Wednesday, December 26, 2012

My Earth Mama Life



I just wanted to come over and share that I have started to write 
a new blog documenting my journey as a foster mom.


I can not express how much this means to me. 
It has been a life-long calling.
I have decided to step out in Faith and pay heed to the calling
from the only father I've known, God.
I know He would not steer me wrong, ever...and that 
there are boundless opportunities for Love, Joy, and spiritual growth.

I chose this photo because I love it so much. It is just me and my daughter.
I'm carrying her cake this past birthday to her and she is waiting patiently.
It represents all of the love I have for her.
The love I have to give as a Mother. 
I feel so blessed. 

I hope you will check out my blog and come along with me on this 
new journey...this new chapter of our lives. 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Season For Love


It's been months since I've written on this blog. 
So much has been happening...so much positive change and transformation...that sometimes, it's nice
just to be able to give one's self over to it and live it in the moment
taking it all in, and enjoying life as it unfolds.

But the magic of this special season is upon us and so I will attempt my 
best to take a written snapshot of what this time has been like for us.
In church today, I felt like we are all being pulled in two distinct directions.
In late October, what I consider to be the beginning of my favorite three months of the year,
we had Hurricane Sandy hit. And I did not feel that it was right to 
celebrate while so many suffered.

Thanksgiving came and we sat gratefully at the table with our dearest, sweet family...all together.
We had dinner at a historic stone inn out on the eastern coast of our beloved, Long Island.
It was quiet and beautiful and perfect. 
It was restful, even though it was only for a couple of days. 
I was able to sneak off for an afternoon of holiday shopping and Starbuck's, which was extra special.

This Christmas, again, pulled in two directions by the trouble in and of the world.
And yet, I sat next to good friends today in church, looking up at my daughter as she read from the pulpit, the first reading...and happy, warm tears flowed. I am so proud of her, so proud of us.
We are strong. We are courageous and brave and proud. 
Like Jesus did, we too, must overcome the world, with all it's sin, tragedies, 
devastation, and sorrow. 
And I think we are doing pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.
We are both flourishing and thriving. 
Happy and Healthy. 
Grateful and so very Loved by so many, 
especially a loving God.

Our journey to foster continues. 
In fact, we are almost done. 
Just a short ways away to meet our new family member.
We are both so excited, waiting for 
her with open hearts and arms. 
So much to look forward to in the days and year ahead.

Meanwhile, these last days of advent are my personal favorite. 
I am performing the finishing touches on the handmade gifts, not too many this year. 
There were some crochet and upcycled cardboard ornaments and frames, 
some ring-dishes made of clay- painted and sealed...a fleece wrap for the matriarch of the family,
a book-safe for a special someone, photo coasters made of porcelain tiles, and some stuffed dolls made out of one of my 
favorite cardigans. 

I had big plans for candles this year and had even thrifted and saved so many pretty teacups and glassware for the "event," but it never happened. Neither did the herbal-sea salt handsoaps, 
the spice-infused scotch, and a couple of other creations I was hoping to pull off.

I couldn't help it. This season, I just wanted to be in the moment...
relaxing, exploring, doing, educating myself on fostering, making memories
creating, meditating, yoga-ing, and reading up on alternative healing modalities.
So much to learn and see and do! Always.

Off to do some thrifting today. My family decided to do Secret Santa this year. 
We have such a small family and there was no way I could NOT give each individual a little 
something, so I've been doing really well at the local thrift and consignment shops. I found a real hidden gem on the other side of the island. I am so happy!
I was able to buy some beautiful books, ornaments, a vintage throw from Mexico, brass raindeer figurines, 
porcelain vases, a cookie jar, vintage candy dishes, and more all for under $20.00.

'Tis the season!

Tis the season for Love and Healing and Joy and Peace and Giving
and Laughter and Spending Meaningful Time with Our Loved Ones.

Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men.

xoxo

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

{Recent} People, Places, and Things


Summer has officially ended for us with my return back to work today.
Tomorrow, my Girl Cub begins third grade at a new school. 
Hold good wishes for us please as we begin our school-year journeys.

xoxoxoxoxox

I found this in the sink late one night when I went to brush my teeth.
...Remnants of one of the zillion Barbie Fests Girl-Cub 
had with her friends this summer. 
I guess this was the grand finale! 




Stained glass sun & lotus flower in our kitchen window
greet us each morning.




Mama's Malas on windowsill




Dharma Yoga, NYC
Another one of my spirit homes, which I didn't realize
until I went there for the first time.





So grateful for such a beautiful, personally-
powerful summer filled with Love & healing.

Here's to the next season!

Namaste.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Summer In the City


I had the blessing of living & learning through
my 30's in New York City.
I lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a year in the late
90's and then moved in with my boyfriend at the time who 
had a beautiful apartment downtown. 
The relationship didn't last,
but my love for NYC did.

Now I share that love with my eight year old, who can't get enough of taking the
ferry or driving over the bridge to get there...
Either way, as long as we go!



Mama/Daughter Mani-Pedis...a good way
to kill time before my appointment to 
get some new specs.



Wouldn't typically gravitate to the Upper East Side, except for the park, Whitney or the Met.
But our dearest family members live there and we have a knack for discovering hidden
treasures up there...Like the garden courtyard 
of All Souls Church. 
There is beautiful energy there and you can easily feel its
welcoming presence.



Nothing like ending the visit with a candlelight
sushi dinner al fresco-style.



Can't wait to go back on Friday for our last Kirtan downtown 
before it's back to school & work.

We've spent a lot of time in the city this summer, more than any other 
and it's all been blessed.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

New Moon Kirtan

What is Kirtan, you ask?

Kirtan in Sanskirt, means "to repeat."

It is a form of call & response chanting, whose
roots go back to over 500 years in India. 

Read more about it here.

It has changed my life and my daughter has
become a huge devotee...and so has our neighbor friend
who has been joining us regularly. 

We enjoyed celebrating the New Moon Kirtan this week. 
New moons usher in change...
and that has been most appropriate for us at this time.

It's a beautiful trip into the city for us every few weeks and 
a blessing to be able to chant the names of God
with such a wonderful yoga community. 



I "LOVE PANDA"






Me & the girls below after
we were gifted some bindhis to wear. 




Below is a photo of my girl reading over the evening's chants. 
I am so proud of her. 
She is also a really excellent conga player.
The drummer and other musicians even stopped to comment 
throughout the evening and 
complimented her at the end of the night. 




Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Ashram Life


Is 
Peaceful, Beautiful, Gentle, 
Community, Spirituality, Serenity
Creative, Intellectual, Sacred
LIFE.










Thursday, June 14, 2012

Natural Beauty Routine

For the past few years I've been switching over from store bought beauty products to more natural, homemade recipes using ingredients I have on hand from my very own kitchen.
I have fallen hard for the whole "do it myself!" concept and love the fact that me and my girl have chemical/preservative-free products for our skin and hair. Some favorite recipes:

Mama's Homemade Facial Cleanser: 1 T. baking soda, 2 T oatmeal, 1/2 t. sugar, 1 t. green clay. I gring all of it up in a coffee grinder and store in empty baby food jar. I keep this in my medicine cabinet and use it each morning. So good.

Natural ACV Face Toner (Thank you, Velvet Bird blogger): 3 parts Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 part distilled water. Store in mini spray bottle and use it on a cotton ball. It's fabulous!

Homemade Shampoo for blondes: 1/4 cup Dr. Bronners Baby (unscented) Castille Soap, 1/2 teaspoon grapeseed oil, 1/2 cup distilled water infused with chamomille herb tea (made on the stove separately, then cooled to use in recipe). Put into bottle and shake well before using. Love this stuff. So does my girl-cub!

Olive Oil Hair Mask: Rub 1 t. olive oil in your palms and run through hair. I put it on my ends first...then work up to middle then roots last. Put on a plastic shower cap or makeshift plastic bag-cap and read a good novel or meditate for half an hour. Shower and shampoo. It works beautifully.

Deodorant: Place 1/4 c. corn starch and 1/4 c. baking soda in baby food jar. I add a few drops of tea tree oil. (For my deoderant container I take a nail and hammer through the top of the baby food jar a few times to make a shaker top) then I tie a pretty ribbon round it just 'cause.

ENJOY! Good health and blessings to all!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Happy 2012!

(Crocheted and gifted to my beautiful new niece born this year.
One of the highlights of my 2011)

It's a new year! Wow. The holidays sure did go quickly.
Today we went to church and celebrated Three Kings Day.
The priest reminded us that there is still one more official day left to the Christmas season.
At least I don't feel guilty for leaving our tree up! One year, I left it up until February! Okay, that was a little much, but it all goes along with my theme of the year for 2012.

We're sloooowing down. I had to cut back on the extracurricular activities my girl was involved in. We got pretty sick and rundown during Christmas vacation. All the activity caught up to us and made me realize, we have very busy days...and both me and my girl require a lot of downtime. We love being home and unwinding.
We don't need to keep up with anyone or any activity level.
I'm going to slow down this year and I'm going to savor our precious time together at home.
This year there will be more:
quiet, listening, reading, early bedtimes, movie-watching, easier healthy meals,
pajama-days or at least pj mornings, cooking/baking lessons for my girl while I'm preparing in the kitchen, drawing, painting, sculpture time, nature walks.

There will be more good old fashioned time spent together.
And that is all I want.
That, and to be a better human being, a better mother...a more devoted child of God...
living my life to the fullest in the small, simple joys of
just being alive.

Happy New Year to You All.
I'm wishing you peace, joy, and love throughout every day
of the year ahead.