Hope For Spring

This last week in the Northwest we were spoiled with spring like weather. Today I went out to my circular flowerbed to pull out the winter weeds and trim the dried leaves from the butterfly bush. Feeling the warmth of the sun on my back, it was great to begin digging in my garden again.

Last November I bought a St. Francis statue and placed him in my little circular garden. There is a basket for bird seed that the finches and blue jays eat from. This morning a blue jay was perched on St Francis eating out of the basket. Occasionally the bird looked into the face as if he was thanking St. Francis for the food.

February is time to look forward to the coming of spring. The days begin to lengthen and the weather warms up just a bit. There are a few spring like days as a reminder the cold dark winter months are almost behind us.

This spring I will continue work on my prayer and meditation garden. In addition my husband and I are planning an organic vegetable garden in our back yard. We will begin small and slowly build the garden up.

Here is to a hope for the spring to come!

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

I am Still Here, Just Busy

This blog has been neglected the past two months. I did have a Christmas break, but I spent most of that time resting and spending time with my family. When I have time, I am still working on towards creating Sacred Spaces in my home and in my garden. However, these long dark cold months are spent with both work in my job and in my school.

This afternoon I had a bit of a respite from my normal routine on my to do list. I took a long nap, had one really good cup of coffee (thanks to my new French Coffee Press I received for Christmas) and I have a bit of time to write before I go to school this evening. The snow from last night still clings to the rooftops that face north, but most of the snow on the ground has melted away. The sun is setting behind the fir trees on the west side of the lake creating golden tinge as it slips to the other side of the world. I am reminded that life is circular and not linear.

I hope to set some time to work on this blog this winter season. I am taking a class, "Sustainable Environments" and I am learning quite a bit what it really means to live organically. I intend to share what I've been learning on this blog.

Until then, I wish everyone warmth this winter season.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

The November Curse and My Dream Bathtub

It never fails. Every November since we moved into this house seventeen and a half years ago, something major breaks down or someone in the family goes through a medical crisis. I finally admitted last year that November was not a good month for the Turner Family. Three weeks into this month nothing broke down and no one went into the hospital, so I thought maybe we could make it through this month with no catastrophes. I was wrong.

As I sit here typing, with the aroma of the roasting turkey filling the air, we have no use of the plumbing in our house. My husband got home yesterday and both bathrooms backed up, toilets, sink and bathtub. The plumber came out and my husband helped him so we wouldn't have to pay as much. We thought the problem was solved. After my son took his shower, the tub wouldn't drain. Then the toilets started to back up again. So we're waiting for the plumber to arrive this Thanksgiving day to find out what the additional problem is. Hopefully that problem won't be any longer than 75 feet into the main pipe, because that is all the warranty covers from the plumbers visit from yesterday.

There is something different this November with our current crisis. I am not pissed. In fact I feel fairly serene. When these things use to happen I would get highly annoyed. I don't know if this has to do with maturity or being where I am at spiritually, but today I realize this house is old and things tend to break down. We have the original plumbing from 1949. It is time to replace it soon. It's just a matter of being able to afford to replace the plumbing. I am perplexed why our appliances break down in November.

Perhaps this is a good thing and we'll be forced to replace the plumbing, thus maybe remodeling the bathroom that is so long overdue also. Currently our bathroom is not a place for relaxing in the bathtub with candles lit. The drain doesn't work properly, we're in a never ending fight with mold and I think one day our whole entire bathroom will disappear into the abyss due to dry rot in the floor boards. During the summer I am not as bugged by our inadequate bathroom, but now that there is more darkness, I'd love to have a proper tub that works and actually take a bath with candle light.

I need to put things into perspective. This Thanksgiving I rather deal with plumbing problems than have one of my family members in the hospital. There is an oven that works, so we can still eat the traditional turkey with all the trimmings. And I have four days off to relax and work a bit on my home creating more sacred spaces. Last week I finally found a St. Francis statue in Portland. I put the statue out in my front yard next to the bird bath and bird feeder. There is even a little basket that St. Francis is holding so I can put bird see in it. It is the little things like this that I realize that I am very blessed.

On this Thanksgiving day in the United States I wish that all have peace, serenity and joy, and that no one else is dealing with plumbing problems.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

A Very Sacred Space: Arlington West, Santa Barbara

"You don't have money to fund the war or children, but you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."

Rep. Pete Stark

I am not a political person. However with the recent veto and lack of Republican votes to pass the Children's Health Care Bill, I am angry. And I fully agree with Rep Pete Stark on his comments. He should not have to apologize. So what does this have to do with Sacred Spaces? Quite a bit, because for me a sacred space can be anything, and right now one of my sacred spaces is the job I do; I am a Family Advocate and I have seen first hand what happens to families with no health insurance.

Last weekend I took a little trip to Santa Barbara. Every Sunday the Veterans put up crosses, one for each soldier who was killed since 2003. As I was doing the "tourist thing", I happened to glance and the sea of crosses and I was moved. I wonder how much longer will this war last? How much longer will we as a nation continue to put up with this administration? How many more crosses does the veterans have to put up weekly until this war is over?

The pictures speak more than my own words. Remember those who have died in this war and pray for a safe return for all soldiers who are abroad.

Gnosis Chocolate

Hello Readers,

Two people sent me this link for Gnosis Chocolate. I have yet to order any chocolate from Vanessa, but I will probably soon. The Mayan one looks particularly interesting!

Happy Chocolate!

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

A New Twist to the Incredible Edible Egg

There was a time I thought I didn't enjoy cooking. But I find creating a dish for myself and my family to be a spiritual experience. It's also easier when I have time to cook, like I did this last weekend. Normally during the week I just grab whatever is available in the kitchen, maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a bowl of cereal. But during the weekends, I have a bit of time to create new dishes. And this morning I tried a new twist to the egg, which many of you have already done before. But this is my version.

A little side note: I never give measurements out, because I figure people have different tastes and tolerance for seasonings. So measure at your own discretion.

Ingredients:

Eggs (two per person)
Olive Oil
Green onions
Fresh Basil
Minced Garlic
Cheese
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Basil
Marjoram
Salt
Pepper
Fresh Tomatoes

Procedure:

Cut green onions and fresh basil. Heat olive oil in the frying pay and sauté green onion, basil and garlic until succulent. Beat eggs. Turn down heat and put eggs in frying ban, add oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil flakes, marjoram, salt and pepper. Stir. Add grated cheese and fold into egg mixture. After eggs are cooked, place on plates and put fresh tomatoes on the side of the egg dish. You can serve this with salsa if desired. Enjoy.

If you have any egg dishes you'd like to share, please do so! I'd love to hear from you.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

Music Review: Brandi Carlile

I have a confession. As a child of the 1960's and 1970's I became fond of music that told a story. Jim Croce, Neil Diamond and John Denver were among my favorites. I also enjoyed Joni Mitchell and Carol King. All of these musicians had something in common, they were all storytellers. And you could understand the lyrics.

I may be a dinosaur where music is concerned, but I never really got into the heavy metal scene as a teenager and early adult. And I found the "alternative" music in the early 90's a little too cliche, although early Pearl Jam was good and I did like the Counting Crows along with Sheryl Crow. I guess I had a thing for crows back then in the 90's.

Today there is an artist that I really enjoy, Brandi Carlile. Her new CD, "The Story" is refreshing and the music is lovely. To me it's a mixture of folk, rock, ballad and country. She almost reminds me of a female Johnny Cash, another musician I am growing to appreciate. In her CD, Carlile is a storyteller. And I believe that's what has been missing in music lately, the ability to tell a story through song.

If you have any music you'd like to share, I'd like to hear your comments.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea