snow day #2...

So, I did get myself outside for just a bit. It's pretty cold out there! I guess I'm just not totally ready for this.

As Maire mentioned...it's not really winter yet, not officially anyway, not till tomorrow...
here's my evidence...


and the Christmas tree waiting on the covered porch...I bought it before the storm to keep it out of the snow...hmmm...


dried seed heads in the garden...


my arctic tundra shot...actually a close-up of the back driveway...



berries in the snow....
the earrings i made for myself from a set of berry beads by Mika Collins of Pinocean...
i love these beads!



and a late flock of geese...see, they didn't realize it was winter yet, either!

snow day...

late Saturday night...

The snow is still coming down. There's at least a foot of it on the ground right now. We spent a quiet day indoors. Nobody seemed to want to go out in it today. I did look pretty wet! I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and take some photos. I did step out onto the back porch, and was reminded of the sweet sense of silence and stillness that deep snow brings with it. I'll have to search out my boots and take some photos tomorrow. For now, here's a bit of what I can see through my front window...our icicle lights, with a bit of a natural icicle added in by the storm in the second photo...

self-appreciation...

Deep inside of us all, there is a place of peace and stillness that is pure and restorative to our psyches and souls.

How often are we pulled away from this? In fact, how much have we forgotten about it's existence in the first place?

I am reading the book The Vortex, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I have read a few of their books, and have listened to cd's and seen them on dvd as well. The Vortex that they refer to is this place inside that is always there for us, always available, and yet we forget that it is there, forget how to get back to it...all to our detriment.

Today's society, at least in the U.S. where I live, generally sees this as new age fluff, not to be trusted or believed. I think it has a lot to do with what you call it and how you talk about it. I think everyone can relate to the idea of being able to feel peaceful inside at certain times, to feel uplifted by music, by beautiful photographs, whatever works for each individual...but I think we tend to believe that it is the object outside of ourselves that does this to us.

In actuality, it is something that is within each and every one of us, always there, always waiting for us to tap into it again in some way.

I started writing this because of the chapter at the end of the book about self-appreciation, and hence the title of this post, but in looking for a way to describe and demonstrate this, I ended up going in a slightly different, but related, direction.

I found this on YouTube...it's not really a video...just a still photo with the sound of Esther Hicks' voice speaking for Abraham...I think it's a helpful one to listen to...just remember that 'vortex' is that place inside where you feel your best...and it is from this place that all good things come to us in our lives...

***

getting started on etsy...

Sometimes you have everything that you need to get something started, but for one reason or another you just don't. It takes a little push from someone who's been where you're going to get over that last hump that keeps stopping you.

That's what's happened to me with my etsy store. It's been set up for months. I've been playing with all kinds of techniques and materials, but no one thing seemed to be the one to get started with. And then, there are all kinds of distractions...other things that need doing that have nothing to do with creating. How to find the opening that says, hey, it's time, this is where you start? Well, that opening for me came from a friend that I've met through blogging and email. Maire , who creates wonderful, innovative and soulful jewelry, gave me the push that I needed...list 5 things in your shop by Wednesday! The timing was right, I was ready for the challenge, and I also felt that it was now or never...so I went for it!



Some things were already made, some just needed finishing up, and I also wanted to make a pair of earrings that I had an idea for. By Tuesday night I had what I needed, but no photos yet.
It rained all through Tues night...but the next day was gorgeous, just right for taking photos. I'd say there was a lot of help going on in this venture!



And so, I've got my five creations in my shop...it feels good. Now I know what the process involves and how it looks to have the beginnings of an etsy store (one that actually has items in it for sale!). Next step, to keep creating, keep taking photos and keep listing items...I'm looking forward to it.

And I know who'll be reminding me if I don't!

Thanks, Maire!

library humor...

Oftentimes, when I put in a search term on my library's online catalog (which i love!) it responds with some really odd alternatives, just in case i didn't type in what i really wanted...


Searching for: Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan Did you mean pier Volta Uniat Khan?
Searching for: freeman zachary Did you mean freeman scary?
Searching for: Hazrat Inayat Khan Did you mean hazard Uniat Khan?


I don't quite understand the reasoning behind coding the program this way, but it is funny sometimes. And, if I click on the new spelling and link I get...

No titles found (0 hits) - Try these tips

...which is a bit of a letdown...why offer a new option if it's not viable? :-) but definitely adds a bit of humor to my day!

hawk visitor...

There and gone within about five minutes of my spotting him/her...