Saturday, February 1, 2014

FEMININE LIVING TRADITIONS FOR YOUR...HOME...HEARTH...AND HEART FEBRUARY 2014

February musings...

I find myself always savoring the month of February...like a good piece of chocolate slowly melting in my mouth. I love the winter cycle... and all that this season of retreat and solitude offers me. And because where I live... February really is the very last month...of this special cycle... of cold weather...and staying indoors.

This month I will continue to purge and clear out... all those nooks and crannies in my office/studio... of papers...art supplies... and books... that have served me in days gone past...but now I must let go of... so new inspiration can come more easily to me...without having to stumble over clutter and old stuff.

I will also sit in silence with myself... this lovely month of love...asking for guidance on how... when the month of March arrives... a month of renewal and rebirth... I can be open to renewing myself...and re-birthing my spirit ... in ways and means that are right for me. And ask Spirit... how I can love myself more...so I can authentically give love to others.

I feel learning to love myself... has been and will continue to be.. a constant process and transformation. One of the most empowering lessons that I have learned... about loving myself... in a healthy way... is that it is up to me to create my own happiness within... not lean on the word or the collective interpretation of what love or happiness is... according to obligations... standards... or a  certain set of rules...that someone ... somewhere...at some place in time decided... what love or happiness is or isn't. Or that loving someone else will make me "happy". For me... in certain cycles of my life... loving someone... and believing...through them I would be finally happy...brought me the most unhappy... lost... and miserable feelings in my life.

These unpleasant "love" experiences... were no ones  fault... they were very valuable learning and teaching lessons for me...in fact...today...I am very grateful for what I learned. I can look back at some of my relationships... and clearly see...how much I gave of myself... to make "them" happy...and with this huge mistake... I became completely out of integrity with myself as a woman.

Begin this month... to take those baby steps... that lead to... leaps of self empowerment...by coming to terms... and embracing the knowledge that happiness...begins with you... not anything or anyone outside yourself.

Happiness... love...joy...are those wonderful feelings you have inside...that no one can take away... or be bought. These amazing feelings... within you...are the sheer pleasure and gratitude of being alive..of your life itself... and the beauty and wonder of being YOU!

Do not waste another minute... of your time here on earth... being unhappy...or allowing others to make you feel that way... instead ... open yourself to the endless... reasons to rejoice in another day.

Now that is something to be happy about.

Love always,
Victoria




WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

February 1st...National Freedom Day...and  Black History Month... February 2nd... Ground Hog Day...and Candlemas...  February 14th...Valentines's Day... February 15th Mardi Gras...February 17th...President's Day.

Chocolate Lovers Month...is devoted to the whole month of February.


In France...February 2nd is " la Chandeleur" or Candlemas... and although not celebrated as a public holiday...it is celebrated in the church... and it is traditional to eat crepes on this day.



FACTS ABOUT FEBRUARY

The birthstone for this month is the Amethyst

The flower for this month id the Primrose

February was added to the Roman calendar in 713 BC.

In Latin... the word February is pronounced Februum... which  means "purification".



FACTS ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY

Did you know that 150 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually... making Valentine's Day the second most popular card giving holiday other than Christmas?

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the middle ages...although written Valentines didn't appear until after 1400.


FEMININE LIVING TRADITIONS

... FOR YOUR HOME

Roses are traditionally a the flower that is a symbol of love...and with Valentine's Day this month... Roses and its scent are perfect for your home.Below I have a few February Rose traditions that are inexpensive... as well as being a more natural way to decorate this month.

Set out pretty glass bowls... filled with small dried red rosebuds...for a simple and pretty Valentine energy throughout your home.

Buy one bunch of red Roses...and then place one Rose in small glass containers or flower vases...and put in each room of your home...for a sweet and lovely Valentine look.

Purchase some pure Rose essential oil and place a few drops on light bulbs throughout your home. Each time you turn the light on...the Rose oil will warm up...releasing its wonderful scent.



... FOR YOUR HEARTH

February is Chocolate Lovers Month... so of course I wanted to share with you... a quick...easy... and yummy chocolate recipe...that will be sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings!


AMY'S CHOCOLATE BROWNIE PIE
Serves 6-8

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter...melted
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl...mix the eggs...sugar...and butter.Stir in flour...cocoa...and salt... beating until blended. Stir in chocolate chips...vanilla and nuts if desired.Spread into a greased 8-inch pie pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until knife comes out clean...when you check to see if  brownie pie is done.

This recipe is from SEASONAL FAVORITES...by the GARDEN CLUB OF HOUSTON BULB and PLANT MART



...FOR YOUR HEART

Read beautiful poetry.

Have an indoor picnic... and movie night this February with your favorite foods and movie. Spread big blankets on the floor...throw down some big pillows...light a fire...use your best china... glasses and silver... and place lit candles throughout the room. Who says you can't have a great picnic... on a cold night... right in your own living room?

... Make homemade Valentine's Day cards this year... and give each completed card a blessing or prayer before mailing it.


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