Rose Cottage

  A helpful tip for any home care journey is to 'carry a clipboard' and tour your space regularly!  Clipboard & note pad In 'One Thing At a Time,' Cindy Glovinsky writes, 'face your possessions with a clipboard in your hands, and there's no way they're going to run over you. A clipboard puts you squarely in charge of the Things in your life.' (P 15)  Cindy suggests using a legal pad - but I have a sweet vintage half-size board, that my mom made many notes on (often on pads she made her self from 'scratch paper,' stapled together!) It's perfect for the 4x6" sticky note pads which were in my Christmas stocking! Our family loves this size note pad - and i love  the practice of checking off what's done! You can also use digital systems - and remember to check them periodically!  From the bookshelf In 'Finding Yourself at Home,' Emily also suggests using a clipboard or notebook, as you tour your home with fresh eyes!  Choose ...

  ᎤᎵᎮᎵᏍᏗ  ᎢᏤ  ᎠᏕᏘᏱᏍᎬᎢ   U-li-he-lis-di  i-tse  a-de-ti-yi-s-gv-i (happy New Year!) We've crossed the Threshold into 2025, and near the end of the month, will greet the Asian Year of the Snake (January 29). This is a great time to create 'physical  and metaphorical space for fresh Chi / energy and fortune' by clearing out old, stressed and stagnant energy from the year past.  I'm participating in the January Ultimate Blog Challenge  - always inspiring!  Buddha's Playhouse In Karen Kingston's book " Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui ," she suggests asking yourself these questions as you're clearing: Does (an object) lift my energy when I look at or think about it? Do I absolutely LOVE it? Is it generally useful? When the answer to any of these is, 'No,' it's time to move it out of our space! In her 18 day guide to making way for the new year, my friend Gwynne Warner writes, "It's absolutely fine to delegate this, it just needs...

  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...

  I'm looking forward to this year's February invitation to  Reset the space of your Living Altar,  which I'll co-facilitate with a friend from our  Intentional Creativity  community. This is timely, as I've been in my new house 9 month, so it will be good to revisit my use of this lovely space! It will be my second year in this role as a host. Vinny robot A decade ago, our Intentional Creativity mavon  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...." Red Thread The Reset 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!"  As we are appro...

 For several years, I've enjoyed videos from a Japanese teacher Samurai Matcha (Aki-san). This week's offering on 7 Japanese habits  fits beautifully with my Reiki practice and good sense, and I grew up with many of them, in my rural Oregon home.  Hara Hachibi bun me  Respect and honor our ancestors - this is one of the Reiki principles, honor your parents and elders; Aki-san speaks of receiving the 'baton of Life' from our ancestors, to help us in our own lives! I grew up taking flowers to my grandparents' graves on Memorial Day, and hearing stories of their lives. Clean up public areas - pick up trash, leave things 'cleaner than you found them! In Oregon, private citizens 'adopt' sections of the highways and beaches, and do regular clean ups. Our Edible Landscaping group adopted the 6 block stretch along Alpine street where our raised gardens are located. My folks loved to camp, and again, cleaned up around the site before and after. Cities find that c...

 Every Tuesday, I look forward to the latest podcast on Amanda Gibby Peters' House Therapy channel.   As Rose Cottage nears completion, I'm thinking of those *things* in my storage unit, and what I'll be inviting in to my new home! In that light I'm appreciative the checklist she offers on this week's show .  At the new kitchen sink So, what might we ask ourselves, as we curate the objects in and energy of our spaces? What could we consider, as we add something new (to us)? Here are some of Amanda's suggestions:  Basic inquiries : Does it make my life easier? How does it make me feel? Whom does it remind me of? Does it inspire me, and lift my energy? Or depress/ make me feel bad? Regarding past  purchases : Why did I buy it? Would I buy it again? How much would I be willing to pay? Am I keeping it because of how much it cost? Do I feel guilty/ scared to pass it on? Why have I been keeping it? Could I replace it/ do I have a better one? And Is it (still) use...

 One of the simplest things you can do to welcome good fortune is spending a few minutes on your entrance and front door periodically!  My Purple Door Stand on your front walk, and look at your wall, porch and entrance Is the path clear and safe? (Opportunities flow) Is your address visible? (Can fortune find you?)  Greenery - are trees, shrubs and potted plants overgrown or in poor shape?  (Overgrown: too 'full' to receive more - dead branches or plants feel un-cared for) Is there clutter or trash? Is the porchlight in good working order? Doorbell? Does your door need a wash, or fresh coat of paint? If there's a mat, is it in good shape? Note anything that needs repaired, trimmed cleared or replaced.  When you're out and about, notice entrances and doors that appeal! Check out doors on Pinterest ( this board of Gwynne's has some lovely ones) When weather permits, go out for a 15-20 minute tidy! As I was preparing to sell my Galloway House, I did this frequentl...

  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,...

 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...

 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 wee...

 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 Gibb...