Winter Prep With Osha Root

Hello, friends! Over the weekend I attended two more herbal studies classes with Sasha Daucus, director of the Golden Light Center. In the Friday evening class, one of the herbs we talked about was Osha Root. We each were given a sample to take home, and today I made an Osha Root tincture.

The Friday night herb class group.

The Saturday herb class group.

I have seen osha root listed in herbal remedies and products many times before, but because the plant grows in high altitudes (like the rockies) it was something I usually only noticed being used by my South West and Colorado friends. As soon as I opened the sample baggie and took in the earthy, spicy smell I pulled off a small piece to chew on. I am really drawn to osha root and was excited to get it home to make a tincture. 

Osha root is used for a broad range of things. Native Americans called osha root "bear medicine" because bears were often seen digging it up, especially after waking from hibernation to help kick start digestion. Today, herbalists use osha root to soothe sore throats and coughs from head colds, to ease respiratory ailments, to help with altitude adjustment, to bring on a sweat and break a fever, and like the bears have found...to aid digestion. Worth mentioning is the use listed by herbalist Susun Weed. She notes that osha is very powerful and that because it is being heavily harvested, we shouldn't use it unless it is absolutely needed. She goes on to explain that osha root (tincture) can be used to treat anaphylaxis shock ( peanut allergy reaction for instance) and other allergic reactions, including snake bites.

Osha Root.

I plan to use my osha root tincture to treat sore throat and chest colds that might occur during the cold and dry season. I plan to let my tincture cure for six weeks, but you could bottle and begin using yours as soon as two weeks after curing. 

An empty preserves jar works well for making tinctures.

I also added a Lapis Lazuli gemstone to my tincture. Lapis is associated with the throat chakra and is thought to promote self expression and communication. I am a strong believer in emotional blocks expressing themselves as physical ailments in the body and seek to treat the emotional cause of a dis-ease as well as the physical expression. I love to use gemstones in conjunction with home remedies to promote a deeper level of healing treatment. 

Osha Root and lapis lazuli gemstone in vodka.

On an unrelated side note, Mark and I also began painting the kitchen and hallway yesterday. We finished the first coat and plan to start the second one tonight. We picked a color called "dewberry" that we thought would be fun to use with the bold green we did in the dining room. I'll share a photo when we finish up.

Dewberry paint.

Also, why is this a fabric print and not a wallpaper? It would be PERFECT with my new wall colors. 

This would make awesome bathroom wallpaper!

~ Love & Light ~

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Witches

With Samhain next week, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of the witchy women who inspire me. Most of these women only play witches on TV and in movies, and one isn't a witch at all, (although she is famous for her witchy spirit). But all of them inspire me to bring a little more magic into my life.


1. Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) in Practical Magic. Eccentric and free spirited, I think I see my younger self in Gillian. It is a tradition of mine to watch this movie sometime in October. I think I love it more each time, oh! and the house. Love the house!

Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens

2. Stevie Nicks. Okay, I know she isn't really a witch, and she has said as much numerous times over the years, but she has inspired witchy ways in women worldwide and I absolutely couldn't leave her off the list. With her gypsy fashion and hypnotic voice, Stevie oozes witchy! 

A young Stevie Nicks

3. Misty Day (Lily Rabe) in American Horror Story: Coven. I couldn't mention Stevie Nicks (who also appears in AHS: Coven) without including her biggest fan, Misty Day. Misty was by far my favorite witch from Coven. I loved her Stevie inspired look and her earthy, shaman like powers. She was a good witch through and through. 

4. Rosemary Carver (Olympia Dukakis) in The Last Keepers. This feel good (and yes, cheesy) movie is one I really love. Rosemary Carver is the grandma everyone wishes they had. Warm and encouraging, she is also wise and talented...the fact that she is a witch is just the icing on the cake. She is the crone I aspire to be (and the house...another fabulous house)!

Olympia Dukakis as Rosemary Carter

5. Wendy Beauchamp (Madchen Amick) in Witches Of East End. Wendy is fun and wild...maybe a little careless at times, but her fashion sense more than makes up for that! I like her playfulness and the joy her character brings to her otherwise dramatic TV family. And the house. The Beauchamp house is by far my most favorite witchy house of them all! 

Madchen Amick as Wendy Beauchamp

So there you have it! The fictional witches I love the most. Who are your favorites?

~ Love & Light ~

Buffalo Woman Comes Singing

I am currently reading Buffalo Woman Comes Singing by Brooke Medicine Eagle. I am barely past the introduction but I have been looking forward to reading this one for a while now!

From Amazon: BUFFALO WOMAN COMES SINGING explores fascinating uses of traditions like the Medicine Wheel; healing through ritual action; dreamtime; and the moon lodge -- the woman's place of retreat and visioning. These powerful personal tools integrate ancient wisdom with contemporary experience, as Buffalo Woman calls each spiritual warrior to her own true place in the dance of life.

I already know that this is a book I will revisit often along with other favorites of mine like, This Season's People by Stephen Gaskin, Be Here Now by Ram Das and Permanent Healing by Daniel R. Condron. 

#Native American #Spiritual #Healing Traditions

~ Love & Light ~

A Magical Moment

The magic that is Ozark never ceases to amaze. Yesterday afternoon, Mark stepped out on the back deck to make a phone call. A few minutes later I heard him tapping on the glass sliding door and waving for me to come out. This is what I see.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

~ Love & Light ~

My Dreams For Downtown

When my friend Amber was here recently for a visit, she commented on how much downtown Ozark reminded her of the fictional town of Stars Hollow from the TV series The Gilmore Girls. I had never watched the show before, but after she had gone home to KC, my curiosity took over and I watched the pilot episode. I'm now on episode nine. I like it. It's a feel good show and Amber was totally right -- Stars Hollow is a lot like downtown Oz, complete with gazebo in the center of the square. But Stars Hollow seems to have way more variety when it comes to retail stores. That got me thinking about what exactly I would like to see added to our already awesome group of small businesses on the square. Take note, citizens of Oz, and folks looking to open a business downtown! I just know these ideas would be a hit!


You know those news stands you see in really big cities? Well, I think Oz could totally support one! Park your car, grab a coffee (I'll get to the coffee thing in a bit) and then pop over to the news stand for some lunch break reading material before you head to the office. Brilliant! Plus, my husband really, really loves to read the Financial Times and you can't get it delivered here in Ozark, so let's make this one happen!

Next up...a health food store. Not a vitamin store or a place that only sells boxed foods, I am talking full blown produce department, health and beauty, frozen foods, bulk bins, vitamins and minerals, a huge salad bar and even some organic and eco friendly household items and gifts. I've even scouted the perfect building. Remember that giant building that used to be the museum? Bingo! It is plenty big enough to house a market and still have space for a community room to hold classes on cooking, essential oil use and other health topics. Bonus? The backyard that comes with the property would be perfect for a co-op garden. Yes, it is a perfect spot, isn't it? 

Now, this next one might seem a little radical to some of you, but I would love to see a vegetarian restaurant in Ozark and I think the square would be a great spot for it. I dream big, I know. I don't know what else to say about this one, except that I would eat there all the time (because they would have a huge menu) and I think the idea is fabulous. 

As you all know, I love my dog so very, very much and I would love a fancy little doggie boutique to buy her presents and high quality toys from. I know people around here are crazy about their dogs (as evidenced by the million grooming places in town) and I think a doggie boutique would be a fun and successful addition to the square.

How about a gift shop that isn't an antique/country-craft type store? I love those places as much as the next Ozarkian but I think something totally different would bring a much needed change. I'm thinking something with fair trade and global handcrafted items...like a 10,000 Villages. Right? Right.

Now, this one would be THE BEST. A yoga studio. One dripping in deity statues, flowy curtains, crystals, kirtan music jamming softly, spiritual symbols painted on the walls and incense burning. I want the full on experience and I think Ozark is ready for it too (also a completely knowledgeable and experienced teacher).  Ahh, this would be so rad. 

One thing I've noticed our downtown is seriously lacking is a good old fashioned used book store. Everyone loves browsing with nothing specific in mind, only to stumble upon something they've been wanting for years and delighting in the fact that it is only a couple bucks (and no irritating shipping costs or waiting on delivery). We need a used bookstore like yesterday.

What woman doesn't like to shop at vintage bohemian style clothing boutiques? Okay, maybe a few, but with all the shabby chic style things I see in all the crafty stores around here, I think a vintage clothing store would work well. And I really like that style, so I'm being selfish, but hey! This is my fantasy.

I can't leave Mark with no shirt on his back, can I? And besides, I've not noticed ANY offerings for men downtown. That just seems wrong. How about a nice men's fine clothing store? A place to grab smart tops and slacks for work, ties, a wide variety of shoes, trendy casual wear and even a small, yet totally stylin', selection of suits. I think this one is a no-brainer. Men like to buy clothes too. 

Well, I've covered the dog, myself and Mark but it wouldn't seem right to leave out a darling little place to buy unique clothes for the kiddos. It should smell like bubble gum inside and they should offer free cookies to kids who behave. 

While we are thinking of the children, why not throw a toy store in for good measure? One that has all the fancy safe-to-chew-on type stuff from Europe (yeah, even us childless people know about that teething giraffe), cool educational tools like "my first science lab", ant farms, and locally made wooden toys too. Let's face it -- you're never to old to have fun in a toy store.

We need a place to grab a pack of batteries, toothpaste, toilet paper, wrapping paper or any other number of practical items without having to go to the evil big chain store whose name I won't mention but it starts with a W and it really stinks store. Do we really need any other reason for a five and dime? I think not.

This last place is right up there with a yoga studio in terms of likelihood but a girl can dream. I would love to see a spa on the square. A fancy place to go for a massage, facial, mani pedi, to sit in the steam room or any other number of spa services. I think it would make for a great place to take your mom, sister or friend for an afternoon to be pampered. Or how about couples massage!? I would love to sip some exotic hot tea and flip through a magazine while someone rubs my feet. And if the spa was conveniently located downtown I might actually indulge. 

So those are the stores I would like to see downtown. If we had places like that to shop at, I would never need to go to Springfield unless I wanted to hit up Renaissance Books and Gifts. I would have added a coffee shop to the list but we already have one that is really adorable. I just wish they opened earlier (like 6:00am) and weren't closed on Sundays. Oh, and a bus. A bus in Ozark would be neat. Stars Hollow has one after all. 

So how do you like my fictional town? Did I miss anything we desperately need here in Oz? Maybe someday the square will look more how I dream it to be, but really, who can complain? Ozark is pretty amazing just as it is. 

~ Love & Light ~

Family Fun At The Farm

Yesterday the whole family loaded up and headed out to Rutledge Wilson Farm Community Park for the Fall Festival. We played with the animals, walked through the corn maze and my nieces had a great time playing the games. We all took photos and I am here to share some with you.


Mark, the beebs and me.

photo by Ronna Peterson.

The beebs...Autumn and Mallory.

photo by Sara Cisco

Dallis and her main squeeze, Thomas.

photo by Sara Cisco.

Me and my baby sister Dallis.

photo by Mark Retana

I think I liked the pigs the best. They were a huge hit with the young kids!

photo by Sara Cisco.

Mallory flying down the slide!

photo by Ronna Peterson

Even Yenzel came along and joined the fun!

photo by Leanne Retana

Mark, me, Yenzel and some giant coffees.

photo by Dallis Peterson

We had a great time at the farm and everyone built up an appetite, so we headed to McSalty's for lunch.

Mom and her grandkids.

photo by Leanne Retana

Sara and dad, phones in hand. I hold him fully responsible for our iphone addictions. ;)

photo by Leanne Retana

Dallis and Thomas, patiently waiting for pizza.

photo by Leanne Retana

The sisters three.

photo by Mark Retana

These girls just love their Nana!

photo by Leanne Retana

I love having my sister in town to visit!

photo by Mark Retana

So, that was our exciting day at the farm. I had never been to Rutledge Wilson Farm before and was really impressed! What a great place to take the kids and let them run out some energy.

~ Love & Light ~

Calm Before The Storm

October is a bit like the calm before the storm. We still have warm days to enjoy before the cold sets in and the dance of the leaves falling from the trees causes a sweet hypnosis--nature cuing us to slow down and conserve our energy for the cold months ahead. 

I like to treat October as a rejuvenation period. A time to slow down and and indulge in things that I love to do, before my focus shifts toward the holidays and parties and buying gifts for others. Take the time in the coming weeks to read a good book, take hot baths, have naps in the afternoon or maybe even take a sick day from work and sit on the couch watching your favorite TV shows and eating chocolate. When was the last time you took a day for yourself? It really is so important that we remember to do this from time to time. When we take care of ourselves first, we can better take care of others. 

I read today in the book Simple Abundance: A Daybook Of Comfort And Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach, a wonderful list for coping with stress. It fits nicely with the idea of October as a self care month. I wanted to share it with you here and maybe even encourage you to treat it like one of those daily challenges that are so popular right now. I plan to pause and reflect on a suggestion from the list every day until I've made it through to the end. 

~ Cultivate gratitude. 

~ Carve out an hour a day for solitude.

~ Begin and end the day with prayer, meditation, reflection.

~ Keep it simple.

~ Keep your house picked up.

~ Don't overschedule.

~ Strive for realistic deadlines.

~ Never make a promise you can't keep.

~ Allow an extra half hour for everything you do.

~ Create quiet surroundings at home and at work.

~ Go to bed at nine o'clock twice a week.

~ Always carry something interesting to read.

~ Breathe - deeply and often.

~ Move - walk, dance, run, find a sport you enjoy.

~ Drink pure spring water. Lots of it.

~ Eat only when hungry.

~ If it's not delicious, don't eat it.

~  Be instead of do.

~ Set aside one day a week for rest and renewal. 

~ Laugh more often.

~ Luxuriate in your senses.

~ Always opt for comfort.

~ If you don't love it, live without it.

~ Let Mother Nature nurture.

~ Don't answer the telephone during dinner.

~ Stop trying to please everybody.

~ Start pleasing yourself.

~ Stay away from negative people.

~ Don't squander precious resources: time, creative energy, emotion.

~ Nurture friendships.

~ Don't be afraid of your passion. 

~ Approach problems as challenges.

~ Honor your aspirations.

~ Set achievable goals.

~ Surrender expectations.

~ Savor beauty.

~ Create boundaries.

~ For every "yes" let there be a "no."

~ Don't worry; be happy.

~ Remember, happiness is a living emotion. 

~ Exchange security for serenity.

~ Care for your soul.

~ Cherish your dreams.

~ Express love everyday.

~ Search for your authentic self until you find her.

I hope you find this list inspiring and put a few of its suggestions into action. I'm off to read a book by the fire now!

~Love & Light ~ 

The First Week Of October In Photos

Hi! I hope your first week of October was as awesome as mine. I think the best way to share my week with you is through photography.


As I mentioned last week, my friend Amber drove down from Kansas City to visit. We did a lot of spell work while she was here. The following are some shots from the magical time we had.

We also ate at about a million awesome restaurants. I only took a few photos at London Calling Pasty Co. though. 

Over the weekend Mark and I went to the craft fair at the park...

And Halloween has arrived at Chigger Chalet. We even have a cemetery now.

Oh, yeah! And we painted the dining room green!

These photos don't even come close to showing all the awesome we had this weekend, but they highlight the moments where I remembered to take a picture. That's all for now, friends. I am headed to a movie to celebrate Yenzel's birthday. Woo!

~ Love & Light ~