Gilardi's Urban Oasis

This last Friday Mark and I celebrated one year of marriage. Mark took me to a lovely restaurant in Springfield called Gilardi's. I could dedicate an entire post to the delicious Italian food and awesome atmosphere, or talk all day about what a cool guy the owner James Martin is. But really, I just want to share some photos of how beautiful this place is and encourage you to go see it for yourself. Located on historic Walnut st., Gilardi's is a converted barn ( eh, it looks like a barn so that's what I'm calling it) that sits behind a gigantic victorian house called Gray Gables. Every inch of the property that isn't covered in concrete is now garden space...and it is quite spectacular to behold, inspiring to say the least. Much of the produce that is served at Gilardi's is grown right outside its doors!

Gray Gables

Where the front of the property meets the sidewalk.

Dinosaur sized sunflowers.

A jungle of food.

Organized chaos.

That house though! 

The back door of Gray Gables.

A fruit tree?

What's a garden without a statue?

Compost barrels can be spotted scattered about. 

Pretty neat, right? If you are one of the few people who haven't seen the place you should get over there and take it in for yourself, or better yet, call and make a reservation and eat some really tasty food while you're at it! I can vouch for it being a really romantic date spot. ;) ;) Go ahead, close your laptop and head on over to 820 E. Walnut St. in Springfield, MO. (for a reservation call 417-862-6400) You'll leave with a full belly and loads of inspiration! 

~ Love & Light ~

Jeremiah Brinkley: Not All Who Wander Are Lost

This past Friday as I was headed to the grocery store to get lunch, I spotted a curious sight. A man on horseback headed east on Hwy J. Those of you who live in the Ozarks might be thinking that a man on horseback is indeed NOT a curious sight in these parts, and you would be right, but the man I saw was different--special even. He rode a painted horse and donned a long white beard. As I looked from my car window to take him in, I noticed he had a large pack behind his saddle indicating that he had been on the road for quite some time. When I turned into the grocery store parking lot, no longer able to see him as he had continued on in the opposite direction, I circled around and headed back after him. Something inside of me was telling me that I needed to meet him.


I made my way east on Hwy J/NN until I reached a church parking lot to leave my car in. Then I made my way to the road and waited for him to catch up.

Jeremiah Brinkley & Anna Marie

As he approached I held up my hand to greet him and he called out, "Hello, sis!". I was immediately touched by the same energy I felt when encountering elders at the Rainbow Gatherings. I introduced myself and asked him if I could take his photo for my blog and he happily obliged. He told me his name is Jeremiah Brinkley (like Christie Brinkley, he said) and his horse is called Anna Marie. I asked if he was local and he said that he was a wanderer, just coming from California, and that he had family in Missouri. He told me the route he had taken to get here and that he was headed to the east coast after his stop here. 

Anna Marie

Anna Marie was sweet and let me pet her while I spoke with Jeremiah. He told me that I could find information about his travels if I looked online. He didn't know any exact websites to steer me to as he doesn't use the internet himself. He has been on the road for 25 years! Anna Marie is his third horse and his best friend. He doesn't travel for media attention, money or a charity, riding the country is his lifestyle. 

Look at her two toned mane!

As I took a few more photos Jeremiah circled Anna Marie around so I could get her mane..."it's the prettiest thing about her", he said lovingly. We chatted for a few moments longer and then I let them on their way. "Goodbye, sis!" he called as he rode off. 

Later that day I decided to google him and see what I could find. Turns out that Jeremiah is a celebrity of sorts. I found a Facebook page in his name and thought that was odd. Surely he doesn't run a FB page from the saddle? Turns out a family member runs the page to keep Jeremiah's "fans" informed about his location during his travels. The page is loaded with photos that people around the country have taken with him and stories of their visits. I also discovered numerous blog and news articles written about him as well as a few TV news spots. In the following link, they get Anna Marie's name wrong, but the story is great nonetheless (click to watch video).

Jeremiah is a Christian and says he spends a lot of his time talking to God. In my humble opinion I think that he is a great example of what it means to be a Christian. He has brought his travels to a halt many times to help others, including time spent helping out after the Joplin Tornado, a tragedy that rocked us here in the Ozarks. Jeremiah said that he has been treated kindly by the people he meets along the way, often offered meals or a place to stay, and that he finds many of the things he needs along the side of the road. His lifestyle is one that many of us fantasize about (you know you have thought about life on the road Kwai Chang Caine style!) but one that few of us will ever experience. 

Last photo before I said farewell.

I am very thankful that I followed my instinct, turned my car around, and made an effort to meet Jeremiah and Anna Marie. I won't soon forget them. 

~ Love & Light ~

Chicken Little

Our neighbors have been kind enough to share their tomato harvest with us this summer. We have been enjoying a bounty of cherry, plum, and heirloom Cherokee Purple. I have enjoyed walking over and plucking them fresh off the vine for my afternoon salads...Penny has been eating a few every afternoon too. In fact, I am loving them so much that I plan to grow my own tomato plants next sumer.

One of the three plants that have been feeding us this summer.

The plants are on the property line between our homes. The carport here at Chigger Chalet is near them. The other day I was headed out to run some errands and heard a rustling sound in the bushes in front of the carport. I guessed it was one of the cats that like to play in there, or a rabbit or even a gopher. I went to open the door of my car and then heard it again. I decided to investigate. I couldn't see anything from inside the carport, so I walked to my neighbors yard, past the tomato plants to the area where the sound was coming from.

The tomato plants dividing our yards.

I looked in the bushes from the other side and to my surprise I saw a hen! The folks several houses down have hens and they graze in our yard from time to time, so it wasn't odd to see her this far down the street, but it looked like she was making a nest in the bushes. Maybe she was going to lay some eggs? She was spinning in circles in a pile of leaves forming a nest. As soon as she saw me though, she took off across the neighbor's driveway heading toward her home. 

Pretty red hen.

Below is a video of her making a run for it!

If she returns to her nest in the carport, I may be harvesting tomatoes AND eggs! 

~ Love & Light ~

Exactly What I'm Going To Do

It seems my hair is finally back to normal. No more gunky weighed down locks. I think I'll stick with The Seaweed Bath Co. shampoo for now. It cleans nicely and I love the way it smells. I did extensive research last night and found all kinds of beauty products made with seaweed (even makeup!). Seaweed. It's my new thing. And coconut oil. I finally got my coconut oil order from Tropical Traditions last week.

My goodies from Tropical Traditions

First of all, the oil is awesome! It tastes delicious and feels great on the skin too. I have been taking a teaspoon in the morning and one in the evening. I am also using the teeth cleaner and really liking it. I usually just use baking soda and this is a mix of baking soda, coconut oil and essential oils...so it tastes a whole lot better than plain baking soda. The deodorant was a gift for Mark and he isn't exactly loving it, but I don't think anyone transitioning from a heavy duty antiperspirant to a natural deodorant loves it at first. He has decided to keep at it for a while. The lip balm...well, it is coconut oil lip balm! What's not to love? If nothing else, I am really pleased with the oil and plan to keep ordering it. 

Below is a couple photos of a strange little alien I found on the back deck a few days ago. Crazy, right? What is it? 

And today I snapped a few photos of the sweet cows who live down the road. It is a beautiful day in the mid-seventies and they were having a great time relaxing in the pond. It was a lot of fun watching them. 

Last night I went to the Springfield Area Herb Society meeting and had a great time. This meeting was a Christmas In July and we shared ideas for handmade Christmas gifts involving herbs. One of the members brought in some seed pods from a money plant to share. I only came away with one silver dollar and a few seeds but I will plant them and see what happens. I also think I will continue to go to the monthly meeting to enhance my journey into herbalism. 

Seeds from a money plant. Looks like I got three.

I don't know if it is all of the work with herbs I am doing or the book I am working on (more about my book later) but I am feeling super witchy lately. I feel happiest when I am learning about herbs, the elements, alchemy, animal and plant totems and all things that to me define the interests of a witch. They say to give your attention to the things that excite you and make you happy, and that is exactly what I'm going to do.

~ Love & Light ~

PS- I haven't given up on my projects from How To Be An Explorer Of The World. The one I am currently working on is just taking me a long time. :)

Weekend Fun

Let me start with another hair situation update. I was in Springfield yesterday and found myself at MaMa Jean's so I decided to find something there to clean my dirty locks with. I had an idea of making a hair wash with seaweed but have you seen the price of a not-so-big bag of seaweed lately? It would have been about ten dollars a wash! So no seaweed. I took a look at the shampoo section and to my delight I spotted a seaweed shampoo free of detergents and harsh chemicals made by a company called The Seaweed Bath Co. I decided to get it (it was only ten dollars for the bottle) and am really hoping it works well.

P.S. They make soap, lotion, and other products too.

I was actually out yesterday with my mom. It was her birthday and she, my youngest sister Dallis, and I went to Nearly Famous for lunch. The food at this deli and pasta house is absolutely delicious and we shared a piece of some kind of magical cake after our meal that was fabulous! Nearly Famous is on Glenstone across from the Battlefield Mall. If you find yourself over there grab some lunch. 

A magical cake that (according to our waiter) is made by faeries.

Speaking of food, get a load of the salad I ate for lunch today. It was bursting with greens, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, olives, carrots, mushrooms, beets, celery, almond slivers, sunflower seeds, tomato, goat cheese and blueberries drizzled with champagne vinaigrette. Whew! Deeelicious! 

I try to eat one of these bad boys every day. 

It was also a beautiful afternoon for sunbathing.

Oh! And I don't want to forget to mention that tonight through Sunday is the Christian County Fair at the Finley River Park (complete with a rodeo). Have a great weekend! 

~ Love & Light ~

So Much Randomness

It has been seven days since shampoo has touched my hair. Today it is significantly less gunky than it has been. I am using the chamomile tea rinse one day and then just water the next. If you missed my post from the other day, I am going 100% natural with my toiletries. At least I'm trying. So that's the update. Hair is less gunky but not exactly um...nice. I'll keep experimenting.

Last night we went to Cruisin' USA Custard in Nixa. It was so delicious! Mark had the raspberry in vanilla custard and I had brownie bites in vanilla custard. AH-MAY-ZING! You gotta try it if you're in the Nixa area...or make a special trip that way. 

The second season of Witches Of East End started this past Sunday. I am really loving it. Truth be told, it isn't the story that I am crazy about it's the sets! The house the main characters live in is pretty much my dream home...so witchy! Here are a few photos of the house.

I love the gardens and the huge porch

That fireplace!

I LOVE the sunroom!

We were walking at the Finley River Park the other night and I took a short video of the little replica mill made to resemble the old mill I walk the dog to everyday. I like a lot of the plants in the garden surrounding it and want to add something similar at Chigger Chalet.

And as a sign of the times I snapped a photo of a girl texting while riding. Yep, we have a horse riding ring at the park and I saw a girl riding her horse while texting. So Ozark! :) 

~ Love & Light ~

During Slow Hot Summer Days

How am I filling my time during these slow hot summer days?


Late last week I got wind that a coconut oil company named Tropical Traditions was running a special...spend a minimum of $12.99 and get a free quart of organic extra virgin coconut oil (retail of $40.00). I've been oil pilling every morning for a while now, so heck yeah I wanted to buy some cool coconut based products and get free oil too! I placed the order and while checking out I noticed that the company was also sending me a free book. Sweet. The book arrived on Saturday (the rest of the order shipped from a different location and hasn't arrived yet) and it is very informative. I can't wait for my coconut oil to arrive...I have many new uses I want to experiment with now beside oil pulling. So yeah, I'm on a coconut oil kick.


Mark and I took Penny for a walk yesterday at the Bluff Springs Trail near our house. I mention this because we stopped to admire an interesting tree along the way and guess what Mark spotted on one of the branches? A praying mantis! This one was a different variety than the typical green guys. He was smaller and curvier and a grayish-blue color. Very cool. I couldn't get a snap of him but he looked like the guy in the photo below.

Speaking of strange creatures, you remember the fun muppet movies from the 80's, right? The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth? Think back to the wacky Labyrinth starring David Bowie. Remember the baby he snatches? The cute little guy in the stripped pajamas?

Well, his name is Toby Froud and he is all grown up.

Why is this exciting? Because he and Jim Henson's daughter, Heather, recently premiered their own puppet fantasy short film called Lessons Learned! Woo! It looks really cool. 

As soon as I learn more about it and when we can watch it I'll let you know. 

Can you handle more awesomeness than a new Froud/Hansen puppet movie? If so, you should check out the new Tori Amos album, Unrepentant Geraldines. It is so nice to have new Tori music. I picked up the deluxe edition at CD Warehouse on Saturday and have been devouring it ever since. Yes, I bought an actual CD. I never do anymore unless it's Tori, then I just have to have a physical disc. Old school over here. ;) I can't wait to see her in a few weeks in KC! WEE!

So that's how I've been passing the time. What are you guys up to? 

~ Love & Light ~

It Was Independence Day

For those of you  not in the cool kids club, the title of this post is a nod to the band 311. And, of course, tomorrow is the 4th of July. We are going to a party with some friends and we get to see more fireworks, but really this post isn't so much about the holiday as it is a mix of random things spilling from my mind. :)

First, let me say that I am drinking bitters and I have tea in my hair. True story. I am really excited about the bitters and I really want to share with you. So, I had been looking for something to turn up my digestive fire, get the juices flowing. I am kind of in the middle of a cleansing period and revving up my digestion was just instinctual. Lucky for me a friend recommended I try the organic bitters from a company in Vermont called Urban Moonshine. 

I chose Joy and Citrus Digestive Bitters. I have been using Joy periodically throughout the day whenever I get the urge (like right before a Yoga session) and the digestive bitters I have been taking before and after meals. I love them! A little booklet came in the package and it showed how to make a bitter beverage (among other cool things). You put a dash of the bitters in a cup, add ice and pour in soda water. Okay...so I am looking at the booklet again and it seems they may have been suggesting making like a shot of this. Oh well. I put several dashes of the bitters into a cup, added ice, filled it with lime flavored soda water and then squeezed real lime juice into it. So good. If you are intrigued with the idea of bitters for aiding digestion you should visit the Urban Moonshine page and read up on them. If you're not into ordering things online, you can probably find bitters at your local health food store. I remember taking Swedish Bitters in my twenties and I'm pretty sure they came from a small herb shop. 

As for the tea in my hair, well, it is chamomile. I brewed it early this afternoon in a BIG cup and let it sit for several hours getting really potent and cooling down. See, I use pretty much all simple, natural ingredients for my skin and body care, and shampoo was the last area I needed an overhaul. I have been reading about tea rinses and thought it sounded nice. Supposedly the tea is around the same pH your hair wants to be. I picked chamomile because I already had some, and because it adds golden highlights to blonde hair. You can use many different teas though. We shall see how the experiment goes...I mean, I don't think the tea will clean it really, so I might have to find something else for that. I will say that I am ALWAYS red and splotchy when I get out of the shower and today I didn't have even the slightest hint of red irritated skin. Hmmm....coincidence? I think not. I bet I was getting all kinds of irritating ingredients on my skin from my conventional shampoo and conditioner. 

The Wednesday night Farmers Market here in Oz has been awesome this year, with more vendors and food to choose from. Last night was the Patriotic Pet Parade. Super cute. Dogs of all shapes and sizes decked out in their red, white, and blues. 

We have been buying delicious blueberries and tomatoes and yesterday we also got peaches and some wheatgrass. Isn't the bounty of summer divine? 

I planted the passion flower last night. Two tiny plants on either side of the light post. I'm guessing they will climb the pole and look awesome! *fingers crossed*

The birds are acting like weirdos today. I'm pretty sure it is all the young people running around popping off fireworks. They are pretty freaked out and I don't blame them. Penny doesn't like them either. Hopefully the worst of it will be over for them this weekend. 

Finally, I would like to mention that Stephen Gaskin, founder of The Farm and author of one of my most beloved books, This Season's People, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79. His writing, along with books written by his wife, Ina May Gaskin, were so very eye opening to me in my early twenties. I have always been fascinated by the counter culture and the characters of those days. If you have an opportunity to add This Season's People to your library, you really should. Stephen was one of the great free thinkers of our time and he will truly be missed. <3

Stephen and Ina May Gaskin

~ Love & Light ~

The Beauty Of July

July! What a wonderful month here in the Ozarks. The flowers are in full bloom everywhere you look, people are out and about taking advantage of the long days, we celebrate Independence Day and slow down the pace of life in the heat and humidity. 

I forgot to post a picture of the hostas I planted on the side of the house and I promised I would several posts back. It isn't the most beautiful bed but I love them anyway. 

I spotted a small bunny while I was watering the herb garden this morning. It lives under the honeysuckle bush to the right. She was munching on grass when I paused to take her photo but I have a feeling she might have been planning to dine on some of my herbs! 

The honeysuckle bush is in bloom and smells as lovely as it looks. My sister Sara and I used to love to taste the sweet nectar from these flowers when we were kids. I read the other day that honeysuckle represents prosperity and that you should bring some of the blooms indoors to invite prosperity into your life. 

The monarda (aka bee balm) in the herb garden is also flowering. I love these interesting flowers!

Below is a photo of a small passion flower plant that a fellow student in my herb study group gave to me. Mark and I are going to walk around the grounds of Chigger Chalet tonight and find the perfect place to plant it. It is a climbing vine so it has to be just the right spot. 

We have a break today from the intense heat and humidity of the past week. I am in heaven relaxing on the deck in my old rocking chair, watching the trees sway in the wind and listening to the children playing across the river at the park. Truly a perfect summer day. 

~ Love & Light ~

Must Be In My Totem

I had another visit from a praying mantis today. I would like to think that it is the same little guy that visited last week but who knows? Regardless, I was really happy to see another tiny alien hanging out on the back porch.

Penny loves to eat bugs of all kinds and went running towards this guy. Luckily I noticed what she was heading towards and saved him from becoming a hound dog snack.

I hope they continue to visit me often. They are so interesting and calming to watch. Plus, I have heard they are great for gardens because they eat bugs that munch on the plants. Anyway, as long as they keep making appearances for me I am going to assume the praying mantis must be in my totem.

~ Love & Light ~