tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34709742651702852962024-02-20T23:15:54.446-08:00Mind Body Spirit OdysseyThe purpose of The Mind Body Spirit Odyssey is to showcase quality products, writing and ideas that are designed to nurture, inspire, heal and honor the spirit inside all of us. This blog is positive in nature and non-denominational.Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-31227406226695216782017-09-13T07:33:00.001-07:002017-09-13T07:33:08.308-07:00Walking with the Sunflowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-zsOSTMx5oTS_OmuYEE-9MYvJpadF78O0GsoSOwU2iyrwi-35MlWFElhLOHEdfIJm-Nx2C4pgnaEi_j5mwfHx6GOenqQlr_szIpqk8X9p82pT63Dglit7Rzx4KwyzQzaI4-qdjM1cks/s1600/IMG_3185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-zsOSTMx5oTS_OmuYEE-9MYvJpadF78O0GsoSOwU2iyrwi-35MlWFElhLOHEdfIJm-Nx2C4pgnaEi_j5mwfHx6GOenqQlr_szIpqk8X9p82pT63Dglit7Rzx4KwyzQzaI4-qdjM1cks/s400/IMG_3185.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not exactly a new children's book, but <i>Walking the World in Wonder</i>, <i>A Children's Herbal by Ellen Evert Hopman </i>has
to be one of the most beautiful and informative introductions to the
natural world of herbs for kids that I've come across in a long time.
The book begins by introducing us to The Wheel of the Year, and explains how different holidays and festivals that mark the changes in the sacred earth year. It describes different plants and flowers according to the seasons and also includes activities kids can engage in for each of the flowers and plants featured.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This excerpt from Hopman's book describes the magic and majesty of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus">sunflowers </a>perfectly.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"I am the mighty sunflower. I have BIG flowers that bloom from summer to fall--a round brown center with golden petals that remind you of the sun. I can grow up to 12 feet tall! My leaves are rough and my stems are hairy. You can find me in fields and prairies and sunny gardens. I am a native plant to Mexico and Peru where I was once considered sacred by the Aztecs and worshiped by the Incas. Priestesses would carry my flowers in the temples of the sun and wear crowns of them in their hair. I was honored so highly that sculptures of my flowers were made out of pure gold and paced in Aztec Shrines.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Have you seen me?"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZjl69QqgiFu8PSf4dsPstNv_M1X4W-ju4hGJpSaebDGGFTrdKUI7rXTpYV8NUkWM5ZTpWCJShcMPmNOp7FeAJzy35Oqr5rIVFFsHtkldvxSMxpqXtviLX4U26foleWIkCanYRRnBUSY/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZjl69QqgiFu8PSf4dsPstNv_M1X4W-ju4hGJpSaebDGGFTrdKUI7rXTpYV8NUkWM5ZTpWCJShcMPmNOp7FeAJzy35Oqr5rIVFFsHtkldvxSMxpqXtviLX4U26foleWIkCanYRRnBUSY/s400/IMG_3693.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After a long summer my sunflowers are finally in full bloom, boldly towering over everything else in the front yard. It's nice to watch the smiles on people's faces as they walk by.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzleXb-LeeKPnbpWpDV4nomrP6b2asdnfZFSsRAQX4Veg2o4l-_Ja8OgtMIcyBUhzuGQ5xasGsP06hEOqES0AwT8YmNCJ2Ti659PxvBkAnb7sApttyQUCZNzRgdn5-3s5AjNd7Og-K78o/s1600/IMG_4032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzleXb-LeeKPnbpWpDV4nomrP6b2asdnfZFSsRAQX4Veg2o4l-_Ja8OgtMIcyBUhzuGQ5xasGsP06hEOqES0AwT8YmNCJ2Ti659PxvBkAnb7sApttyQUCZNzRgdn5-3s5AjNd7Og-K78o/s640/IMG_4032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Walking in the World of Wonder, A Children's Herbal</i> is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Walking-World-Wonder-Childrens-Herbal/dp/0892818786/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505312166&sr=1-10&keywords=ellen+evert+hopman">available through <i>Amazon</i></a>. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I found the book however, in the wonderful metaphysical shop <i><a href="http://www.crystalessence.com/">Crystal Essence and Wellness Center </a></i>which is located in Great Barrington in The Berkshires. Hopman periodically lectures at the store. I hope to catch one of her talks sometime in the future!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy your day!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-52837976223579315892017-09-10T11:40:00.001-07:002017-09-13T07:20:54.036-07:00And The Tower Shakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>With all the tragic events unfolding over the last few weeks...hurricanes, flooding, fires, earthquakes...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I don't think that anyone who either reads cards, or is familiar with Tarot imagery, has not </i><br />
<i>had this particular image come into their head.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP-lEeFaMcaBXmJzA4OY6QJnGLtoph-Org4HS1iaG5obSfSaOcbi2y9p0DCLcbgBDmF58trPKBURsd7VkC3JBDg5RxUBx5X6imwsLg88F5prWaK0DdkandhCjGjs8cDlsbymSOzqCKpo/s1600/IMG_4015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP-lEeFaMcaBXmJzA4OY6QJnGLtoph-Org4HS1iaG5obSfSaOcbi2y9p0DCLcbgBDmF58trPKBURsd7VkC3JBDg5RxUBx5X6imwsLg88F5prWaK0DdkandhCjGjs8cDlsbymSOzqCKpo/s400/IMG_4015.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> The Tower...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Facing the Unexpected" </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Upheaval"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Out of the Blue"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Shocking Events"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The reason I'm writing this post, however, is to remind everyone what </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>comes next during The Fool's journey. </i><br />
<i>The card 'after' The Tower.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-QZM7IC6bGpLuoBpwh210btcNM8DmI8wxMo0otS6_NkiO2VwA2FERiLK-MdIyBPoWxnm_AGTzZVMqXfjQ-zTrpx2ZmmryMqMNasckiTntPWa5GCEtVmsbD6ZA9bfOf7ap90J8g_CDJs/s1600/IMG_4017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-QZM7IC6bGpLuoBpwh210btcNM8DmI8wxMo0otS6_NkiO2VwA2FERiLK-MdIyBPoWxnm_AGTzZVMqXfjQ-zTrpx2ZmmryMqMNasckiTntPWa5GCEtVmsbD6ZA9bfOf7ap90J8g_CDJs/s400/IMG_4017.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Star... </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Faith and Hope"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Courage"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Inspiration" </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>New life through new possibilities and hope.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46gd_PPmge58-qPAhhBaTVghWkV7Hl1ONRG9oieToJZ7siZ6uyctb0h_SohvMAR7xSCeZGdho3iHnlX7cNR5Nrx2ZudeK9HD9IGs8PStHyLHgm6gIsdJAJl5wG3-aheLklNrP6O4MncI/s1600/IMG_4018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46gd_PPmge58-qPAhhBaTVghWkV7Hl1ONRG9oieToJZ7siZ6uyctb0h_SohvMAR7xSCeZGdho3iHnlX7cNR5Nrx2ZudeK9HD9IGs8PStHyLHgm6gIsdJAJl5wG3-aheLklNrP6O4MncI/s400/IMG_4018.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When we have been shaken loose from our roots and it all seems to be hopeless, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we look within and then start anew. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Our thoughts and prayers go out to all.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-16100454966452926022017-07-09T14:17:00.001-07:002017-09-10T11:30:37.690-07:00Creativity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXKaa_yt85G4QVONzoqazIXaEEChMhQ4J6B71mOM5pK4x8RojwdN3F30t2q_hCC9wsl9ZvEM5eMQPZ8h_huWw5gAxfGBksjRXFUz-aA_x8ldzQjdloL2u1nY7Z5UwdIWHAZGB8hEllYs/s1600/PlanetWEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXKaa_yt85G4QVONzoqazIXaEEChMhQ4J6B71mOM5pK4x8RojwdN3F30t2q_hCC9wsl9ZvEM5eMQPZ8h_huWw5gAxfGBksjRXFUz-aA_x8ldzQjdloL2u1nY7Z5UwdIWHAZGB8hEllYs/s640/PlanetWEB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Allow your creativity to explode in a burst of illumination in the world. Follow the muse that fills your heart with passion. Listen to music that inspires your highest consciousness. Get out of the cities and into nature. You are not a sinner who must be penitent; you are a child, a part of the cosmos. Abstain from foods and drinks that suppress your creative force. Change your life; seek out new adventures. Practice compassion to all living beings, and live a gentle life. Let the beauty of your spirit be your endowment to the world. Become a conscious and transformative element in the conception of the world."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.shamanism.co.uk/howard-g-charing/">Howard G. Charing</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Shaman-Journeys-Teachers-Spirit/dp/162055609X"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;">The Accidental Shaman</span></span></a></i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57mr_lfChy0zqqoqpjKOSrS8Db0tsfh7gcSsYu_G8fklSGTCWjHUeWUZVJdg0s1sg7nmejbyEeOTvb2CWBEysDexdjzkA_8CnxKo3NzFnxme-2PD291VjgzsucgpBsQ-nSLneuazM1aE/s1600/617nGhKQNEL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57mr_lfChy0zqqoqpjKOSrS8Db0tsfh7gcSsYu_G8fklSGTCWjHUeWUZVJdg0s1sg7nmejbyEeOTvb2CWBEysDexdjzkA_8CnxKo3NzFnxme-2PD291VjgzsucgpBsQ-nSLneuazM1aE/s200/617nGhKQNEL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;">If are are interested in healing wisdom, </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;">indigenous cultures or Shamanism, I'd definitely</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;">recommend this book. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">artwork by <a href="http://www.adamfergurson.com/">Adam Fergurson </a></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"> is available through his <a href="http://www.adamfergurson.com/">website</a></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></i> </span></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-90944875819993523612017-06-26T15:14:00.000-07:002017-06-28T06:20:53.460-07:00Gluten Free Oat Flour Muffins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9753skaBPp9GtmXPtiJrBq6iTXO3ySWaI5MNNkvg9PG1GR7C9Tm8UWCFRVO3gjD3IHHBgq5q4uv0iz6JAjJdh6a4aMoTBIShcJBrRgDM1N27_QvlAlEjTJjeJYZg_Q7H-WLV6np6NOw/s1600/FullSizeRender+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="630" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9753skaBPp9GtmXPtiJrBq6iTXO3ySWaI5MNNkvg9PG1GR7C9Tm8UWCFRVO3gjD3IHHBgq5q4uv0iz6JAjJdh6a4aMoTBIShcJBrRgDM1N27_QvlAlEjTJjeJYZg_Q7H-WLV6np6NOw/s400/FullSizeRender+1.jpeg" width="393" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">When I pulled a batch of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten-free_diet">gluten free</a> oat flour muffins out of the oven over the weekend and saw that they were an immediate delicious hit - meaning my husband ate 3 - I decided that I should share the recipe. To this particular batch of muffins I added 2 chopped apricots and 4 chopped dates which I happen to have had on hand. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The recipe for the oat flour muffins is a variation on the <a href="http://www.mindbodyspiritodyssey.com/2012/01/blueberry-buckwheat-corn-muffins-gluten.html">basic gluten free blueberry muffins</a> that I posted on this blog several years ago.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
In that recipe I used buckwheat flour instead of oat flour. I've found that buckwheat is a good gluten free substitution for recipes that require whole wheat flour. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Although both muffin variations are quite tasty, using buckwheat will definitely give you a denser baked good.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Oat flour? It's pretty simple to make your own.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I usually buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bobs-Red-Mill-Gluten-Cooking/dp/B003LPM9XM/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498500074&sr=8-6&keywords=bobs%2Bred%2Bmill%2Boatmeal&th=1">Bobs Red Mill Oats </a>in bulk from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a>. (gluten free variety)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I put pour a bag full in the food processed and grind it up. It's then stored in an air tight glass canister with a screw on lid. The oat flour will last a month or more.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
You can use quick cooking oats, or rolled oats. Rolled oats are denser and require a long cooking time when you prepare them for oatmeal. They also make a denser oat flour.<br />
Oat flour is a nutritious, delicious alternative for
gluten free baked goods. White rice flour in gluten free baked goods lack texture and usually tastes
rather bland, although gluten free baking in general has improved greatly over the last few years.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkA0hBpOxmqwjBBcWzQRArr6IPAgp5Q1yEU2JsbzV5c0WrYiLqZSXe9BW1NwAN4dpBR3PMNvD5IrJmEMLq1Hpina_phzL1kP4LqGsbXZrN-rWfj9s1Nuut_LR-J6b771Ne89T9aFPkrE/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkA0hBpOxmqwjBBcWzQRArr6IPAgp5Q1yEU2JsbzV5c0WrYiLqZSXe9BW1NwAN4dpBR3PMNvD5IrJmEMLq1Hpina_phzL1kP4LqGsbXZrN-rWfj9s1Nuut_LR-J6b771Ne89T9aFPkrE/s320/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The texture of this oat flour muffin can be a bit crumbly sometimes, but there are ways around that. If you bake the muffins using foil lined muffin papers it helps quite a bit. Also don't forget to spray the muffin liners with cooking spray before you fill them. And finally, allow them to cool down a bit before you try to eat one. I know, it's hard when they come right out of the oven.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<i>1 cup oat flour</i><br />
<i>1/2 cup Yellow Corn Meal </i><br />
<i>2 1/2 tsp baking powder</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp. salt (I use sea salt)</i><br />
<i>1/4 cup sugar </i><br />
<i>2 eggs</i><br />
<i>1/4 cup canola oil</i><br />
<i>1 1/4 cup milk </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Preheat oven to 400. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or grease muffin tins.</i><br />
<i>Mix together all ingredients. Batter will be thin so let the batter sit for a few minutes so it will thicken up. Then stir in your add ons. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full - the muffins will rise.</i><br />
<i>Bake aprox 15 minutes.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_2026065930"></span><span id="goog_2026065931"></span><br /></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-48604453690308461172017-06-21T13:47:00.003-07:002017-06-26T10:35:35.502-07:00Midsummer Magic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21G_pZzavRiDPdnOZmrRYjoE4cu_kr-Dg1nxDBRxmCKh6W7E5Yo-0VlKI5vNdfBFQDscvwnJZGKW0iVjWEgHdwP2EE0MQP-Tumr7S9Yq1dP5DUl2ZBnS1McTDVfVo29jBOwGhTov3uRs/s1600/IMG_4742.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21G_pZzavRiDPdnOZmrRYjoE4cu_kr-Dg1nxDBRxmCKh6W7E5Yo-0VlKI5vNdfBFQDscvwnJZGKW0iVjWEgHdwP2EE0MQP-Tumr7S9Yq1dP5DUl2ZBnS1McTDVfVo29jBOwGhTov3uRs/s1600/IMG_4742.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-55956608414968482202017-04-06T10:23:00.003-07:002017-06-21T13:47:08.498-07:00Energy Follows Thought<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-xkUW7VhBXOQtGgocGLh5NPwlehB15_FpENvI31PPEWFqftlmOkJtjUEMEpKNHmzpsN52xt4wSCPXO4cr_hIrmiN6zXbr37J7Eq9qm9vT8-vcLKft4V30rRVlbGMMBKRWYKp5ptEsfg/s1600/IMG_1292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-xkUW7VhBXOQtGgocGLh5NPwlehB15_FpENvI31PPEWFqftlmOkJtjUEMEpKNHmzpsN52xt4wSCPXO4cr_hIrmiN6zXbr37J7Eq9qm9vT8-vcLKft4V30rRVlbGMMBKRWYKp5ptEsfg/s640/IMG_1292.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Whatever manifests in your outer world is first</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
created in your inner world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The energy that follows thought, and that you are</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
constantly experiencing in your life, is the result of whatever</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
resonates within the vibration you set in motion </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with your thoughts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The world around you is mirroring the world within</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you via your subconscious mind."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just as these seeds are about to blow away, scattering</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the wind...so are the thoughts and vibrations</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you are currently creating. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We all need to keep that in mind ~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy your day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The quote was taken from the book </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Balancing-Guidebook-Living-Light/dp/1583949887"><i>Spiritual Balancing</i> by Diana Burney</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
photo by Diane Fergurson<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-67422376991152901422017-02-03T06:37:00.000-08:002017-02-03T14:16:00.604-08:00Brigid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizssblyOlx8-yxsMNr3ojqtLEck1KJ5PoGRUeGTzL7gdjmbHiOx5Ypi9a6jnwlbPGJk8ueqrcJmDKV_czc5aqOQxBgjaC_bnVP0JYmyfITeZp2q7bbyV1xDYsT23-Inr1EWRcjiOCrkOg/s1600/IMG_4292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizssblyOlx8-yxsMNr3ojqtLEck1KJ5PoGRUeGTzL7gdjmbHiOx5Ypi9a6jnwlbPGJk8ueqrcJmDKV_czc5aqOQxBgjaC_bnVP0JYmyfITeZp2q7bbyV1xDYsT23-Inr1EWRcjiOCrkOg/s400/IMG_4292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were so many great blog posts I read this year written about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc">Imbolic</a>, I decided to forgo my plan to publish one on our blog. Instead I thought I'd showcase a wonderful book I picked up last year on Brigid, the goddess of spring in Celtic mythology, the goddess whose festival is Imbolic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The book <i>Brigid</i>, by Courtney Weber, was published in 2015 by Weiser Books, and it really is a wonderful historical exploration of not only the goddess herself, but the Celtic mythology, religion, meditations and practices which surround her. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This book is very intelligently written and well researched. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was honestly a joy to read...and I learned quite a bit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyone with serious interest in Brigid and Celtic history should consider</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
adding it to their library.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Brigid</i> is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brigid-History-Mystery-Magick-Goddess/dp/1578635675/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486131274&sr=8-2&keywords=Courtney+Weber">Amazon</a>. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-28848858628011710692017-01-27T05:17:00.000-08:002017-04-06T10:23:26.531-07:002017 Year of the Fire Rooster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYq89ZdU_dNe8JTTjPpGjHTVtnIbAglq6XM2PP17rmjq9HMuvukhi-h5o0UwAPgtJSL6pbKkMmilrASyLe4weiaIzpYfd1uIFa1dQe_qPgWlY5RBE36F48m3LvK56Kh2fDUi1UHt-VAE/s1600/Jianzhi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYq89ZdU_dNe8JTTjPpGjHTVtnIbAglq6XM2PP17rmjq9HMuvukhi-h5o0UwAPgtJSL6pbKkMmilrASyLe4weiaIzpYfd1uIFa1dQe_qPgWlY5RBE36F48m3LvK56Kh2fDUi1UHt-VAE/s320/Jianzhi.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
Chinese astrology is considered to be one of the world's oldest
forms of Astrology. Unlike the other Moon-school traditions; Tibetan,
Vedic and Judaic, which are couched in religion, Chinese astrology is
purely secular, a direction shared by Sun-school astrologies (Western
and Arabian).<br />
<br />
<i>Ming Shu</i> (Circle of Animals), is just
one form of Chinese astrology, but it seems to be the one that is most
commonly recognized by westerners. This system is what Sun signs are
to Western astrology, meaning, you only have to know the year of your
birth to create a general personality profile. Like all of the world's
major astrological traditions however, a person's time, date and place
of birth are essential to create an accurate, true birth chart.<br />
<br />
2017
is the year of the fire Rooster (<i>chi'</i>), and people born between January 31, 1957 and February 17, 1958 are members of the Fire Rooster Zodiac
Sign.<br />
<br />
Although there are general
behavioral patterns associated with the Rooster (<i>chi'</i>) sign, the delineation is
further augmented according to which element (earth, metal, fire,
water, wood) happens to be in control the year that you are born. For
example, the personality of a fire Rooster is different from that
of a wood Rooster etc. So, just because you are a Rooster (<i>chi'</i>) in Chinese astrology does not mean that this is your year.<br />
<br />
In
general, the Rooster (<i>chi'</i>) is very intelligent and honest. They also possess an excellent memory.<br />
He or she can be quite a showman with much vanity, and possesses remarkable candor. Th<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>is</u></span></span> person can also place too much emphasis on the trees, instead of the forest so to speak.<br />
<br />
The fire Rooster is a highly motivated, single minded person. They can become almost fanatical when it comes to investigation and details. This can cause problems with coworkers who do not have the same work ethic or are not very <span class="st">conscientious</span> about their work and work habits.<br />
<br />
Although in 2017 fire Roosters will have to work hard and be patient to achieve their goals, they will also experience a surge of productive energy in order to do so. Expect a lot of mental activity.<br />
<br />
2017 is Yin year and will be ruled by the fire element. The fire element is a boiling, hot force that rises upward. Although a fire element person is enlightened and possesses much wisdom, they can also have an emotional state that is volatile. A fire element person possesses natural leadership qualities. they are also highly motivated and optimistic. <br />
<br />
The color for 2017 is red, although it is not advised to wear things that are red. Instead, concentrate on colors that complement red or calm red.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>*Information for this post was taken from Miller and Brown's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Astrological-Handbook-21st-Century/dp/0805210865/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296683094&sr=1-1">The Complete Astrological Handbook for the Twenty-first Century";</a> Understanding and Combining the Wisdom of Chinese, Tibetan, Vedic, Arabian, Judaic, and Western Astrology. Also, <a href="http://www.qi-journal.com/index.asp">Qi Journal</a>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-9593855809449184882017-01-20T12:22:00.004-08:002017-04-26T11:12:48.296-07:00Be A Bright Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> The soul chooses where and went to incarnate. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Why? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To learn lessons and </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>work through challenging situations so it can evolve.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> It's important to keep that in mind during the upcoming years. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Remember...you chose to be here AND it's for a reason.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Do your best.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Be kind, learn from your mistakes, and keep going forward. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD4uvEjHEd7oz1UuPD_xAoMiGbvsVDmXh7LLzzpHailXsDW2sHJ0l-X0embgjsycqZ5x1rzbe95I8KUaGquLR8BrpJVTYycbcpbxDFpliLWQZ4TzArCOYGzXfhqGSHAV0NODwKXfSwqM/s1600/IMG_4264.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD4uvEjHEd7oz1UuPD_xAoMiGbvsVDmXh7LLzzpHailXsDW2sHJ0l-X0embgjsycqZ5x1rzbe95I8KUaGquLR8BrpJVTYycbcpbxDFpliLWQZ4TzArCOYGzXfhqGSHAV0NODwKXfSwqM/s1600/IMG_4264.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span></i> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">and </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-63539591892526355812017-01-02T14:18:00.002-08:002017-01-22T07:18:18.819-08:00The Candle Sculpture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgQdoAd-jT3bI336XWROD4keW7XhiIGveYq13PFXCGjmfqxR_oIALf7Y-xcl17SW55c69M_huZly5qnUAZfrKkitpGuzigdlJO41KEPWyNzvsU_j4Otj6yfxoOyV2buxTWTNTeKWZ3XI/s1600/GetFileAttachment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgQdoAd-jT3bI336XWROD4keW7XhiIGveYq13PFXCGjmfqxR_oIALf7Y-xcl17SW55c69M_huZly5qnUAZfrKkitpGuzigdlJO41KEPWyNzvsU_j4Otj6yfxoOyV2buxTWTNTeKWZ3XI/s400/GetFileAttachment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I decided to resurrect my candle sculpture today. I was putting Christmas decorations away,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>went to move the sculpture, and decided that it not</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>only deserved to be lit up on a more regular basis, but needed </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a little TLC as well.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The candle sculpture has to be at least 15 years old, if not older.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I was in a coffee bar long ago and saw the coolest</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>candle sculpture perched on the side of the bar.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Wax had dripped down everywhere. Down the books, down the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>side of the bar and on to the floor. It was totally inspiring!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Over the years when people have seen the candle sculpture in our home,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>their responses vary and are often pretty amusing.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The creative/art people will simply say its really cool and </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>look at the sculpture as a sculpture...taking mental notes</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>on how it was structured and balanced.</i><br />
<i>The more spiritually inclined usually comment </i><br />
<i>that it would make a fabulous alter piece...which it definitely would. </i><br />
<i> The less creative, more literal crowd always do the same thing.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They say it's pretty cool, then squat down low to</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>try and read what book titles are.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>That kind of diminishes the magic and point of the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>piece, in my opinion, but whatever.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I guess that's how some people process art.</i><br />
<i>Literally.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It you're going to make a candle sculpture...a few tips.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You will want to build in something metal to use as a</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>base for the candles so the books don't catch on fire.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Also, the type of candles you use really does matter. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I found that the cheap package of IKEA tapers</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> work the best. The wax isn't great quality,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>so the candles burn faster and the wax runs farther then</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the more expensive tapers.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Since I'm planning a burn-a-thon to refresh and</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>replenish some of the dripped wax on the piece,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I also set it on top of a big piece of wood so the wax</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>won't run all over my table. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You should definitely try to make one of your own!</i><br />
<i>The sculpture will take time, finesse and patience but</i><br />
<i>the results are well worth it.</i><br />
<i>The magic and enchantment it generates will</i><br />
<i>definitely warm your heart, expand your</i><br />
<i>imagination, lift your spirits during the</i><br />
<i>log cold winter months!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span></i> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">and </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-56035368488604693822016-12-31T11:49:00.002-08:002017-01-02T13:56:06.028-08:00End of the Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXlKeoSOc5Z-6TZUNcunhdLAUp144Qo564NsakijSDLAlDxFcghlFxFvAG_taaq_vus8pRXGy3VXW-11ecuuUqWqgPp-wAkoVLkCnglCRkyhI9Z-RP1EL93F_hYBjzAHy-5Xr671ROgg/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXlKeoSOc5Z-6TZUNcunhdLAUp144Qo564NsakijSDLAlDxFcghlFxFvAG_taaq_vus8pRXGy3VXW-11ecuuUqWqgPp-wAkoVLkCnglCRkyhI9Z-RP1EL93F_hYBjzAHy-5Xr671ROgg/s400/IMG_4114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For the last week plus, the boys and I have been caught up in a blog domain renewal nightmare. Of course I had no doubt that the confusion was only compounded by Mercury going Retrograde. I swore to the Universe, over and over, that if I finally got the mess straightened out, I would make sure this blog got back to a more active state...which I think it honestly deserves, especially given the current state of world affairs. If I couldn't straighten out the mess, then so be it. This blog has been around since 2009. It's had a long, productive run. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Well, we did it. So instead of this being my last post, it will only be the last one of the year.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I hope everyone has a good new year. Stay positive and try to be nice to people...even if you are feeling defeated and frustrated. The world needs your sparkle and shine right now.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Onward and upward!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span></i> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">and </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-20957736191761206672016-11-10T16:13:00.001-08:002017-01-06T06:43:09.003-08:00Lift Up Your Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPEELe6jrK3rah2wC52-oEcZiGIFdogQX2fFW-5HzuY1mQXUzpxkyjOycuHOFDPyk_O_eUX_fmKiepTzxgBnyyzCIX1jLUU8enkbA_zb4ZeNTBfVmXlVb3mlx-o-ZvOsiA68LiaQLBZE/s1600/GetFileAttachment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPEELe6jrK3rah2wC52-oEcZiGIFdogQX2fFW-5HzuY1mQXUzpxkyjOycuHOFDPyk_O_eUX_fmKiepTzxgBnyyzCIX1jLUU8enkbA_zb4ZeNTBfVmXlVb3mlx-o-ZvOsiA68LiaQLBZE/s640/GetFileAttachment.jpg" width="594" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Jessica Licciardello's artwork always manages to bring a smile to my lips. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But
this morning when I saw her post this particular image...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>it definitely
gave a much needed lift to my heart. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To see more of Jessica's work visit her website</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>at <a href="http://jldelloartwork.com/">http://jldelloartwork.com/</a></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-14447629398775836202016-11-09T16:21:00.000-08:002016-11-10T16:12:07.054-08:00Shine Your Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPsTkOqzG02n73aFH6cvgWihKaU8gIW8xRaTrtvvLedv05RAcAagbAFk8OoLovPya31ola1UoLAulxZ3VoOOmsu-nCSUGOOH_SxirukSwk7vVgAgrqkD-Eafu7Egcht_fputzXiTFOLs/s1600/IMG_0978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPsTkOqzG02n73aFH6cvgWihKaU8gIW8xRaTrtvvLedv05RAcAagbAFk8OoLovPya31ola1UoLAulxZ3VoOOmsu-nCSUGOOH_SxirukSwk7vVgAgrqkD-Eafu7Egcht_fputzXiTFOLs/s640/IMG_0978.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It's been a tough day for many people today.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Now, more then ever, we need to remember to send </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>light and love and hope out into the world.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Remember who you are and why you're here.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You need to shine now more then ever ~ </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-88917476645376593692016-08-25T12:57:00.002-07:002017-01-22T07:18:05.903-08:00Solar Cooking - Cooking With Sunshine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>While scrolling through my endless Facebook feed...yes I admit I do it too... every now and then I run across a subject that really peaks my interest. Earlier this summer when Karen Casey-Smith posted a glorious photo of banana bread she had baked in her solar oven, I knew Solar Cooking was a subject that I definitely wanted to know more about. Karen was kind enough to write up an article for our blog. Ohhh this looks so cool. Thanks Karen!</i><br />
<br /></div>
<b><u>Solar Cooking - Cooking With Sunshine</u></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Yes! You really can
cook with sunshine using a solar oven. Place your food into a dark
colored pan, set it in a solar oven outside under clear blue, sunny
skies, and come back later to a delicious hot cooked meal! How amazing
is that? You can even make a solar oven yourself! Now why would you want
to cook outside if you have a perfectly nice oven in your home?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYuyMTea6VQKYvFI4POdQGaWmzLRD3QowbYwZW7tz9kovHOE9C67TCREZfXkR17cObfE2SYqlzZc99UNTtBZNUb1kqDe_BVhEc6ewOqoo1hoF93uyvVpiCLBdYN5A080F58EgAYm98yM/s1600/Banana-Bread-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYuyMTea6VQKYvFI4POdQGaWmzLRD3QowbYwZW7tz9kovHOE9C67TCREZfXkR17cObfE2SYqlzZc99UNTtBZNUb1kqDe_BVhEc6ewOqoo1hoF93uyvVpiCLBdYN5A080F58EgAYm98yM/s400/Banana-Bread-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Oven Baked Banana Bread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;">Benefits of Solar Cooking</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Solar cooking <b>preserves more of the nutrients</b> in your food because it cooks slower and at lower temperatures.</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">You'll enjoy the <b>improved taste and texture</b> of your food and baked goods. <i>You think you know what your vegetables taste like, but wait until you've had them cooked by the sun!</i></span> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Increase your indoor comfort</b> and <b>reduce energy bills</b> during the warm months of the year by cooking outside instead heating up your home by using your conventional oven.</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Food doesn't dry out or burn</b> when cooked in a solar oven. You don't need to stir your food while it's cooking.</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Energy from the sun is free.</b></span> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><b>It saves natural resources. </b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><b>It's portable. </b>You can use your oven in your backyard, camping, at the beach, on a boat, or at a picnic cookout.</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><b>It's fun!</b></span> </li>
</ul>
<h4>
<span style="color: black;">Make a solar oven, buy one, try one!</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">A demonstration at the <a href="https://www.theenergyfair.org/about/" target="_blank">Midwest Renewable Energy Fair</a>
was my introduction to solar cooking. Not only did I get to see solar
cooking in action, I had my first delicious tastes of solar baked
cookies and bread. Solar cooking is fascinating! Since I love to
experiment I had to try it for myself. Also, I wanted to see (and taste)
my own results! To begin with I made a <a href="http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/%22Minimum%22_Solar_Box_Cooker" target="_blank">solar oven from two cardboard boxes</a>, so with only a small investment of time I could find out how interested I was in continuing. There are several <a href="http://www.solarcooking.org/plans/default.htm" target="_blank">types of solar cookers</a>, including panel cookers, box cookers, and parabolic cookers. A quick search online will bring up lots of <a href="http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Solar_cooker_plans#Selected_designs" target="_blank">plans for making your own</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">It turned out that I love using solar for cooking, so we eventually bought an early version of the <a href="http://www.solarovens.org/about-solar-ovens.html" target="_blank">Sport Solar Oven</a>.
It's a great oven, durable and very stable. I've been cooking with mine
for at least 13 years. We made our own reflector for the oven out of
foam board, and covered it with Mylar. To stabilize the reflector in
windy conditions I use two bungee cords, one each at the center top and
bottom of the reflector that I hook to the rim of the oven. The
reflector increases the temperature of the oven significantly. With the
reflector this solar oven usually bakes between 250-300°F. In the right
conditions you can cook with solar in winter and summer.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="x_mceTemp">
<dl class="x_wp-caption x_aligncenter" id="x_attachment_4687" style="width: 510px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmLzu6Oz_QJmnUDC8_KQuuAioxnQAev12pWdUG9Pk6Grm6hBwO6DXHDW_VsiPkUlHCvIasagbMoMZMgrORUhL6CKCjkl89VLPMj3Zk3pCpjsusFWdi31YxF4nsCqLZfYD1ctNXulJ65M/s1600/1-Solar-Oven-Disassembled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmLzu6Oz_QJmnUDC8_KQuuAioxnQAev12pWdUG9Pk6Grm6hBwO6DXHDW_VsiPkUlHCvIasagbMoMZMgrORUhL6CKCjkl89VLPMj3Zk3pCpjsusFWdi31YxF4nsCqLZfYD1ctNXulJ65M/s400/1-Solar-Oven-Disassembled.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Oven Disassembled</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<dt class="x_wp-caption-dt"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></dt>
</dl>
</div>
<div align="center" class="x_mceTemp">
<dl class="x_wp-caption x_aligncenter" id="x_attachment_4688" style="width: 510px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUb1avEiC823VV78hGI1IHlmiQsIuMJONb84rRaW3Pdrk7IbJ1B4YEYUqTeR1MUCBl-QDDVpW-EaQrDR8d1fOjQAbP9GYpxwp32bnA4_xwS0MOxDAtCMuZpJ6-aeLYwEKXQiVyPz3JbU/s1600/2-Solar-Oven-Interior-View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUb1avEiC823VV78hGI1IHlmiQsIuMJONb84rRaW3Pdrk7IbJ1B4YEYUqTeR1MUCBl-QDDVpW-EaQrDR8d1fOjQAbP9GYpxwp32bnA4_xwS0MOxDAtCMuZpJ6-aeLYwEKXQiVyPz3JbU/s400/2-Solar-Oven-Interior-View.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Oven Interior View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<dt class="x_wp-caption-dt"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></dt>
</dl>
</div>
<div align="center" class="x_mceTemp">
<dl class="x_wp-caption x_aligncenter" id="x_attachment_4689" style="width: 510px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQPZ9Urlw3k6I7JOZRMF8MhhF_wMc0-lXnREWsxBN7pUm6KjIpsgilqCfg9X-b5BpRNEHvCGB9gcKWnuR36l8cbYY2eaCecfwH-MDeAhgiKEl50_lfCtEDVyjOqDj1MXuonrGDra5nXM/s1600/3-Solar-Oven-Assembled-with-Reflector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQPZ9Urlw3k6I7JOZRMF8MhhF_wMc0-lXnREWsxBN7pUm6KjIpsgilqCfg9X-b5BpRNEHvCGB9gcKWnuR36l8cbYY2eaCecfwH-MDeAhgiKEl50_lfCtEDVyjOqDj1MXuonrGDra5nXM/s400/3-Solar-Oven-Assembled-with-Reflector.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Oven Assembled with Homemade Reflector</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<dt class="x_wp-caption-dt"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></dt>
<dt class="x_wp-caption-dt"><span style="color: black;">I've had wonderful results baking banana bread.
The crust is light and tender,</span></dt>
<dt class="x_wp-caption-dt"><span style="color: black;">the bread is divine. I've often baked
jerk chicken, rice, vegetables, lots of things! The solar oven is great
for one dish meals, baked or roasted meats, grains, beans, breads,
desserts, and more. Here are some <a href="http://www.sunovenchef.com/sun-oven-recipes/" target="_blank">recipes</a> to get you started.</span></dt>
<dt class="x_wp-caption-dt"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></dt>
</dl>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">To use your solar oven with success you need:</span></h4>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">clear, or mostly clear, blue skies on a sunny day</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">dark colored cookware - <i>the dark color absorbs heat allowing faster cooking, shiny cookware reflects heat</i></span> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">maintain safe practices- <i>use pot holders or oven gloves, protect your eyes from glare</i></span> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Food_safety" target="_blank">maintain safe temperatures while cooking</a><br />
</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">oven thermometer</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">solar oven</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">tasty recipe</span> </li>
</ul>
<h4>
<span style="color: black;">Improving lives and the health of others</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">As if that weren't
enough great things about solar ovens, there are more, very important
benefits. Solar ovens are improving the lives and health of people the
world over, especially women and children. Solar cooking is smokeless,
and when used, eliminates breathing serious health-damaging smoke from
indoor cooking fires. In addition to the health benefits of cooking with
free, clean energy, solar ovens can be used for water pasteurization to
provide safe clean water. Using solar energy also saves overburdened
natural resources. Money that would have been spent on firewood, or
charcoal, can be used for food or other necessities. There's a wealth of
information at <a href="http://www.solarcookers.org/index.php" target="_blank">Solar Cookers International</a>,
a non-profit organization whose "mission is to spread solar thermal
cooking technology to benefit people and environments." They are a
wonderful resource for information on solar cooking. Please consider
donating if you'd like to support their work.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">I hope you're
inspired to try solar cooking yourself. You'll get great tasting food
with lots of nutrients, cooked with free energy, save resources and
money, and help our environment all at the same time! This is a win/win
for everyone. It would also be a fun project to do with your family and
friends. A project where you get to eat your homework is definitely a
plus!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Happy solar cooking!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: black;">Prints of Karen's wonderful photography can be found in her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/karencaseysmith?ref=profile_shopname">shop on Etsy</a>. </span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-38456196083094206592016-07-06T13:33:00.000-07:002016-07-06T13:33:20.862-07:00Zucchini, Kittens and Rabbits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWTJU5ic-0sRhKEGopoMK_-LCA91VA22lUCRQtjUp3R_xRKtFFrCnDFWVQ44JHWsOSllFjRAka9YDxHFLOScy_wFmyhyphenhyphenZiYjGLHoy9X9Ajq0qVKxab0R-o1vKohYm9ear-DB20NUznmM/s1600/GetAttachmentThumbnail+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWTJU5ic-0sRhKEGopoMK_-LCA91VA22lUCRQtjUp3R_xRKtFFrCnDFWVQ44JHWsOSllFjRAka9YDxHFLOScy_wFmyhyphenhyphenZiYjGLHoy9X9Ajq0qVKxab0R-o1vKohYm9ear-DB20NUznmM/s320/GetAttachmentThumbnail+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">As
I was chopping up some zucchini for dinner last night, I realized that
summer is finally here. Zucchini always reminds me of summer. Both my
mother and grandmother grew it in abundance in their gardens. My mother
would cook constantly with the massive amounts that we would harvest.
She served it as a vegetable, but also made zucchini bread, which was
definitely considered a new, fairly exotic item during those times (at
least in the Midwest). I considered zucchini bread to be a real treat
because my mother was such a “no sugar” healthy food advocate. Sugar
rarely passed my lips as a child.</span>
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">My
grandma, an immigrant from Italy, would also cook with zucchini when it
was in season. She would make it for literally every meal. "You eat
what is in season and in the garden," she would say. Sometimes she
would use some of her zucchini to work into the antipasto she canned
during the summer. Other than that we ate our fill and gave away bags
and bags of it to the neighbors. I got really tired of eating zucchini
at her house. I still have it memorized… "Saute a little butter with a
little onion, add a fresh sage leaf from the garden, cover, cook on low
until it sweats."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Al dente. Of course, she was Italian.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Right
after it rains - if you have been lucky enough to have rain this
summer, or not battling the horrible floods - the summer days bring a
humid, lush feeling like no other. Although I'm pretty notorious for
disliking the heat immensely, I do definitely respect and appreciate the
season. Yes, zucchini flourishes in the summer. Everything seems to
flourish in the summer. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">This
year it seems to be our urban backyard that is flourishing. Two overly
active birdbaths. A mother rabbit plus her little bunny baby, and this
year the biggest surprise of all, a mother cat and her two orange
kittens. Nothing like opening the back door at 6am and finding two
orange little balls of fur fast cuddled up in the chair - wide eyed and
surprised. My husband said "at least they're cuter than squirrels
(which we also have in abundance). Maybe they'll even help keep the
mice away." My neighbor says all the activity is due to the “good
vibes” radiating out from our backyard. Other friends suspect the fairies in
the rose and herb garden. I think it's because they all know they are
safe and we will not hurt them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="x_separator" style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Of
course throughout all of this, our two sweet old rescue pugs snore
their day away. The third rescue, Franky, remains on high alert. So I
guess I'll be outside clapping and banging before we let him out. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="x_separator" style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="x_separator" style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Enjoy your July. Take some time to observe and love your own backyard. You might be surprised what you find. </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzWy1c7w7hHxZbZLyhpa5aepPT6oyhpaF9NlpBw7ZSwhymsW3gt3A44msAxDrVn0cxQMdlEQgU788eizWE8hTN1lfOc6vmGftVjsxQmBswQ3Ck7QuFHsQkRocfyZfuFJZEp9LfhzlgRk/s1600/GetAttachmentThumbnail-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzWy1c7w7hHxZbZLyhpa5aepPT6oyhpaF9NlpBw7ZSwhymsW3gt3A44msAxDrVn0cxQMdlEQgU788eizWE8hTN1lfOc6vmGftVjsxQmBswQ3Ck7QuFHsQkRocfyZfuFJZEp9LfhzlgRk/s320/GetAttachmentThumbnail-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
~ diane fergurson</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-3761807758004613022016-06-20T11:32:00.000-07:002016-06-20T11:35:30.010-07:00Summer Solstice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zZ3Q-6xyF7IG5ML4e5ExftoRlw9eB8j0ACwBrPWDqwKmi-9j94ATWVb3Srn_1s87aFDoVqHc5wNo77XPopBM6o69H7q2jOR5pPEz0PON8DGQNmw1u_2Gyvu0_PAZC14slVUjXEGt2Gk/s1600/IMG_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zZ3Q-6xyF7IG5ML4e5ExftoRlw9eB8j0ACwBrPWDqwKmi-9j94ATWVb3Srn_1s87aFDoVqHc5wNo77XPopBM6o69H7q2jOR5pPEz0PON8DGQNmw1u_2Gyvu0_PAZC14slVUjXEGt2Gk/s640/IMG_0901.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It is the beginning of summer, the solstice. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The tilt of the earth leads to much warmer days and longer </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>periods of light in the Northern Hemisphere.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We attune our mind, body and spirit to the season's bountiful</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>qualities and exuberant energy. Yang energy is </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>at it's fullest.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This year there is a rare Summer Solstice full moon to </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>accompany the day. This event hasn't occurred in over</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>70 years and won't happen again until 2094.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Something truly special indeed!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Enjoy your summer days. Be healthy and happy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Relax and be creative. Take the time to learn something new.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Be thankful for all you have, definitely </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>try to stay positive throughout these interesting times. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Diane Fergurson</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i> </i><span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
photo: Greenwood Gardens<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-58594201841734877502016-04-10T14:53:00.003-07:002016-08-25T12:55:31.183-07:00Gem and Mineral Show<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It's always such a pleasure to go to the <a href="http://www.ny-nj-gemshow.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjw86e4BRCnzuWGlpjLoUcSJACaHG55Vbqo8OL87z3760qoGpxpGlSsoiYHRQa3TyBcFDQTuBoCMIrw_wcB">Gem and Mineral Show </a>when it comes to New Jersey each spring. Although the show has varied over the years, the selection of gemstones, minerals and fossils never fails to delight those who attend. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaDxqmLpFKHX5MD49D8aaxKcms5rLjb8bKVQh9vMq5KhCuISniCagCgMh8mV6VpqQnje8SgniTlkelrlRRV8oKusokacxEobIu-F68Dz8pcc8vGCXw_Z2VuedXAtd7EPFVygw2OOVmDo/s1600/IMG_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaDxqmLpFKHX5MD49D8aaxKcms5rLjb8bKVQh9vMq5KhCuISniCagCgMh8mV6VpqQnje8SgniTlkelrlRRV8oKusokacxEobIu-F68Dz8pcc8vGCXw_Z2VuedXAtd7EPFVygw2OOVmDo/s640/IMG_0405.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV6OCfgClv4yRcmkzsZPXU6Ytuu600Gkgb8oiRgSgGBQuYUzzmeUnoe950QjT4_Mau6KpBkaVP7D48ymvZOL84L56_Y7X8AzBG_1_9Rn1J4mT0q1bTr-4InhBiS7PdBAc3Va_3EuH5ew/s1600/IMG_0407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV6OCfgClv4yRcmkzsZPXU6Ytuu600Gkgb8oiRgSgGBQuYUzzmeUnoe950QjT4_Mau6KpBkaVP7D48ymvZOL84L56_Y7X8AzBG_1_9Rn1J4mT0q1bTr-4InhBiS7PdBAc3Va_3EuH5ew/s640/IMG_0407.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGgy1iE8RwrYhCLOQBCv2iXzBV6Qq329S_d65IxTjGk-pcvlyxufEfq8M7j8wZ_T4m2He2z3SgIv3z6fk-bdFrbl4s772dJ1TVJJAGCVYmf3-FLxpYrbhQXKbbvDU0ES6ZT0oBsecd7E/s1600/IMG_0414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGgy1iE8RwrYhCLOQBCv2iXzBV6Qq329S_d65IxTjGk-pcvlyxufEfq8M7j8wZ_T4m2He2z3SgIv3z6fk-bdFrbl4s772dJ1TVJJAGCVYmf3-FLxpYrbhQXKbbvDU0ES6ZT0oBsecd7E/s640/IMG_0414.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlMPy8xKucxfnj7UIN2pGTTxYfJOGMLrDym5EIlhZu0NgPhQ9kPjz2nlDxa7KFJ9cEcIWP4lPoaoeU-do6VqUknntlE5-Q3BSUUIsuWVD3AL8sPDNhZjm0gkZ048nOXP3DNOa8Bu53wc/s1600/IMG_0409+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlMPy8xKucxfnj7UIN2pGTTxYfJOGMLrDym5EIlhZu0NgPhQ9kPjz2nlDxa7KFJ9cEcIWP4lPoaoeU-do6VqUknntlE5-Q3BSUUIsuWVD3AL8sPDNhZjm0gkZ048nOXP3DNOa8Bu53wc/s640/IMG_0409+%25281%2529.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMK6JdzKKzXt09UZ_Rny-TfRsb7y9rf5YR-4PN-94J8ICZrnK2-LctCnfkU45vFykKqA2mDyXjsazIoT1MX8X5_OBNTSNNc1IrAIz3vbLH-FwxHnSVxBvpp1ajOrW5Au0z0bF6xNnEOM/s1600/IMG_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMK6JdzKKzXt09UZ_Rny-TfRsb7y9rf5YR-4PN-94J8ICZrnK2-LctCnfkU45vFykKqA2mDyXjsazIoT1MX8X5_OBNTSNNc1IrAIz3vbLH-FwxHnSVxBvpp1ajOrW5Au0z0bF6xNnEOM/s640/IMG_0403.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrm-SkiTUtlzHXa5p-KYfxfvVk1Hm50ZRAqU4pqOm5pcE30v0RiJKrtWk9uTHYCueGu43G-KHmj6PtYVXLR6aGiz3xVBwx82KO5ZT6LVrmW8bPaydDPQCpgWxmH41gV5baJ4kRpak07w/s1600/IMG_0412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrm-SkiTUtlzHXa5p-KYfxfvVk1Hm50ZRAqU4pqOm5pcE30v0RiJKrtWk9uTHYCueGu43G-KHmj6PtYVXLR6aGiz3xVBwx82KO5ZT6LVrmW8bPaydDPQCpgWxmH41gV5baJ4kRpak07w/s640/IMG_0412.jpg" width="542" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAC8dRYt62JoXH7fNyys629H3ku2dlcUqkPcaWHKuTNyQ_fGj_H7XzGBv1h0IrBRQRiTG-nXimI3t4XL9Rc4kSTE7hVxLe978lonyr6AsvZ1EHKJDXHS1CSaLkZJdcJYvBn2IXH8J1fA/s1600/IMG_0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAC8dRYt62JoXH7fNyys629H3ku2dlcUqkPcaWHKuTNyQ_fGj_H7XzGBv1h0IrBRQRiTG-nXimI3t4XL9Rc4kSTE7hVxLe978lonyr6AsvZ1EHKJDXHS1CSaLkZJdcJYvBn2IXH8J1fA/s640/IMG_0417.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-60104441063151347552016-03-31T12:53:00.001-07:002016-04-10T14:52:42.537-07:00Be a Weed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I never fail to leave the garden uninspired. Whether it's with colors, wildlife or Fae. Today as I trimmed away the dead rose branches and pulled out the weeds that are already sprouting up...the words that keep running through my head were, "Be a Weed".<br />
<div>
Yes, be a weed Diane. </div>
<div>
They strong, resilient, and really quite patient to grow among the other more acceptable plants. Best of all, no matter how many times you pull them out, a weed will just keep coming back. <br />
<div>
I see every other inspirational quote known to man immortalized through Facebook posts. </div>
<div>
Maybe mine should be...Be a Weed! 😉</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Enjoy your day </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJPJkLWsC6IsAelbqXZ0hH7EeX9uqLGw7lBYp-owxaAugdkoNdxL4ulBdcMPFj8rhqe944wAfMp5g9twUM5ieBrA1gcQDv4Sl_Ugp3DF0jqt5wwWLi-cl1WWlRXsDTN3ugnL22bu9vvI/s640/blogger-image-1283499535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJPJkLWsC6IsAelbqXZ0hH7EeX9uqLGw7lBYp-owxaAugdkoNdxL4ulBdcMPFj8rhqe944wAfMp5g9twUM5ieBrA1gcQDv4Sl_Ugp3DF0jqt5wwWLi-cl1WWlRXsDTN3ugnL22bu9vvI/s640/blogger-image-1283499535.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-10832906864657561462016-03-20T09:01:00.001-07:002016-06-20T11:29:40.688-07:00Happy Spring, Ostara, and Day of Happiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfkYsXDpRNXVKD7I65ApBU8N1wJWYWIs2d-HGSWwc-0n95OaAv6je9wfdYIy6E8XP0qyQTAZrni1OFgAYFr6qy8xkT2XmA3Llm4xCZ4dK6IehCbXDkHSyyNst3xJazh236yqsGp30td0/s1600/IMG_3207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfkYsXDpRNXVKD7I65ApBU8N1wJWYWIs2d-HGSWwc-0n95OaAv6je9wfdYIy6E8XP0qyQTAZrni1OFgAYFr6qy8xkT2XmA3Llm4xCZ4dK6IehCbXDkHSyyNst3xJazh236yqsGp30td0/s400/IMG_3207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is the first day of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox">Spring Vernal Equinox</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is also the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dayofhappiness.net/#join">International Day of Happiness</a>,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and also, this year, the celebration of the pagan and wiccan holiday <a href="http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/ostarathespringequinox/p/Ostara_History.htm">Ostara</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The name Ostara, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon and Germanic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
goddess of fertility, Eostre, or Ostara.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is the marking of the new season which moves from the darkness of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
winter to the light of spring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring, happiness, Ostara.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three different celebrations basically advocating the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
same thing...to experience a positive rebirth.<br />
I hope yours is wonderful! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy your day<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-62895562403561884892016-01-11T08:13:00.000-08:002016-03-20T08:59:21.098-07:00Goodbye David Bowie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO6aIHmFD8Ydb24Y-iuShWdV_N6gs7SwtMk7en_QFLrY90NRyenLCQEBH4a4aKtE16MUHDbHQaP4cKqEKnRYmBiEZUJ7CRLPj8f6rJBmDKFjCJ8V76lg_Gf5SMuVV9q3sxVk0A3Ulm1E/s1600/28_chariotpainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO6aIHmFD8Ydb24Y-iuShWdV_N6gs7SwtMk7en_QFLrY90NRyenLCQEBH4a4aKtE16MUHDbHQaP4cKqEKnRYmBiEZUJ7CRLPj8f6rJBmDKFjCJ8V76lg_Gf5SMuVV9q3sxVk0A3Ulm1E/s1600/28_chariotpainting.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When I heard this morning that David Bowie had transitioned, my heart hurt. My heart chakra literally hurt inside my chest because I knew the world had truly lost a soul whose impact </i><br />
<i>upon the lives of others, during this lifetime, had been immense.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The intelligent art, music, fashion and style of David Bowie touched the masses in many different ways. It was because of his ability as an artist to transform himself so strongly through the creative process. Every time he changed, he found a different set of people to relate to his new being. </i><br />
<br />
<i>For as much as he was able to brighten and add color into the lives of others, Bowie's personal struggles and pain must have been immense. A lot of this born out through the 12th house placement in his chart, which you can read more about in <a href="http://www.oxfordastrologer.com/2016/01/bowie-turns-to-face-the-strange.html">this wonderfully written article</a>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I recently saw an old interview with Bowie by Charlie Rose where he talked about the "violent" and difficult process he always experienced while bringing his painting and art into the world. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> I think all artists experience this to some extent or another. Physical birth is violent and painful.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Creative birth is as well. The extent of pain and struggle varies from person to person depending on what they are trying to create, their life lessons and their karma during this lifetime.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The creative birth process was something Bowie said he personally did not enjoy doing. Considering his ability to absorb the culture around him and then transform himself again and again, it must have been an extremely difficult experience for him each time.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>All souls who are born into this world leave ripples in their path. Others produce tidal waves whose reach is far and long lasting. There were so many facets to this man, people will</i><br />
<i>write about him forever.</i><br />
<br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>David Bowie, your time here is over.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Thank you for everything.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> <u>The Chariot</u>, courtesy of <a href="http://www.adamfergurson.com/">Adam Fergurson</a>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I chose to include this image to be portrayed in this piece because to me it symbolizes the process of transformation, going forward, and bursting into the unknown </i><br />
<i>(which I'm sure Bowie is doing right about now).</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-12141384777029085062015-12-18T11:32:00.001-08:002015-12-18T11:32:55.929-08:00Enjoy Your Holiday Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc6iAasyVTEE7VTGfP8E_r7LxUvvcifOQYI0lPlVHoCX8OCxn5a7mE7xGX3hsaDqNC9rQ6Ry-SsjoTpl33bUL79etFijtW7_cuK5XcHZItPL-WlupqJdI-D5w56J6QlRqEnOiwYLjxXc/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc6iAasyVTEE7VTGfP8E_r7LxUvvcifOQYI0lPlVHoCX8OCxn5a7mE7xGX3hsaDqNC9rQ6Ry-SsjoTpl33bUL79etFijtW7_cuK5XcHZItPL-WlupqJdI-D5w56J6QlRqEnOiwYLjxXc/s400/IMG_0536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Wherever you are, whatever you do, wherever you go, and whatever you believe</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Mind Body Spirit Odyssey/Marketplace</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Wishes you a wonderful end of year Holiday and a great New Year!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We'll be back in 2016</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>See you then!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-86982031069854137322015-10-18T12:15:00.004-07:002016-01-11T07:37:33.615-08:00Delores Cannon, Convoluted Universe 5 is Released<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
There was a wonderful tribute article to Delores Cannon that was posted on her blog. It's been a year since she's passed. I hope you will take the time to <a href="http://www.dolorescannon.com/blog/dolores-cannon-brilliant-light-shines"><i>read it</i></a>. The article is a short profile of her life and her work. She did so much to help open the minds of others. A true pioneer in every sense of the word.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwEhdwrcNzEE15xe0O3aFrDRCrrcSVkn2tm82NxstP7F2f2vIJm-712QjXZEYsRmlkSxYVv_uX5oA5FcXsKr9dII8ifb6T4jfvVOg1aYmVRhqUemAuNv6ADiiPHy_uMk336RLXj3Pt2Q/s1600/cu5-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwEhdwrcNzEE15xe0O3aFrDRCrrcSVkn2tm82NxstP7F2f2vIJm-712QjXZEYsRmlkSxYVv_uX5oA5FcXsKr9dII8ifb6T4jfvVOg1aYmVRhqUemAuNv6ADiiPHy_uMk336RLXj3Pt2Q/s200/cu5-cover.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.ozarkmt.com/"><i>Ozark Mountain Publishing</i></a> has just released her book <i><a href="http://www.ozarkmt.com/home-promotion/feature-products/the-convoluted-universe-book-five">Convoluted Universe 5</a></i> which she finished before she died. I will definitely be reading it soon. I'll never forget seeing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1886940827?keywords=convoluted%20universe%20book%201&qid=1445194941&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1"><i>Convoluted Universe 1</i></a> at the bookstore years ago. It practically jumped off the shelf at me. I could barely put it down once I began to read, and I devoured many, many more of her books after that. Once you become immersed in her work, I guarantee that you will never view life quite the same...no matter how 'enlightened' or open minded you believe yourself to be.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's to you Delores. Thank you for everything!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-40935248490990007362015-10-11T09:12:00.000-07:002015-10-18T12:00:26.056-07:00Autumn Magic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JSV4TP9LqZrZK8rY7oD_girX3TIeuNQ_vTsBK4WqmVRaJmRI3k0lLcT8Jyh2PHwRztA1KiyXQbg0Rsam9BlDd_Hm6Ezd7sJ09z7kO1WjPJ1zbciy6eQTc7sWsXeyECZcjOHRNHbYCfc/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JSV4TP9LqZrZK8rY7oD_girX3TIeuNQ_vTsBK4WqmVRaJmRI3k0lLcT8Jyh2PHwRztA1KiyXQbg0Rsam9BlDd_Hm6Ezd7sJ09z7kO1WjPJ1zbciy6eQTc7sWsXeyECZcjOHRNHbYCfc/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I’ve never known anyone yet who doesn’t suffer a certain restlessness
when </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>autumn rolls around… We’re all eight years old again and anything
is possible.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sue Grafton</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-81271951111956112212015-10-01T11:24:00.001-07:002015-10-18T12:03:37.276-07:00The Curious Visitor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib16N1Z1tSEb9FvUVjtzo0f2jb7_xqnPUgfGjye6pEX2fbK9USyBhHgW-ryhq7voM0hDnBbQioEWELUsGjChyphenhyphenWepvXHBxu2pAfuVA_9bRMPpqvWAAErqEzHxVNAtAGPH_nt9W84zORpK8/s640/blogger-image--479930019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib16N1Z1tSEb9FvUVjtzo0f2jb7_xqnPUgfGjye6pEX2fbK9USyBhHgW-ryhq7voM0hDnBbQioEWELUsGjChyphenhyphenWepvXHBxu2pAfuVA_9bRMPpqvWAAErqEzHxVNAtAGPH_nt9W84zORpK8/s640/blogger-image--479930019.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The first day of October finds me hurrying around preparing for, and I quote, "five days of the most brutal weather that New Jersey has seen in a long time". An upcoming rain storm, followed by a 'Nor'easter wind and rain' and, of course, Hurricane Joaquin. The date of NJ has already declared a state of emergency.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
Well, 'strange things are afoot at the Circle K'. I went out to pick some last minute flowers before the storm(s) hit, and was immediately greeted by a more intense delegation of my bird friends then usual. Then this little cutie comes out of the rose bed to say hello. I've never seen him before...he left as fast as he came, disappearing under the hydrangea. Glad to see he was wearing a collar. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
Of course I took it as a sign. Were they telling me about the upcoming storm? Or letting me know that my first grandchild will be making her grand entrance before long?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
I always seem to attract animals around me that I normally don't come in contact with before something happens. I had crows land next to me and sit outside my studio window for a week straight this summer before my mother passed. I've had deer run in front of me so close I could have touched them...on our street which is very urban and busy. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
Superstition? I don't know. You'd be surprised that what goes on around you once your eyes open and you start taking notice. I've decided that if I see a third unusual animal related thing today then I'll know something up for sure.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
Enjoy your day...</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
I'll keep you posted. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470974265170285296.post-36030868329703098432015-09-23T09:25:00.000-07:002016-09-22T06:00:35.802-07:00Welcome Mabon/Fall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoaipVFQl3f53KBDlFuinA6YpgEOJVW3EoqSaFl9QkkG0aj9aTZUGYYwmDu7lMXGYpRdLzndjyjrDK30WAR_67n5XHoRpvb9sJwUZD-KDx06NMAozSbbNIpAbb4uk-QHFoDaQ0xv4At4/s1600/raw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoaipVFQl3f53KBDlFuinA6YpgEOJVW3EoqSaFl9QkkG0aj9aTZUGYYwmDu7lMXGYpRdLzndjyjrDK30WAR_67n5XHoRpvb9sJwUZD-KDx06NMAozSbbNIpAbb4uk-QHFoDaQ0xv4At4/s640/raw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Every culture has it's beliefs, rituals and traditions associated with the seasons. The transition from summer into fall is no exception. As I look around me I see baskets of summer flowers on my neighbors' porches being replaced by mums and pumpkins. In more rural areas, the farmers have been busy bailing hay for the winter, and are beginning to gather the bounty from the summer harvest. Apple picking, of course, is at it's height and abundance.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/autumnal-equinox.html">Autumnal Equinox</a>, or the holiday <a href="http://lightworkers.org/blog/115067/celtic-festival-mabon-equinox">Mabon</a> as it is known in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic">Celtic</a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/20693321">Pagan </a>cultures, ushers in these seasonal changes and welcomes the second harvest. This is the time of year when the sun shines equally on both hemispheres. The days and nights are of equal length, but we begin to move from the light half of the year to the dark half. The leaves turn, the birds migrate, and we start our cyclical descent into winter.<br />
<br />
As I observe everything around me starting to wind down, Mabon, much more then the Thanksgiving holiday, feels like the most natural place in the year to pause and be grateful for all the blessings and experiences that I have had. To re-view it all, in it's entirety on a cyclical but equal basis. This year in particular my personal wheel of life truly has experienced it all. A death, a (soon to be) birth, and a developing creative re-birth. I'm thankful for it all these things. They continue to shape and guide me to be the person I am, and have yet to become.<br />
<br />
Enjoy your day ~ <br />
<br />
diane fergurson<br />
<br />
<i>Autumn Hay</i> photo courtesy of Nellie Levine<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Mind-Body-Spirit-Marketplace/138709911986">Facebook</a></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dianefergurson/mind-body-spirit-odyssey/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/fergrules">Twitter </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Diane Fergursonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207659270005078789noreply@blogger.com0