Hiatus Terminated

I've been busy.

A wee bit overwhelmed.

But in a good way.

I have a new job.

I am two weeks in.

Trying to fit everything

Into each week

Like a strategically packed suitcase

The new early mornings.

The learning and the planning

The meals and the laundry

The love and the laughter.

The singing and the Practice

The board meetings and swimming lessons

The Dancing in the Rain

Summer Solstice Commitments to Practice

Happy Summer Solstice to all!!
Wednesday seems to be my blogging day now, thanks to Jamie Ridler. 

I may yet again reach a day when my posts consist of more than simply answering Jamie's Wishcasting Wednesday query. 

But for now, this is it.  I have many ideas brewing, it just seems to be pinning down the time to tackle them!

Today, the question is, "What do you wish for this summer?"

Although I will be working part-time throughout the summer, there are many things I wish to accomplish.

Mainly because the end of this summer marks the end of much of my free time.
I will be starting a full-time job in September!!  I am very excited about this new opportunity.
I am also trying not to panic at said loss of free time.

So, I believe the most important thing for me to do is to become more efficient with my time and I plan on doing this over the summer by creating some schedules, menu plans and routines to ease the transition for myself and my family.

I also have two weekdays off each week this summer and so I plan to make the most of those by spending precious time with my little girl, doing the things that she wants to be doing. 

This I know, will consist of much time
~swimming in the river
~a trip to Canada's Wonderland
~the Toronto Science Centre
~and the ROM 

Fortunately, these are things that I am totally into doing as well.
Especially the many days we will spend at the river :-)

Blogger friend Christine Reed who writes Girl On Fire and Monkey Brains  prompted me today as well, with this question:

"We are in the new moon (June's moon is the Strawberry moon) AND at the Summer Solstice. Seems like an auspicious time to commit to a new practice of growth and exploration. ♥ ♥ ♥ What practice do you need in your life?"

The answer to this question is simple, although not new.

Music.

Again and again and again.
I keep needing to pull myself back to what I love.


Blogger friend Pauline at journal illustrations reminded me today that:

"Habit is about baby steps"
And she is right.  That's why I'm starting small.  I'm committing to starting out with:

10 minutes each morning of guitar/singing practice
(Why do I forget again and again how joyful this makes me?)

Also, reconnecting with my morning pages practice as that always encourages me to practice my passions.  However, I'm going to be an "Artist's Way" Rebel and only do 10 minutes (gasp!)

And one more habit is to move this body, through 10 minutes of walking or yoga which provides me with the energy necessary to fulfill my main practice of growth and exploration.  Which of course is:

finding Joy through Music!

Time to renew my vows to "Commit".  It is still, afterall, my word of the year!  Oh how quickly I forget!!

What do you wish for this summer?

Belongings I Wish For

Thank goodness for Jamie Ridler!  If it were not for her Wishcasting Wednesday Challenges, I might not be blogging at all!

Today she asks "What belongings do you wish for? (remember when you were a kid and you allowed yourself to wish for things?  Let yourself do that today!)

Well, I just happen to love lists and usually have many on handy regarding any number of things, including, yes you may have guessed, belongings that I wish for!!

In fact, on my fridge, as part of a vision board exercise, I have three mini posters.
They are titled "Do", "Be", and "Have".  The "Have" poster consists of belongings and other "things" I'd like to have that are not actually belongings such as a neat and tidy home, a tribe of supportive friends and well manicured fingernails!!

So I decided to adapt my "Have" list into a "Belongings I Wish For" list.
Then I took a picture of it.



It's kinda hard to read here so here is the list:

• Bookshelves (so books can live there instead of in boxes!)
• New Pillows
• The perfect Hall Tree (to cut down clutter in the hallway)
• Bee's Wax Candles aplenty! (love the smell of these)
• A radio for my kitchen (instead of streaming from my laptop which is using up precious bandwidth)
• Wall hooks (for sweaters, jackets, bags and purses)
• A Ukelele, just because
• More Artwork (to decorate our walls)
• New Lamps for the bedroom
• a Lamp above the island in the kitchen
• Futon Frame for our Spare Oom (so guests will have a place to sleep)
• Fluffy New Bath Sheets (you know, really big bath towels!)
• Fine Wines!!
• Shelving for all my teaching supplies (for ease of orginization) 

Just a few things that I wish for.

In visiting other participating blogs,
I tried to see if there was any common thread in our wishes.
The result?
Many people are wishing for new beds or mattresses or pillows
Here's to a good night's sleep!

What belongings do you wish for?

Grow, Grow,Grow Little Seed

It is Wednesday and while I haven't participated in Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday in some time, her question today has prompted me to write.  Today Jamie asks;

"How do you wish to grow?"

I wish to grow in confidence

to disregard the naysayers

(many of whom reside in my own head!)

and do what I was born to do

be who I was born to be.

I wish to grow in self discipline

 not allowing trivial activities steal time

from soulful activities

which are most essential

to my living my dreams

(ah, see my previous post,

Less screen time = More guitar time!)

And to make those essential activities a priority.

that means significant daily time and attention

paid to my stories and songwriting, singing and guitar.

I would also like to grow some salad greens.

And how is truly the question. 

I kinda have a brown thumb.

Any suggestions?

This question/post also prompts me to share a video of my friend Andrew Queen which features some of my favourite foods and friends!!  My family loves his cd and it has made a great gift to others as well.   Andrew Queen:Just Down the Road



How do you wish to grow?

My Screen Free Observations

During the week of April 30- May 6, I took the Screen-Free Week Challenge put out by the Committee For a Commercial Free Childhood. It was a very worthwhile endeavour and I do intend to write more about it.  For now, here are a few of the things that struck me and of which I will elaborate on in the coming weeks.

15 Screen-Free Week Observations

1. I need to do more to prepare for it next year.
2. I wanted to use this week as an experiment for myself in self control.
3. I was surprised that my husband joined in. I thought he would resist more.
4. It amazed me how many people told me they cannot live without t.v., even for one week.
5. I did however talk to more people who thought it was a great idea.
6. I spent more time talking with my daughter.
7. I danced with my daughter.
8. I helped her plan an "Art Party" for her friends at the culmination of Scree-Free Week. And it was a total blast!! More about that later.
9. I read The Hunger Games and started reading Catching Fire
10. I practiced more yoga.
11. I listened to more music.
12. I did not however, practice my music... Big Hmmmm.
13. I didn't really miss facebook except for my morning chats with my cousin and nearly daily communication with a couple other friends.
14. I realised that I definitely wish to spend less time "online" on a regular basis.
15. I notice that this is easier said than done so I need a plan!

"Matsu"  or Pine Tree Cut Watermelon, prepared by my daughter for her Art Party

Supplies ready for Plasticine art at the Art Party

Any thoughts on being "less plugged-in"?

Please share!

A Few of My Favourite Things

Just a wee short post today with a Few of My Favourite Things....

Lovely Colourful Easter Eggs 

Surprise tea and treats in bed for my daughter

A few of my favourite tops!

Not really great photograhpy, I know.

But it gives a bit of an idea.

What are a Few of Your Favourite Things?

Do tell!!

Some Yummy Dinners

It's not that I didn't do any menu planning in the past month, it was just a bit sporadic.

In fact I planned and cooked some pretty amazing meals.

Including:

Garlic Shrimp Caesar Salad wGarlic Bread

Chicken Fajhitas w/ Corn chips, Guacamole and Kale Chips!!

Beef Kabobs, Basmati Rice and Sesame Green Beans

All were very yummy indeed!