2015 Brings The Cold

Arctic temperatures through Wednesday this week. It feels like winter now, but the sun is shining and the ground is dry. If the snow doesn't find us here in Oz, it won't be for lack of cold.

I rise in the mornings at 6:00am to do yoga. From my studio this morning I had a view of the gaggle of Canadian geese that call the Finley home. They were still curled up in oval shapes waiting for the sun to rise. A most curious sight.

Geese on the river before sunrise.

The eagles I wrote about several weeks ago are still here. Mark woke me up the day before yesterday when he spotted the male putting on a show over the water. I was so happy to see him again, but even more happy that he made an appearance for Mark. I wrapped myself in a blanket and we went out into the cold and watched him until he took off south following the river. 

The variety of birds on our patch of paradise is many. Right outside our bedroom window is the tiniest, most cute little nest. It has fluff springing out of it in the most adorably schizophrenic way. 

Tiny bird's nest at Chigger Chalet.

My sister Sara and her brood were here for the New Year. All of us went to dinner one night and we came away with a photo of the sisters.

Sara, Dallis and Leanne. Photo by Simon Ball

Sara and I also got a chance to get away for a girl's lunch with the old school crew. The six of us grew up in the hood together. 

Cynarra, Sara, Charmagne, Leanne, Christa and Alicia. Photo by random employee guy on his break. 

Group selfie! 

My brother-in-law also caught a sweet moment between me and his daughter Mallory after the belated family gift exchange.

Leanne and Mallory. Photo by Scott Cisco

Penny got a new present too!

Penny and her Christmas bone. That thing didn't last long!

I have so much on the to-do list for January! I have much to accomplish before we leave for Ireland next month. The year of The Sheep could prove to be my most productive yet. Sheep can only move forward, (seriously, the can't go backward.) and they are tough and resilient. Mark and I were both born in October of 1979, making us both Sheep according to the Chinese zodiac. This year is so ours!!!

~ Love & Light ~

Survive The Holidays With Ashwagandha

Feeling the stress of the most wonderful time of the year? Well, don't feel bad, so is just about everybody else. Today we will take a look at Ashwagandha and I will fill you in on how it can help you power through the holiday season.

Ashwagandha plant.

Ashwagandha is an herb popular in Ayurvedic medicine. It is known for its restorative effects and helps to strengthen the immune system, making it the perfect remedy for holiday stress and protection against the colds and flus that circulate this time of year. It would also be helpful on January 1st after a late night on New Year's Eve. The easiest way to add ashwagandha to your diet is with powder made from the roots.

Ashwagandha roots.

You can add ashwagandha powder to soups and stews, a pot of rice or beans, but I'm going to show you how to make a simple warm beverage that takes a few minutes to make. It is insanely easy and will warm you on those cold winter nights while imparting its strength and protection to you. The following is taken from Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs.

Cinnamon-Ashwagandha Milk Recipe.

First, gather the ingredients.

Never seen ashwagandha powder before? Get a closer look. 

Warm the milk over low heat and then add the powders.

Add a little honey and stir until blended. Really it will never be totally blended and when you are drinking it you might find it gets chalky towards the bottom, so beware. I personally like to drink the mud in the bottom of the cup because I feel like that is where the most healing part of the drink resides. 

Here's to your health this winter! 

~ Love & Light ~

Giving Thanks

Well, we pulled it off! Thanksgiving came and went, and we all survived. The turkey Mark made was delicious and everyone else contributed with delicious side dishes. I couldn't imagine what a major undertaking it would have been if Mark and I had cooked all of the food! I hope this is just the first of many we host. Of course, I was running around like a crazy woman, so I didn't get many pictures at all. Here are the few I somehow managed to remember and take.

The centerpiece I made. Complete with real turkey feathers and crystals.

It was fun having the girls at Chigger Chalet. They really enjoyed being on the deck looking over the river. They had fun throwing acorns into the water.

My nieces at the Kid's Table.

Nana gave up her spot at the table to squeeze in more time with her grand babies at the kiddie table.

Mom and the nieces.

In the below photo, my mom is sitting with the little ones at the kid's table and I am the one taking the photo, but I believe the rest of the crew is in this one. I wish I had thought to take a photo of the table before everyone sat down. I thought it looked very pretty.

Left side front to back: Mark, Yenzel, Scott, Sara and Thomas. Right side front to back: Dad, Carrie, Phil, Simon and Dallis

Watching The Wizard Of Oz after eating.

Those are the only photos I managed to get away with. Something is better than nothing! It was a great day and I am honored that we got to have everyone together in our home again. 

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. -Cicero

~ Love & Light ~