Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

The power of intention

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Bug Yoga?

In yoga, our instructor would begin by telling us to set our intention. What did we want from this class this evening? She said it was the single most important exercise we would do all night.

“When you set an intention and then act on it to demonstrate your commitment, amazing things occur.

  • Get clear about something you want and write it down.
  • Share your intention with someone in a way that will hold you accountable to taking action.
  • Do something today to demonstrate your commitment to your intention.
  • Acknowledge that you did what you said you would and then, take the next step.

By setting an intention, you make it clear to yourself and others, just what you plan to do. Set an intention to redefine what it means to be serious about your dreams.”

*Marcia Wieder – “The Power of Intention
 

I have experienced the amazing things that can happen when I write down my intentions. Sometimes I write it on paper and sometimes I blog about it. Yes, I just put it out there. Suddenly I find that I’m taking a few baby steps toward my goal. Then, out of the blue something will happen that will send me full-tilt in the direction I was wanting to go! Things that make you go hmmmm . . .

My intention right now is to go cut the grass. I think there is a pretty good chance of that happening. After that? I intend to clean up, eat a light lunch, and have a nap. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Beyond Layers ‘Peace’

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Kim is giving us a word prompt for every day this week (eek! I missed yesterday)! But today it is “Peace”. Kim already quoted Max Ehrmann but I just had to use a quote from Desiderata as well. I used this poem in a layout earlier this week and it’s on my mind. The quote reads:

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.”

The photo of the pelicans was also taken last week – very early. It looked like one was sleeping. The fog is real but I did add one layer of Kim’s texture “Stamped Softly” just because . . .

 

How we spent our long week-end

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This past weekend in Canada was Victoria Day, our first long weekend to kick off the spring/summer season. Victoria Day celebrates Queen Victoria’s birthday (May 24th). Canada is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, of which the Queen is head. The holiday is celebrated on the Monday closest to the 24th.

The weather was pretty good so we decided to do some spring sprucing. Our back deck was really stained so we cleaned it with a deck cleaner and brightener. What a difference it made! Hubby also power washed the walls – usually I do it but I was nursing a sore back . . . really . . . I was . . . hmmmm. Sure was nice though, to not have to do that.

Finally some paint touch-ups and a new coat of paint on the front veranda, and we’re set to go – yay! I can’t wait to plant up my black cast iron urns and get the flowers on-deck (so to speak). That will probably happen this coming week-end so I’ll be able to post some ‘after’ shots. Much, much prettier photos, I’m sure!

You should have stayed south a little longer . . .

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Our spring this year has been less than stellar. Over the weekend we had rain, snow, sleet, and wind. For the most part, the Robins have not let this deter them from what they have to do. They are flitting about, chirping, finding mates (I’m sure) and just generally being good sports.

However, I looked out the kitchen window to see this poor thing puffed up as big as it could get. I had to laugh! (oops, sorry little fella).

His friend did not seem to be too amused either.

Easy for me to laugh. When I went to bed last night I had on two pairs of socks, and two extra blankets. This was after I had a hot bath. I was warm and toasty.

I have no shame. As the birds return from their winter vacations in the south we are preparing to board a plane tomorrow and head to a place where the temperature is 31C. See you poor guys in two weeks! Things had better be improving by the time we return . . .

World Bird Wednesday at The Pine River Review

Fascinating lichens

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Yesterday I went for a walk and took a different path – one that I’ve never taken before. On the whole, our landscape is brown, muddy, snowy and at first glance, not too interesting.

But if you keep an eye out – there is wonder and beauty everywhere. Amongst a tangle of fallen trees I noticed that there was a lot of lichen on the branches. There are all kinds of lichens and I’ve decided not to try to explain what they are – it’s a bit complicated and I don’t want to give false info.

I will simply say that I thought these fluffy tufts were fascinating – and I’ll leave it at that!

On this same walk I spied the quintessential harbinger of spring – our robin:

Now this is all well and good. Spring seemed to be in the air.

Not so. Last night Environment Canada issued a winter? storm warning for our area (whaa?? I thought this was spring . . .) This morning I would say there is a foot of snow on the ground. Oh my goodness. I’m going to have to bore you with more snow photos . . .

{spring fever}

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All of a sudden I feel inspired to join in the fun at Leavesnbloom studio and the Color me Weekly #14 Party. Yesterday I picked up these lovely tulips to help counteract my ‘spring flower envy’ that I have been feeling whilst perusing my favourite blogs. Oh my, oh my! I feel a LOT better!

If not now, then when?

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This butterfly must have got the memo . . . otherwise, why would it be here? Does it not know that we just had 10cm of heavy wet snow dumped on us over the weekend?

I was standing at the kitchen sink looking outside and thought, I’m going to go for a walk – right now. I know the kitchen needs cleaned. I know the groceries need to be put away. I know, I know, but . . .

I gathered up my trusty camera and tripod – I had seen some dark-eyed juncos at our bird feeder and thought I might catch one of them. But, I didn’t have much patience today so I took a walk to the lake. The snow we received is now melting and mushy and it’s about 6 degrees Celcius. A nice day here. Then I walked back up to the house and sat down on a chair in the middle of my muddy, dead looking garden and decided to sit and think about things.

And lo-and-behold, look who flies in and lands on a crispy fern leaf! I almost fell over myself trying to get a good shot and since I always have my camera on burst mode, I managed to get several pretty good ones.

I’ve identified it as a ‘Green Coma’ and the description I found on the site “Insects of Alberta” certainly would confirm it:

The Green Comma is a uncommon widespread species found south of the tree line from British Columbia to Newfoundland. Its preferred habitat is mixed wood and spruce forests. The adults are strong fliers on the wing from April to October. They over winter and mate in the spring, with only one brood per year.

Am I ever glad I didn’t wait to take that walk . . .

Texture: ‘plaster squared’ by Kim Klassen
on colour burn (not normally a mode I would use).

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Fountain Hills, AZ!

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Since we purchased a town home in Fountain Hills last November, in some ways we feel that we are a part of the community (even though we have technically only spent about a month here in total). So when we heard that the world famous fountain was going to turn green on March 17th we had to be there to see it up close. We thought we might have to use our Irish Imagination – but – NO – there was no mistaking that it was green!

The fountain before the green . . .

 

and after! looks like the birds thought it was fun too!

 

It was cool and breezy (very un-Arizona-like for us!)

 

 

Lineups to get to the food were long but we made it – was there any doubt?

 

Just about there . . .

 

Corned beef and cabbage on rye – delicious!

 

Seeing a green fountain was fun but eating a corned beef sandwich with cabbage and chips was right up there too!
On most days, the water from the Fountain only reaches a height of about 330 feet. That’s because there are three pumps operating the Fountain. Usually, only two are in use, with one of them being a backup. When all three pumps are operating together, water stream can get as high as 560 feet.

The Fountain is set in the middle of a 30 acre lake with a walking path around it. We took the walk once last week and I hope it becomes a habit when hubby retires and we are spending more time here.

As well, the local coffee shop sits right beside the lake and it’s a great place to spend a morning having coffee together – reading the paper and using their wi-fi!

OK – we’re off to an art show out at Cave Creek! How fun!

It’s 6:00 am as I write this . . .

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We haven’t been up 3 minutes . . .

I’ve been thinking that I’ve been neglecting my blog and I’ve been fretting about it. This past week I’ve been staying with two of my grandsons *whew* busy busy busy!

There was not a toy to be seen when we went to bed last night. I took this photo to impress upon myself that THIS is what I’m doing. THIS is what’s important at this moment.

Blogging and scrapping have to be put on the back-burner for now. You get back what you put into something and I can’t even put into words how I feel when they come running to me with huge smiles on their faces and give me big hugs and kisses. Nothing compares to that. I take it as proof that I’m doing something right.

OK, there’s a kerfuffle going on in the living room and I need to give these two some breakfast! TTYL!!

I got the full-on giggles . . .

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I can explain.

I’m participating in the ‘She’s Got Guts!” linky party hosted by Donna at Funky Junk Interiors (one of my favourite blogs). On her post, she said “I’m going to challenge you to push yourself out of your comfort zone today”. The point is YOU stretching your OWN imagination and not fearing what someone else will say.

1. Choose an unlikely something or other.

2. Walk around the house with it.

3. Then put it to work in a way you’ve never seen done before.

Don’t worry if it isn’t a prize winner. That’s not the point.

Well, I absolutely love a challenge so I tried to think of an object that I had acquired but never used. It didn’t take me long to think of this antique wringer. I bought it at an auction many years ago and haven’t ever displayed it.

First of all I removed a very nice picture from my wall (gasp) and put an old mirror on top of this country looking cabinet (affectionately called the ‘diaper cabinet’ because, well, I guess it used to hold diapers . . . I wonder whose . . . hmmmm). Because this is in my kitchen, I tied some herbs together with raffia and strung them across the top of the mirror. I added a couple old jars with some flowers and a couple tea towels tied together with the same raffia.

Well, and what is so odd about this you ask? I for one have never seen a towel rack quite like it . . .

It was about now that I got the full-on giggles. The kind where you feel really stupid because there is no one else around to laugh with you but you are practically p**ing your pants! (is that OK to say?).

Oh dear. Needless to say this little vignette did not last long but my giggles have continued for days. If I gained nothing else from this experience (but I think I did) I did have fun and I’m quite sure this whole exercise has stretched me somehow.

Since I feel like I may not have made myself understood, you might want to head on over to Funky Junk to see what I’m talking about.

A Pretty Life in the Suburbs

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My daughter started blogging in October of 2010. Since then her blog has grown by leaps and bounds – you might say it took off like a rocket! Not only is she smart and beautiful, she’s creative, hard-working and resourceful.

An on-line Canadian magazine called ‘The Kit’ sat up and took notice and asked her if she’d write for their magazine. Ever the one to accept a challenge, she agreed and today her bio is featured in the section called ‘Blog Ambition’.

This girl is going places . . .

The haunting call of the loon

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I live on a small lake and am very tuned into what’s happening around me and how the seasons are changing. When I hear that first loon in May it’s just the sweetest sound and it fills me with excitement. During the summer I’m always aware of them, softly calling to each other and to their babies. And of course that familiar wail, that haunting call of the northern loon, never ceases to delight me and is a cause for goosebumps! It’s an everyday occurrence here although not taken for granted. The funny thing is that by the end of September it usually takes me a few days to notice.

I haven’t heard them.
The lake has become so quiet.
They’re gone.

As I thought about that today I am reminded to savour every single moment of this exciting season.

Every soft breeze.
Every green, gold, and red leaf.
And every cry of a loon.

Linking up to World Bird Wednesday at The Pine River Review

Double the bubbles

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Joining in the fun at The Crazy Days of Summer at Project Alicia where the theme today is bubbles. It just so happened that we were playing with bubbles last weekend!

Thyme is of the essence

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“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.”
 William Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
I can’t believe I’m quoting Shakespeare . . . but hey, it’s the middle of summer . . .
Thyme Salad Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Fresh ground pepper to taste
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
Combine ingredients in jar and shake well. Let stand over night in fridge. Pour over salad.