MEDITIATION MONDAY

Blessings

~ Rain

 

FRIDAY PHOTO

 

Merry Meet, friends!

Today, I'm showing these beautiful twins. Bare of leaves yet life lurks beneath the surface, waiting for spring.

Thankfully, our 'like a daughter', doesn't have to wait until spring. 

Sometime between Thanksgiving and December 2, Kassie will birth two little girls - adding additional grandchildren to our actual granddaughters, whom we do not get to see enough of. That hurts but they are happy and thriving in the Pacific Northwest and that is what truly matters. We are grandma and grandpa to Adrian and Abigail. Now we will be mimi and pop to Kassie & Matt's girls. 

Life is full!

Blessings!

~Rain

THE ARTIST'S WAY - Artist Dates

 Good morning & Merry Meet, everyone!

One of the tasks Julia Cameron suggests is a weekly artist date.

Marisa has a point that amid this C-19 we may be limited to some of the things we can do when in search of inspiration.

Here's my list. Note, I've borrowed some of Marisa's ideas.

Blessings!

~Rain

AFFIRMATION MONDAY

 

Blessings

~ Rain

FRIDAY PHOTO

 The first couple weeks of November have been more typical fall. We just had to get past the unseasonable rain first, though I'm sure more is coming. 

Bob and I've spent his first week home getting new plastic on the greenhouse, putting garden hose away and prepping the garden for winter nourishing. 

This photo is similar to a spot on our property for at least a few more days:

Come walk with me?

Blessings!

~Rain

Sharing Thursday - Magical Crafting

 Good morning & Merry Meet!

Several years ago I saw a book at a quaint little book shop in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I didn't have extra cash to spend. Now I can't remember the name of it and I've not been back to the store in a couple of years. 

YouTube University can be a curse and a blessing. Even if you don't believe in much that's out there, at least they can get the creative wheels turning. 

I found Magical Crafting a couple of weeks ago. I've not had a lot of time to check out the channel but wanted to share here - if for no other reason than I'll be able to find the place when I do have more time. 

I love working with my Runes so I thought I'd share this video with you this week: 

I hope you'll check out the channel and leave some love and light

Blessings!

~Rain

JOURNAL Progress

Good morning and Merry Meet!

I thought to help keep me on task, I'd share my journal process once a month. Here are a couple of spreads so far:

I'm enjoying the inspiration that comes each day - whether I'm only adding words or being more artsy. My husband is happy the magazine stash is finding a purpose. 

Blessings!

~Rain

 

AFFIRMATION MONDAY

Blessings

~ Rain

 

FRIDAY PHOTO

 

Welcome to Friday the 13th!

Are you superstitious? I am in some ways but I don't look at today as a day to hide from the world and hope nothing gets me.

That said, this cabin by the lake looks like the perfect place to pound out an additional 1300 words on my NanoNovel - A Soldier's Homecoming... on top of the 1667 words Nano suggests.

Do you have a book you've been wanting to write 'someday'? 

National Novel Writing Month is the time to make 'someday' TODAY! 

The great thing about NanoWrimo is that ths is the month to not care about perfection. The point is to just dump the words from your head onto paper. Nora Roberts once said 'you can't edit a blank page'. She's write. If there's nothing written, what is there to edit? Incidently, editing comes in January! 

Come join us! 

Blessings!

~Rain

SHARING THURSDAY - Marisa Mohi

 Since I talked about Marisa Mohi a bit on Tuesday, I thought I'd share a bit more about her today.

Marisa Mohi is a go getter, though I'm not sure she'd agree with me. LOL In this video she talks about How To Get Stuff Done:

I've been following Marisa on YouTube for a couple of years. Not for the witchy aspect but for her encouragement when it comes to writing. She has meet-ups on her channel most Thursday mornings from around 10:30 a.m. to noonish where we have various timed writing sprints. Each participant works on whatever is on their agenda for the day. We are together - yet apart, all while encouraging one another.

Here is a video of one of our Creative Co-worker gatherings:

If you're tired of trying to be creative in a world of your own, please join us! Sometimes, that one morning a week is enough to keep us motivated until the next gathering comes around. 

Creative Blessings!

~Rain

THE ARTIST'S WAY

Good morning and Merry Meet.

We've had a beautiful start to the turn of the wheel here in the Ozarks. I've been busy catching up on projects and prepping the house for the Yule/ Holiday decorations that I love to play with.

Last week I talked about Miss Deborah's book. So far, I'm keeping up - which is far better than I did the first time around. There is a time for everything or as Amber McCue says, you're right on time - whenever that time may be.

My plan is to use the A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft  as part of my morning pages/ meditation. If you don't knnow about morning pages, I encourage you to check out The Artists Way by Julia Cameron  Even if you've done the book before (as I have) this is the perfect year to walk back through the book. Marisa Mohi inspired me to do that this year. She is sharing her journey on her YouTube channel. She has a PLAYLIST for the series. 

If you're joining me for the A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft and/ or The Artist's Way journaling please, let me know in the comments below. Let's share this journey.

Blessings!

~Rain

MEDITATION MONDAY

 

Friday Photo

 

Leafless yet so alive!

Blessings

~Rain

SHARING THURSDAY - Alwyn Oak

 I watch a lot of videos on YouTube. One of the ladies I watch is Alwyn Oak. Her videos are all voice overs and her tone is so calming.

Here is Samhain video:

I especially like her opening where she appears to walk out of her favorite tree. Can you guess what our Photo Friday is? 

Blessings

~Rain

EVERYDAY WITCHCRAFT - 366 Ways to Witchify Your Life

 

AMAZON

This book came out in 2018. Like many projects, this became something I started but followed a squirrel down a different woodland path and a new project.

I decided the turn of the wheel was the perfect time to begin the journey of following through on forgotten items.

For starters, if you're new to my channel, please check out my original post of February 2018.

My challenge wasn't just a 'new project' that had me following another forest path but my OCD. I'm one of those that has to have everything in place before I can actually 'do'. As you'll read in the original post I wanted to use the Artist Loft 5x7 sketch books as my journal. I started stamping/ dating the pages then realized there were not enough pages in one book. I needed FOUR of the books. Basically, one per quarter. My project for this week is to finish dating the pages, stamping the black rose (mostly so I can put my stamps/ washi tape back where they belong). I've already started the journaling process and so far, things are going well.

If you're joining me for the A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft journaling please, let me know in the comments below. Let's share this journey.

Blessings

~Rain

MEDITATION MONDAY

 

Blessings

~ Rain

PHOTO FRIDAY

Merry Meet, everyone!

We've had cold rains in the Ozarks this week.  Some in the western part of the state even saw skiffs of snow and sleet.  

Way too early for this. I'm watching the forecast in hopes of seeing the moon tomorrow night. We're moving closer to another turn of the wheel.

Blessings!

~Rain

 

SHARING THURSDAY - Krafty Leeny

 Merry Meet, friends!

Today, I'm introducing you to a fun gal on YouTube. Krafy Leeny radiates peace and love. I hope you'll check out her channel. 

Here's a recent video from her channel:

Blessings

~ Rain

AFFIRMATION MONDAY

 

Today would have been my dad's 108th birthday. I set me on a path to learn how to do things for myself. For that I am grateful... and.... 

Blessings

~ Rain

SHARING THURSDAY - Disney Dave

 Merry Meet, friends!

This week's Sharing Thursday is a bit different. As opposed to sharing a YouTube channel, (well I kind of am), I'm more focused on a particular video.

I'm sure we've all seen Hocus Pocus. It's a fun, iconic Halloween movie. However, in most any movie produced there are always scenes that never make the final cut. This video from Disney Dave is about what part(s) of Hocus Pocus we never got to see. I hope you enjoy this video:

Blessings

~ Rain

MEDITATION MONDAY

 

Our medtitation for the week:

Blessings

~ Rain

SHARING THURSDAY -

 Merry Meet, readers!

Okay. so this week's Sharing Thursday spotlight shines on Jade the Libra. I'm not saying she's a witch, but I'm also not saying she isn't. What I do want to share is that she LOVES Halloween, is a Libra like me and just has a lot of fun decorating for Halloween.

If nothing else, she might entertain you and give you some creative ideas. Here's one of her recent decorating videos:

Blessings

~ Rain

AFFIRMATION MONDAY

 

Here is our Affirmation for the week:

Blessings

~ Rain

SHARING THURSDAY - Autumn Cozy

 Merry Meet, readers!

For this week's Sharing Thursday (there will be a similar one in November so stay tuned!), I wanted to share a YouTuber I've been listening to quite a bit. Her videos are great background for writing or crafty.  

I hope  you will check out Autumn Cozy's channel.

Here is one of her videos:

Blessings

~ Rain

AFFIRMATION MONDAY -

 

I've put cards in order to alternate between affirmation and meditation. Today should have been a Meditation card. 

However, 111 has been showing itself to me several times over the past days. So that is what I'm sharing with you today ~

Blessed Be

~ Rain

SHARING THURSDAY - JoBeth Sexton's Crafty Cauldron

 Today begins my favorite month in the entire year! I've been decorating like crazy, in spite of being sick the past week and a half. The house is finally beginning to feel like fall. So are the outside temperatures. Glorious fall weather!

Last week I introduced you to Lipstick Legion Craft. 

Jeneen is hosting a Halloween Tree Challenge. Everything except the tree and one other item must come from Dollar Tree. I'm linking her video for the details HERE. You have until All Hallo's Eve to join us! My tree is nearly finished. I step back and see something missing, add that, then step back and the process repeats. hehe... My tree is not a traditional tree as you'll see in the next week or so. 

This week, for Sharing Thursday I want to introduce you to a woman who has become a very good friend in just a few short weeks. It's like JoBeth and I were meant to meet. She is such a talented artist. Please check out her channel and shower her with love and blessings! 

Here's one of her most recent videos:

AFFIRMATION MONDAY

 

I apologize for not having posts up at all last week. I got hit with a horrid sinus infection a week ago last Saturday evening. I'm still battling the stupid stuff, though I'm not as miserable and able to function with the help of DayQuil.

Today's Affirmation:

Blessings

~Rain

FRIDAY PHOTO

 

SHARING THURSDAY - Lipstick Legion Crafts

 Merry Meet, everyone!

Today kicks off a new series where on Thursdays I will share something I have discovered, with you.

This week, I'm all about sharing one of my latest finds on YouTube ~ 

 Jen over at Lipstick Legion Crafts. 

I met Jen on YouTube through a challenge I took part in. She is a lot of fun to watch and the stuff she creates to use in her craft makes me want to play. 

Speaking of playing, she introduced me to a Halloween Challenge coming up next week. Stay tuned for that post - possibly Thursday.

Aside from being a crafty witch, she is also a big horror fan and has a SERIOUS horror memorabilia collection and is loves Nightmare Before Christmas. Check out the new Tarot deck she unboxed yesterday!

You will find her at the following locations. I hope you'll check her out and give her  follow:

YOUTUBE    ETSY    INSTAGRAM   TeeSpring

AFFIRMATION MONDAY - Changing things up

In my post a few weeks ago (before hubby came home announcing he'd be home for 4 weeks!) I had planned to run this Mindfullness & Meditation on Wednesdays as well as show you the project I had in mind to go with this. 

As I sat thinking about the housecleaning and revamp of the Cauldron Cafe, I decided this would best be suited for Mondays. Something for us to start our week with. So from now on, these will run every Monday, alternating Affirmation with Quotes to Meditate On. Don't worry about this being a one-time shot. I have the rest of this  month's posts ready to roll. I am officially back to work. :-)

Here is this week's Affirmation:

 

A BIT OF HOUSE CLEANING - A Bit Long But Necessary

 Fall is the perfect time for a bit of serious housecleaning. Some deep clean in the Spring. Me, I'm all about hitting the Reset and cleaning things out as Autumn begins to appear.

Today, I'm talking about my blogs, in particular.

I started off really well back in July, then things got dumped back into the studio before I was ready and blogging was no longer a priority. I simply sat on the deck with Bob every day, worked on my journals a bit and did stuff with him. 

During one of our coffee mornings I explained that while I had been off-kilter the past six months, I needed to change some things if I'm to meet my goals.

I've sat for over six months,  not doing much of anything. Not even completing most of the journals I have started through Julie's challenges. Why?

Well, the reason finally came to me last weekend. I haven't been using my blog/ editorial boards or my planners since the end of February... when I started the reorganization of the studio/ office. 

I am a VERY visual person. Even during my days of selling Christmas Around the World, House of Lloyd and Undercover Wear whenever there was a promotion, I would buy a sheet of poster board and create a chart to track my progress towards a goal.

Saturday, I pulled out mynotepad and decided there were changes to be made.

1- Work only with blogs that bring me joy.

I had six blogs. I made the definitive decision to close the Living Through Weightloss. 

I am keeping this blog. This is where I come to ground and explore my faith. 

2 - Still In Debate

I started the Ozarks Journal blog back when I first met the Polish Sinfonia and needed a place to post pictures from the grade school students so that the orchestra members could all go look at them. I still like the blog idea but I'm making a couple of changes.

I want to keep talking about prepping, my garden and household. I was talking 'household' on the weightloss blo, after all a clean house does make for a better self-journey but something in me decided I could keep the household with the Ozarks Journal. I mean, I LIVE in the Ozarks. LOL So OJ will be more about my corner of the Ozarks and our home here.

3- Staying on Task

This required evaluating what I really want to do.

I want to write

I want the Etsy shop or some other sales form to destash my stuff and let it bring joy to others.

For that reason, I am putting a more solid YouTube stream in place, getting my shop open and Keeping THIS blog but with a few changes. I'll be talking about those on Friday.

4 - More time to craft and to write.

I still have book series I want/ need to write. I'm starting back to a regular writing schedule next week. Hopefully, by the time Bob comes home I will have a routine where even if I only take thirty minutes, the words will flow.

Overall Goals

To create beautiful things while destashing our home

To stay more on Task

To focus on Faith

To write more books

To have a financial plan in place that has the house paid off in two years.

I'm not saying these goals will be easy, but with visuals in place  I have a much better shot

I'm spending the rest of this week getting posts written/ scheduled, batch-recording videos and putting the office back together from company last week.

I will see you back here on Friday (September 11) to talk about the new schedule.

 until then...

MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION

While in a crafting chat yesterday I was reminded of something we all really need to do... slow down! I don't know about you but I seem to be constantly playing catch-up.

Today, for instance.

I've known since last Saturday what my blog schedule would be for the next three months. Yet here I am half way through Wednesday and finally posting.  Never mind that I totall never got to Monday or Tuesday. They will return next week, the energies willing.

I picked up this box set last fall at five below opened the box when I got home, bookmarked the on-line meditations link... then never looked at the product again. Geez!

When you think about their motto,  Let go - Have Fun you can see I pretty much missed that base as well.

The deck includes 2 types of cards as well as a card with the on-line guided meditation link and a video masterclass

The purple set of cards are for Affirmations.  I'll talk about today's draw in a minute

The sage set of cards are Quotes to Meditate On.

So this week, I am starting quiet time.

This week's card is:

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

To insure I stay focused, I'm propping this card up on my cell phone holder where I will see the Affirmation first thing every morning when I sit down to my desk, as well as periodically throughout the day.

Next, each Wednesday I will share the Quote to Meditate on. This one I plan to journal on... which will bring me to another post tomorrow or Friday.

Today's meditation comes from The Four Immeasurable Thoughts:

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings

were to live in equanimity, free of hatred and attachment!

How wondeful it would be if all sentient beings

had happiness and the causes of happiness!

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings

wer free of suffering and its causes!

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings

were never separated from the 

happiness of higher rebirth and liberation!

In our current state of things, I found it enlightening that this would be the first card I pulled for this practice.

Do you meditate? What do you use for meditation? I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you use and on this week's draw.

Blessings

~Rain

YOUTUBE TUESDAY - Daughter of Old

Merry Meet, everyone!

As promised, I wanted to share a video from Daughter of Old. I watched this video and was mesmerized by her calming spirit and the beautiful design she's made with the flowers. This has inspired me to make a honeysuckle wreath for my Litha alter.

Please Enjoy ~
Blessed Be! ~ Rain

YOUTUBE TUESDAY - The Green Witch

Merry Meet, everyone!

Over the past couple of weeks I've been enjoying videos from The Green Witch.  I find her videos to be relaxing as well as thought-provoking.  We share a lot of the same path.

Here is a link to her CHANNEL. I hope you'll pay her a visit.
She also has another sweet channel called Daughter of Old.

I thought I'd share one of her videos from her orignal channel with you directly. Next week, we'll look at one from Daughter of Old.

Enjoy & Blessed Be! ~Rain

GUARDING PERSONAL INFORMATION!

Good morning & Merry Meet

This is a quick post written (Monday) as today is all about phone calls to Social Security. I'm not sure what has happened, nor am I going to speculate. I just know something isn't right. The only thing I can do is figure out the issue then move forward.

With that in mind, I'm not sure there will be any other posts this week. I'd planned to be back to work full force, though that  may not happen this week.

What I do want to point out is that I've done everything in my power to guardd my personal information. I don't do business on my phone, I don't bank on-line and I have one credit card to my name for business and hotel confirmations.

Sadly, the same precautions do not appear to have been take with the U. S. Government.

I have blog posts ready to roll... with a few changes in format for the remainder of the year. With the first half of the year winding down, this seemed like a good time to make those changes.

Hang with me - we'll get this straightened out!

Blessings ~Rain

MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

TO THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE OUR ARMED FORCES

AND

THE FAMILIES WHO SACRIFICE SO MUCH

FOR OUR 

FREEDOM

HAPPY EARTH DAY! - Bee Polinators Reign

I should be in the greenhouse planting seeds... actual seeds. I wanted to start a couple of weeks ago. I even cleaned up the seed tables and put my starter pots in their trays...

Then I found a mama wren had built a nest in my wicker baskets. She has four little eggs. I don't want to disturb her, have her leaving the nest. She needs to keep those little babies warm until they're ready to join us.

She is pretty good about me staying to my end of the greenhouse but don't make eye contact. As soon as she knows she's been spotted, out of the nest she comes and lights somewhere in a corner until I leave.

I've also had to keep an eye on the temperature in there. Incubation for eggs is 99*F but the greenhouse can get to almost 200* on a full sun day. So I open the East door to let a breeze through then just open the window on the West door. I don't want a breeze hitting the nest.  If I've figured correctly, we should have baby birds in about another five days or so.

What I wanted to do today was to direct you to BEES.. yes, those buzzy little flyers that can be a nuisance. But remember, not all bees are POLINATOR BEES.

Last year, I bought a couple of THESE at Menards but didn't put them out because my youngest granddaughter is terrified of anything that buzzes. Those little houses were only $3.50 last year! Now look at the price.
But I knew I wanted at least a couple more. I need some in the orchard. So I found these:

The ones last year were painted bright colors. These come natural so I plan to paint them this week. Then I'm going to seal the wood on all four of them as well as the butterfly houses the girls painted last year. I might get some of these projects caught up yet.

If you want to know more about the importance of Polinators, check out The Honeybee Conservancy

When you're through there, check out this link in GOOGLE DOODLES and chill with their Bee Polinator game.

Remember, we all hold the Earth in our care.

FULL MOON IN LIBRA

I have to say, the Pink/ Wind full moon this month carried an underlying message in this troubling time we are all in. The Libra Moon is all about connection. Connection between ourself and other.

We need to remember that while we are 'sheltered in place', we are far from alone. This is the perfect time to go within to define our own needs about relationships. Not necessarily in a romantic form, but how we choose to interact - or not interact - with people when we are on the other side of this pandemic.

One woman commented in chat the other night that she will never shake hands again.
Seriously?

I'm sad she feels that way. 

Sure, things will never be the same. Just like we have not been the same since 9-11, or after the financial crisis of 2008.

Change is inevitable.
What is important is how we accept the change.
Do we 'roll with the punches'? 'Go with the flow'?

Or do we figure out what we really need and require to move forward while not losing sense of SELF?
There is a renewal that comes from change. Let this event in our history be your time of REBIRTH.

Maybe this is the perfect time for you to pursue a new employment course? Formulate a plan for your own buisness. Write that book you've always wanted to write.

We will have to find BALANCE.


As the Llewellyn date book says:
"..this Full Moon highlights how we choose to show up in the world and put our best foot forward."

There is a renewal that comes from change.

Blessed Be
~Rain

If you've not yet purchased your copy of the 2020 Witches Datebook, click the link below:

   AMAZON

A NEW YEAR DAWNS

Blessed 2020, everyone!

I'm a tad behind in this greeting, but with good cause.

Since October I've been on a serious deep clean of my studio and office... mostly the studio for now.

In September I made the decision to no longer actively sell Stampin' Up! products. I'm still a hobby dem for the time being. Hobby Dem means I make sure to meet my quarterly minimum in sales to keep my discount and get all the perks - like early order on products before they're released to our customers.

The downside was that I focused on 'pushing' product to my customers and just wasn't having any fun! I got into SU not for the discount or to sell, but to make sure I had catalogs when they came out. Prior to my becoming a 'dem' I didn't know about sales throughout the year. My reps never told me anything about spring sales, Christmas catalog or specials throughout the year! Once I became a dem I realized how much I'd been missing. (okay, that might be a stretch for some but for a passionate paper crafter like me, that's HUGE!)

While I was 'selling', I kept all the 'current' product separate from the general populace of my craft supplies and so much was not being used! I decided that needed to change. So I reverted to Hobby Dem. That meant clearing my work table of the current product and integrating everything together so I could PLAY!

I'm almost finished.Jut a couple things on my work table today and stamp sets to catalog and I will have gained control of my studio once again. FREEING!

My focus has changed to selling something I'm passionate about. Junk Journals and junk journal supplies. My Etsy shop is set to open in time for Imbolc and I'm so excited. I won't have any witchy items in there until probably Beltane but I do want to offer junk journals for everyone. That said, if you have a sweetheart, you'll find Valentine Love Note journals in the shop in February.

I've also strayed from not following up on blog posts. I post Part 1 then Part 2 never materializes. That, too, is going to change. 2020 is all about Craft/ Crafting/ Follow Through. My One Word is TIME.. and I'm making TIME to do the things that are important to me.

How is your 2020 shaping up? What are some of your goals? Please share. Put the intentions out there for them to grow!

Blessings
~Rain