Full Moon Dreamboard Dec 31, 2009

Click on picture to get a better view, sorry the best pic came out crooked

Over at Jamie Ridler's Studio today is the Blue Moon Dreamboard of Dec 31, 2009.

We were asked to think about what we want to welcome in to our lives in 2010. I had lots of thoughts and words and as always the final result is not what I thought it would be. I love the process of creating these dreamboards, I feel so grounded in the creative space and the results seem to take place so unconsiously and I am always surprised with them.

I think the ferris wheel and the bird flying on it's own away from the flock represent courage and fearlessness.

The woman in the center is releasing to the universe all that is not working for her. Some of the other images represent hope, good health, romance, grounding, action and creating. The elephant and bird just wanted to be there.

Can you find Jane Austen, she represents the writer in me and the word poet also represents that. I am not sure yet what it all means.

My words for 2010 are "Release" and "open", some other words that came to me as I was doing the dreamboard were:

Release, Open, community, creative, nutrition, good health, romance, forgiveness, beginner, mind/body/spirit, de-clutter, healthy home, positive, daily practice, love of self, gentle, ground, center, balance, courage, organize...

I wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year filled with all that you wish for.

Namste,
KAren

Wednesday Wishcast: What do you wish for 2010?

Photo: Emma Thomson - Allposters

Hi Fellow wish makers and dreamers. Over at Jamie Ridler's Studio it is time again for wishing. This week Jamie asks, "what do you wish for 2010".

There are so many things to wish for but since you can only start with yourself and then move out from there here are some of the things I wish for 2010 in no particular order:

1. As I spoke in my spirit wish a few weeks ago the word I chose for 2010 is "Release" you can read about it here if you did not last time. But I mean Release in the sense that if I release some things and behaviors that I have been holding on to this can make room for change, make space for some new things and healthier behaviors.

2. I wish to give myself permission to just BE ME and to be ok with all the entails, even if that means certain relationships in my life will change because of this, heck I am thinking they will change for the better. And to really be present in my relationships with others and self.

3. To be gentle with myself as I explore new parts of my path especially in regards to my body and my spirit. My wish is to take steps forward in becoming healthier in mind/body and spirit. I would like to embrace the beginners mind here and take things one step at a time.

4. To know that even though I want to try every ecourse out there and attend every retreat that it is ok to slow down and if I don't catch something the first time around I can always catch it when it comes around again.

5. To be more courageous and less fearful, to trust that things are ok and to dip my toes in some unfamiliar waters.

6. To reach out more in community, to be willing to explore different communities to see which ones may fit for me and to not feel like a failure when one does not fit.

7. This sounds corny but to love and forgive myself and others for past events that are long gone but still may be blocking me from moving forward, all things can start with love and forgiveness.

8. To begin scheduling daily practices into my life to support my path especially my creative one. I will write more about this when I set up my schedule. It may sound weird but I actually went out and bought a desk calendar and I am going to actually schedule things into my day like I would any appointment even though they are only appointments with myself. I think my Capricorn mind needs this structure.

9. To be more open to giving and receiving love with my husband, friends and family with as little expectations as I can possibly manage.

These are just some and I always like the number 9 where some like 10, I like to leave 10 as a mystery.

I am sure this list will change and grow throughout the year but this is what is coming to me now. I am not making any resolutions per say since I believe just the word resolution gets my self-sabotaging gremlins all giddy. I like calling them wishes, it feels right.

So my friends what are your wishes for 2010, may your New Year be filled with good health, love, happiness and possibilities.

Namaste,
Karen

Astrological Doozies this Month

Picture
There is alot going on in the sky this month. Here is the low down:

December 20th: Mars goes Retrograde (until March 10th) Avoid scheduling surgeries. New projects/plans can go awry. Look our for arguments, accidents or decisions made impulsively. Health issues can become agitated with extra internal stress, so ground yourself in meditation or yoga or any practice that brings you back to self.

December 21st: Winter Solstice: Longest night of the year but then we welcome the return of the light.

December 21st: Jupiter conjuncts Neptune: These planets can inflate fantasies but they can also deepen your spiritual connection to whatever high power you connect to. Great time for prayer.

December 26th: Mercury retrograde: for 3 weeks. During this time be cautious with signing contracts, decisions or making purchases. Be prepared for last minute schedule changes, breakdowns and travel frusterations.

December 31st: Lunar Eclipse. Eclipses can rock the status quo. They can bring changes on suddenly, especially much needed ones.

Astrologer Dana Gerhardt gives the following advice: "With Mars and Mercury in retrograde and the lunar eclipse, best to rest, review and rethink rather than push events."


Namaste,
Karen

Wednesday Wish: What do I wish for the Holidays?

Hi Wednesday Wishers, it's that time again at Jamie Ridler's Studio. A time for wishing and dreaming and sharing with others.

This time I did not just immediately write what came to mind, I actually read the wish prompt before I went to bed then when I woke I thought of it again. What came when I woke was this expression.

"Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All" and this wish is a wish that I have not only for myself but for all of us.

I wish for peace in our hearts and spirits. When we truly know some peace within I feel we can then spread that peace outwards to those around us and the earth. I have struggled with finding this peace within, I feel overwhelmed sometimes with things that disrupt or interrupt that path to peace. But I continue to walk towards it.

Goodwill to all, to me this means really being present with others, to really see them, to hear them, to be there for them. When my stuff gets in the way when I am with others I can't really hear and see them for who they are.

So I wish you and yours the joy and love at the holidays and most of all I truly wish you PEACE and GOODWILL.

Thanks for always listening and being here.

Namaste,
Karen

Some music and motivational links

The above picture is our puppy Bella last year in the snow.

Hi All,
We are getting ready for the big snow to arrive here in NJ, it just started and the forcast calls for 10+ inches.. I could use a snow day and as long as I am close to home it's all good.

I saw this link on Jamie Ridlers website this morning and it just stroke a chord in me, it really moved me.

Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI_HOPqcRFA&feature=player_embedded

And here is one of my favorites around the holiday time. The sound is so big and dramatic.

Trans Siberian Orchestra

Enjoy your Saturday,

Namaste,
Karen

Overwhelmed

Hi!
I just want to start by saying this is not to fish for compliments or anything like that, it is how I truly feel right now.

I am so overwhelmed out here in blogland, there are so many talented people with beautiful blogs and forget the amazing artists, too many to count. And I am spending so much time reading everyone's blogs and getting lost in the information overload that I am finding it hard to find my place here.

I feel like I will never get to the place where these other bloggers/artists are yet I am sure they had to start somewhere also. I just feel like a really tiny minnow in a huge pond just treading water.

I have been connecting with people and have met so many wonderful souls out here but at the end of the day I am home with me and I feel like i will never catch up to others that have gone before me.

I have just realized today that I need to start DOING and LEARNING so I can actually have something to write about so I am in the midst of trying to figure out how to go forward into 2010 with blogging and my creative work, whatever that means.
I have some e-courses lined up so I am trying to gain some focus, right now I feel like I am all over the place with no vision, plans or goals.

The funny thing is when thinking of a word to describe 2009 per Gwen Bell's Best09 I came up with turbulent. That sums up how I felt this year, starting creative work, be it writing, painting, singing, cooking, etc stirs up emotions and create cracks in your heart space which is a good thing. Creating those spaces makes room for growth...but...it also leaves you needing to let go of some stuff and boy am I finding that hard. My word for 2010 is RELEASE and I am hoping to release and then open.

If there is anyone out there with any hints or tips on how they got started with their creative works and blogs I would love to hear your stories.

Namaste,
Karen

*8Things: To Enjoy in the Dark - Magpie Girl's Prompt

So I have discovered Magpie Girl's *8 Things and I have decided to play along.

This week Magpie Girl asks "What do you do during this season to make it through the darkness? How do you fight S.A.D.? What parts of the season can you embrace with honesty? What *8Things do you enjoy in the dark?"
Here are mine:

1. Snuggle, Snuggle, Snuggle with any warm body in the house be it human or puppy (see below pic)


2. I am lucky that I can be home some days before 3pm and that is the perfect time in my den on a cold sunny day to bask in the sun that streams through and hits the perfect spot where I sit on my couch, of course I am blinded for those 20 minutes or so but It feels warm and toasty on my skin.

3. Read, I am an avid reader and this time of year is perfect for grabbing the blanket and a warm mug of tea and diving into a good book.

4. Making comfort foods like soup and stews, they help warm me up from the inside out. Something about a hot bowl of soup on a cold day just feels so good.

5. Sometimes I turn the lights down and light my candles, the candle light in the darkness lends mystery and magic to the night.

6. Turning inward a bit and taking advantage of this hibernating time to kind of take stock of the year and gear up for the next year, so preparing as well as hibernating.

7. Taking off my shoes when I get home and putting on my snuggly, comfy,cozy socks... ahhhhhhhh.

8. Wearing all my beautiful scarves that I have collected over the years, my neck is always cold so most days in the fall and winter I am wearing a scarf, I love the feeling of my neck being warm and protected.

So what are the *8 things you enjoy in the dark?




Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to give?

Happy Wednesday my fellow wishcasters. It's wish day at Jamie Ridler's Studio.

Today's wish prompt is, What do you wish to give? Sounds simple enough, giving should be easy, right? Just like anything else in life even something as simple as this brings up anxieties, uncertainties and whatever other "stuff" we carry around, like: who should we give to, are we giving enough, will the recipient like what I have to give, see sounded easy but my monkey mind gets in the way and I start to over-analyze just like with everything else I do.

So excuse me monkey mind but get out of my way please and let the answer flow.....

What I wish to give is my unconditional love and support to those who are in my life or touch my life, if I know them personally or not. I know this is a big wish and it may take me awhile to get around my "stuff" to accomplish this one, especially the unconditional part I think alot of people don't consciously have expectations when giving, but it happens, we are human. In the meantime I can take whatever steps in giving of myself that I can do in each moment as it comes.

Some things I can give now are:

1. A smile to friends and strangers alike.
2. Time, to spend with friends and family, to share with them their stories and mine, to just BE present with them.
3. Charity where I can in the form of giving away things especially since I feel sometimes overwhelmed with stuff, especially clothes that I know I will never wear again, maybe someone else can use some of it.
4. Prayers/Reiki/Support where needed or blessings of joy to share in celebration.
5. To give myself and others a break, knowing no one is perfect.


There is so much to give I can list them one by one but these are a broad range and I think it gets the idea across. I feel like I am having a hard time expressing myself so I hope this post make sense to you today.

So my fellow wishcasters what would you like to give?

Namaste,
Karen

The Cutest Puppy - Just for Fun

Hi All,

I have been busy this holiday season and in gathering resources for the New Year so I have not been writing as much.

Just wanted to drop by and Say HI! And share a cute puppy moment with my Jack Russell Bella.

When I took this the first caption that came to mind was "Bella trying to take a nap after a long day of reading"

Namaste,
Karen

Time Out for De-Cluttering

The picture above is of me standing in my closet. Hi My name is Karen and I am addicted to Magazines!!!!

I have so many books and magazines I could open my own library. I am getting seriously weighed down with the magazine/book clutter in my life.
I am taking today to go through the bags of books/magazines that I have and I am determined to cut down on some of.....but.... I have such a hard time letting books go.

I use the magazines for art projects and collages and such but I don't think I need as many as I have. I am starting to become mentally cluttered with all this STUFF.

I think when we are surrounded with so much clutter it can really effect our mental health, I feel overwhelmed by it.

So my dear friends what do you have too much of in your homes that you can give away or give up and if you have any de-cluttering tips I would love to hear them.

Namaste,
KAren

Wishcast Wednesday: What is your spirit wishing for?

Happy Wednesday my fellow wishcasters. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio Jamie our wishmaster has put forth the following wish prompt: What is your spirit wishing for?

As always I like to see what comes to me right away, if I ponder too long my critical mind gets in the way and starts to edit all my thoughts.

So today...the first thing that comes to mind is RELEASE, this word came to me when a fellow Full Moon Dreamer, Pen pointed me in the direction of Christine Kane and her word of the year suggestion. The first word that popped into my mind for 2010 was RELEASE and I guess that is a message my spirit is sending me regarding it's wishes.

I feel releasing some of the things in my life that are obviously no longer working for me can allow space for change and growth in my life in all areas, mind body and spirit. I feel I could benefit from releasing some of my expectations regarding the way I think things "should" be, actually I think I really need to limit that word from my vocabulary.

I would also like to release my dependency on food for comfort and start to really make room for healthier alternatives to comfort my spirit.

Most of all I wish to release my spirit from the cage I have put it in over the years and finally let it out to help me soar to those heights I have been afraid to climb. I have been ignoring my spirits messages for so long... I feel it is time to wake up and listen and thanks once more to Jamie the message is coming across loud and clear.

I picked a picture of a soaring eagle this week since in animal medicine/totems the eagle represents the spirit.

So my fellow wishers what are the messages your spirit is sending you, what does your spirit wish for?

Namaste,
Karen

"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination"....John Lennon

This song says it all.................all I can add to it is "ditto"

Imagine

Namaste Dear Ones.

Are you in a creative slump? If so check these out!

Hi All,

I have been a little quieter these days, trying to slow down and actually enjoy this season. I have been surfing the net and gathering creative resources so I can start off the New Year with a creative BANG!!

Do you have any favorite sites with creative prompts and challenges, if so feel free to share them here. There are many beautiful creative websites and blogs out there I can get lost checking them out, the below are ones that specifically offer prompts,ideas and ways to interact on their sites, check them out and play along if you feel like it.

Jamie Ridler’s Studio: Full Moon Dreamboards, Wishcast Wednesday
http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/

The Drawing Board: Self Expression Springboards
http://www.danetterelic.com/drawingboard/

Leah Creative Every Day: Creative Art Challenges
http://creativeeveryday.com/

Illustration Friday with Penny: Creative Prompts
http://illustrationfriday.com/

Read Write Poem: Poetry Prompts
http://readwritepoem.org/

Inspiration Avenue: Creative Challenges
http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/

Soul Journaling: collage/journal ideas
http://www.souljournaling.com/prompts.php

Collage Diva: Kathryn’s got some great creative ideas here.
http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/

Suzie Ridler: Suzie the Foodie.. shares wonderful recipes and follow along cooking instructions.
http://suziethefoodie.blogspot.com/

Winners for Gratitude Giveaway Are.....

So the suspense is over......drum roll please......rat a tat tat......

And the winners of my Gratitude Giveaway are as follows:

Winner #1: The Unravelling E-Course is: Sarah over at Cottage Garden studios.
Winner #2: $30 Gift Card for Michaels Art: Paula over at Happy Snappy.
Winner #3: $30 Gift Card for Amazon is Michelle who is from a woman's group I am in.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners and thanks so much everyone for joining in the fun. I will definitely be doing some more giveaways in 2010.

I chose the winners using Random.org taking the number 37 (people who commented) and asking for 3 random numbers then applying the numbers in the order that they came up (ie: 1st winner=commenter #5) see below for a cut and paste of the results.

True Random Number Service Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

5
7
3
Timestamp: 2009-12-04 05:19:30 UTC

Check out the giveaway over at Magical Holiday Artists Blog

Hey all,
Check out the holiday giveawy over at Magical Holiday Artists Blog! There are some prizes from one of our fellow wishcasters Sarah from Cottage Garden Studio included.

Have a wonderful day all,

KAren

Holiday Joyful Memory

Hi everyone,

I connected to a moment of holiday joy last night. Can you guess what it was????

Yep.........Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer......

Love the characters, the story, the voices. I was so happy I caught some of it last night, it made me feel the warm and fuzzy holiday feeling from my childhood.


Enjoy your Thursday and don't forget if you haven't signed up for my giveaway yet today is the last day to do so.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Karen

http://deldino.blogspot.com/2009/11/amazing-giveawayscome-see.html

Full Moon Dreamboard - December

click picture for a larger view

Hi Fellow Full Moon Dreamers. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio is December's Full Moon Dreamboard day.

I have to admit when I first was putting together my dreamboard I was using images from my December magazines and I was adding images and then I looked down and noticed all the images were so commercial and there were no pictures of nature or natural things so I took it apart and re-did it. When I re-did the board I did not have any thoughts in my head I just added images until I was done, it was a little frustrating for me and I am not sure I like it or even understand the final product, but I will sit with it and see what messages there are for me in this dreamboard.

The one center image is of *Angela Farmer who is a yoga teacher who was blacklisted from the Iyengar community in 1984 for her then considered radical approach of free-form energy and movement. At 71 she said she is "more interested in watching where her body holds tension, pain or fear and finding how to get in there and be with it."
*Yogaplus.org winter 2009-10 Magazine.

So my fellow dreamers I wish you all the peace and joy the season has to offer and may you remember to nourish yourself and stop to breathe in each moment....

Namaste,
Karen

Wednesday Wishcasting: A winter's wish

Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt is What is your winter wish?

My wish for this winter season is that I slow down and tune in to my internal rhythms. Winter is the time for hibernating, introspection and dreaming. To settle into the the darkness and prepare for the coming light.

It is not the season of doing and yet the commercialism around this time of year can sometimes have people running here and there from party to party and shopping mall to shopping mall, this is just not the natural state for this time of year and all the stress and running around probably contributes to lowered immune systems and cold catching.

So My wish is to slow down, breathe and connect to the real joy to be found in this season, connecting with my friends and loved ones in a more genuine way. To continue to be grateful for all I have now in this moment and to try to find ways to share with others.

I also wish for the type of snow day where everyone is safe at home before a fire with a warm cup of tea or cider in their hands, for that kind of peace and quite that is found after the snow has stopped falling where everything seems to be standing still and there is magic in the air.

What are your winter wishes my fellow wishcasters and dreamers.

Namaste,
Karen

Honest Scrap Award From Diva

I received an blog award from Diva Kreszel last week and I must say I was quite honored to receive it, my first blog award, thank you so much Diva. I never knew how much blogging would add to my life. I am constantly in awe of the honesty that my fellow bloggers, including Diva write with on their blogs, and I try to follow their examples here on my blog.

I have been instructed to list ten things about myself and then pass this award on to ten more bloggers, while I can share ten things about myself below I am finding it way too hard to just pass this along to 10 bloggers, there are so many out there that are deserving, maybe I can narrow it down in the future.
I am sorry Diva, I am not copping out just being my honest self here ;-)

Ten Things about me:

1. I never missed an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" I love science fiction/fantasy shows.
2. I REALLY dislike the word "puke", it actually makes me nauseous.
3. I am afraid to fly and I really hope to overcome this as there are so many places I would love to see.
4. When I was a kid I wanted to be an archaeologist or a librarian.
5. I love the book and movie "The Secret Garden" and wish I had one to escape to from time to time.
6. I love to read, I can go through a book a day, I read through a traffic jam once.
7. I hate to clean, people come over and when they say "Oh your house is so uncluttered" I pray they don't open any closet doors!!
8. I love all music from ABBA to Metallica and everything in between.
9. I love my freckles and always wished I had red hair to go with them.
10. I don't like surprise parties and have always been able to talk my friends and family into telling me if one was planned for me.

Ok that is enough about me! Thanks to all who stop by here to check out my blog.

Namaste,
Karen