My Blessings

Today I feel like counting my blessings. Though it sometimes seems that the universe is out to knock me back at every turn, taking the time to look a what I actually do have brings it all into perspective.

I am thankful that my home has become a safe haven for the children in the neighborhood. Some of whom are latchkey kids and some who just don't get the kind of care and supervision they need, for whatever reason. I am blessed to see them all playing here and enjoying the variety of fun things to do. I am blessed by having enough food to share with them when they come in hungry. I am blessed by my children having good friends to play with and learn with.

I am thankful for open minded people and especially for those who helped me learn to have an open mind. I am thankful that I am not a bigoted or racist person. I am thankful that my children are also open minded.

I am thankful for and blessed by my home, Witchwood. Where it is warm and welcoming to friends and family. Where there is always the laughter of children and something going on. It is a home filled with love, laughter, and fun. I am thankful for the bit of earth I have here, for the tomato fresh from the garden and warm from the sun. I am thankful for the sunflowers that smile at me from the kitchen table. I am thankful for the cherry tree that gave its life in last month's storm that will provide the harvest bonfire and offer a piece of itself for artists to create with. I am thankful for the grapevine that was in the cherry tree, that will provide much material for wreaths to make for the season's decorating.

I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, Sophie, who is growing so quickly and who is learning so fast about the world and her place in it. And who has no fear, she knows what she wants and goes after it, I only hope she never loses that quality.

I am thankful for my husband, David. Thankful for his support in everything that I do. He is the most wonderful man I have ever known, despite and because of the challenges he has faced in his life. We have such a strong connection and we are certain that our souls have always been together and always will be.

I am thankful for my body. Though I am still coming to terms with the changes of being in my forties.....I am thankful that my body can work hard and play hard. I am thankful for the yoga, belly dancing, hooping, and swimming. I am thankful for the nuturing and lovemaking that my body can do, and for the pleasure that my body gives me and others. I am thankful that when I look in the mirror I do not only see who I am on the outside, but also who I am on the inside, and its a pretty good person to be.

Finally, I am thankful for having art brought back into my life. For the creative flow of the Muses, for the nudge from the Goddess to create Her image in my art.

May you find many blessings in your own life today. *Peace*

Birthday Weekend Celebration~Part 1

Family party on Friday afternoon, just David, me and the kids. All five of them were here. They all sang "Happy Birthday" to me and I got all teary-eyed just because they were all with me.












Cake and the family birthday chair that we've been using since Sophie was born.



Cake and gifts, yes that is sponge bob wrap.

Blowing out those candles, there were not 42 on there so it wasn't too hard. :)

Cutting the vegan cake.

Oh wow! A new computer for school. It is so light, it won't affect my hands.

David gave me this gold peace symbol. On one side he engraved, in tiny letters so small I had to use a jeweler's loop to read it, "I love you~Imagine~2010~David". That man never ceases to amaze me in new and original ways all the time.

My lovely little net book, I love the bubbles screen saver, they float across the screen over top of whatever is onscreen.

Sophie gave me this lovely little jewel of a necklace/purse. It is only about 2 x 3 inches. So sweet!

She also had her dad wrap this beautiful quartz crystal for me. What a sweet poppet she is. So thoughtful at five years old.

I had a lovely birthday with my family and they showed me a lot of love.

To be continued........

Ooooh....presents

It is so nice when your friends know you so well. My best friend, Mari, gave me my birthday presents yesterday and they are so perfectly, ME.







First, knowing my penchant for all things Egyptian, she gave me this little gilded Egyptian cat statue. Who now resides on my living room altar.











Then, oh how I love peace symbols! This tote is fabu, and at first I intended to carry my school books in it come the fall, but then decided that I like it so much it is now my purse!

And finally, I have been coveting Mari's hair sticks since the first time she ever wore some...now I have a pair of my own. I just have to learn how to put them in properly. :)

Thank you so much, Mari.

Summer Solstice Blessings!

Summer sun, summer sun we watch you as you set, Sending your long arms of light from the west, Summer sun, summer sun, you shine so bright. As you begin your return to the night.

My Love

I wanted to share this photo of my love, David. It was taken by Sophie of her daddy. This picture means a lot to me, because, after nearly a year of dealing with depression and anxiety, David is finally feeling and being himself again. The smile says it all. It is more than wonderful to have him back again. I love you David.

Women Honoring in the Red Tent

What a beautiful evening. Last night we held our first Red Tent Temple at my house. I hung yards and yards of scarlet fabric around my family room to 'paint' the room. It was such a nurturing and sacred space. The ladies who attended were wonderful, we shared so many things with each other. We are all looking forward to the next one. We thoroughly enjoyed Mari's fabulous homemade Tomato Soup, which she has promised the recipe for. (Mari?) Yummy! We enjoyed some drumming and a guided meditation. Everyone left feeling nurtured, empowered and healed. What a beautiful evening. Check out the Red Tent Temple~TN blog to see more photos and read more.

Happy Anniversary

David,

Four years ago today, we shared our love with our friends and family and became husband and wife. I want you to know that it has been a wonderful adventure with you. You have opened my mind to so many things and so many places that I fear I would have never known without you. Thank you. Through all the hard times and struggles we have endured to keep our lives growing together, I have never regretted the day we committed to one another. I have always considered you a blessing from the Goddess and I do to this day. I love you, I have always loved you, and I will always love you.

Yours,

J