Protection Plants

It's November 14. One week ago we learned we will have a very new kind of president here in the states. And I'm full of fear. For myself, my family, and this country. The shock is wearing off, and it's time to get moving. I have many tasks ahead to ensure our family unit is protected, starting with making sure my daughter's own father retains his parental rights in the months and years ahead.

So while I'll be talking with all sorts of people regarding lawyers, adoption, birth certificates, and more, I have also been trying to find some sort of peace in my days. I had some time off last week and made sure I took at least a small amount most days to take care of my body, mind, and spirit. Now it's Monday, and I'm so glad to be heading to a class tonight on healing herbs. I have been interested in the medicinal properties of plants for as long as I can remember, but have never seriously pursued learning more than the basics. Until I found this series, which includes the spiritual aspects of working with the plants. I love this connection.

I have been thinking more recently about Hawthorne and Oplopanax (devil's club). Warrior herbs. Thorny plants. My sister mentioned getting botanical tattoos together and she wants a blackberry. As someone interested in the invasive vs. native nature of our PNW plants, I was surprised that she wanted an invasive plant. But then this morning, I saw this link to a "surprise box of boundary, self-hood and protection," which includes the very herbs I've been drawn to lately, including blackberry.


I'm lucky to work in a naturopathic office, where we stock all sorts of herbal medicine. This is a new job for me, and I'm so excited to be in this world right now. In front of me right now is a Hawthorne solid extract and Oplopanax tincture, both unopened. Today is the day I will begin working with these herbs more seriously, in hopes that I can keep strong, while calling protection to myself, my family, and all others who are as scared as I am right now. I'll keep you posted on how it's going.

February's Find of the Month (in Forks!)

Two weeks ago we visited Forks for the long weekend - our first getaway as a family since Willa was born (what?!? way too long). It was a great, mostly relaxing weekend. The beaches were amazingly blustery - we watched as the foam flew horizontally well beyond the beach borders, and we took a beautiful hike through the Hoh rainforest. Being in Forks was a trip, especially in the winter. So much was closed, but I could picture what the summer must be like for Twilight fans. Although very sleepy this particular weekend, the people we did run into were all moms with their daughters (I assume), taking pictures next to the characters' cardboard cutouts and buying Forks shirts, necklaces, etc.

At one point I took a walk into "town" (really just a block away) looking for a thrift store. The only one I found was closed for the weekend, but as I walked I realized that many of the stores on the main strip very advertising "collectibles." I checked a few out and ended up buying a $3 pitcher (above) and a bread box for my craft area (to hold my current projects and misc. supplies). Two weeks later, I took the pitcher to clean and noticed it's a Dansk Kobenstyle, which sounded intriguing. I looked it up and easily found the same pitchers being sold on etsy and ebay for between $32-$95. Not bad. I love it and am excited to add it to my living room!

I want these!

valentines

Well, the Fun-A-Day project lost steam before half of the month was through. I felt OK about it, actually. I decided to make some things for Valentines, and to focus on some other parts of life, like the people in it.

The weird thing about that project was that I was recording all of these words - these things that I wanted to bring into my life, but I was more focused on making something to hang on the wall, and less on appreciating those things in my life.

Anyway, I made a banner for the living room, then made a wall-hanging (not quite done in this picture). It's been fun!

day nine: forgiveness (fun-a-day)

I love working with maps, and thought it was a perfect background for my intention of the day:  forgiveness. Forgiveness for roads traveled, and forgiveness for acts by those who were with me on those roads. I had a big moment several weeks ago when I realized how much shame was eating away at me. I realized I need to forgive myself for my past. It's not even that I've done terrible things - it's more about things I regret saying to someone, or something I did in my life that may have hurt someone. I can't change the things in my past, but I can learn from them. And forgive myself for them.

(I did pick Chicago on purpose, since that's where a lot of my past was spent, but I don't have to forgive Chicago for anything - I still love that town!)

day eight: motivation (fun-a-day)

This is Mount Rainier - can you tell?

This came to me today while I was attending the public memorial service for the ranger I mentioned earlier. It was a beautiful and heart-breaking service, and one that I don't think I'll ever forget.

The mountain itself, combined with Motivation, makes a ton of sense to me. It represents many things:

- It's my view from my office. I somehow got a fantastic, unobstructed view of Mt. Rainier out my window, and 14 years into living here, it still makes my heart skip a beat whenever I see it

- I heard someone state today that the mountain stands as a permanent memorial to Margaret Anderson. When leaving the service, the previously cloudy view was stunning in clear, blue skies. As a memorial, it reminds me to appreciate my life because you never know how long you have.

- The mountain itself is somewhere I want to spend more time - it represents a spiritual and physical health that I need more of in my life.

day seven: perspective (fun-a-day)

(I'll post a better picture later - I keep
finishing these projects at night and I don't 
have great lighting inside for photos.)

Everyone could use a little perspective.

This is Willa's onesie from when she when a bit under 5 lbs. It's incredibly tiny!

Fourteen months later she's almost 20 pounds. She blows raspberries on our bellies, says "tickle tickle," knows some sign language....I could go on and on. She's completely amazing and is constantly reminding me to pay attention to what matters.

day six: connection (fun-a-day)

Connection is a word I wrote down on New Year's - it can be applied to so much! Connection with my self, my relationships, nature...everything, really. Instead of focusing on where I'm going, I'd really like to concentrate on where I am in each exact moment. This seems to be a tough one these days.

I decided to move away from embroidery today, and had some fun with wire instead.

day five: strength (fun-a-day)

day four: know your soul (fun-a-day)

Not a great picture today - I'll post a better one later. I also hope to embroider this on a different paper, but for now, at 11pm after an 11 hour day, I'm heading to bed.

But first, the inspiration for today's affirmation/intention. I stumbled across this poem today by Walt Whitman in Leaves of Grass, a 1942 copy that I've had for years but have never opened:

I have perceiv'd that to be with those I like is enough,

To stop in company with the rest at evening is enough,

To be surrounded by beautiful, curious, breathing, laughing flesh is
     enough,
To pass among them or touch any one, or rest my arm ever so lightly
     round his or her neck for a moment, what is this then?

I do not ask any more delight, I swim in it as in a sea.

There is something in staying close to men and women and looking
     on them, and in the contact and odor of them, that pleases the
     soul well,

All things please the soul, but these please the soul well.

Love this.

day three: love (fun-a-day)

So, sad story. A woman named Margaret Anderson died today at Mt. Rainier. She was a law enforcement park ranger and was shot by a man who had blown through a routine traffic stop. My work scheduled a meeting about it first thing this morning, and it's been heavy on my mind all day.

It's been a giant reminder to acknowledge and appreciate all the love in my life, and a reminder to express my love to those who are so important to me.

RIP Margaret Anderson.

day two: patience (fun-a-day)

This popped into my head while I was with my incredibly tired toddler who is learning to kick, hit, bite, and climb. The more tired she is, the more likely she is to do one of these things. My sleep is less and less these days, and the year has not started out exactly as I had hoped. I can get lost in all of the things I want to accomplish - from cleaning the kitchen to creating a business to taking a nap. Instead of feeling overwhelmed at all of this, I am exploring ways in which I can bring more patience into my life.

day one: integrity (january fun-a-day)

I saw a post about this event and had to sign right up! Each participant picks a project and does it everyday for all of January. Then in mid-February, all participants display their projects at a local venue. Unfortunately there's nothing like this in Seattle yet, so I've signed up for one in Portland (http://www.funadaypdx.com) on February 11th.


My project: one affirmation or intention, in craft form, every day. I can pick any craft to represent the affirmations, and at the end I'll display them all together. I love how this ties into the new year - instead of resolutions, I'm going to focus on what I want to nurture in my life every day, in a creative way.

Today's word-of-the-day: integrity

[in-teg-ri-tee]; the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished

There were several definitions, but I liked the one above best. To me, "being whole" includes putting my intentions into action. Simply, doing what I say (or think) I'm going to do. Like crafting/art. Making good food. Exercising my brain and body. Being the person I want my daughter to know me to be. Being the person I know me to be.

December craft party

Craft Party #2! I had a few more folks over this time and almost finished a new project (just a bit more to do..). It was so fun to get some quality time with friends, with the bonus of learning some new crafts. Thanks to everyone who joined me!

Kate's giant felted stocking!

my stockings made of leather - we'll see how it works out

Cristopher joins in!

Laura's smart phone mittens - beautiful!
(Laura, I love this picture of you! If only it didn't cut off your eyes...)

my first craft brunch - finally!

After years of wanting to pull something together, I finally hosted my first craft party! Here are some pictures from the day. I am so excited to finally have a space to work with friends, and can't wait for the next one.

Joy's felted mushroom

My so-ugly-it's-perfect curtain

six months

embroidery hoop decor idea

So pretty!
http://luziapimpinella.blogspot.com/

den idea

I love this room. We have a den/family room adjoining the kitchen now, and we were given two small butter-yellow couches that we put there with the tv. The walls are split with cream and putty walls. The room needs a major splash of color! This gives me some great ideas.

I find the picture on this blog.

starburst clock

We just moved three weeks ago to a rambler and I'm more obsessed than ever with mid-century decor. Should I buy this? $50.

abandoned window display

I was walking up Jackson Street today and ran across an empty storefront that was under construction. Except for one lovely window display. Very nice! Bus days always bring something new...(oh yeah it was also sunny!)