Quiet, Creative.

Every morning is the same here, a mad rush, children to wake, tea to brew, showers to be had, cries coming  from a room saying “My Toes are stuck” don’t ask just fix the problem and move on, lunches to make, boots and shoes to find, coats to put on, and finally, finally out the door.

This morning we were greeted with snow, so the car needed to be cleaned off, and away we were, driving slowly and safely dropping off the teen first, then the little one, and lastly my sweet husband to work.

And then I come home to….

Quiet.

Today is quieter then usual because of the snow insulating the outside noises, which I love.

First I went outside to inspect the bees, but all was quiet from within, so I sent them loving thoughts and, felt warmer knowing that they are safe and huddled around the their queen keeping warm.

I tromped around in the back yard for an age, snapping shots and listening to the birds calling and making plans to get a suet block out in the next day or so for them.

And then it was inside to the warm house, a second cup of tea, lighting some candles and making plans for the work I need to do today, in the quiet.

I love the quiet, adore it actually.

It creates a canvas for my inspiration, without it I am distracted and restless, but with it I can dream, I can create and wonder and feel the endless pulse of life that is happening all around me.

That is not to say that I don’t love music, I do, but for me it is a mood thing and it only goes on to enhance the inspiration I am currently working with, a soundtrack if you will.

I listen to a lot of Loreena McKennitt, when I am creating.

Today I am working on Medicine smudge feathers. Made with long black and white wild turkey feathers. They are beautiful and I love stroking them and putting them back into place. I have gathered crystals and leather, abalone shells and bits of turquoise.

Each feather gets a small pouch of  a special smudging mixture I have put together with locally harvested sage and lavender buds, the smell is amazing, each feather also gets a lovely smudge before going out into the world.

These will take their place at the shop later today beside with the other feathers.

Have a wonderful day wherever you are, may it be quiet and blessed.

Sacred Jewelry Sale, and Red Drums back in stock!

This time of year is always an exciting one because it is when I like to take stock of the past years creations. My consignment stores are also taking stock as well, so they send everything home with me for a few weeks and I get to have a massive sale and fill up my store with creations that I have not seen in awhile, this is always really fun!

This year I have decided to try something new, and so I am throwing a giant Sacred Jewelry Sale!

What is this you ask?

Well for the past 2 years I have been fortunate enough to be able to work from home, make beautiful jewelry creations, and meet a whole host of amazing artists and  kindred spirit jewelry lovers like myself. So I got to thinking about how to pay it forward a bit. Right now especially, since my jewel box is literally overflowing with creations that have come back to me from the consignment stores who are doing their year end inventory, I too am taking stock. I have been ordering in new pendents and beads and planning ahead for a new line of ancient copper and bronze jewelry I will make myself–loads of exciting stuff!

So about the  “Sacred Sale” everything is on sale for as close to the price I paid for it as possible! I it is my hope that this sacred jewelry will come into the hands of their sacred owners, price be dammed!! “Click here to see the SALE now” New pieces will be added all month until the sale ends.

I was also able to re-stock the popular Red Drums, but most exiting of all is the use of a new tool I am using{created by my brother-in-law} called Fotobabble which allows me to record the sound of the drums so that you can hear what they sound like before ordering! Now I am the first to admit that these recordings do not sound nearly as good as they could, since I am only using my little lap top microphone, so I am looking into getting an external mic, that I am sure will make a big difference, ahh but for now it is still pretty cool to have this feature!

Click here to visit the Drum page.

Bright Blessings

 

 

 

Russian New year

Russia has been an unintentional theme this week….

It started with a package that arrived in the mail from my friend Nao filled with goodies and a small bag of Russian tea called Chaga, which is a mushroom that grows on Birch trees that was first discovered in Russia. Folklore said that when the local peasants who could not afford black tea they drank Chaga and swore that it boosted the immune system and prevented cancer. Later when studies were done, it  was found that it was in fact good for treating patients for cancer and at shrinking tumors!

Since I have been fighting a head cold, my favorite thing to do is to brew up a spicy pot full of ginger and other herbs, but since I always have to drink one caffeinated cup of black tea a day I decided to make a strong gingery pot of “Chaga Chai”!

All I can say is this is delicious in a cup, and I am starting to feel better!

Later that day an e-mail came in from one of my favorite cooking blogs with a Russian Cake called Apple Sharlotka, made with apples and sounding divine. Oh and today is January 7th the Russian New year, as I have mentioned here before Russia is dear to my heart for my great Grandfather and grandmother came here from Romania, which at the time was a part of Russia and still steeped in many of the same traditions.

And so, as I write this post, the house is lingering with of the smell of baking apples, and the gingery pot of brew I have been drinking all day, the kids tummies are full of cake, and I am feeling cozy and cared for. Oh and today, January 7th is the Russian New Year–Happy New Year Russia!!

Perhaps I can start the New year all over again, yes I think that sounds perfect!

Here is the recipe of the best, most simple, creamy, sweet and divine apple cake I have ever baked–seriously, it has no baking powder or soda which is surprising, but it works due to the eggs.

Russian Apple Sharlotka