food instead of sun

I had some goals for this summer.  One of them was to be at the beach a lot.  The weather decided that as of the end of July I would only have been to the beach twice and no swimming has taken place.  Making the best of things I have been cooking and baking and putting up food for the winter months. 

There has been fresh raspberry chocolate chip muffins, banana pecan bread, parsley pesto, farmer's market lemon tarts with whipped cream and fresh blueberries, basil popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, radish dip, and homemade (still in perfecting mode) creamsicles.  I am rather obsessed with all things lemon right now whether it's lemonade, yogurt or the said tarts.  So whether the sun is shining or not the eating around here has been good.  Despite the lack of beach whether my garden is growing along nicely and I'll be back soon with an update on it.  Here's to a weekend of good food no matter what the weather. 

Book of the Month: July

I think I've mentioned before that I'm a Starhawk fan.  I haven't read all of her books but the ones I have read were important steps on my spiritual path.  The Fifth Sacred Thing Starhawk's first work of fiction remains a magical story to me.  It takes the reader on a journey into an ideal city that was so poignant to me when I read it 11 years ago that it has stayed with me.  I borrowed it when I read it back in university and just bought it because it will hopefully soon be made into a movie.  Starhawk is in the process of raising funds and putting together what must be a huge team of talented people to make this pagan work of fiction into a film.  Such a great endeavor and I can't wait to see it.  In the mean time though I'm going to read it again.  There are several places to visit to read more and help out:

Starhawk's blog

Kickstarter fundraising page (including a trailer for the movie)

Facebook page

 After reading this you should also check out the prequel called: Walking to Mercury

My go-to stone

Over the years I've written about my relationship with semi-precious stones.  I have more stones than I've written about but something happened recently that sparked my desire to write about these earrings.

Blue Chalcedony is the stone.  And since I purchased these earrings, 6 years ago now they have helped me through many a stressful situation.  Chalcedony is a form of Agate which is believed to have been formed millions of years ago during volcanic eruptions.  It comes in several different colours.  I love this pale blue and the translucent quality it has.  

A few weeks ago I went to remove these earrings before bed and noticed that I only had one on.  The day had been long and I was distraught.  What would I do without these?  I made a half-hearted search due to my weariness and just put the other one away and went to bed.  If I would have looked closer when I placed the one into my little wooden earring box I would have noticed that the other one was in there...I must have removed it earlier in the evening.  I was so glad when I found both of them safely waiting in their box the next time I wanted them.  It may be silly to be so attached to a pair of earrings, but I take my stones seriously and I appreciate them, especially in jewelry form.

Blue Chalcedony can be used in working with the throat chakra.  It is ruled by the moon and is linked to the zodiac signs of Cancer and Capricorn.  It imparts feelings of optimism and promotes creativity.  As a healing stone it helps the immune system, has anti-inflammatory properties and lowers blood pressure and body temperature.  I wear these earrings when I feel like I need calmness and centering.  I do consider it my go-to stone.  

Poem of the Month: July memories

12 summers ago I drove across Canada with a former boyfriend.  It was a cross off of my bucket list and I wrote from time to time in a small handmade journal.  This poem came from watching rolling hills somewhere in Saskatchewan, the above photo didn't.
 

July 31, 1999

in her golden dress

she dances on the clouds

the vast blue is her blanket

the rolling hills her home

she is the prairie

nourishment's name

time, time, time...

see what's become of me...do you know that song?  This version was going through my head when I wrote that. Not seasonally appropriate granted but the sentiment works for this moment.  This week has been busy, some of us have taken big steps towards independence, there have been meetings, weeding, planting, growing, sunshine and rain.  Full on, it's been full on.

with a backpack that is too big (I carried it for him after this photo was taken) my 3 and a half year old big boy went to his first pre-school class this week.  Pre-school playtime is what it is called, the theme this week being teddy bear picnic.  He was a bit hesitant but there were no tears when I left (on his part).  He was brave and felt secure enough to enjoy his time there, not wanting to leave 2 hours later when I returned to get him.  It was hard to leave him.  I was very emotional about it and in a way I still am.  Friends have assured me that it gets easier every time you drop them off.  I'm not sure that the pace of this growing up thing will work with the pace of mama's heartstrings but I'll be alright.  What was/is important to Dave and I is that he is ready.   We may never be.  There are flashes of time as a parent when your child's life flashes before your eyes, not just the past but the future steps as well.  And that is very full on.  And that happened this week.