Soul Humming

A Good Breakfast

all but one seed.

Dancing with magic

This week in my book club we were talking about magic in every day life. How many of us spend time in the land of the Fae? It was quickly regarded by my friends that I might daily be visiting that magical land.

And it is true. I believe in the magic of every day things. I see life with dreamy eyes.

Today when walking, I came across these vines which reminded me of the hand of the Earth reaching out from the land to touch the air. Or the hand of God, reaching up to us. Of course it is a vine. But it is also the hand of God, reminding me that He is in everything, He is everywhere, He is in me. And it is the magical hand of Earth telling me to be mindful of how I treat this place where I've been given to live. And to teach my children to do the same.

When I see the vines stretching and crossing over one another I think of how we as people collide and combine and work together to live this life. Sometimes we are the support, strong but supple, holding up the others. Other days we are attacked by outside forces and need a stronger aid to lift us up.

Magic is everywhere and serves us well as we walk along. Some might say this is stopping to smell the flowers. I think it is stopping to take the hand of God wherever we might find it. And then dancing together inside.

 

Great Christmas Apps for the Kids or (silly) You

The other night we had an awesome time at church where we were gathered for the

tree lighting,

hot cider, cookie decorating,

silliness,

naps,

sledding down a hill,

watching the Grinch on a huge screen,

more silliness,

and, my very, very favorite, singing Christmas carols.

Kazoos included!

The music director had us download an app that helped to update that beloved classic song, Jingle Bells. It is this free iphone app called Ginger Bells.

It turns your phone into a variety of bells that you play by shaking your phone. It was so cool to hear everyone ringing their bells and singing Jingle Bells together. The kids really had a great time with it.

There was also an app called Free Candle. It was great when we sang Silent Night and everyone held up their candle. I tried to post a picture of it here but it really messed up my typepad post. :( But the app itself is very cool. And, if you would like to sing carols and have lots of fun, be sure to come to the tree lighting next year at Mariner's Church or anytime during the year. It's a wonderfully friendly community of people who love God and helping others. Merry Christmas!

Thursday

this day is chaotic. this is the usual state of my desk.

i have a six foot long desk but only

a six inch square to work upon.

i am in overdrive as i work

on my ornaments for the 12 Days of Christmas exchange

this day promises more work, work, work.

my fingers are flying to get ready. i'll keep you posted!

You Are Loved

 

larger copper heart earrings

I worked for days on the patina of these earrings. I added layer upon layer of different effects with varied and sundry methods to get just the look for which I was searching. They were hammered and beaten, filed and sanded before being hung from these sterling earwires I made just for them.

Now they are hanging in my Etsy store. Go and buy them, will you? ;0)

Heart-shaped leaf

And now I've just returned from a walk with my oldest son. He broke his finger on Friday and is feeling a bit punky. His finger hurts and he's a little down. So I convinced him to walk with me and the pups. Almost as soon as we left the house I found this bright, striped, dark spotted, heart-shaped leaf, which reminded me so much of the earrings I worked on so long. Even though I know it is just a leaf that I found on the sidewalk, I believe in synchronicity. I believe in the power of love, magic, and the oneness of us all. Yes, I'm wild like that. Finding the leaf made me feel seen and loved. I picked it up and put it onto my son's chest and made it thump, thump, thump, which made him laugh out loud. Which made me smile. Which was all good in the most simple of ways.

Wherever you may find yourself this day, I hope you will embrace the small miracles, the simple joys, and the magic that is your own life. Remember that you are seen and recognized by all that is good and glorious. You are Loved.

 

she refused to be led

i spent most of yesterday working in metal. and now my wrist remembers what that feels like. so i spent the last few minutes flinging out this little sheeplet who does not follow anyone whatsoever. and who could blame her for the?

happy monday to you!

Halloween is Coming...

We headed up to Roger's Gardens this afternoon to check out the Blackstone Theater, their rooms filled with Halloween treasures. They always have the most amazing pumpkins, gourds, decorations, and accessories.

 

Blackstone Theater: Roger's Gardens Halloween 2011 from Elora Lyda on Vimeo.

Here are some of the wonderful things we saw...

Huge bumpy pumpkins in the brightest orange.

These striped pumpkins were very small and very cool.

So many awesome things to decorate your own creepy castle.

They sell kits to make this fun haunted gingerbread house.

The portraits were especially eerie with this frightening couch overflowing with rats.

Pumpkins in every color including bright white and gray.

They have some fab black hats for the gentry.

These big pumpkins are awesome.

There's a whole room of these terrifying

holgraphic images.

They are SO scary!

Even the big Santos was wearing black today.

And when you are finished with all things Halloween,

there are so many other beautiful things

to enjoy!

The Journey

Here's what I'm working on today.

 

Finding inspiration...

 

with my sleepy friends.

 

 

 

simple things

 

there are things in life that make me wonder

how it all got so complicated.

and when i feel the darkness

i seek the light

and celebrate the simple things

the small miracles

that are always at hand

and in these i find joy.