My Vegan Journey Continues

So, having decided that I really like eating vegan foods, and I've never felt better, and with so many benefits I am already seeing. I am going to continue my vegan journey indefinitely. With that in mind, here is my working menu for the upcoming week. I am flexible and open to last minute changes, as my tastes so desire, but I do try to stick with it, in as much as buying the ingredients and having them during the week. Though I do not stipulate a particular day. Well then, in no particular order:

Layered Nachos

Herbed Flatbread Chips

Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Almonds

Spaghetti and Soy balls

Roasted Vegetables in Phyllo Cups

and of course, dessert:

Lemon Shortbread Bars

Chocolate Pudding

Lemon Tofu Cheesecake. Yummy!

If these turn out to be good I will post recipes later on in the week. I can't wait! Bon Apetite!

More Yoga in my Life

I have been thinking that I need to have more yoga in my life. At this moment in time, I cannot afford to go to the local yoga classes though I would love to have that experience. I was in a yoga "class" at a pagan gathering I once attended and having someone come over and show me how to get into a pose was awesome. Anyway, my friend asked if I would be interested in doing some yoga with her in the evenings, and I thought it was a great idea. I could get in another yoga practice in since I do mine in the early morning and that was not convenient for her. After thinking about it for a couple of days, I thought to ask a few other friends if they would be interested in joining us, so it may turn into a little yoga class between friends! I am so excited! I have always thought I would enjoy teaching yoga, helping others to feel the benefits and joy that yoga can bring. This is a chance to try it. Thanks to my friends. Not to mention we will get to spend more time together while doing something really good for ourselves~always a bonus! Yoga blessings.

It's Time for a Fresh Start

Resolutions....it's that time again. In looking back on my resolutions from last year, I feel pretty good about the fact that I actually achieved the majority of them. I continued with the yoga routine up until September, when my world was turned topsy-turvy by family problems. I did much better with my eating though it was far from 'clean'. :( I continued with the Goddess study and became very much closer to my circle sisters. I am much more involved in the pagan community, though not always in person. I am doing more behind the scenes and online. I study herbs all through the summer in my garden, I read many books. I continue to read everything I can about death midwifery and learning about the end of life care. I have a few resources for mentors in that area and am still considering pagan clergy as a path. Not too bad, eh?

This year, I hope to continue with some and add a few more. Again, in no particular order:

* yoga~ every day! (I began this morning with it)

* nature/herb study with Sophie

* spend more time outside (not difficult now that we have a dog)

* enjoy my family to the fullest

* continue to expand the Red Tent, I am enjoying watching it grow!

* work diligently towards financial security for my family

* never forget: "people before things"

Plans, plans,plans

The new year is upon us. I don't know about you, but once the holidays are over, I immediately begin thinking of spring. LOL Thinking of spring means one thing in my mind~gardening. As we did last year, I will be attempting once again to grow a lot of our own food. I hope to expand my urban garden this year. I have already ordered my seed catalogues, hopefully using more organic ones this year. Our garden is organic of course.

Dog training is going to take up some time. Of course that is a joy to me. Especially with a dog that is as intelligent as Katy is.

I will be beginning a new job soon I hope. Sophie will be attending preschool very soon also. There are many changes in store for our family this coming year.

January will find me creating vegetarian soup stock out of all those vegetable scraps I've got in the freezer. They make the yummiest soups during those coldest months of January and February.

Also in January, I will be joining up with those folks over at WoYoPracMo, for yoga practice every day. I am looking forward to that, I have slacked off quite a bit due to the family stress we've been going through.

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for those New Year's resolutions~ugh! And for my one year blog~iversary!!!! I hope to have a give away.

Crazy Quilt Cloak ~ finally!

I finally got started putting the patch pieces on my crazy quilt cloak!!! I am so excited about starting it. I was hoping to have it done by next month, my 10 year pagan-versary. However, I don't think it will happen, starting so late, the embroidery alone will take many hours. The piecing does go a lot faster than I expected though. Watch for more updates as this project progresses. Yeah!

Below is my adorable Egyptian Mau, Cleopatra snoozing on the porch swing. Such a darling.

(This is the middle of the back)

Crafty Gatherings

Here, gathered by my sewing machine is the makings of my first hippie skirt. It is to be denim & blue calico patchwork with an appliqued sunflower on the front. I figure it will be my "logo" skirt, since I am calling my little cottage business, "Sunflower Designs", after my fave flower. I hope to get started on putting it together this week. I already have the denim cut up. These are actually recycled jeans.

The other plans I have are for recycled shopping/tote bags. One like I posted before, made from old t-shirts. The other is made from the seat of blue jeans. So cool. I will share a picture as soon as I finish the first one. Wish me luck on this venture. I am excited by the possibilities, and the fact that it is so "green" and eco-friendly for Mother Earth is the best icing! Whee!

Farewell 2007

Well another year gone. It seems as I approach forty the years just speed by faster and faster. But this been a fairly good year for us. Though we had some financial strain early on, things have definitely improved now. As tomorrow is January 1 and the beginning of another year, I am, of course already thinking of my gardens and all that I want to do in them this coming spring. My top wish are to add an elder tree to my yard and to add some mugwort plants to my herb garden. I also hope to have a few vegetables. Even though we live in the city, we do have a fairly spacious yard and I think enough room for a few things to grow well. How exciting!

The other thing on my mind are the winter months projects I have planned. One being a full length velvet crazy quilt cloak for ritual. And the other a quilt for my daughter Sophie out of her old baby clothes. The quilt will not take too long or be too complicated, but he cloak is another story, its construction alone could take me most of the winter. Not to mention the crazy quilting and embroidery. But it will be fabulous! Plans, plans, plans.