Transitions

We're in transition in my household. School is out and Summer camp is on the horizon. This will be a way-scaled-back schedule for my oldest chick - and me - and we're both looking forward to the slower days of Summer. Days full of swimming, beach trips, picnics and play dates. The rhythm of our days is changing and we're all delighting in the slower mornings, sun-filled days and later nights.

There's another transition happening here: my littlest chick has stopped nursing. She's gracefully making that shift from baby to little girl, taking in this big, wide world and deciding how to make it hers. I'm not grieving the loss of this special phase with her as I thought I might. After 27 months of sharing my body with her in pregnancy and breastfeeding, our bond is tight. And now, every day, I'm showered with sweet little girl kisses, big toothy smiles and symphonies of giggles.

Seasons change. Life changes. I am simply trying to remain grounded in the moment. Present in the here and now, being with the transitions and embracing what emerges with each new stage of our lives.

To the Gemini Moon

There's no New Moon Circle tonight. My Moon Sisters are respectively home with a new baby, awaiting another new baby, traveling, under the weather, and enjoying the long weekend with their families. Regardless, I felt the pull to hold ritual for the emerging Gemini Moon. So I lit a candle and called upon the spirits for guidance. I spoke my intentions out loud and wrote them down.

My goals are aligned with the astrological energies of the Gemini Moon, which is best symbolized by flexibility, changeability and adaptation. Finally, I poured myself a glass of Merlot and opened up a brand new bar of Ghiradelli Midnight Reverie Intense Dark chocolate. This being one of our most sacred rituals, it felt very indulgent to partake in it alone...

So cheers, to the mamas of the Circle, to all of you reading, and to the Gemini Moon under which we all are united.

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Recently, I've had several friends and readers ask me about our New Moon gathering. Our ceremony borrows from various disciplines and traditions, and has evolved over time. However, it always offers a safe and mindful place to center our spirits and "reset" for the month ahead. If you are interested in starting your own Circle, this site is a good place to deepen your understanding of ritual and the messages of the moon. Of course, I'm happy to answer any questions I can! Namaste.

Many Hats

No matter how many hats I've seen her in over the years...


Nothing quite prepared me for this one:

In just a few short months, she'll be off to kindergarten. My heart swells with pride, and aches a little too, knowing now just how fast it all goes. I'm so honored to have my children as daily reminders to be present in the moment. And I'm doing my very best to soak in each and every one.

Rainy Day Play

It's been raining and raining here, the perfect opportunity for a little dress-up play.

My little chicks were entertained for more than an hour today with a mirror...

...some sparkly shoes...

...and a fully-stocked dress-up trunk!

I found this gorgeous, vintage cane trunk at a yard sale a few months back and knew it was perfect for holding my girls' ever-growing dress-up wardrobe.

Inside you'll now find scarves, boas, play silks, purses, skirts, dresses, many hats, Halloween costumes (these are a favorite here year round)...

...tacky discount-store dress-up clothes, Goodwill treasures, hand-me-downs from my own closet, gloves, slippers, high heels, crowns, magic wands and oh-so-much more. And of course, there's the jewelery box...

...full of sparkling, beaded delights. What more could a girl want?

A Celebration

I've been away for a while, both from this blog and my daily routine. Over the weekend, Daddy Bird and I took our first weekend getaway without the little chicks since Sage was born. Ahhh...
We are back home, but still celebrating: today is the 7th anniversary of our wedding day! I will be back to regular posts - and regular life - tomorrow. Cheers!

Back on the Path

Remember way back in January, when we were all setting intentions for the New Year? Mine was simply a word - MINDFUL. Over the past several weeks, I have veered off the path a bit, forgetting to be mindful in my daily life.

This is easy to do, with all the challenges and stresses that creep into our lives, growing wild like weeds over and into what should be a clear path.
And then clarity returns, in a beam of sunshine, or the sweet grasp of a child's hand, and guides us back to our center. Reminding us to take the path of least resistance, to practice detachment and to honor our Buddha Nature within.

Showing us that right there, among all the weeds are the beautiful flowers of our lives. And this, my friends, is where we should set our sights.
Do you remember your New Year's resolution? Are you still on your path?

One Woman Show

My oldest chick loves to create; paint, stickers, glue, glitter, markers, crayons...you name it, she's into it!

As the preschool year comes to a close, the piles of original artwork in my home have grown beyond control. So plans are underway for a one woman art show.

We're sorting through paintings, drawings and all types of mixed-media creations for the best of the best. Each selected piece will be properly mounted (on construction paper of course) and displayed throughout our home "gallery."

Friends and family will be invited to come view Selby's art, enjoy refreshments and, if they like, buy the masterpieces for $1 each. Of course, the artist will be available to hand sign any purchases. The end goals: my chickadee's art is honored, she understands it holds value, we share the joy and the project pile shrinks, making room for new creations. After all, Kindergarten is only a few months away.

A Grateful Mama

I received two wonderful gifts on Mother's Day this year....

A day in the garden with my mother, my sister and my two little chicks.

And this beautiful Mama Bird necklace from Hazelnut Cottage, with stones to represent each of my girls.

I am so grateful.

I Am Writing :: Against All Odds

I have been home with sick kids, and a bit of illness myself, all week. But despite the fevers, the sniffles and all other array of symptoms, I have been writing. I sneaked in writing time during marathons of children's programming (forgive me) and during tiny snippets of pain-reliever induced play. I ran between my computer and the oven while making dinners. I laid in bed at night composing, editing, drafting.

The result - a finished article, complete with interview quotes, sidebars and accompanying photos.

This article has been a long time coming. This weekend, I shall prepare it for proposal. And hopefully, soon, I can share it with you, in print.

In the meantime, my wheels are turning on a new piece about Mindful Crafting. Anyone want to weigh in on this one?

Modern-Day Wise Women

Today is the International Day of the Midwife, a day to celebrate midwifery and bring awareness to the importance of midwives' work. Having birthed two babies at home with Licensed Midwives, I was honored for the opportunity to pay tribute to my midwives and advocate for normal, natural and healthy birth in the inaugural Florida Friends of Midwives newsletter and as a guest blogger on Born in Sarasota.

My small article offers a glimpse of my youngest daughter Sage's birth story and the two midwives who helped bring her into the world. I hope you will read it and tell me what you think. And I hope you will take a moment to recognize the midwives in your life and community. If you don't know any, honor them today by learning about the Midwives Model of Care, which supports and protects the normal birth process and puts mom & baby first.
Throughout most of the world and most of history, women have labored and birthed with midwives. Whether birthing at home, in the hospital or at a birth center, I truly believe modern midwives are our strongest link in preserving and improving mother-centered maternity care.

Prayer Flags, Parts II through IV

Finally, my prayer flags are complete, and blowing in the wind. After beginning them on the Taurus New Moon, I continued working on them throughout the week to follow.

Part II - More of My Process
There was a lot of painting and stamping to be done. Then arranging and sewing, with which I had a huge helping hand from The Snail (see her fabulous prayer flags here), as I don't sew yet.


Part III - My Product
Finally, I hung my flags on the back porch, my vision realized. Now sweet blessings of love, bliss, joy, peace and unity are being spread to all.


Part IV - A Long Line of Flags
My heart is full of joy as my New Moon Sisters join me in hanging their beautiful prayer flags outdoors.

These belong to The Snail, who stamped hers with a hand-carved wood block stamp bearing a symbol of protection.

These are The Visionary's hand-painted blessings, featuring original symbols and phrases.

And here are another mama's, created with fabric that corresponds to hand-written affirmations.

This is most likely the final prayer flag post (but I don't make any promises). This project, and the opportunity to share it, has brought me huge satisfaction and joy. I have visions of prayer flags all over the world, blowing sweet blessings to all. May many reach you!

*If you've created prayer flags of your own, I'd really love to see them. Please post a link or email me your handiwork!

A Colorful Day

Today we went on a tour of local, outdoor festivals. The day started at the "Avenida de Colores" Chalk Festival, where street-painters transformed a downtown street into a gallery of art.


The theme for the festival was Flora, the sensual goddess of spring.

The kids got their hands dirty at a children's chalk area!

Next, we were off to the Celebrating Wellness Fest to join some friends and listen to our favorite local band, Radio-Free Carmela & The Transmitters. Carmela is a woman of many talents; not only is she a fabulous musician, she also assisted in the home births of many of the babies in my village (including Selby) and teaches AquaNatal and childbirth education classes.

Of course, no tour of festivals would be complete without a little face painting!

What a bright & beautiful day.