Rose Cottage

  As October comes to a close, we are finishing our fourth and final BlogBoost challenge for 2024 - we did it! The next challenge will begin with the new year in January, so save the link!  Whether we posted daily, or just more regularly, we've all gained from the challenge.   It's always fun visiting each other's blogs, taking a kaleidoscopic peek into each other's worlds.  As this challenge ends, new opportunities beckon. F ollowing our blog challange host Paul's tips, I plan to continue posting several times a week, and visiting other blogs. Checking my stats, my most popular posts this month were about my Cherokee journey  the Blog Roll , and prequel to my Reiki 1 class .   And ... the all 'round favorite, with 435 views, is FRONT DOOR !  After teaching Reiki 1 last weekend, I committed to joining my students in doing self Reiki and supporting practices for 21 days. I plan to post practices and tips on my K ing's Touch Reiki  blog. I listed a dozen to

  My granddaughter Kayleen called this week with a request. She was trying to crochet a hat with leaves for her kitty, and was running out of time - could I possibly make it?  A number of kids at college have service animals, and she's entering Zella in a costume contest ... yes, of course I could!  KK sent me the patterns ( hat and leaves ), explained her ideas, and brought over the yarn and a couple of hooks.  My kitty Percy wasn't very cooperative, so I brought out Galina -  ᎦᎵᎾ -  to try it for size. (And - of course - she wanted one of her own).  ᎦᎵᎾ in Zella's leafy hat So I made her one with dragon-red flames, and a second leafy hat for one of the other kitties -  Charizard amigurumi is modeling the second. (Do you think his hat and ties would be better in the green?)  Charizard and Galena  KK was delighted! And offered to leave the yarn, 'I know where to find it if I need it again!' ...  That green yarn and modification of the leaf pattern seemed perfe

 It's a wrap! We had a lovely time in our Reiki 1 class this weekend, with my granddaughter Emily and her mom joining the other students yesterday. (Emily is a college student, and they could only stay half the day.  We three will get together later, to complete the teachings) Robin, Seana and Nadya after Reiki class The class was so sweet, and the Time Angels assisted us each day! The space was great for our class, with a cozy seating area for talking story, hot tea, a session room that's perfect for practicing the treatments, and we created the cards in the conference room! Making small cards or prayer flags for inspiration, affirmation, setting intention is one of my favorite quick projects, and is a perfect way to connect with the Reiki Precepts or Principles!  Collage card on brown paper In many traditions, flags of paper or cloth are hung to send prayers, praise and blessings on the wind. Cards can be placed on a shelf, or tucked into a journal pocket. (A pretty envelope

 This week, I invited you to pose a few questions - thank you for entering the conversation!  Most of your inquiries were about some of my interests - spirituality, crafts, and studying Cherokee - where did they begin? All are rooted in growing up wi th my parents - nurtured and inspired by their love, and inspired by their interests. We each had our own take on these - and i was encouraged to deepen with my own.   Lois • Nadya • Byrle - 1962 I'm an only child, and my parents were 37 and 40 when I was born!  My mum had polio during the epidemic in 1921, and was on crutches from her teens until she was 85, and went into a wheelchair for the next 7. Her mama encouraged her to do what she could for herself, and she did! Lois was plucky and self sufficient, training as a secretary, and working around the state for the Farm agency. My folks met at Grange (a Fraternal farm organization) in the 30s, when AB came to Central Oregon to farm with his brother. I was impressed to hear that bui

  16 years ago when my old Brown Beauty broom was wearing out, I needed to find a new one, (which I still love dearly!) I'm not a naturally tidy person, and my home goes through phases and stages of order and disarray! But - I enjoy sweeping with a good broom, (and like my mom, washing dishes by hand - many handmade - in a dish pan!) 2019 Brown Beauty and magical Broom After some research, I ordered from Backwoods Broom company (Eugene), which supplied brooms used for the Harry Potter series! And though it's 15 years old, mine is still going strong!  In addition to its daily tasks, it's joined me for our local Hexendance !  McMinnville blocks off main street on the 31st, and merchants pass out treats. Our informal group meets for several practice sessions, then dances in one of the intersections - near a shop that now carries these brooms and besoms! Brooms have long been used a an aid to energetically clear one's space.  Here's a little sweeping prayer I someti

 Turnip carving -  This was fun! I was intrigued, reading about the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns in the British isles, using turnips!   (In her post on the 17th, Vedya mentioned this old practice!) Carving turnips goes back hundreds of years, long before new world crops (including pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes and other plants) were introduced. In Switzerland, they hold a turnip lantern festival, called Räebelichtli Umzug . Turnip hollowed with a spoon   So - I got the largest turnip in the bin, heated it  about 10 minutes in my Air Fryer (to soften it a bit), then used a knife and spoon to scoop out the interior, and then to incise designs.  Carved and lit from within Since they are smaller than the new world pumpkins used these days, a battery tealight is suggested for lighting; I used a real candle for the pics - and made the handle from twine. Another side My friend Kathleen Schulte sent me this Pic of a carved turnip they spotted at  'a museum in Ireland. I do n