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 ...

  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 know my Birthday Twin Gwynne would approve of this pre birthday tidy! (She takes our whole birth-month off for personal renewal!) Birthday flowers from Teresa  When you're working on dethugging, clearing clutter, reorganizing and tidying a space, do you go through an ugly duckling stage, where it looks worse rather than better?!  That's SO often happened to me! (And was my SOP as a kid - so disheartening!) A practice I've found helpful - especially  times I know I'm not likely to get back to the area for several days  (or weeks!)  - I factor in 20-30 minutes for a general regoup and tidy at the end!  This includes taking what I can out of the space (empty trash, and recycling,  take donations to the car...)  Redistributing things to their home, asking myself: - do I need/ want it? - Does it have a home? - Where would I look for it? And then - Consolidate things 'in process' to one wall or area, retaining the outtakes organization - V...

 Several years ago whilst going through my spring cleaning and dethughing, I pulled an angel Card from one of my decks ... and a bit later, came upon a fascinating   video  from British healer  Amanda Ellis  , and watched several - Wow!  One was a piece about having been sick with a double whammy virus,  Archangel Metatron   (Pre pandemic) which returned just as she thought she was over it! Amanda works with the Archangels, especially Metatron, and shared a teaching about receiving an  energetic reset , rather like a vaccine for our physical bodies to match the evolution of our spiritual bodies, as many shift from 3-D to 5-D.  Now this concept of illness as a reset is something a one of my daughter Mary's co-workers suggested over a decade ago. Her friend sees being ill as a chance for the body to do a tune-up, basically going through all the systems, tuning them to better efficiency, and often forgoing more serious illness. And it...

  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...

 As our month of Resetting winds to a close, the other facilitators and I are Reflecting on the journey.  Rose Cottage is also getting closer to completion, and I'm dreaming into my new space!! Rose cottage and garage We hope this month has given our participants an opportunity to rethink and feel into their own Living spaces, and enjoy them a bit more! As my co-facilitator Katy commented, it's not about keeping a picture-perfect or super tidy space.  It's not about decluttering and having a minimalist lifestyle - (unless that's what suits you!) It's - finding the balance that works for you, and making slight shifts Identifying your MIA - M ost I mportant A reas - and planning how to best tend them  Set up a routine - chore chart, lists, some daily tasks to tend your space Look at your home with new eyes - what appeals? What needs attention? Craft a cozy and welcoming space Perhaps you've discovered some new routines, or 'cozied-up' a nook? Some tip...

  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...

 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 , ...