November Musings

This morning, Brian and I were having our coffee by the dining room window, watching the dozen or so blue jays attacking the feeder along with the woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees when a flock of about 2 dozen evening gross beaks landed everywhere. Brian went to get some more seed to toss on the ground for the gross beaks but they flew off when he opened the door. We hoped that they would come back in a bit, but they didn't. Perhaps tomorrow they will return. You never know who or what will show up outside the window. Last month we spied a bear on the property next door and there have been elk sightings in the area as well.

This month has a lot of family birthdays for me. The birthdays though are of family that have left this plane but they are always in my thoughts. My dad, mom and my Nan all have birthdays in November as well as my parents wedding anniversary. I have been thinking of my dad alot lately. I was thinking of how he would have enjoyed our quiet piece of paradise. My dad was a country boy at heart and he would have spent all his time in the woods if he could. He never got to see what we have accomplished here with the house and grounds as well as the business, but I am sure that his spirit walks the woods with Brian and me quite often.

People

I don't think that I will ever cease to be amazed at the wonderful guests that grace our retreat center. It seems that there is a common thread that runs between myself and the guests almost every time.
For example: We had a group of guests come for a scrap booking retreat and through chatting, I discovered that some of the gals had children that dance at a studio that I used to do costuming for in my life before The Robins' Nest Retreat. Another time, again with a scrap booking group, one of the ladies works with my son-in-law's mother. Other times it is what we are interested in that is the thread. Some of the guests and myself almost seem to converse without words, if you know what I mean. It is very surreal at times.
It is very fulfilling as well!

Sleepless in Norwood

Most times I can fall asleep with no trouble. I just lay in my bed, pick up my book and read till my eyes slam shut. That is most days. Lately, I find that if I have caffeine, well, the eyes don't slam shut. They stay wide open no matter how tired I feel.
I never used to have this problem. I could have a cup of tea or coffee and go to bed and sleep like a log. Does age have anything to do with it? Don't know but in the last few months, even having regular coffee in the morning sets me up for a sleepless night! Ahhhhhhh.
This morning I had to go into the city to drop off some books at the library and decided to treat myself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. I forgot to ask for decaff and now I am paying for it. Here I sit writing and wishing that I could be fast asleep in my bed. And that was after only one coffee!
I am going to try some Cal-Mag and my vitamin D and some deep breathing and see if that will help me shut down the mind so I can get my rest for the work that needs to be done tomorrow.
Hope that you all have a good nights sleep.
Will post soon.
Good night!

Ain't Life Grand!

There have been so many times this past while when I have to pinch myself, figuratively of course, because I feel so blessed!
Some of people don't like to celebrate birthdays. They think of them of reminders of how old they are. Well, they do mark the passing of our years here on earth, in the physical sense, there is no way around that but they also mark our challenges, our victories, our laughter, our tears. They hold our scrapbook of the events that we have celebrated, the events that we have endured. Those years that were lean, those years that were abundant and all of those years in between.
I celebrated my 60th year this past month! I consider it a milestone and I am so looking forward to the next 60. Yes, the next 60. There is nothing that says I can't make it!
I have witnessed so much in my short 60 years and I look forward to the advances in the next.
As I have said before, I am trying to live more in the present moment. In doing this I have realized that I can not multitask any longer. This for me has become very frustrating as I lose something if I try to do more than one thing at a time. I was listening to a CD lecture while cleaning. Something that should be very simple, but as the time went on, I realized that my focus was on the cleaning and not on the CD. I had to wait and listen to it when I had the time to sit and focus on the CD. It was a lesson for me. An important one for my life.
I realized that I need to make what I am doing at the time, the most important thing and give it my all, whether I am preparing a meal for our guests at The Robins' Nest or dusting, making beds whatever.
When I focus and live in the moment, things happen! Bookings come in, people are interested in what I have to offer. I have had bookings made for next year already! I am more calm, relaxed and I get so much more accomplished. I don't rush anymore, no anxiety.
I am so blessed to be doing what I am, to be living where I am, to have the husband, child, son-in-law, and grandson that I have. Well, you get the gist.
My family threw me a 2 day celebration for my birthday. I got to wear a crown and everything. Queen for 2 days, but you know, I feel like a queen everyday.
How 'bout you?

Spring Plantings

March Break is at it's end and for those who had the option of taking the time off from the "norm", I hope that you had a very enjoyable time! The weather has been wonderful, snow has almost gone from the woods, new green is shooting up all over the place and soon we will be experiencing the sight of Trilliums, and the scent of wild leeks! Ah, spring! One of my favourite months after Autumn.
Seems funny that I like the time of harvest before the time of planting but that is me. Wonder if it means that I enjoy the benefits more than the planning? Hmmmm. Something to think about as I do the planting.
I am looking forward to the planting of a new garden in the courtyard this year and getting that all finished up. It has been sitting idle for the past 2 years as I decide what I want to do with it. Now that the snow guards are working and keeping the avalanches of snow on the roof, I can plant some bushes and such that won't be crushed under the onslaught of tons of snow sliding down on them during the winter and obliterating them under the weight! Now to deciding what to plant there!
It will be fun to wander through the garden center and take in the sights and smells of their offerings.
I am thinking of some rose bushes, or perhaps a snow ball bush, or maybe some small shrubbery. Maybe I will go for the overgrown English Garden with its' clumps of tall, medium and short bushy plants. So many choices, but for now, I think that I will curl up with my gardening books and dream!

Sights and Sounds

Wow, the weather has been so great, snow melting, birds chirping, squirrels going crazy and I saw my first chipmunk the other day. Guess that is a sure sign that spring is on the way. As a matter of fact, Brian and I saw 2 bats flying around, low to the ground earlier in the week. Guess they came out early as they looked disoriented. Saw them again clinging to the house in the sun. I know it is a bit early and don't know what they will feed on. I hope that they survive.
With the warmer sun, and the great sunshine, I am looking forward to it being warm enough to open windows and give the place an airing after the winter. Something about the spring air that is invigorating! Natural aromatherapy, ya gotta love it!
Yesterday was my spring General Contractor workshop for people wanting to build their own straw bale home. It was well attended and like always, they were all interesting people. I love doing these workshops to help people on their Bale journey. It is so nice to hear peoples stories about their dream home and see how enthusiastic about it. Reminds me of our Bale beginnings! The next workshop is in October for anyone interested.
Enjoy the day!

The Scent of Spring

There is a certain smell in the air that tells me that spring is truly on its way. I am waiting patiently for that smell expecially after the snowfalls of last week.
I have decided that I am not going to complain about what I can't control, the weather being a great example. Last week, I had spend about 2 hours or so with the snow blower and then a couple of days later, I needed to go at it again, and then yet again. Something like housework, it looks great once it is done but then, low and behold, it needs doing again.
When I got up on Saturday morning and saw the new snowfall blanketing the trees with a bleached whiteness, my first instinct was to groan No-o-o-o-o! Then I took a moment and allowed myself to be carried into how beautiful it all looked. That changed the tone for me for the day. Of course it didn't hurt that Brian was home and would be handling the snow blower instead of me!
But, back to smell. I love it when the spring smells start to grab hold of my nostrils. Subtly at first, then gradually that luscious scent of damp earth, new growth mixed with the warmer sun on my skin set me spiraling upwards filled with euphoric thoughts of what is to come!
Smell, scent, that aroma of springtime brings memories of taking off galoshes to take a turn at double dutch, or skipping to the alphabet, hop scotch on the school grounds at recess and a time of youth!
Scent takes us back to places of warmth and love, sometimes bringing physical as well as emotional memories. Aromatherapy can play a part in this journey as well as healing the physical, mental and emotional parts as well.
I was first drawn to aromatherapy because of the scent of the oils. Lavender reminded me of my grandmother and to me it was a soothing memory. Rosemary brings me a great feeling of peace. Geranium brings the warmth of summer to my body and Patchouli grounds me to the earth and that feeling of being at one with the universe!
Essential Oils bring so much power to our lives in the form of healing the physical hurts as much as it does the emotional. Blue Cypress helps with muscle and joint pain, Eucalyptus helps with the respiratory system, Lavender heals burns very quickly as well as cuts.
As with all things natural though, just because it is natural, it can be harmful if not used properly. If one is going to use the beneficial oils, then one should study up on them. It is not enough to know the benefits, you also need to know the harmful effects, how to mix them properly, and that they are not safe to take internally because of their concentration.
If you are interested in learning more about Essential Oils, I do teach an introductory class when I have enough interested people. You can email me for more information through the website.