April Musings

I am an avid reader. When I am reading a book, I often feel that I have a book in me wanting to come out. I sit down and either on the computer or with pen/pencil in hand proceed to make an outline of a story. That part goes well. Sounds interesting to me. Then, I start to weave the tale around the skeleton of the outline. What happens then is a puzzle to me! When I started, I had all of these lovely, descriptive conversations and scenes running through my mind, like colour commentary at a sports event designed to keep spectators riveted to the play.
Somewhere alone the line, I loose my train of thought and everything unravels like a sweater caught on a nail. I sit bewildered and try to figure out why, when I am falling asleep, or just day dreaming, that the flow is endless. The images and thoughts keep coming like a huge freight train at a railway crossing, never seeming to end.
I have finally figured it out, I think. No, not that I think that I have figured it out but, I think! When I am day dreaming or falling asleep at night, I relax the mind. There are no brakes or filters to constantly change what is coming through. I just am. Revelations pop into my semi-consciousness that cause many ah ha moments. Thoughts so deep that I am astounded. Thoughts that I tell myself to remember when I wake up, or that I try to capture in a journal to no avail as when the light comes on, that flow turn off. The thinking starts.......ta dum.....ta dum...
Meditation seems to be the key. I have known this for decades, practiced it for just as long until recently. Through meditation, I am able to retrieve this state of being and I mostly retain what I receive. Wonderful. The feeling of re-membering so many things that I once knew brought forth again without conscious thought. The re-membering floats to the surface from the depths of the memory. Thoughts that I never knew that I had. Thoughts that I connected with in that vast, continuous ether that is called consciousness. The consciousness that connects us all together. The consciousness that is universal and available to all who seek it.
I don't always sit in a prescribed manner, place or time. I sometimes just gaze out into the woods beyond my windows and let nature take over. I flow into some space far from me, that is somehow all of me as well.
Wow, who would have thought that by not thinking, our greatest thoughts appear.
Just a thought.

Well, the new web site is up and running. I have been a little annoyed that I lost all of my newsletter contacts with the old hosting site. They didn't even give me a heads up that they were going under. I am sure that I am not the only one that was stung. I am going to make a back up of any future lists, that's for sure!
I am liking the City Max though. It is the company that I have my web site with now. They are a build it yourself site and they are very easy to use, reasonable prices and quite nice to deal with.
I went to a workshop about social media the other day and found out some interesting facts. I know that this is the way to go for advertising and look forward to learning more. I like to be hands on with my stuff and I look forward to learning how to make all of these things work together.
Please visit www.robinsnestretreat.com and let me know what you think.

Web Site news

Hello to you all
Due to circumstances beyond my control, The Robins' Nest Retreat.com web site isn't functioning at this time. I think that the server that it was on has gone belly up. I am not sure about this as they haven't notified me of any changes and the site as well as their site hasn't been online for about a week. I am busily trying to get another site online and should be back in a few days. I thank you for your patience.
I have also lost all of the addresses for my monthly newsletter. On the new site, I will have a sign up so please wait and sign up again when the new site is up. I thank those of you who have been followers.
If there are any questions about The Robins' Nest, you can ask me through the blog until the new site is up. I will be checking it daily.
Thanks again for your patience.

Seasons Greetings!

Seasons Greetings to you all. It is finally here, our time for our winter solstice celebrations, whatever you call them. Many different people, many different celebrations, but they all celebrate the love and togetherness that this season brings to our hearts! Fill your hearts with joy and carry that with you throughout the new year!
This past year has been a very full one and fortunately for us at The Nest, a more abundant year in many ways. We have enjoyed some lovely new friends as well as welcoming back some of our friends from previous visits. Thank you all for gracing us with your presence and we look forward to your return in the coming years.
This year we have had some scrap booking groups in and I must admit that these ladies are certainly dedicated to the craft. They are turning out some amazing creations for their families to cherish for generations to come. Well done gals!!
We have cut down our tree from our good friends place last weekend and yesterday we finally put on the decorations. This year I have cleared out the boxes and said goodbye to those decorations that are no longer together enough to put on the tree or no longer able to be pieced back together. It was a sad goodbye but the time had come. (sniff)

I have most of my shopping completed, yeah, without too much thinking this year. How are you making out with your list? Stumped by anyone for this year? Why not give a Robins' Nest Gift Certificate for a retreat or a day spa? Give me a call at 705-639-2284 or email me for rates and availability!


Hint of the Month:


Here is a recipe for cooking carrots that you might want to try this holiday season.

Carrot Ribbons with Cashews
1 1/2 lbs. carrots
1/2 c. unsalted whole cashews
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 c. finely chopped onion
2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon plus 1 stick
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cardamon plus 4 pods

Cut carrot ribbons using a peeler down the length of the carrot.
Toast the cashews in a 2 quart sauce pan over medium heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Add the butter, onion, ginger and salt and cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the carrots and remaining spices and 1 tbsp water. Cook, covered for 5 minutes then remove the whole spices, toss in the cashews and serve hot.

There are no upcoming events this month. January and February are booking up so if you are interested in a Winter Wonderland Get Away,drop me a line to find out availability.

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!