Quote of the Day - individuality

 “History shows us that the people who end up changing the world – the great political, social, scientific, technological, artistic, even sports revolutionaries – are always nuts, until they are right, and then they are geniuses.” 

John Eliot

http://www.allposters.com.au/ 

Right brain - Left brain

Morning morning!! Today was going to be Inspiration Day but while I was out cruising the net looking for suitable motivational pics I came across this fantastic ad which then threw a spanner into my thought train and now we are going to do Right versus Left Brain.

This is a fascinating subject and one close to my heart. I have always been a little different compared to most of the other people around me (some might scoff at the usage of 'a little') but the simple fact is, I am right brain dominant! Artsy fartsy, airy fairy, off with the pixies, scatterbrained, visually oriented with a brain that doesn't comprehend the logical very easily at all. Actually not at all.

 

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/mercedes_benz_left_brain_right_brain_paint?size=_original

 

This describes my son the left brainer, who has enormous difficulty trying to fathom how my mind works. Well if I was being truthful here, he doesn't think my mind works at all!! We 'observe, equate and arrive' in a totally different manner with just about everything. I keep telling him "I'm not wrong, my brain just thinks differently!!"  But being left brain dominant he cannot fathom the extraordinarily abstract way I have of viewing things nor the scatterbrained way I operate, so his logicalness declares because it is not explainable or understandable from a logical viewpoint, it must therefore be wrong. WRONG!!

And this describes me! Of course this all means I have no trouble whatsoever understanding and contemplating the vastness of this universe and everything in it. I don't require scientific proof that crystal power, colour therapy, aliens and other dimensions exist. I can see them working all around me everyday!! Can you imagine what my logical left-brain son thinks of that?? Needless to say we have some rather interesting debates about life, the universe and everything, with neither of us ever winning the other one over.

The link below will take you to a site where you can answer some questions to determine which hemisphere of the brain is most dominant for you or if they are in fact equal (I guess there must be some people who have a balanced brain). I am 80% right brain, really off with pixies! But do you know what? I wouldn't trade my brain for anything, I love my abstract mind and how it operates. Has been a source of enormous frustration at times, but now I have a better handle on it all and have figured out how to address the mysteries of the universe with this amazing mind, I am cruising.

http://similarminds.com/brain.html

Husband has reached the half way mark, YEEHAH!!

Happy 'half way' my darling husband, only 201 days to go, but who's counting!!!

Can't believe the amount of celebrating you people do down there in the South Pole, seven courses no less to celebrate the half way mark. I'm guessing you will all roll off that big orange ship when it pulls into the dock in March 2012. Luv ya xxx 

Spring is almost here!!

We have had a spectacular week of brilliant sunshine, which is always so motivating after the cold, cloudy days of the long winter. Being outside and soaking up the beautiful sun warms the heart and makes the soul sing with life and all it's goodness. A mover and a shaker, the sun breathes life into all it touches and I look forward to the coming of Spring in a few days and all the activity that comes along with it.

I have found myself wandering in the garden this week enjoying the sunshine and breathing in the heady scent of the jasmine I planted last year. I absolutely adore the intoxicating aroma of this flower and have placed it not far from the back door on an archway. To my great delight it has grown like a weed and almost covered one whole side of the arch so the scent is quite luscious when I step outside on a balmy day. Jasmine is a natural anti-depressant so having this creeper growing out in the garden where you sit and ponder life, the universe and everything will help soothe a frazzled mind. A great pairing with Jasmine is Lavender, also a natural anti-depressant and great for protecting against negative energies. The links below will take you to more articles about the properties of these must have garden lovelies.

http://www.wildcrafted.com.au/Jasmine.html

http://www.herbal-essences.org/jasmine-essential-oil/

http://www.netherfield.co.nz/lavender-uses.php

http://lavenderology.blogspot.com/2011/01/lavender-essential-oil-benefits-and.html

The combination of the sun's warm rays and the lush spring scents of course made me want to garden!! After wandering around and around in the nursery I decided I would plant food bearing plants, gosh what's going on here??? That is a somewhat practical kind of thought to have, usually unheard of where I am concerned!! So I chose some purple carrots, kale (a leafy spinach type plant which I love) spinach, cherry tomatoes and luscious strawberries.

Next was the preparation of numerous areas to plant in. Being a woman on a mission driven by the positive power of those rays of sunshine, I had prepared and planted in a day and now all my new baby seedlings are happy in the moist warm earth, singing and jiving in the sun right outside my back door. I don't know who this new practical person is but I'm pretty happy with her achievements so far and in fact there might even be some space left over for more veges! Off to the nursery we go.

Kale, great for salads when picking young leaves

purple carrots rich in magickal goodness

strawberries, full of vitamins and anti-oxidants

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Margot

xxx

Street Wisdom

http://pinterest.com/popular/

Son gets creative in the kitchen!!

I have previously shared some of my son's cooking exploits with you, but I think this last treat he made for us might nearly take the cake, pardon the pun! Ever the creative he decided we needed to try a Vodka Marinated Steak recipe he found on the net for dinner. Okay I can be adventurous when it comes to food I thought to myself. We had most things, including the vodka, so he created the fabulous marinade and in went the steaks.

fresh thyme from the garden

steaks about to be cooked after marinating overnight

I have to say the marinade itself smelt pretty good, a pungent rich aroma which actually did make you wish you were cooking it straight away rather than letting it sit and do it's thing to the meat. I am not sure of the exact quantities, secret men's business you know, but there was fresh garlic, thyme & parsley, brown sugar, lime juice, salt & pepper, and Vodka of course.

I did hear "Vodka Steak" every time he walked through the room for the next twelve hours, there was a bit of enthusiasm there I can tell you, and when I mentioned I'm guessing you want to eat it for breakfast I was told "YEAH". But we did restrain ourselves, no peeking or sniffing in the snap-lock bag until it was time to cook it for dinner. And I have to say it was a veritable explosion on the taste-buds. Well done son, you can get creative in the kitchen for me any time you like!!!

cooked to perfection, nice and pink inside, tasty tasty vodka steak

fresh parsley from the parsley forest

Quote of the Day - never too late

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” 

George Eliot

my son's first painting from 20 years ago, hanging in my lounge, love it

Earth Choice Products

Since becoming an asthmatic I have really had to sit down and look at how I do things and what I use in my surroundings. Asthma is treatable of course, but the down side to the medication is the side effects. Being a steroid based medication these can range from hair loss, yep had that - my luscious Leo locks are half what they used to be, it can slow down the metabolic rate which we all know leads to weight gain, yep tick that one off too - five kilos VERY fast, can alter a woman’s menstrual cycle, yep and something I didn’t realize until I researched steroids was that it pretty much destroys our immune system. This then lays you open to any number of bugs that wouldn’t normally affect you, oh yay just what you need when you are already struggling to breathe properly. This was a huge learning curve for me and as much as I fought it there was nothing I could do to make it go away. Time for a reality check!!!

I have always had sensitive skin but it is even more so now. Lately I can’t even wear my wedding and engagement rings as they leave nasty red welts where they sit on my finger, so nasty they almost look like burn marks and this takes only a couple of days. I have no idea why but suspect the toxic products we all use when cleaning and washing etc might have something to do with this latest affliction. I guess this is a pretty clear message from the Universe to rethink what I'm doing/using. Seriously we surround ourselves with out and out poisons. Our cleaning products are chemical based, highly toxic little nightmares and besides that, they totally stink!! I mean really, the burning sensation shoots straight up the nostrils and practically into the brain, brings tears to the eyes and makes you want to evacuate your house!! All this only serves to further irritate an asthmatic’s already inflamed airways, or anyone else who suffers from allergies for that matter.  

I needed to find some gentle, non-toxic products that would still do the job but not irritate. There is a huge push for us to go green and ‘get back to nature’ and we should, it’s better for the earth where we end up dumping all our ‘stuff’ and better for our health. I have managed to find a whole range of cleaning products going under the label of Earth Choice here in Australia (which are housed under the Natures Organics umbrella). And I have to say they actually work. Sometimes we associate ‘green’ with namby pamby, just a fad, doesn’t work - but truly these do and I don’t have to wear a gas mask when I want to clean any more. Actually I’m loving the tangy orange citrus smell of the shower & bathroom cleaner and the soothing aroma of eucalyptus in the floor & surface solution, and…..they work!! 

An Australian made and owned company, their spiel says:

All of their products come in recycled packaging/bottles.

Sourced from nature

• Plant based formula
• No petrochemical cleansers

Non toxic

• No phosphates
• No ammonia
• No chlorine

Grey water safe, septic safe

And cruelty free.

Neither are they expensive, which can sometimes be the case with products that aren’t mainstream. Available at most supermarkets with a range of products that covers all of our household cleaning needs. I am breathing much easier these days, the need for the medication has minimized with the help of these products I'm sure. The link below will take you to the Natures Organics website so you can check out the products for yourself and the link following is another review of the Earth Choice label.

http://www.naturesorganics.com.au/household-cleaning/earth-choice

http://www.3aw.com.au/earth-choice/20081223-744f.html 

Yellow!

Today we will explore the colour yellow and then I think this will be the end of our colour journey. We have pretty much covered them all now (but if I have missed something glaringly obvious or there is something else you would like to have discussed, just write me a note in the comment section).

Yellow relates to the third or solar plexus chakra, known most commonly as the 'power center'. This chakra is the storage place for all the judgements, opinions and beliefs we have gathered about ourselves and the world and in turn affects our self-esteem and self-confidence. It is seen as the source of cognition, the 'knowingness' that tells us how to operate within our world.

Yellow IS happy, there is no other word for it. When you look at yellow you think of a field of sunflowers, the sun and warmth, smiley emoticons and cheery yellow canaries singing. And whilst we all like looking at it for the joy it brings into our hearts, yellow is another of those colours that is not worn all that often (check around you, it's true). The third chakra represented by yellow, is the source of our personal power and the seat of our self-esteem, and as many of us experience underlying issues in these areas we usually leave the yellow garments sitting on the shelf.

http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/10049

 

Yellow is creative from a mental aspect and is the color of new ideas. Yellow helps us to find new ways of doing things and is the color of the networker and the journalist, all working and communicating on a mental level. Yellow is the most highly visible of all colours and vibrates more rapidly than the others. Because it is so 'busy' it can tend to overwhelm, a little bit goes a long way. A perfect pairing for yellow is the calming blue. The first year I had my aura photo taken the whole picture was practically yellow. I was expecting some luscious rainbow looking thing to appear on the snap, so was a little disappointed when this vibrant yellow picture screamed at me. The interpretation of this?? My brain just doesn't stop!!! Tell me about it, this was totally accurate at that time. Thankfully it has since calmed down, just a tad!

http://www.scenicreflections.com/media/258368/cute_stars_Wallpaper/

Quotes of the Day on one page!!

All previous Quotes of the Day and Street Wisdom signs I have used throughout the blog have been collected together under their own 'label', so if there is a particularly inspiring piece you come back looking for, it won't take you a week to try and find it again!! Just check out the label list on the side of the blog. Up there for thinking Leanne......thanks Suzi.

Well traveled cat!

mystery cat takes regular bus to the shops, this is gorgeous, click the link to read the story

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-447527/Mystery-cat-takes-regular-bus-shops.html

Quote of the day...life

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

George Bernard Shaw

http://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/beautiful-abstract-art-tree-and-floral-on-white-ba-vector-530886

Happy Birthday to me!!

Yes Happy Birthday to me, today is THE day!! Woohoo!! I am one of those lucky souls born on the 13th, the best number of course and also happens to be one of those magickal fibonacci numbers. Will certainly be a little different this year with gorgeous husband down there in the South Pole, and the cheeky sod has gone out for a three day trip on the ice to check out the penguin chicks (who are growing rapidly apparently) so I won't even get a phone call on my big day. BUT my wonderful friends Margot and Ray have driven all the way from Melbourne (8 hours) to spend the weekend with me. How spoilt am I?

the beautiful couple

How could I not have a great birthday with my special friends sharing my special day with me. I took to the streets yesterday to prepare for their arrival and managed to find a wicked birthday cake (I was going to make it myself but then thought, nooo lets be indulgent!!) So I toddled into Michel's Patisserie and my eyes went straight to the chocolate fudge happy birthday extravaganza, SOLD!!!

oops I left a finger print, don't tell anyone

There was a bit of synchronicity in the air as well, the chalk board outside the cake shop was displaying a beautiful message about friendship. So out came my phone and I took a pic to share with you. I was very impressed the universe was lighting my way with appropriate street wisdom whilst I was out and about gathering goodies to share with my wonderful friends, doesn't get any better than this.

Crystal Power

 "In a crystal we have clear evidence of the existence of a formative life principle, and though we cannot understand the life of a crystal, it is nonetheless a living being." 

 Nicola Tesla

According to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, crystals are formed from the stars and planets. The Australian aboriginals and Native north Americans consider crystals to be the bones of mother earth herself. We know that the crystals we now enjoy and use were created in the womb of the earth over millions of years by the action of water, wind and volcanic fire and that they carry the life force and healing powers from earth and sky.

Ulitimately we are all crystal experts if we trust our intuitive powers; in our crystal work we can access a universal well of crystal wisdom, passed through our genetic heritage. By allowing each crystal to speak directly to our hearts and and work, it's healing energies will amplify our own innate powers to bring peace and spiritual harmony to people, animals and places.

titanium, rainbow aura quartz crystal

 Crystals can help to bring harmony and joy into your life. Use your crystals for protection and to attract love, success, self-confidence and happiness. Crsyals also amplify and transmit our innate psychic energies. They offer doorways to other dimensions and within the depths of our minds we can travel beyond the immediate material world with it's rigid restraints.

As crystals are powerful beings in their own right they should be approached with respect. If you do this they will only be too pleased to co-operate with you. Crystals are magickal anywhere, however if you create a special crystal place in your home for meditation, contemplation and healing work, it will increasingly become an oasis of clam and healing power that can restore your inner harmony even after the most stressful day.

Ane'la Andara, volcanic glass crystal

Taking the time to cleanse your crystals is extremely important. Crystals are efficient energy absorbers and transmitters of energy. One of their functions is to cleanse and transmute negative energies. If you leave your crystals to do this without regular cleansing, most become saturated and unable to do their work. You should cleanse any crystal that is new to you, to remove the impressions of those who have mined, handled and sold it, even though these energies may not be negative. You can then endow the crystal with your personal power and that of the earth, seas and skies. There are many ways to cleanse crystals: smudging with a sage stick, leaving in the sun or moonlight (be careful with sunlight as some of the more delicate crystals can fade), leave in a pot of herbs associated with healing (lavender, sage or rosemary), place in a stream or a rainstorm or place on a large piece of amethyst. Carnelian will cleanse other stones of negative energies. Some crystals are not water tolerant though, selenite as an example, so please consult your crystal book to be sure.

One of the most beautifully written crystal books I have come across is The Book of Stones, who they are and what they teach by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian. They truly understand the heart and soul of the crystals they have written about. A great investment for the crystal lover. There is a link below to Better World Books if you would like to check it out or buy one for yourself.

http://www.betterworldbooks.com/the-book-of-stones-id-1556436688.aspx?PageVersion=Alt

Street Wisdom - speak the truth

http://moqui.tumblr.com/post/135404570/handa-speak-the-truth-on-flickr-photo-sharing

Silver for the Goddess

We have checked out gold this month, so now it's only right and proper that we follow it up with the very magickal and mysterious silver. Silver is the colour of the Goddess and the moon, the night, female energy, the High Priestess and the life force in its hidden aspect. Where gold emanates an extroverted energy, silver is introverted. Gold oozes self-confidence whereas silver encourages self-containment and inward reflection. Silver is a mirror to the soul, the colour and metal of moonlight.

Silver will help us journey within to explore the deepest aspects of the self. It acts as a doorway to the subconscious, unconscious and nether realms and assists us in connecting with the mysteries and the perceiving of truth behind surface appearances. Silver connects us to the female or Goddess polarity and aids us in the exploration of the deep inner realms of emotion and intuition. It can help open the psychic senses and refine our empathic abilities. A word of caution for those who are already emotionally sensitive or highly empathic, silver's energy may be too intense as it strengthens these sensitivities.

http://abstract.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/386991/

For those who have lost the sense of mystery in their lives, silver can help you to embrace it and help you surrender yourself to the unknown. Silver can aid in rediscovering the excitement of all that is unknown and unknowable. If you are choosing silver for yourself this signals a time of reflection and a change of direction as it illuminates the way forward. It helps with the cleansing and releasing of mental, physical and emotional issues and blockages as it opens new doors and lights the way to the future. With its reflective and sensitive qualities silver inspires intuition, clairvoyance and mental telepathy. It reflects back any energy given out, whether it is positive or negative.

Although I am a Leo who has always been very passionate about gold, a few years ago I did a complete flip and suddenly all I wanted was silver, totally mystified me at the time. Now my jewellery box is full of gorgeous silver Goddess pieces and when I look back I can clearly see the extroverted part of me has slipped into the background (she is still there, just waiting in the wings for the right time to come forward again). I am a little more solitary now while I am sussing out the inner worlds and exploring the self. And I don't go anywhere without having at least one of my silver Goddess pieces adorning my gorgeous Leo self!!

Finding some inspiration.

August started off with a fab rush, the words flew from the keyboard and it was all go go go!! I was on a roll, woohoo and feeling good. Then something went boom and the well of wisdom had all dried up. Don't you just hate that! In an act of desperation I even asked my son what to write about, his suggestion was 2012 (plenty of weird and whacky theories about this particular year floating around out there). Now that would be a pretty ambitious task to take on, especially whilst the fires of creativity are only teeny tiny embers, so I might save that one for another day when my brain feels much bigger and I can keep a hold of the thoughts whirling around inside of it.

While twiddling my thumbs and trawling the net under the guise of inspiration, I came across a beautiful looking blog, see link below. (Seems we all have these uninspiring days, if you read AM's post!!) The background and the colours really appealed to the 'pretty' within me. I know I have my gorgeously stunning and serious looking snow leopard background, but inside all of us there are many different aspects or personas all vying for attention and the chance to 'get out' and express themselves. And one of those personas hiding inside of me just loves the shabby look. 

http://annmichelesworld.blogspot.com/2011/05/inspiration.html

 

After checking out this very lovely blog I thought I better head on over to shabbyblogs.com (who had created the background) and see what other pretties they had on offer. And I was a little blown away.......everything this wonderfully talented and gorgeous bunch of women have on their site is FREE!! This is not something you see very often in this day and age. Designing for the sheer joy of creating and then making your designs available for all to share. What an inspiration this team is. There are lots of cute buttons and sayings you can add to your blog as well, and I think I might, there were a couple there that really took my fancy. Now that I have been inspired I am off to have a very creative weekend!!

http://shabbyblogs.com/

If you are really up for a creative challenge, this link will take you to a tutorial on making your own background. 

http://lookingatlife2.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-create-shabby-chic-background.html

Blank Space!

http://failblog.org/tag/oddly-specific/page/3/

Some days total confusion reigns supreme!! Today is one of those days, brain is fried and this sign pretty much sums it up.

Quote of the day...

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."

Leo Tolstoy

 http://www.solutions-site.org/artman/publish/article_254.shtml