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...

  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 modificatio...

 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 en...

 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 impres...

  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...

 Firstly, ᏩᏙ - Thank you  for visiting Rose Cottage, and reading my adventures! I have a wee favor to ask of you! Now that you are here, what would you like to know? Have any of my recent posts that stirred your curiosity? Door into mystery I s there a question you would like answered? Perhaps you're curious about our move to Rose Cottage, or setting space.  Or - do you have an old story  that keeps replaying? Would you like a process to help shift or even alchemize it?  You're invited to ask me something, or share a  trouble.  Tomorrow, I will select a few of your questions and offer my answer!  So, leave a comment below and ask me a question! Thanks 🌱  Nadya

   In just 4 days, we meet for our Reiki I class - are you ready? (Though I've posted it on my women's creative group, this class is open to both women and men, and children over 12) This is always a precious time of anticipation and preparation, for both students and teacher. I'll be pulling together handouts and supplies, and getting my extra massage table from storage.  Reiki Class in progress Several students will be joining from our community, plus a few family members. I always look forward to seeing how the class unfolds, and the insights that sparkle through.  At times, students ask 'how to decide' where they fit on the sliding scale. Since I began teaching Reiki in the fall of 1991, I've wanted to make Reiki initiation available to anyone who felt called to do the work. I've also realized, like Hawayo Takata, that there needed to be an 'energy exchange' for students to value the teachings. In her stories about Reiki, Mrs Takata shared that ...

  This weekend marked the 15th birthday of achaf-hammi , the plankhouse at nearby Grand Ronde, which 'provides a traditional space for countless activities, events and ceremonies.'    Pre-European contact, these long plankhouses played a vital role for the indigenous people of the rainy Pacific NW, serving as winter homes, store houses, and meeting places for the large extended families, who've been here over 10,000 years. (Similar Longhouses were used in Europe and Asia)  Tribal Histories - David Lewis I am so grateful we were invited to attend this celebration, and went with 2 of my Native Voices bookgroup friends, Emily and Judy!  Our g roup members read and discuss books by indigenous authors, and we've visited  Chachalu cultural center   at Grand Ronde several times. C hachalu, which translates to 'the place of burnt timbers' the name given the area after a massive forest fire in 1856.     The reservation is home to members of mor...

  One of the joys of blogging is 'meeting' others through their blogs! One of our prompts on the October Ultimate Blog Challeng e was to write about blogs you enjoy and follow.  For a number of years, I joined the Friday 'Paint Party' blog roll, and had several favorite blogs i visited regularly! It was a treat seeing many styles, and I enjoyed the perspectives of those writing in other countries.  Moon journal I was disappointed when the group disbanded a few years back .... Checking an old link, I discovered some of my favorite bloggers are still going strong, and participate in current blog rolls prompting creative projects! ( Here's one  blog roll, if you enjoy art blogs!) One is Valarie-Jael   (Germany) whose art and reflections I always enjoy. Want a virtual coffee companion? Dora / Peppy-Lady  (Idaho) is a gem - and the Coffees usually on at her place!   Feng Shui and creating cozy spaces is another longtime interest, and blogs are a good w...

 Over the last several years, I've enjoyed many crafting circles with friends from around the world - via zoom! I offer  bimonthly circles, choosing themes with my co-facilitators. These were in person before lockdown - there's way less schlocking of supplies with virtual circles!  My friend Kendall hosts full and new moon circles monthly, and we usually work in crafty journals, often making a round moon card. I love crafting round cards, and this process of letting the theme inspire both my collage and a card.  Here's a journal spread from several years ago, which accompanied a painting journey.  Collage spread in CODEX journal Our October full moon is in fiery Aries, called the Hunter Moon by many. There were 8 in today's circle - and it's always fun to witness the variety of images and colors that emerge!  Moon cards from our circles Kendall drew several oracle cards - from a deck which includes recipes! Temperance bespoke balance - and the recipe was ...

   Do you know self heal?  This simple, easy to  find and identify  t onic herb in the mint family has a long history of herbal use in many cultures, including Native, Western and traditional Chinese medicine. Its gentle healing properties and general safety are confirmed by recent research.  This  YouTube clip  by Herbal Jedi gives a great overview on how to identify, harvest and use this mint relative, Prunella vulgaris. Our Western Oregon native variety: lanceolata, is easily found in yards and vacant lots. In contrast to  other mints, self heal's taste is neutral, so it's easy to include in salads, add to tea or cook with other greens.  Prunella is classed as a tonic herb or  adaptogen , which helps the body manage stress, and return to homeostasis or 'reset' itself.  Adaptogens can generally be used on a daily basis, and are easily incorporated into a healthy diet. They are often herbs which need to adapt, often growing in...

 For the last several years , church members and friends have been invited to spend a fall weekend at Camp Arrah Wanna, on the beautiful Salmon River in the Cascades, near Y'East (Mount Hood). Some congregants grew up coming to camp when young, as have my grandkids.  Salmon - in the Salmon River  This year, all our group's camp fees were covered by a Calvin Grant, which pastor Erika wrote for the 52 week Seasons of Wonder devotional, by (Bonnie Smith Whitehouse). In adition to the books, the grant has funded supplies for recommended creative projects, and field trips, which Bonnie recommends to add depth.  This spring, I led a session on making rose beads as part of a session on making rosaries, and my daughter, grandkids and I have joined field trips.  John, Shelly and pastor Erika Our camp time includes ample free periods in addition to meals, workshops and group activities. My daughter, her 13 year olds and I came this year.   Saturday morning, Lar...

  Several years ago,  I found an inspiring piece by Chelsea Dinen, encouraging us to wake up a bit earlier, for a  Miracle Hour .  Popularized by Hal Elrod, the  Miracle Hour  weaves elements found in the Artist Way  Morning pages ,  Morning Cafê , and  practices like  Reiki, Breema and Qigong. The acronym  SAVERS  provides a key to the ~ 10 minute components that comprise Miracle Hour: S  - Silence (Self-Reiki!) A  - Affirmation (Mental/Emotional self treatment) V  - Visualization E  - Exercise (Qigong or Breema) R  - Read - daybook or inspirational S  - Scribing (Reiki or Gratitude journal) A session of  Self-Reiki , can combine both  Silence  during the treatment flow, and  Affirmations , thinking of the Reiki Principles, and an Affirmation can be combined  Mental/ Emotional  healing. Another option is to practice a breathing exercise, I like this one from Wim Hof ...