Saturday, April 1, 2017

SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS APRIL 2017

April musings... This month is so full of natural beauty...bursting forth upon the land...that I fall in love each April...a little deeper with life...and nature herself. I remember as a young girl...in California where I was born and raised...how much I loved to be outside. I couldn't wait to eat breakfast...get dressed...and then disappear for hours on end... in the out doors. Sometimes with my siblings...but most of the time by myself. I preferred it this way... even then as a young child...I loved solitude too...and solitude...combined with the natural world...was and still is bliss to me.

It is in nature...and that includes my garden...where I find personal freedom...and the freedom of my spirit...not the confines of walls... or anything in the material world.

The natural world seems to bring out the best in me...and also offers me the very best...of what wonder...life...inspiration...creativity...and  the belief of a Higher Power...  really are. I can not tell you how many times in my life...that I have sought nature...to heal...to reflect...and to seek solutions to my life challenges. And without a doubt...being in nature has brought me so very many good times...and so many wonderful memories and joy...too.

As a writer...I write a lot...constantly. And with any writer...I have my moments...and sometimes even days...when I have a writers block...which is frustrating. When I have these moments...of not feeling creative with my words...I head out to my garden...to pulls weeds...to tend to my flowers...or to just sit...and ponder. Sometimes...though...I head to a favorite garden center where I live. A really laid back and quirky place...where they know me,..and just allow me to wander...touch and smell...all the pretty plants...flowers...and herbs.You know...they give me my space.

Like some kind of magical green wand...my nurturing time in nature...or in my garden...recharges me...soothes me...and opens my heart and mind...restoring the balance I need...the grounding I need... and my inspiration to write...is reawakened...because of my time spent in the most creative and inspiring canvas of all...Mother Earth.

You see nature...is wise...and can be trusted day after day...year after year...to reflect back to you with each changing season...what and when you need to start something...to grow or change...or to completely let it go. Nature is a loving teacher...a constant companion...a loyal and giving best friend...to you...to humanity...and to all living things and creatures.


My wish for you this April...is for you to find your way back...to the natural world. To renew and rebirth...that part of you...that knows deep within your very DNA...as well as in your soul... that you are part of nature...you need nature...to thrive and grow and have well-being in your life. It is no accident...that everything in nature was created...to sustain all life...to feed you...give you water... clothe you...give you medicine...as well as to inspire your soul with beauty...and enliven all your senses with the greatest of pleasures.

To be alive...is to be in love with nature... and when you experience and witness nature... you open up your knowing that nature is your teacher... and with the Earth...you will grow wise...grounded...and balanced...just the way nature intended.

April Blessings to you,
Victoria



POEM FOR APRIL...

April brings the Primrose sweet
Scatters Daises at our feet.
by Sara Coleridge

PRAYER FOR APRIL..." I ask for guidance and wisdom...in helping me to take steps to begin my goals...projects and personal change."

WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL...

April 1st...April Fool's Day...April 2nd... World Auctism Day...April 14th...Good Friday...April 16th...Easter...April 22nd...Earth Day...

FACTS ABOUT APRIL...

The name of the month of April is derived from the Greek word for "opening"


FOLKLORE ABOUT APRIL...

April weather rain and sunshine
both together

April is no month for burials
By Leo Cox...Rite of Spring


TRADITIONAL EASTER FOODS EATEN WORLD WIDE...

In the United Kingdom...Hot Cross Buns are eaten on Good Friday.

In Italy salty pretzels are traditionally eaten at Easter time.

A traditional Greek Easter Cake is made with oranges and almonds. It is eaten with a spicy orange sauce poured over it. Lamb soup is also often eaten for Easter breakfast.


GARDENING TIPS...

Mow your yards and fields...fertilize your lawns...plant summer vegetables...plant seeds...weed.

HOMEMAKING TIP...

Vacuum all your blinds and curtains... then clean all your inside windows...with white vinegar. Clean all your mirrors with white vinegar too...and wipe off and clean bathroom lighting...but be sure to have lights off when you do the cleaning.

FULL MOON...April 26th

FLOWERS... The pretty Daisy and Sweetpea

GEMS...The Garnet and Ruby

TEACHINGS...This month is perfect for taking the necessary steps to get your goals...projects...and wishes going. Also work on personal inner change...that will help you achieve your goals.


GOOD THINGS JAR

It is so easy to get caught up in the negative in today's world...and sometimes we need a gentle nudge to remind us of all the good...as well as the good things that happen to and for us each and every day.

Why not make yourself... A GOOD THINGS THINGS jar...by taking a clean and dry jar or bottle...decorating it if you wish...and then each and every day...write out one good thing that happened for you that day...and then place in your Good Things Jar.

This is a wonderful visual reminder of ALL good things you really do have in your life...on a daily basis. Do this simple but heart warming celebration of your  Good Things Jar...for one full year...and at the end of the full year...read through each slip of paper...to reflect and acknowledge all you have in your life that are GOOD.


SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS

...FOR YOUR HOME

Put daises in small vases...and set them on all your window sills. Put a big bunch of fresh Rosemary in a vase...and set it on your kitchen table instead of flowers this month.


...FOR YOUR HEARTH

April being such a very pretty and sweet month...I though I would give you a wonderful honey ice cream recipe to make!

HONEY ICE CREAM
Makes 1 quart

2 vanilla beans
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup clover honey

Flatten the vanilla beans and cut them in half lengthwise.With a small spoon scrape out the vanilla seeds. Place the seeds and pods in a large saucepan. Add the cream...the whole milk and honey and stir to dissolve the honey. Heat over moderate heat...stirring from time to time just until tiny bubbles form around the edges of the pan...about 3-4 minutes.

Remove from heat and let steep...covered for 1 hour. Keep covered and refrigerate...until completely chilled ( make sure you do this step).

Take out of the fridge when completely cold...and remove the vanilla pods. Stir again to blend. Transfer to an ice cream maker and process according to ice cream maker directions. When finished making the ice cream...place the finished ice cream in a container with a lid...and place into the freezer...to keep cold...and to firm up...until you are ready to serve. This is so good...you will make it again and again.


...FOR YOUR HEART
Pamper yourself this month...by learning something new...taking that class you have always wanted to take...experiment with art...explore a new culture through books and cooking their food traditions...take up meditation or yoga...start a garden. All of these help open you open to new possibilities...and personal growth.


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