are rather sociable, and family members forage food together along with other family groups, which gives the appearance of a large herd. Fawns are born a color that protects them, camouflaging them from a predator’s sight. In the first few days of their life they hardly move, until their energy field is strong and grounded. They then stand up and begin to follow their mother around. A magical sight to behold is fawns coming out of forests, following their tenderly protective mothers. Even when grazing, the mothers are constantly watchful, fully aware and alert of what is going on all around them. They travel through forest and field with deliberateness and clarity, mindful of the fragile creature they nurture and protect. There is a powerful lesson to be learned here by us. Though we are born with an inborn ability to be unconditionally loving, often we are born to parents whose life experiences have taught them to become hard, and to lose that ability to experience and give unconditional love. Watching the deer and her babies is a reminder to honor and respect the child-like innocence within your self and go about your life with gentleness and an open heart. You should also stand strong on your path, in your beliefs, and not allow yourself to get distracted by outside influences.
Deer has entered your life to help you walk the path of love with full consciousness and awareness, to know that love sometimes requires caring and protection, not only in how we love others, but also in how we love ourselves.
A deer's senses are very acute and they see extremely well in low light, giving them the ability to understand the deeper symbolic meanings of things. They can hear a twig snap a very long way off. People with this power animal are often described as being swift and alert. They are intuitive, often seeming to possess well developed, even extrasensory perceptions. Sometimes their thoughts seem to race ahead, and they appear not to be listening, to be somewhere else. Anyone with power animal has latent clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities. They can see between the shadows, detect subtle movements and hear that which is not being uttered. Ask the deer to help you develop these true gifts.
The set of antlers grown by the male deer are antennae that connect it to higher energies. If you come across a deer in the wild, try to count the number of points on their antlers. This number is associated with numerology and can carry great significance for those with this power animal.
Deer teaches us to be gentle, to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are in our lives. Don't push people to change, rather gently nudge them in right direction, with the love that comes from deer. Love and accept people as they are. The balance of true power lays in love and compassion.
When a Deer totem enters your world, a new innocence and freshness in about to be awakened. New adventures are just around the corner and there will be an opportunity to express the gentle love that will open new doors for you.