Rose Cottage

 I'm excited - and a little nervous - to be cofacilitating this year's February Reset. We met (via zoom) last night, and will record our opening circle tomorrow.  The group description begins, 'creating conscious corners with our homes - think of this, what if your whole home was a sacred space?'   I love this focus! And have been joting down ideas, and putting my bits on the calendar.  Intentional Creativity invites us to begin by setting intentions - many of us will pull out a journal for notes and creative process!  Some inquiries to ask as we embark :  Why  do I want to dethug and reset? What  do I wish to create space for?  What  blocks my process/ progress?  Who  - what matters most to  me  about my space? Who  (what items) am I 'renting space' to - (do I like the 'tenants?' Would I invite them again?) When  - what time and energy can I devote to the process? How  - what strategies will I employ, and Where will I begin? Last year, I began with my

 I'm looking forward to the February invitation to Resetting the space of your Living Altar,  which several friends from our Intentional Creativity community host. I'm also a bit nervous, as I've been invited on board to help facilitate the group this year! Red Thread A decade ago, our IC teacher  Shiloh  issued this invitation:   " I would love for you to finish your painting if you haven’t, and then to clean your studio. Reset your altars. Make new room for the sprouts to come up through the ashes. You need space and time to see what’s coming up and what wants to be shared and prepared for...." Whatever your space and projects, giving time and attention to a reset often inspires us, and gives access to new ideas and insights.  The Resetting group description reads,  "think of this, what if your whole home was a sacred space? Throughout February, (we) will lead a month of consciously clearing spaces in your home, and you're invited!"  While clearin

Curating a space that is welcoming is a process in flow - tending, making thoughtful additions, and clearing energy.  Sanctuary First and foremost for harmonizing energy is periodic edits of our spaces (i.e. clearing clutter!) to reflect current interests and activities. Clutter clearing isn't a  'once and done'  event- rather its an onging process! To choose what belongs, Cass from Clutterbug suggests asking yourself: Where would I look for this? Would I even know I have it (and would I use it)? Do I have one I like/ that works better? Then put the item in its spot - or move it on!   Atelier - packing up A tip to assist clearing that's simple and effective - use salt! Amanda Gibby Peters writes it's,  "An everyday, any situation cleanse.  You simply leave a small bowl of (sea or Himalayan) salt out for 24 hours. At 24 hours, dispose of it outside in the dirt or trash - whatever makes the most sense for you. You will feel brighter and lighter immediately."

 The front door welcomes guests and opportunities, while our other entrances favor less direct opportunities - all need to be in good working order, clean and able to open fully.  Is there clutter on the other side? Are the path and steps clear and safe? Is the address clearly visible? If you use another door most of the time (garage), do you use the front door daily?  Buddha's Play House - cobb construction  Photo - John Holley In Feng Shui, the front door and the kitchen are two of the most important centers - the Mouth of Chi, and the heart of the home. In the mid 90s, I lived in a shared home at a mountain retreat center, and love the way our home welcomed all who came! Our front entrance faced the path through the staff cabins, but we generally entered through a little mud room on the side. This was especially important during the wet and snowy months! There's a row of coat hooks, and a built in bench with cubbies under for shoes, and a quick tidy was on our weekly cleanin

 Over the years, my cleaning style has ebbed and flowed; my daughter tells me I could write a book on  feng shui , (she wonders why I don't just do what I know, lol!)  Last fall after numerous discussions and planning, my daughter, son-in law and I began sorting, clearing and downsizing for my big move into a smaller space!! She helped inside, while he did much of the heavy lifting and dispersal- storage,  donations, recycling and trash! Zander helping sort When I'm working solo, I am a fan of utilizing a  Body Double  -  listening to podcasts or YouTube, or calling a friend (and using Bluetoothor pitting them on speaker!). Melissa Maker's  Cleaning videos , and tips from Rachel Hoffman of  UFYH  were already favorites.  I joined a fortuitous Clutter Clearing submit, and found more: Cass - Clutterbug , Dana - A Slob Comes Clean ,  plus my friend Kira Rodenbush - What's Up with your Stuff ? And Feng Shui Maven Amanda Gibby- Peters House Therapy (and Simple Shui ) are g

 A new house includes gardening in a new spot!  My daughter and son-in law moved here 13 years ago, and have gardened off and on throughout that time.  It's a double lot, with the garden area fenced. Small fruit include a row of blueberries, raspberries, a couple of grape vines on arbors, and a rhubarb.  There's an artichoke patch, a lovely Rosemary and several other herbs. The border the veggie area, which has had several configurations.  Artichoke patch My younger grandson and I began a no dig bed last summer, and planted greens and tomatoes. They learned about food security and planted seeds each day at VBS (vacation bible school), so we gave the marigolds, beans and sunflowers a home. Plant station At my old house, I potted up perennial veggies and herbs, and kept new plants in pots - my dear son-in law brought them over on his truck - several loads! Some will remain in pots, and others planted out as the garden expands. I brought tender perennials into the garage to winter

 As a child, I loved playing, riding one of the neighbor's ponies or the bike I shared with my dad, and hikes on out frequent camping trips - but I wasn't fond of ball sports or PE classes!  Tai Chi demonstration I'm my late 20s, I began taking ballet, and then Tai Chi. Though it took awhile to achieve any grace, I love the flow, and enjoy many dance forms. As a massage therapist, I encourage clients to include daily movement, and to discover ones they enjoy and are a good for for their body! And for many years, I've recommended 'bite size' movement that can be done at your desk or in a small space!  Last summer, in a video by a health consultant, she recommended doing a brief morning warm up (6-10 minutes!) to get the lumph flowing, and mentioned that doing so increases lymph flow with ANY subsequent movement! (Reaching for a jar, bending down to tie your shoes, standing up) Barbara suggested using a rebounder, whilst in the comments, someone mentioned the Japa

 At the beginning of the year, we often ask ourselves, " what are my wishes for my health & well being? " Rather than making resolutions, many of us work with intentions, and ways to meet those.  My first thoughts are more movement, healthy food, clearer home & serenity!  I am so fortunate to live in zone 8, with year round access to fresh local produce.  I shop at the weekly farmers market, and am planning this year's garden.  My grandson is nearly 12, and my garden buddy.  I've eaten mostly local OG veggies & fruit, & try to keep the rest of my food as close to home as possible, for most of my life! My parents grew up on farms; we always had a garden, and got milk from the dairy next door.   Our little family (daughter, her family & myself) have eaten  Gluten Free  for 12 years, & several are dairy free. Sugar and treats can tempt me (yes - plenty of GF versions are available!) - so my intention is to choose whole foods first, and be more int

 Gong Hay Fat Choi! Good wishes on the year of the Rabbit! We had a lovely celebration with over a thousand people at a local market and event center.  In addition to performances - a Lion Dance, Tai Chi demonstration, and  dragon puppet; there were stories and crafts for children, and history of Asian presence in our area.  In the late 1800s, the towns around us had a Chinese laundry, and the local paper reported several gatherings for the Lunar New year. Celebrating with family and friends was the heart of the festivities - and we certainly did. Lion dance at Mac Market One of my favorite personal activities is rolling Oranges! The words for 'tangerine' and that for 'wealth' sound similar, and the color reminds us of that of coins. My friend and Feng Shui practioner Gwynne loves celebrating Lunar New Years, and offers several practices: -   'Roll 88 cases, or 88, or 8 single oranges one by one through your front door (& every exterior door that enters your hom

   The Rabbit year is an especially favorable & mild one, following the more exciting year of the Tiger!  I'm a Tiger, & my Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes says:  "A happier year for the Tiger. Some good news is forthcoming, love & business affairs look rosy. There are still some obstacles, but (s)he will surmount them with little difficulty, & will be quite content with (her) achievements." This is also a good year for those born in Oxen and Snake years -  so welcome!   In general, a Rabbit year brings   "A congenial time in which diplomacy, international relations & politics fare well. We will act with discretion & make reasonable concessions without too much difficulty. Money can be made without too much labor, our life style will be more languid & leisurely. A temperate year with an unhurried pace."   My grandkids enjoy rolling oranges across the doorstep - I  look forward to doing that in Rose Cottage! Another favorite is receivin

 Feng Shui has long been an interest of mine.  Literally meaning 'wind and water,' we are invited to tune into our natural environment and notice our place in it.  As practioner Amanda Gibby Peters reminds us, our homes are always talking to us - are we listening? Here's her podcast on loving up your front door .  Beautiful brooms As the Lunar New Year approaches, there are still several things we can do in preparation to welcome the year of the Rabbit.  Shui holds that our front door offers opportunity for Chi (engy) to enter, and luck find us.  Take some time to clear & bless the entrance or 'Mouth of Chi' by clearing clutter by your front door, sweeping the steps & porch, making sure the door can open, street numbers are visible, & washing the door - or painting it!  Add a bit of salt and lemon or orange essential oil to the water - or peel from fresh citrus to the water, and wash away troubles experienced in the old year.  Shake or or replace your m

 After 19 years in my little house across town, my daughter and son-in law are building me a Grannie Flat - Rose Cottage - in their back yard! Rose Cottage, facing West Last fall, we spent most available weekends downsizing and purging in preparation for and doing the move. During construction , I'm tucked in mere yards away, in a back nook in their home! Last summer I asked my new neighbor Jeff if he was intersted in buying my 100+ year old house - and his brother Jim  decided to be the next steward! He's already put on a new roof is upgrading it.! I'm borrowing a bed from my youngest grandson, which just fits in the space (that will become their laundry nook, after I'm in my new home).  My new room I washed the walls with a bit of salt and citrus Essential Oil in the water to clear predecessor Chi, and put cinnamon oil on the broom bristles when sweeping.  Both these tips come from Amanda Gibby Peters ( Simple Shui ).  I've long had an interest in Feng Shui , and