Finding Sacred Essence this holiday

I'm so loving that our women's circle is up and running again for 2011. We have a new website too which helps keep us all connected throughout the month until we meet again in May. You might like to see what we've been up to here.

Our first circle has taken us on the journey inward to reconnect with our Higher Selves.

We have done so through story, sharing/discussion, meditation, song, sacred ceremony and through creating our own crown - a lovely beaded wire head piece.

Our journey began with a wonderful story called Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady. Though our focus was on the theme of sovereignty - and specifically connecting to the Higher Self within, each of us took from the story what was just right for us. I'm a huge believer in the beautiful synchronicities that weave their way through our experiences and if we listen carefully enough and take enough notice, there is so much to be gained!

Over at Sacred Essence, I posted here and here about my experience after the circle of how I have learnt that it is through our relationships that we tap into a well of opportunity for connecting to our Higher Self voice if we just learn to tune into it. For me as always, it seems, this requires a slowing down and a process of mindfulness on what is happening in the moment, as it unfolds. It's getting easier with practice, but it's definitely something I have to keep plugging away at. In fact, it's literally a matter of plugging into a Greater Source of Divine LOVE (my...OUR Sacred Essence) in order to reconnect/refresh/reframe and re-act in a more harmonious way.

I've been practising it these past weeks of school holidays. We've been renovating the laundry, trying to keep up with child-centred activities to keep the boredom at bay and having my mother-in-law stay at the same time. It has certainly been an on-the-go, all emergent exercise in the art of mindfulness! Sometimes I have succeeded in keeping connected to my Higher Self (and my preferred way of Being) and at other times I've felt myself lose touch quite suddenly! I am really finding that what is working most for me is choosing JOY. As I choose the emotional high road for myself, everyone around me seems to benefit. I suppose it's living in that higher vibration that joy brings, which is certainly vastly different to the dull, clanging throb that frustration and a frayed temper brews if given half the chance.

So with that in mind, here are a few JOYOUS moments I have savoured these past few weeks...

I hope your Easter holidays has brought with it some Sacred Essence too!!

Nesting before the Spring

I think most of you know I'm having our second baby very soon. It's a really wonderful time to be expecting the birth of our own child with the season of spring dawning just around the corner. And along with the gorgeous array of birds in our neck of the woods, we too are nesting!! Big time!

Nothing better than a new bubba to inspire some good old hard work and some pretty little projects too. I can't believe the energy I have mustered (in spirts) to finally get to those grubby fingerprints and smears on walls! Yes i've been cleaning the walls and skirting and windows and screens and washing and re-washing.... and on it goes.

And did you know this stuff is contagious??? Well my wonderful hubby has also been chirning out the projects and we're really starting to see some big changes around here. A new play room, a freshly painted guest room, new window dressings, even a new fence! Stuff we've been meaning to get to for so long has simply been done! It's great! I'm one happy Mamma!

Although I think after a month or two of this and I'm really running out of steam now. My little one and I were out in the garden today and I felt like I was trying to pull up the giant turnip as I attempted to stand up after some planting. Honest to goodness I feel like I'm carrying one of those really huge watermelons around with me everywhere. Having said that, it really doesn't take much to turn to the promise of Spring in our freshened up little garden and remind myself of the fruits of our labour soon to blossom! Can't wait!

And here is a photo of the first little gift for our bubba.... thanks again to the Silkwood craft group for the kit for this gorgeous spring mother bird with baby.

Homemade gifts

I just love making and giving these little Steiner inspired gifts to my little one's friends. There's a special joy in learning how from clever creative people (thank you Nikki, Mia, Dionne and team at Heart & Hands Craft Group at Silkwood).... and then getting creative at home and producing gifts for the special little people in our daughter's life. Not to mention how lovely it is to see the smiles on their faces when they know you've given something greater than another 'something' to play with. I really do think that despite the huge commercial pressures of media inspired "stuff" out there in consumer land, that children do sense the love in a homemade gift.

A Brilliant Sewer!

My little one sat beside me as I finished off a dress project I started for her a few weeks ago now. It was one of those projects that sat, draped over my machine between spurts of progress. I started out with this cute print that I got for a bargain - $3 per metre I think it was.... And I only bought a metre of each colour. I tried hunting for a pattern but that's another story...and another day with my little companion.

So now finally, a patternless project is complete.... but I must share the whisperings of my fellow little sewer as she worked....

"I'm a brilliant sewer Mummy..... I'm a brilliant cook AND a brilliant sewer!
...You just put this pin in here and then poke it through there....see Mummy!
.....I'm a bit fussy with putting on things with pins though.... cos I don't like it how they spike you.... that hurts!"

And I have to say, this clumsy Mama sewer needs lots of pins.... and my handy work leaves much room for improvement... =) But it still looks cute on the brilliant sewer! Don't you think?

Been busy making

I've been busy the past couple of days.

Found this gorgeous fabric in three of my favourite colours and heavy enough to make the bag I've had in mind for a little while...

The motif in the bottom right corner features prominently in my paintings. I call it my waterwheel design. I appliqued it on with the good old zig zag technique I learnt in high school sewing class. Waterwheels is also a song I wrote many years ago... Yes, I am a singer songwriter too. One day I'll get around to posting some of my songs on here. And make this blogspot a little more multimodal (as we creative arts therapists say). Waterwheels is a beautiful flowing metaphor in the song for how I transport myself (physically or in meditation/visualisation) to places that nourish my soul,... places I love, like the ocean!

My Mothers Day

It's a beautiful thing to rise midmorning(!)

To the smell of freshly baked rye sour dough bread

It's what kept my little one busy

While I dreamily stayed in my cosy *Queen* bed.

With her most amazing Dad

She mixed, kneaded and baked

In the kitchen, and later the sandpit

Treats patted and moulded and raked.

And more treats for Mummy today

Given with love that's straight from the heart

Multilayered pages so carefully placed

A most colourful display of art

And especially treated was I

When my beautiful husband brought home

An easter/mothers day gift

Which now creates treasures home sewn...