Restoration Underway

Due to several factors in my current life situation, I've decided to take an indefinite break from blogging.
Wishing you peace and joy.

You Are Stardust

“Every tiny atom in your body came from a star that exploded long before you were born.”

Think about that for a moment...isn't it incredible? We are made of stars. Carl Sagan and Albert Einstein talked about this and it is  frequently mentioned by a variety of astrophysicists, astronomers and physicists on Discovery's How the Universe Works. I am deeply moved by it every time I hear it or think of it.

You Are Stardust begins by introducing the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. From its opening pages, the book suggests that we are intimately connected to the natural world; it compares the way we learn to speak to the way baby birds learn to sing, and the growth of human bodies to the growth of forests. Written by Elin Kelsey and illustrated by Soyeon Kim, this innovative picture book, grounded in current science, aims to reintroduce children to their innate relationship with the world around them by sharing many of the surprising ways that we are all connected to the natural world. Soyeon Kim’s beautiful diorama art enhances the poetic text, and her creative process is explored in full on the reverse side of the book’s jacket, which features comments from the artist.

"Be still. Listen.
Like you, the Earth breathes.
Your breath is alive with the promise of flowers.
Each time you blow a kiss to the world, you spread pollen that might grow to be a new plant."

The next time you wonder or doubt the value of yourself or your existence, pause and consider that you are made of stardust. You and me and everything on our planet. We are part of a living, breathing organism. And you are just as valuable as each cell in your body. There is no one above you and no one beneath you. We are all interconnected. We are Life.

Carmel By The Sea, Part 2

Here's a few more pictures of the way-too-many I took of the ocean in Carmel.

So beautiful.
Walking barefoot in the sand,
listening to the crash of the ocean,
smelling and tasting the salty air,
watching the seagulls soaring overhead
and the waves come in and out,
feeling my breath,
and I think:
this is the way the earth breathes.
And I feel at home, complete and whole.

Carmel By The Sea, Part 1

Carmel By The Sea (sometimes just referred to as Carmel) is a small town with lots of European inspired architecture. The top three photos are from Secret Garden, the most delightful little garden space designed in an alleyway next to Pilgrim's Way Bookstore. Carmel draws lots of tourism from around the world and it's easy to see why. The nature in Carmel and Monterey to the north and Big Sur to the south is just astounding. Relaxed and located in one of the prettiest places right by the ocean, Carmel is a city steeped in the arts. In the early 20th century, many artists, literary writers, poets, photographers and actors came to Carmel to help establish the Artists Colony (video). The ocean here makes my heart go pitter-patter and I think the beach in Carmel is one of the best.

On the needles...

Slowly knitting over the past couple of months has turned this...

into this! A couple of months ago, I ordered some Madeline Tosh Merino Light yarn in the fabulously rich Victorian Gothic colorway and began knitting my first sweater. Actually I knitted this sweater a couple of years ago, but this is the first with sleeves. I've been wanting to knit a sweater for some time and this autumn seemed a perfect time. I truly love knitting. I gives my mind something to focus on and pay attention to, and yet for me it becomes quite meditative and soothing. I'm a little farther than the photo above shows, having almost completed the hood, when I ran out of yarn. Argh. If you know anything about Madeline Tosh you know that because her yarn is all hand dyed, it can sometimes be a while to obtain. Ugh. I was so excited to finish my sweater, but it will have to wait until I get more yarn.

Today is day 5 of Art Every Day Month. I worked in my art journal and hopefully my pages will be ready to share tomorrow, if not then, since I will be out of town for a short while, then by Thursday for sure.

Pumpkin Lattes in the Crockpot

It's so fun to try new things. It's especially fun if those things are inexpensive, decadent, make you feel luxurious and are easy to make yourself.  Today, I tried this recipe for homemade Pumpkin Lattes in the crockpot and they turned out delicious! So easy. I got up early, fed the cats (who seem to be starving lately--I don't need an alarm clock any more) put everything into the crockpot and left it to go do my yoga practice, meditation and reading. Two hours later, when the other two finally arose, we had fresh, hot Pumpkin Lattes and everyone loved them! I will definitely be making them again and again...

I tried making these on the stove top as well but using the crockpot really makes the difference as it allows the milk and coffee to really absorb the spices and vanilla. I skipped on the whipped cream and extra cinnamon on top, but you can go fancy if you want.

Below, I've reprinted the recipe. I'll be trying more of Stephanie's crock pot recipes--especially the holiday ones. I really like the idea of saving some time and energy (A crockpot uses approx. .02 of energy) while still making really delicious food.


Pumpkin Latte
(Makes 2)
2 cups milk 
2 T canned pumpkin 
2 T sugar 
2 T vanilla (not a typo. it asks for tablespoons) 
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or: 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and a teeny tiny pinch of ground ginger)
1/2 cup brewed espresso or 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee
garnish with whipped cream (optional)

Add the coffee/espresso and milk to the crockpot. Whisk in the pumpkin, spices, sugar, and vanilla.
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours if everything is cold. Whisk again.
Ladle into mugs, and garnish with whipped cream and additional cinnamon.

**If you're visiting from AEDM, welcome! I will be posting artwork as well. My philosophy and experience is that any kind of creativity contributes to my artwork, therefore, I focus on being creative each day, whatever that means on any particular day. Thanks for visiting!

Inspiration Saturday

 Really enjoying this song

How about breakfast with one of these?

My affirmation lately: "Something is now manifesting for me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways."

Have you heard Thandie Newton's Ted Talk?

Oh yes, this is luscious.

Nothing is more important than self-care. Nothing. Check out this list of 55 gentle ways to take care of you. Or make your own list (even better because nobody knows what you need like you do) and share a few of your favorite items in the comments below.

For those of you in the path of the storm, real or metaphorical, take good care and be safe.