Cream Tea & Community
14 April 2011
Lucky Number Eights
Last day on Iona...wonderful, wonderful day...
Waiting for the Sunrise on Dun I
Descending Together
Lunchtime
It's been an amazing week...and I will be reflecting on it here a little later. I came here for direction, and that's exactly what I received.
XO
Crazy Eights
01 May 2011
Wall Near Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
I had very high hopes about posting my Iona blog today...but no such luck. I had to come into work on Saturday, which threw off my lazy time at home quite severely. I only really got into gear this morning...
So, in order to keep the posts coming, I thought I'd share a little fun fact about Scotland and me. My lucky number, 8, always seems to follow me around.
In 2008, when I went for my 30th birthday, I was put in room 8 at Newbold House (and I believe in the Inverness hostel too). Then in 2009, I was put in room 8 at the St. Columba Hotel on Iona. I got such a kick out of that. I didn't have that kind of luck this time, but I like to think it expanded beyond room numbers.
I tend to see or notice a lot of 8's when I'm there too...so this time I made a little game out of it and would stop to photograph them whenver one caught my eye.
One of the things I kept marveling at was how all the little seeds I began planting years ago (possibly that first time I set foot in Edinburgh) are all starting to sprout beautifully. All the work is starting to pay off.
I had moments while participating in sing alongs at the hotel, or the pilgrimage walk, where I stopped and said, "This is my life! This is happening..." whereas before I would almost watch everything like an outsider and say, "I wish this was my life!"
That was quite a shift. To realize that I've been traveling to this place, and even though it might only occupy a corner of my existence right now, what a blindingly beautiful corner to have created.
XO
Cake & Castles
16 April 2011
Mimi's Bakehouse
I think this should catch me up. My friend, Sara, arrived early this afternoon and we were off on another full day...
We met my friend, Alison, and the other "cake ladies" at Mimi's Bakehouse down in Leith. It was a wonderful afternoon with more laughter and colorful conversation.
After that we went on a mini tour of places I hadn't seen yet...
The Forth Road Bridge
Blackness Castle
Need I say More???
What a wonderful way to spend the day! I'm totally impressed with how Sara pushed through the day after just flying in...
XOXO
April Showers
11 April 2011
Woolly and Wise
I'm a wee bit obsessed with the lambs this week. They seem to get bigger every day. So precious! I could watch them for hours!
I (finally) got caught in the rain today...and then the sun...and then the rain again...sometimes both at once. I love Scotland ;)
Can you see the raindrops?
Walking Through The Nunnery
XO
A Nip & A Bite
17 April 2011
I Couldn't Decide Whether to Buy the Dog or the Whisky...
Today was a rather lazy day. A late-ish start at Clarinda's Tea room turned into some wonderful wandering, shopping...and a few pints at the pub...followed by a quick bite...
Clarinda's Teacups
Black Pudding with Goat Cheese and Ale Chutney
Jura on top of The Salisbury Crags by Twilight...
Not too shabby for a Monday.
XO
A Mighty Oak
21 December 2011
Thank You
I have recently been inspired to create custom boxes for people. I started by making a thank you gift for my friend Alison, in Edinburgh and then went from there.
The second box I completed was the above gift for my herbal teacher, Robin. It was presented after the recent graduation from apprenticeship circle.
I used real oak leaves that had fallen to the ground during the Fall and had all of the students sign a piece of paper which I then fixed to the inside top of the box:
This was the first time I used plant material and NOT one of my photographs or parts of a photograph.
I had everyone in class bring in a small item to put into the box...to represent themselves. After presenting the box we went around the circle telling her about our submission before placing it inside. It turned out to be a very powerful ceremony of gratitude and thanks for all her teaching. I was so pleased to be a part of it. These are the moments that matter.
I had such a good time creating this piece. I'm finding that making art while channeling another person's energy is so interesting. I pour it in mixed with my style and see what happens. The result is that the items flow with a natural ease that I haven't experienced before and they come out truly unique. Not only different from one another but different from anything I've ever made before.
XO
P.S. Thank You to Robin for allowing me to share her giftie with all of you.
A Mahoosive Day
16 April 2011
Early Morning View from My Room at The St. Columba Hotel, Iona
I am, gasp, a day behind in posting photos...but I hope you'll forgive me. Yesterday was very very long...and I think I'm just starting to recover my wits...
I began my day on Iona...and finished it in Edinburgh...not too bad, but exhausting! And not only did I finish it in Edinburgh...but at a dinner party, no less. Have no fear...I will be writing about all these things in greater detail when I get back to the states. I am on holiday, after all :)
Right Next to the Ferry in Oban ("The Seafood Capital of Scotland")
Hot Smoked Salmon Sandwich. DELICIOUS!!!
I was actually travelling from Oban...
Arriving at Craigwell Cottage, at Last!!!
Hot-Cross Buns and Scottish Butter...mmm...
Pop-Up Dining at Kitchen Porter's
The meal was wonderful and the company fantastic! Lots and lots of laughter (and champagne). I think the two aid each other a great deal! :) I was also introduced to the word "Mahoosive" by my friend Alison. So good. I will post separately for the dinner party, when I've had time to gather my thoughts and more of the photos...
I've just seen my new friend, Callie, off on the next leg of her journey...and am sitting with some tea, waiting on my friend, Sara, from New York. I think I'll take her out for a mahoosive Scottish Breakfast when she gets in. Life is good.
XO
A Healthy Sea
13 April 2011
Staffa
Today was the boat trip to Staffa. Unfortunately it was too dangerous to land...but the view was amazing, of course...
Chips! Sandwich I had to try
Staffa, YAY!!!
Puffins
Tomorrow is our last full day on Iona...I'm planning on an early morning hike up Dun I to see the sunrise...so I better get to bed. I'm also hoping to get over to the Abbey and enquire about volunteering here as soon as I can manage it. Possibly next season? We'll see. Wish me luck!!!
XO
Primary Food: Finances
Finances is the third spoke on the wheel of Primary Foods, when assessing our Circle of Life.
This is where I stalled out with writing the last time because this is an uncomfortable area for me. My finances have always been a bit of a murky thing, to say the least. I have found that it takes a really big commitment to something I want to achieve for me to get my money in order. The last time I got my financial act together was when I had made the decision to leave to New York to pursue volunteering in Scotland. I began that journey in 2008, and was ready by 2012. I really buckled down, got clear on where my money was, and where it needed to go. I started meeting with a financial planner and organized everything (as much as I can be organized, lol), put myself on a semi-strict budget while allowing myself some necessary luxuries such as my herbal apprenticeship and vacations (which I saved for instead of throwing everything on my credit cards…which was the bulk of my fiscal woes).
I have always come through and had enough, but I have rarely had more than enough so that I feel less stress around paying bills.
At some point over the past year I started to seriously think about buying a house some day. This is not something I have ever really allowed myself to believe was possible. I have lived in apartments most of my adult life. For some reason I started thinking it may be possible one day over the course of the quarantine. I started looking up places that came up for sale in my neighborhood as research and began dreaming of the possibilities…and the probability…of being able to pursue this idea seriously (I would love to one day have a larger home studio, a.k.a. kitchen, to work from).
This also led me to think about the future in a monetary way. One thing I do have going for me is that as a result of my former corporate work, I do have a little retirement nest egg started. However, I hadn’t been contributing to it since leaving New York due to all the upheaval with my nomadic lifestyle, school bills, and fluctuating income. I made the decision to start adding to it once again at the New Year…so that is something. Regardless, I am incredibly grateful to have steady income, a few coins in the bank, and a cozy and safe home. I have been very lucky over the course of these uncertain times.
As for the house, I have taken a step back to assess and see where I need to pay down some bills, increase my savings and improve my credit. But having a goal in mind is very helpful. One step at a time.
Primary Food: Creativity
Creativity is the second spoke on the wheel of Primary Foods, when assessing our Circle of Life.
Pretty much every molecule of my life has always involved some sort of creative pursuit. If I look back, all I see are snippets of me making sand food or art in my backyard, creating worlds with my dolls in my basement, having all night tie-dying sessions with one of my friends, hoarding things that I thought I could use in some sort of art project….building a castle in my bedroom with my best friend for an English project. Fast forward to my adulthood: I went to college for Advertising design, worked in the Art Production Department of a National Magazine (TV GUIDE), briefly pursued a crafting business using my photography on functional products, started a photo-based blog…which morphed into a food blog after I got into cooking as a result of my herbal apprenticeship.
All of these things are all about creation.
And now I have wrapped up all these experiences into my current LionArt Creations…where I am free to create whatever my heart is led to create…both with my photography, food creations, herbal training, etc.
My day job also encompasses being creative…I make food items, gift baskets, and run the social media for a long running local business here in Shreveport, Cuban Liquor. I really do feel lucky that all my talents and pursuits have all come together is such a way, and how they are able to feed into each other. I am able to use all my accumulated knowledge at Cuban and everything I have learned through that experience helps me with my own business in terms of visual packaging, merchandising and social media.
My expressions of creativity have gone through many incarnations over the years but have been no less important. For me, there is a close link with my Spirituality. I even extend my creativity into creating and decorating my home space. I have done that as far back as I can remember.
Creativity, in whatever form for us, is so important. It can serve as a way of expressing things we feel we have no outlet for, helps us turn off our brain when we need a little relief or to redirect our thoughts, or as a form of meditation. So many people think they aren’t creative, but being creative is not just drawing or some form of visual art. It can be cooking or journalling or doing a crossword puzzle, building a card house, playing games, gardening, making plans…the possibilities really are endless. The important thing is that we explore what creativity means for us.
Primary Food: Spirituality
Spirituality is the first spoke on the wheel of Primary Foods, when assessing our Circle of Life.
My spirituality has gone through many phases over the years. I had let a lot of my practices go dormant for a while and then, in the wake of personal distress, I was guided to pick them up again…and expand on them. I originally turned to spirit to try and get answers for unexplained things.
Since then, I have been on a rollercoaster of a spiritual healing journey. Highs, lows and everything in between. I’ve gotten back into meditation and crystals and incense, reiki, and well, you name it. I’ve had some incredible, unexplainable, experiences which keep bringing me back to spirit, even when I feel disillusioned.
I’ve met so many other incredible women on a similar journey and am so grateful for the support because it is not an easy road. Through my research I have learned that we have signed up for all of this when it comes to an ascension journey. One of my friends and I regularly have lamented, “Why would I sign up for this???” LOL But true awakenings are indeed messy and heartbreaking.
I have been exploring so many different healing modalities, including getting back into my herbal teas and medicine (which has led to me starting and expanding my herbal business out in my community over the past year), and I recently started going back to church to sing in a choir again. This has been a wonderful bridge back to my essence since music and singing is a very spiritual (and healing) experience for me. With all of this, I am constantly trying to learn how to balance spirit and earth.
It has been such a gift, having spirit to focus on in the wake of loss and confusion! Filling my toolbox with knowledge of self and healing. Even when I am in the ebb, not in the flow.
I find myself approaching another threshold after a challenging pandemic year. Sometimes when I have a major internal shift, I expect my outer world to immediately change (patience isn’t always a virtue). I also struggle with control issues when I need to relax and open my eyes to the fact that what I am praying for might present itself differently (and possibly better) than what I have imagined. Letting go is not an easy thing to do, and everything can change in the blink of an eye. We cannot control anything but ourselves. I have found energy clearing and traditional counseling to be wonderful tools for finding clarity and balance. Spirit and Earth.
When it comes right down to it, we are either aligning with Love or Fear. And most of the time fear feels more familiar and, bizarrely, more comfortable. I still strive to always align with love in all ways. Especially towards myself.
Primary Food
When we are trying to create change in order to live more mindful, healthy lives, looking at what we eat and how we exercise is really only part of the whole. We need to focus on our entire life. This includes Spirituality, Creativity, Finances, Career, Education, Health, Physical Activity, Home Cooking, Home Environment, Relationships, Social Life, and Joy…
This is a concept my school taught as “Primary Food,” and they often said that it was more important than the food you put in your mouth.
I like to focus on Primary Foods with my wellness coaching. I have found, that on the whole we tend to jump to what’s on our plates before investigating what’s in our hearts…and usually heads…in terms of our wellness.
The above image in an exercise called “The Circle of Life.” It allows you to judge all the aspects of your life honestly…creating a visual shape…and then ideally you can address each aspect to go forward and create a more balanced shape as time goes on.
You can download a copy of the worksheet HERE.
I will be back to break down each of these items in more detail over the coming weeks. I focused on primary foods in my 2014 newsletters, but these are things we need to revisit on a constant basis because we are always evolving. The only constant in life, is change.
Sundays are for Recalibrating
Nettles
Sundays are usually my one full day at home during the week. I try to use my time to hang out with my dog, Sam, and attend to my home…which usually gets a bit neglected through the week. Today ended up being my annual first Spring day to plant things and clean up my little patio space. It ended up being a nice grounding activity after an energetically difficult week. It is a rare day when I don’t need to have the air conditioning or heat on…and the door to the patio can stay open without consequence, like heat or cool air escaping, or bugs getting inside. Sam also loves to be able to freely go out there to bark at something or lie in the sunshine.
I rode the wave of productivity and made a green smoothie for the week, chili, skillet cornbread…and managed to still have the energy left to get all the dishes washed. I do enjoy starting the week with a clean(ish) space, and it rarely happens!
Being outside and having my hands in the dirt is usually a calming and grounding practice. I have also cleaned up the patio a bit since I lost some plants during our recent snow storm. It feels less congested and in turn makes me feel a little more organized and calm. Over the few years I have been in this space I have also learned what does and does not grow well out there…so I hope to have more success this time around.
What grounding practices do you use in your life?
One Bite at a Time
It has been almost a whole year since I have updated this blog. To be honest, I have not had all that much to say! I really have just been trying to take things one day at a time. So I decided to look through my old website’s posts that I took down and am revisiting some of the topics from where I am now.
In the interest of how overwhelmed I can feel at times lately…this post topic seemed appropriate. I had heard the quote, “The only way to eat an elephant, is one bite at a time.”
I have been in hermit mode, like most folks over the past year (I haven’t even gotten a haircut, lol, trying to see how long it will get is kind of fun though).
I have been trying to keep my fledgling business afloat this past year, like a lot of folks. I am super blessed and grateful to have steady employment and a safe home with a cuddly dog to come home to. Trying to keep it all going on my own can be challenging and exhausting at times, but I am trying to count my blessings. On top of my job at Cuban Liquor, I love having a space among other artists at ArtiFact and C&C Mercantile and Lighting. I had moved in right when the shutdown happened, and then we grew which has been such a gift. Being able to go in to work and have other artists and friends to work with, and create beside, has been a life saver. I love being part of the small local business scene in all ways.
I am grateful to say I have been able to start volunteering at The MLK Health Center and Pharmacy once again. I really had been missing it. I’m also trying to get back into the swing of planning classes and events. It has been a struggle with class attendance restrictions etc.
Even amidst my gratitude, I have most definitely been letting my self care slide. The irony of being a healer and having a new wellness business (and working two jobs) is that you tend to overextend your time and energy and burn yourself out. Self care and boundary setting are important skills to learn. I am still learning.
So nothing super profound from me today, lol. Just wanted to check in and say that it’s okay to take things one bite at a time.
Staying in Place
How is everyone doing with sheltering in place? The above photo was taken way back in 2008 during my 30th birthday trip to Scotland. I was talking about my time there in a recent Facebook Live chat over tea, and it really did remind me about how our gifts are sometimes born out of times of solitude. It was on this particular trip that I set the next chapter of my life in motion (literally since I was turning 30), and pretty much everything I am doing now is a result of those intentions.
Apply to be an Herbal Apprentice.
Get a laptop so I can start a blog and write it from anywhere.
Create workshops or classes…about what, I wasn’t sure yet.
Fast forward 10 years and change, and here I am. And oddly enough, while really in transition again with my business, I am being forced into more retreat time. Oh, Universe.
I am delighted to see so many other people using this time to do beautiful things. Sometimes it’s hard to sit in the silence. It isn’t always easy when we are so used to being busy, and going and doing. I keep seeing funny things about how Generation Xers are taking the quarantines in stride because being alone is nothing new to us. I do find that to be true for me. I spent some time alone after school as a school kid and would entertain myself for a bit (however nothing very prolonged), and I would spend hours in the basement making up worlds and stories with my dolls or watching TV. I would make mixed tapes of video clips on the VCR, my friend Charity and I would make up and record commercials on cassette tapes using my Dad’s and her Dad’s record collections. We would also spend hours doing various arts and crafts. I was never into video games but was heavily into watching my shows and would get very upset if the VCR failed to turn on if I wasn’t home because that meant I would have to wait until they re ran it over the Summer. Oh, pre Netflix/Hulu/Amazon….
I will say, I am also experiencing some anxiety at times over all this. I am not immune to it even though I try to remain calm and focus my energy into positive things and my work. I have been trying to meditate, nap, drink tea, talk to friends etc., to keep grounded.
I am also trying to stay in place. Be in the stillness. Because even though I do have a lot of practice with solitude…I have become accustomed to the digital connections and conveniences. I love me a good show binge…no waiting for the happy ending! LOL. But I appreciate my days of waiting to see what happens next because it reminds me that good things can take time, work, and yes, rest.
Be well and Stay Safe.
Love in the Time of Coronavirus
Things are so up in the air right now, but I have been wanting to get on here and write, in general, for a while now. I am risking imperfection a lot these days in order to simply get my messages and products out to where they are (hopefully) needed.
So much feels uncertain and I know that a lot of folks are dealing with having their lives disrupted schedule-wise as well as having the fear of the unknown hovering over everything.
One thing that I am grateful for, is seeing how many people are rising to the occasion to not only get creative in terms of their own businesses but to help others out. Local businesses and people unexpectedly stuck at home with children…big organizations like the Metropolitan Opera streaming productions for free. I have been able to use my social media skills to not only promote for the small, family owned, business I work for (Cuban Liquor), but to share information about other local businesses’ events, schedule changes and new offerings via our platform. We are all just making it up as we go along and trying to support our community, which gives me hope.
As for me personally, I am naturally a homebody and homesteading is my norm…for which I am grateful. I only have my dog Sam and I to worry about locally (I am grateful for technology that helps me keep in touch with my relatives and friend-family who are of great support). I also had been on the verge of burnout what with deciding to expand my own small business this year, and last Sunday was the first real day off I have had in a long time (with all my extracurricular activities being cancelled: Opera, Church Choir and Volunteering). I was neglecting my apartment, and my health…if I am being honest. They say that when we neglect things long enough, we are made to slow down…this seems to be happening on a global level right now.
As for my small business, I will continue to go to C&C Mercantile on Saturdays to make stuff as long as I can…and I will always be available to chat about ways to support our immune systems…there or via online (I feel privileged to support, work for, and within so many small, local businesses right now). I have the ability to do FaceTime sessions, or Zoom meetings. I am still a little nervous about the idea of doing a Facebook Live…but we will see. My favorite part about what I do is the in person aspect, but in these times we must use the resources we have! And I would still like to be able to help people by sharing my knowledge. In that spirit, I am still planning on teaching my class on plants for the immune system on March 28th at The Peace of Mind Center, where you can also purchase some of my products locally.
I do want to work on my Etsy shop so I can more easily ship products. I am also always willing to do product handoffs. I was thinking about a subscription box…but one thing at a time…
So for now…Love and Light.
What’s New and Good
I am trying very hard to bring everything back up to date! The new year started with me asking C&C Mercantile how much a studio space would be…for the future…and much in line with how things seem to work sometimes…it was the right time to ask! I have a lot more to say on this subject but I have updated this site to include where you can find me locally! And, as always, you can keep up via Facebook and Instagram.
Salt Cured
I had a doctor, back in New York, who wanted me to snort salt water out of my hand to help relieve my allergies. I thought she was crazy. Then I got into herbal medicine and when I kicked all my anti histamines I was introduced to the idea of a neti pot. While a little odd and worrisome at first, I still found it less off-putting than snorting water from my hand!
For those of you who aren’t familiar, a neti pot is a nifty little device that allows you to rinse allergens etc out of your nose and sinuses with warm salt water. There are various styles of neti pots…some look like a cross between a gravy boat and a tea pot and some are basically a squeeze bottle. I prefer the ceramic but will use the squeeze bottle when my nose is clogged with a cold.
Fast forward to now, and I am still using a neti pot. Unfortunately, I have had to resort to some over the counter or allergy meds at times the past couple of years, but I really do feel the difference when I don’t use the neti pot every day. And when I have a cold, flushing out my sinuses really helps the cold move along faster because salt is anti bacterial (it also helps stop a nose bleed pretty fast). Note: You want to make sure you either use distilled water or boil the water you use. (I use filtered and bottled water).
I bought my first neti pot HERE but it was sort of pricy. It was also a little work of pottery art, which I adored. And me being me, I went a little berserk and bought a Himalayan salt lamp, salt inhaler (etc) too. All of which helped but the Himalayan salt isn’t always necessary. Sometimes, I buy fine sea salt (without any anti-caking agents), and add a little pinch of baking soda, which can be much more cost effective. Lately I’ve been getting the little bags of neti pot salt and adding this additive.
XO
One Bite at a Time
Once again, one of my old blog posts came to mind. This time, it is one that I wrote while preparing to leave New York for Iona…though I’m not sure I had announced that to the world yet, lol.
This time, it’s in the wake of trying to get my wellness business going. I write this while waiting for some oils and wax to set before turning it all into some healing cream
I have the tendency to have a lot of ideas at once and then get overwhelmed. Back when I wrote the original blog I had heard a phrase, “The only way to eat an elephant, is one bite at a time.” More recently, my friend Grady used the analogy of if he is looking at a street scene he created in his mind, instead of concentrating on the whole scene, he will try and zoom in on one of the buildings, then on one brick in the wall of the building. So lately I have been trying to focus on my bricks and see how they stack up, so to speak.
I have been slowly building my product list, services, and class ideas…sharing my knowledge on here, as well as volunteering at the MLK Health Center & Pharmacy. I have been writing an article here and there for Heliopolis, Like this one for Cuban Liquor and this one for The MLK Health Center.
I also try to learn as much as possible and ground myself with friends and through classes and events at The Peace of Mind Center. And I feed my chakras and soul with music by singing in the church choir and local opera chorus.
Of course, I also need to take care of myself through all of this building. So I TRY to do meditation and yoga…even if it’s a little bit here and there. After all, buildings need strong foundations.
XO
Herbal Allies: SAssafras & Mullein
Sassafras Leaves
I volunteered at the Fall Health Fest in Highland at The MLK Center and Pharmacy last Saturday morning! While there, I shared one of the first medicinal herbal teas I learned as an Apprentice. In fact…I think it was even before I entered my apprenticeship! I had first dipped my toe into the herbal waters when my teacher, Robin Rose Bennett, held a class series titled, The Art of Herbal Medicine Making at The Open Center in New York City. I had begun getting emails about this course and a little voice inside my head kept prompting me to pay the $125 and dive in. It ended up changing the course of my life.
Sassafras & Mullein Tea
In the interest of using what I had…I put about 1 cup of mullein leaves in a half gallon jar, sprinkled some gumbo file powder in with it, added a few chunks of Sassafras bark, topped it with boiling water and steeped, covered, for about 8 hours.
I figured, being in Louisiana, most people would have gumbo file in their cupboard. You just want to make sure that the gumbo file is only sassafras leaves. I was also taught to buy the best that you can afford, as an apprentice.
I turn to Sassafras a lot. It is delicious (tastes sort of root beer-esque) and has spirit lifting qualities. It helps keep your mood happy during the change in season or during difficult times in your life (even the tree is amusing to look at with it’s charming goofiness of having 3 different shaped leaves…). Some other health benefits of Sassafras include: Improved urinary tract health, Reduced symptoms of arthritis, Clearer skin and eyes, and Improved Digestion.
Mullein is a wonderful herb for supporting the lungs! I used to make a tea blend with Nettles, Red Clover and Oat straw, in which I would sometimes add various respiratory supporting herbs for my slight asthma….mullein being one of them. You can even inhale the smoke to help with asthma attacks. It has expectorant and astringent properties and contains mucilage which coats and soothes irritated mucus membranes. Mullein also has anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties…you can even make an oil from it, combined with garlic, to treat ear infections!
This is a wonderful infusion to enjoy during the change of season due to its support of the respiratory system, as well as its mood boosting properties.
Of course, is all just the tip of the iceberg with Sassafras and Mullein, but I hope you are intrigued enough to dive in deeper and or try them out yourself!