A Little River Time

I saw this book at my friend Jolene's house and knew I had to have it.  Combining zentangle like drawings and mandalas, its perfect for me.  There is some good instructions on creating patterns, designing mandalas and even a complex labyrinth.  I can't wait to try some of the techniques in here.

I needed some river therapy on Monday so I headed out for a walk on the Snake River. If I lived on the coast I'd be on the ocean but since I am not I settled for the river.  There is something about water that feeds my soul.

It was very cold out, so I bundled up and enjoyed being out in nature.  It was just what I needed.




Yesterday this little guy hit one our windows and was stunned.  So I picked him up.

I went into the house for my phone to take a few close up pictures. I could feel his little heart beat away. He was still a little out of it and not scared.

Back outside I tried to put him on a branch.  He could cling but then fell over.  Then I found a bush to put him under, hoping he'd be safe from cats.  He ended up flying away after a little bit of recovery time.

I had to head out to a Dr. appointment. while in the waiting room, I drew the pictures on my phone and created a nice little page. Being an artist is pretty cool when you can record events like this.

Kate

FOR TODAY


Outside my window... the sun is shining and it is one of those cool fall days where I love to take walks and feel my feet crunch upon all the leaves. Fall is such a special season.

I am thinking that I have way too many irons in the fire as they say and something is going to have to be let go. In November I will be blogging less or maybe have shorter posts.

I am thankful for all the opportunities in my life and all the wonderful people I have met this year.

In the kitchen Dave is making a butternut squash pie, the smell of it permeates the house.

I am wearing my black crocs and flannel pj's, my comfort clothes.

I am creating a new life with the coaching course I am taking. The lessons learned are so profound that it amazes me. I am so grateful to be able to pass this wisdom on to others.

I am going to continue to look for fun things to use to manipulate wax. The Hot Wax course I am taking is really fantastic.  I have so much to learn.

I am wondering how some women manage to do it all.  I am constantly having to revise my plans and let go of things.

I am reading : The view from the Summerhouse by Barabara Whitnell.  Its set in Cornwall, a place I would like to go to someday. Its all about returning to a piece of your past and reconnecting with it.


I am looking forward to the start of Nanowrimo on November 1st.  It will be fun to tell my Grandparents story.

I am hearing the sound of birds outside my window, most of them have left for greener pastures. I still have the house finches and black eyed juncos and occasional chickadees that hang out at my bird feeder.

Around the house everything has been dusted and cleaned.  During November I don't clean very much. All the focus is on the writing.

I am pondering those little things in life that make it all worthwhile.  Sit down and have a cup of tea with me and we'll talk.

One of my favorite things to do is have a hot bath with Celtic Sea Salts. I had one last night and the memory of it brings a smile to my face.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I'll have my first 2 calls where I am the coach this week.  I am incredibly nervous about it but know that it will be okay.  I'll do some further prep for Nanowrimo and watch the videos for the Hot Wax class. Then there are the regular activities, laughter yoga on Tuesday, meditation group on Wed and book group on Thursday.  We are reading Kitchen Table Wisdom which is an amazing book.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... This was the sky outside my house a few days ago.

I find mother nature often gives us a spectacular show.


To see other daybook posts go here 

Let the Games Begin

Let the games begin. Just a heads up for all I won't be blogging as much this month as most of my words will be going into a novel.  I usually start at 12:01 November first and get a few words in before I go to bed.  Last night I was so tired I just couldn't stay up. So this year I am behind already but I can catch up easily.  I am giving myself a little procrastination time this morning.

Yesterday I had the most interesting day. Some of you may have been to Sedona or know that Sedona has these amazing vortexes where the energy is really different. Well apparently Idaho has some similar areas and I so wish I had pics to share. It had been a stressful morning where everything went wrong and I left my camera at home.  I know you have probably seen cairns before.

This is one in Sedona from a couple years ago.  Sometime the rocks are flat or other times you can see them more like this.

These cairns also in Sedona are all smooth rock piled in beautiful arrangements. Now picture yourself in a very rugged landsacpe of the deserts in the west. There are rolling hills filled with 

lots of sage brush

and juniper bushes

and lava rock

 and then you see these cairns piled in these high points.  There were 5 in the first place we stopped and they are called the five guardians. All the rock piled are jagged lava lock and the energy felt so amazing there. You can not help but wonder what the native people used the area for.  I also learned there are also areas like this with cairns all over the dessert.  We stopped at another place and had a fire and a gratitude circle.  It was the last day of the Celtic year so we wrote out all our wishes for the new year and put them in the fire.  I was with a big group of people of all ages.  It was a really special day.

I even decided to use the area as a setting for my novel.  I like how that worked out.

(Sedona pics were by taken by me but all others are from the internet.)

Sacred Life Sunday

I just got home from church where we had our monthly potluck.  It was a time of friendship, sharing and good food.  I always like these days, it makes me feel part of a community.


When I got home I was reading in Giving Thanks; the gifts of gratitude, and I thought of all I have to be grateful for on this particular Sunday. Amongst these is the beautiful day we are having. I am going to add being grateful to be able to take my dog out for a walk today.  To spend a little time in nature always lifts my spirits.  I'm grateful I got to go to that concert on Friday, to spend a wonderful time with friend and hear fantastic music.  I am grateful that I will be going to Ireland soon.  I am grateful for my wonderful husband and daughter, they are the best. I am grateful for all my blogging friends, that we get to communicate in this wonderful way.

What are you grateful on this beautiful Sunday in March?

Christmas Eve

I woke up this morning to gently falling snow and all the trees in my yard all frosty and pretty. It really looked like Christmas once more. I spent the morning in the kitchen making apple pie and lemon bars and then headed out into the frenzy of last minute shopping. I was out early so it wasn't too bad.












Trees do look especially beautiful with some added snow to them.












I like the look of these two trees one virtually dead and the other full of life and both look beautiful all covered in frosty white. I just love mornings like this.

Its just about time to be putting Christmas Eve Dinner on the table so I would like to wishing you all a wonderful Christmas or whatever holiday that you celebrate at this time of year. Have a wonderful time with your family.