Haiti

I have no TV and do not listen to the news. Yes, I like to stay sheltered from the worlds problems.  So I haven't seen the news about Hiati but I've heard and my sorrow is deep. I've seen one picture of the disaster and it haunts me; children lying in a line, lifeless.  For them childhood has stopped, playing, dreaming, running around in the moment is no more. Their families and friends live on and they need help.  I want to help and here is a good tangible way for me to give that help. I am looking through old shoes that we no longer need and giving them to softmoc who will send them to people who really need them.  Here is the link if you interested: http://www.softmoc.com/  Peace and love. In times like these I always feel so grateful for what I have. love, love, love...

Gypsy Blood

There is something you should know about me and that is that I have gypsy blood. It has been passed down from my father who got it from his parents and so on.  I love to travel. I love to experience new things that are completely foreign to me and my senses.  I get a thrill from uncertainty in a new environment and the ooohs and aaahs as I observe a landscape and ways of being completely different from mine.  I love the ocean, sandy beaches and palm trees.  Before children I was a bit of a travel bum.  For about 4 years I renounced life in Canada to bumble around in South East Asia. This adventure found me and my backpack through Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, teaching English in Thailand, Laos and India Oh! India how I love you so.  Now after an 8 year of separation from me and my backpack I am ready to saddle up. It's only for 10 days but an adventure at that.  On Friday morning at 08:00 a.m. I will be flying over Ottawa heading south towards Jamaica, man.  I will take loads of pictures (of course) and will keep you posted as to what thrilling adventures I go on, what yummy food I eat, and how water logged I will be.  ya man ;)

In case you are wondering yes this adventure is kid free.  I have some guilt but trying not to feed the dragon.

Finger Crochet

Mind Reader

My 7 year old is a mind reader. This morning as we walked hand in hand to the bus stop, I started thinking about Zoe's birthday which is not far away (February 10th).  I wondered if she would want to go sliding for her big day.  Within a split second of me finishing my thought Zoe says "Mommy for my birthday can we go sliding? ". She is psychic, I swear!

Quiet Time

In the afternoon after lunch when we've played to our hearts content we pause from our day.  We take a deep breath in and relax.  Each child gets a yoga mat with a pillow.  Some decide to fall asleep others choose to read books.  For an hour we sit quietly and practice being present to ourselves.

Today I went from child to child and rubbed cream into their small, little hands.  As their hands

were massaged I was able to be present to each child, to look into their eyes and

acknowledge their beauty.  In this small act I felt very fulfilled and connected to these small little

beings that aren't small at all.

 

In our Space

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs.
Ask yourself what makes you come alive,
and go and do that. Because what the world
needs is more people who have come alive."
- Howard Thurman

My new addiction

 

My eyes are red and tired looking. Last night I stayed up late making new headers for my blog. Molly Durham from foothillhomecompanion  gave a tutorial on how to create your own with pictures.  I was stoked.  Just this last little while I was itching to learn how to do this and voila the universe replied to my prayers.  My kids have a funny way of doing that too. It seems like when I think of something they are right there mentioning my thoughts. 

Yogi Tea

I drink a lot of tea.  It's warm, delicious and nutritious.  I fluctuate between Yerba Mate (chocolate being my favorite), herbal infusions and Yogi Tea.  Yogi Tea is so yummi and has great health promoting qualities.  Here is a the recipe:

2 quarts water
15 whole cloves (good for the nervous system and helps generate heat in the body)
20 green cardamom pods (Digestive aid)
20 black peppercorns (purifies the blood)
5 cinnamon sticks (good for your bones)
8 slices of ginger (good for colds, flue, physical weakness, digestion, increased potency)
1/2 teaspoon black tea
3 cups milk (dairy or not)

Bring water to a boil in a 3-4 quart pot.  Add cloves and boil for 1 minute. Add cardamom s (to better release the flavour, crush or split the pods), pepper corns, cinnamon sticks and ginger-root. Cover and boil getnly for 20-20 minutes. Add black tea.

At this point you can let the tea cool, strain it and refrigerate. Or add the milk, retun to boil and immediately remove from heat. Add honey to taste.

Enjoy!

Morning Yoga

My new years resolution is to do those things which which keep me emotionally, physically and spiritually grounded in order be more patient with the little people in my life. In my efforts I get up in the morning before Zoe and Owen and meditate and do yoga. There is a quality to my early morning rises that I love. My mind is quiet and my surroundings reflect this essence.
As I move through my yoga practice with my breath I get a sense of what it means to be still. Getting up doing my practice is like eating, it is a necessity of life. When I do my Sadhana I am a better mother and friend to myself and others. Sat Nam!

Happy!

My favorite, inspiring gift was from my sister. I got the book handmade home by Amanda Soule. It has inspired me to get sewing. Here is my first project of the year, a banner that will soon say Happy Birthday. My sewing machine is on the fritz so I am hand sewing which is much longer but rewarding in its own right. I cannot wait for the banner to be finished!!! Happy can be so many things; Happy Solstice, Happy New Year and just plain old HAPPY!!!
Check out Amanda Soule at http://www.soulemama.com. Happy sewing to me.




Oh! Me Oh! My! Looking at this picture I realize that my Y is not correct! Oops!

Happy New Year!!!!

I woke up into 2010 with love in my heart, love for my children. I woke up with gratitude in my heart for their unconditional love, their laughter, questions and sense of adventure. My gratitude also came from a sense of contentment and a knowing that 2010 will bring fruit to many new discoveries and learning. I love learning and I love the experience of life.

Last night we tried to stay up until midnight but fell asleep watching the Planet Earth videos (which are awesome). I love my children and in this New Year I vow to take care of myself emotionally, physically and spiritually so that I can serve them with love, understanding and much patience (yes, I need more patience). My Grandmother Boudreau always said that the secret ingredient for child rearing was patience. Thank you memere I will cultivate your wisdom.

May you be prosperous and happy in this new year :)

This is my favorite shot for 2009