March musings...This month reminds me of a butterfly...being sent free from the confides of a cocoon...and opening it's wings for the first time...to glide gently in the promising wind of the coming Spring.
The Spring cycle...carries on it's wings...the energy of hope...faith and renewal for the coming year. It is a season... to me...to start over...and begin new things...including how I think...and how I see my world. And my place in it.
Like a fresh coat of paint...I am starting this new season by freshening up my life...from the inside out. This Winter I worked on how I spend my time...in life affirming ways...that add meaning and value to my life...and a very honest look on how I waste my time too...doing things that add no value to my life. Because you know... that is a choice too...it is up to me and to you...for the who...what and when.
For me...making conscious choices to close the door...on certain activities...like watching the news...at lunch...spending time on the phone with folks who wanted me to listen to them complain about anything and everything..reading negative comments on social media...committing myself to social events...that I have no interest in...were areas that I knew in my heart.. were.taking me far away from my creativity...and leaving me feeling drained. So at the beginning of this year...I took a wise risk...and stopped engaging in these energy and soul draining activities.
And guess what? Not only do I not miss these things...closing the door on them...has opened a new door for me... a doorway of so much more personal freedom and time...to actively pursue things and people that make me feel alive and are life affirming.
I have more physical energy too...live more in present time...and have a new sense of inner peace and joy...just from letting go of these few energy and time wasting activities. It really was an eye opener for me...and I will continue to seek doors to close...that are wasting my time...so more positive doors open for me.
I encourage you to reflect on how you too can live a more life affirming way of daily living...and then just do it. Out with the old...to make way for the new...so this Spring...and for many more Spring seasons to come..your days will be filled...not with draining activities...but each precious hour filled with peace...creativity...and the joy of this thing we call life.
Because your life matters.Every single minute of it.
Happy Spring to you.
Victoria
Wires toss in the wind, shrubs flap
And the tap on the windows wake us
To March's mistral madness:
I see white crocuses amid the rain.
by Barley Tebb
PRAYER... " I ask for courage and strength...to create a better and more positive life experience for myself."
WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS...March 8th...International Woman's Day...March 17th...Saint Patrick's Day...March 20th...Palm Sunday...March 20th...Spring Equinox...March 25th...Good Friday...March 27th...Easter
EASTER IN FRANCE...Chocolate Easter Eggs are common in France to celebrate Easter...but so are Chocolate Fish. Games are also played...one game is to roll raw eggs down a gentle slope...and the egg that makes it down the slope without breaking is the winner.
FACTS ABOUT MARCH...The word "March" comes from the Roman word "Marticus".
MARCH IN FRENCH...Mars
MARCH IN ITALIAN...Marzo
MARCH IN GERMAN...Marz
FOLKLORE FOR MARCH..."When March comes in like a lion...it goes out like a lamb."
"As it rains in March...so it rains in June."
GARDENING TIP...Order or purchase your garden seeds...begin planting your potted trees and shrubs...and be sure to mulch.
HOMEMAKING TIP...Yes...this is the month to Spring clean...including cleaning your blinds...and windows.
FULL MOON...Is March 23rd
LUNAR ECLIPSE...March 23rd
FLOWERS...The daffodil and violet
GEMS...Aquamarine
TEACHINGS...This month marks the season of Spring...a time of new beginnings and new life for you...on all levels. This is the perfect month to begin new projects.
SPRING RENEWAL SHRINE...
A shrine or altar in your home...is such a wonderful way to create memories...capture special events...express your feelings for loved ones...or to set your intentions. With that in mind...create for yourself a Spring Renewal Shrine this month. It can be created on a small table...a window ledge...or any flat service.
Write out on small pieces of paper or pretty tags...ways you would like to renew yourself and your life this Spring...and then add any objects that are a symbol of renewal and a new life for yourself. You can add fresh flowers...and candles if you wish. It doesn't matter how you decorate your shrine...what matters here is that you are setting your intentions for yourself...to renew...rebirth...and create something more positive for your life.
Each day or evening...spend a few quiet moments at your shrine...reading your intentions...saying prayers...or meditating on what you have written...this will help you stay focused...and committed.
EASTER CANDLE LIGHTING...
On Easter...light candles throughout your home...as a symbol of shining your own inner light more out into the world...and also a symbol of sending a beckon of light to the whole world...for healing and world peace.
EASTER EGG DINNER NAME TAGS...
You really do not have to go to a huge expense to create a lovely home...or a special holiday table. Below is a fun...creative and inexpensive Easter Dinner name tag idea.You can leave the hard boiled eggs white or dye them...it is up to you. A bag of green moss....or little twig baskets that you can find at your local hobby store for very little cost...can be used to decorate again and again.
You will need to hard boil enough eggs in the amount of your family and guests...and then write their names with colored magic markers...across the service.You can then place the name tag eggs in a piece of green moss...or little twig baskets...next to their plates...for a very sweet Easter theme.
SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS
...FOR YOUR HOME
Here are a few tips...using natural chemical free products to help you with your top to bottom Spring cleaning in your home.
...To remove black heel marks on your wooden floors...rub 2 or 3 drops of cedar or eucalyptus essential oil over the mark...with a soft cloth.
...For your painted wood floors...that need to be cleaned...try a solution of 2 teaspoons washing soda...and a cup of rosemary or sage tea...that you have strained and cooled...mixed into 1 gallon of water.
...Here is a natural and great smelling all-purpose wall cleaner...that will clean your walls safely.
1 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar
6 drops lemon or orange essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before using. Lightly spray affected areas that are dirty on the wall...and then wipe clean with a damp rag or sponge.Allow to air dry.
...FOR YOUR HEARTH
Eggs are such a great way to prepare and eat a really good meal for your family...and they are also an inexpensive food to help you with your food budget. I love quiches and thought you would enjoy this recipe...for brunch...or as a dinner.
QUICHE LORRAINE
serves 4-6
1 pie crust...store bought or homemade
8 slices bacon
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup[ finely chopped onion
1 cup fresh cleaned mushrooms (clean mushrooms with a paper towel)
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
4 eggs...slightly beaten
1 cup half and half
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/2 salt
freshly ground pepper
dash of freshly ground nutmeg or from a good quality store bought nutmeg
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake pie crust for 7 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove from oven...and set aside to cool.
Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. In a large skillet...cook bacon until crisp and then crumble on a piece of paper towel...and set aside. Heat a small frying pan on high... add the olive oil...onions and mushrooms and gently saute for 1 to 2 minutes.Set aside.
Into the pie crust sprinkle the cheese...then the crumbled bacon...the place the onions and mushrooms..spreading evenly.
In a medium bowl...beat the eggs... half and half...the cream...salt and pepper.Add the nutmeg...and then pour the mixture...into the pie crust. Shake out the bubbles and bake for about 50 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving...for easier cutting.
...FOR YOUR HEART
Get creative this month...by learning something new...that you have always wanted to do.
No comments:
Post a Comment