Rose Cottage

 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...

 A year ago this week, John and his backhoe were here, beginning to dig the footprint for Rose Cottage in my daughter's backyard! Rose Cottage footprint We spent much of August and September 2022, dethugging, curating and purging,  in preparation for the move ! I help so blessed to be able to live next to my daughter and her family, and for all their help on making that possible! We sorted (Mary and I) - my son- in law Matt made thrift store and dump runs, and stacked boxes, paintings and furniture in storage. Percy and I tucked in at 'the big house' (my little dog Gracie was with us through November - at 15, she had been a great companion and we miss her!), and over the next 6 months,  watched Rose Cottage emerge! View from my grandson's window - Feb By mid April, we passed all the inspections, and it was time to move in!! I'd ordered my first new bed since childhood, and we began getting things out of storage. I shopped a bit, Mary found several tall bookshelves o...

 Rose cottage is finished (mostly!) And Percy and I are moved in! It's a process! The storage unit is still full, and I'm working on bringing over the bits and bobs I had at my daughter's the last 6 months! Kitchen corner We plan on replacing the stove (too large for the space!) with a cooktop and air fryer.  We already ordered an electric teakettle - loving this cheery teal!  Electric teakettle and Red Hat 🍵  The Concrete countertops are so attractive and easy to clean! Jorge wanted to add these to his crew skill set, and we were happy to give them a try!  My Feng Shui consultant Gwynne recommended bringing in warmer colors - orange and yellow towels and fruit to help offset the grey. I found some peach and yellow pots for plants on the windowsill,  and took Amanda Gibby Peters' suggestion of frequent bringing in of fresh flowers - i added daffodils to this bouquet from Incahoots .  The Oxford all wood bed is all set up - with linen sheets and comfor...

 Imbolc is one of my favorite 'cross quarter' holidays, (the ones between Solstices & Equinox) : It marks the feast day of the goddess Brigid , a time the goddess washes her face, & is renewed! In Celtic mythology, she is a member of the Tuatha de Dana, and brings wisdom, poetry, harping and Smithcraft. Many sacred wells are dedicated to Brigid. Candlemas and Groundhog's day mark this passage in western calendars, and the Christian saint Bridget has many of the same attributes.  At this time of year, I am drawn to inner cleansing - and after receiving a lovely bundle of kale and herbs from my friend Nikki's garden, I've been making green smoothies for brekkie.  Cloutie flags by a sacred well Fiona Morgan, writing in  We'moon  says:  "A pure new light sparks as we emerge from winter's dark sleep. . .  We recharge our psychic batteries as the entire universe begins to quiver & pulse its cosmic rhythm. Earthlings feel Her intensity acutely as ...