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To make a card for a special friend you will need to do the following...first gather all supplies and participants.
Begin with a little painting.
Then you print.
Personalize your work.
Bask in the glow of liberating you inner artist.
What will you create today?
Had to pop in quickly to share this. The combination of my new favorite rice pudding recipe with chai spices led to this perfect snow day snack. Seriously, this kind of sensory delight seems so wrong.
I can't really say the exact amount of spices I used, just kept adding until it had that familiar taste and scent of chai. To one recipe of the rice pudding I would guess the following mixture would work: 1/4 tsp cinnamon,1/4 tsp cardamom, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/8 tsp clove, 1/8 tsp nutmeg (not a traditional chai spice). Add the spices when you add the sugar and milk.
Do not attempt this with old spices that have lingered in your spice cabinet for years, get the good stuff, you deserve it.
Today we are in need of all things toasty, warm fires, steamy beverages, knitting with heavy wool, we got ourselves a bit more snow last night!
I didn't think it would happen. It appears Miss Winter is hanging on. Thought I would share a couple of recipes, we are always with a mug of something hot and steamy in hand, October through March.
The first is for a Chai Mix. It is quite delicious and convenient to have around the house, not for purists. Still, we love it and take it hiking and camping all the time. For an authentic chai recipe, which needs to be indulged in regularly for sure, check out Cheryl's. It is perfect.
Chai Mix
Combine the mix. I run it in batches through the blender to get it really good and powdery, dissolves nicer. Add 2 rounded TBS. mix to 8 oz. hot (not boiling) H2O. Put your feet up and sip away.
Hot Cocoa Mix
Mix in a large bowl well. I do run this through the blender in batches as well. Use 1/3 cup mix with 8 oz. of hot H2O.
Hope you enjoy these!
A gift for my friend and yoga teacher, Anne. She is expecting her third child soon and we are all gathering this afternoon to celebrate. I made Anne this baby gear bag, it has oodles of pockets and I will be stopping off at the Co-op to fill them up with plenty of Mama and Babe goodness. I hope she likes it, the fabric is very dear to me, for no reason other than I just love it and have not been able to cut into it for the three years that I've had it...has this ever happened to you? Anyway, this seemed like the right time and definitely for the right person. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
I have always loved when the light outside shifts to the soft, warm glow of late afternoon. It's as if the day is giving you permission to shift gears, get a little quiet, slow down. Yesterday afternoon I had the house to myself and entered the studio to practice before teaching my evening class. The yoga studio faces west, the late day sun poured through the windows, warm and golden. My practice was mellow, allowing for plenty of time to sink into twists, binds, and folds. At one point, lingering in a variation of Janu Sirsasana, everything felt so perfect, so complete, nothing missing. In that moment there wasn't a single thing that I wanted or needed. It was pretty incredible, all that I needed was right there. Blissful. These moments of solitude provide answers, wisdom, renewal. Take some time to investigate, let yourself get really quiet, alone, without guilt.
Rolf Gates says "at the end of the hero's journey, he finds that he did not need to go anywhere, that all he sought was inside him all along.
This makes me feel ready for Spring. Years ago I worked on an Herb Farm and one of these scarves would have been a welcome addition to the early April 40 degree mornings... starting wood stoves in the shops, gathering the first spring herbs and edible flowers, sorrel, parsley, possibly thyme and various pansies for the days luncheon. The farm closed in the winter, re-opened in April. Those first few weeks always proved to be cooler than we had anticipated.
This scarf says "I'm movin' on," no need for the heavy wool scarf any longer, but still, a little something to keep the chill away. Made from sweet floral fabrics to usher in the season of course.
Today I am grateful for the creativity of Blair and Amanda. Just what I needed .
This vintage pillow case said farewell ...
but lives on in two of these cute spring bags...
and lines the inside of this tote. I think I get more excited about the inside of bags than the outside. Am I alone on this? The exterior of the tote is from a vintage tablecloth. Love Sunday crafting. Hope everyone had an enjoyable, laid back weekend.
Looking for something to do this weekend? If you are in this area check out Samadhi Yoga Studio. Their current class of yoga teachers in training are teaching to the public! They are excited, nervous, and anxious to be supported, I know, I've been there. It'll be great community and even greater yoga! Class today is at 2:30 and tomorrow at 8:30 am. Call them to reserve a spot. Good times.
This is what I have taken from this weeks 'beat the funks' fun...I love living where there are four distinct seasons. Without experiencing the late winter blahs, I know I'd never welcome spring with such gratitude. In yoga Pratyahara is the practice of turning inward, withdrawal from the senses. Winter invites us to hibernate, get our sleep, recharge for spring, relish in the quiet, the retreat. A perfect season to be mindful of Pratyahara- in your yoga practice or in life. Enjoy the rest of winter. Keep it easy, steady and relaxed, breath flowing freely. Thanks Amanda.
We are back in the game. Today food will be consumed, quiet games will be played, and recovery from yesterday's funks will begin.
