I found this great site Ted: Ideas Worth Spreading which is inspiring and uplifting.   I wish the news would represent more of this stuff.  We all need to view things in a positive light to create positive change.  Let's fill our minds with positive notions, dreams and goals.  The video below was a great reminder for me as to what is important to me.  This video was exactly what I needed to kick start 2011 in a positive light.  Enjoy! I did.

Happy Planet

Christmas 2010

 

Thanks for checking in. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas with lots of cuddles, good food and good company.  We had a nice quiet Christmas with my parents. My mom took great care of us with yummy food and a great bed.  We spent time outside, sliding with cousins. I made a vow to really enjoy the snow this year.  To go out there and connect with my kids through nature.  They are growing so fast!  Time really does slip away.   

Zoe loves her new rabbit hat. She had spotted it at the Churchill craft fair.  I was able to secretly buy it then surprise her a month later by leaving it in her coat sleeve.

This year we all got snow shoes. We went for a little jaunt in my parents forest.  Deer tracks were everywhere.  I love the dead of winter, where the forest is quiet and still.  I love the feeling that being surrounded by trees gives me.  It's the reminder of something bigger than myself.

Earlier this afternoon, I dropped Zoe and Owen off in Arnprior where they will spend the next five days with their father.  It was hard leaving them behind.  I am now using the next few days to recharge and slow down.  I am in the hills and taking time to focus on me.  My plan is to do yoga, meditate, eat good food, take lots of baths and of course  make stuff.  Keep a close eye there will be photos and hopefully some inspiration!

Until tomorrow, for now good night. 

Merry Christmas

I am checking out of cyberspace for a few days.  Gonna check into reality and the material world. Have a great holiday and see you next week! I leave you with some photos of last week of us wet felting small balls which we will be stringing in the new year.  Love to you, Annie Bananie and friends

 

Winter Solstice

I love celebrating the solstices!  Winter solstice especially.  There is nothing better than celebrating the light shedding the darkness.
We have  a tradition of celebrating the solstices and equinoxes with friends. It is always ever so special to me to join together and celebrate the turning of the wheel of the seasons.   The seasons affect us on so many levels and it's important for me to acknowledge the changes and celebrate them.  I am a creature of the sun and feel the affects of the darkness.  The month of November makes things a little harder to get up in the morning and feel motivated.  I greet the longer days with my appreciation for the affect of light on my spirit. This year we gathered in the woods for a sledding party, singing, eating and making charms for our homes. 

The 21rst of December feels special to me. Not only do the days get longer but it's the day where I gave birth to Owen.  It's been  6 years ago already and I can't believe that my baby is no longer a baby.  Hi is growing fast and I am loving watching the transformation of him coming into himself.  He is so confident these days and full of ideas.  I love my Owen :) 

 

 

 The web of life keeps spinning stories of our past.  As our children age so do we.  May you take life by the horns and live in the presence of every moment. 

Winter Lights Festival at Lady Evelyn

I just got back from Zoe and Owen's school and my heart is big.  They had a festival celebrating light and it was very touching.  I walked into the gym greeted by at least a hundred shimmering candles.  As the children gathered into the gym they sat in a circle surrounding the candles.  With the gym lights off this had a very dramatic effect. 

I was blown away by the presentations.  Zoe's class chanted the healing mantra of Ra Ma Da Sa and sent children around the world love.  Owen's class sang this little light of mine and collected money for the snowsuit fund.  

 Sending Light
One class brought the candles from the center into a circle and lyed down in the middle. The facilitator explained that everyone feels dark sometimes.  The children lying in the middle demonstrated this by lying very still.  Then they explained that at times we want to move away from the darkness but it's difficult, the children would come half way up and fall back down to the ground.  The facilitator then had the audience cup their hands and send light to the children in the middle in doing so the children rose and embodied this light.  Filled with light the children gave light back to the audience. It was beautiful, touching and needless to say there were tears in my eyes.

My Zoe has been speaking of Christmas since summer.  Do you know why?  Because she likes the gifts.  I am glad that she is in a school environment where she gets to experience that this season is not only about material things but most importantly about the heart.  Thanks Lady Evelyn and it's teachers for being so committed and doing such a great job!

I didn't have my camera at the time but will have some pics sent to me so stay tuned.

Face Painting

 

 I am itching to share my photos from yesterday where Big Zoe, Little Zoe and Elizabeth were face painting the children.  Alfie Wizzle the elf was looking down from the seasonal wreath that hangs from our kitchen ceiling.   Graeme was so tired he fell asleep on the kitchen table.

 

 

 

 

P.S. - This morning I found Mr. Wizzle sitting on the shelf of the yoga room. If you haven't met Alfie Wizzle  there he is.