Hala for my Mala!

This is an out of synch post.  This was posted as a seperate page (tab) back in February, and somehow it just didn't seem to fit in there :(  So, now it's back in the mish mash of my blog postings.  At least it's out there, enjoy!

Forget the dishes, here's how:

Hi there! Since you're here you're probably interested in stringing a mala, and why not get creative with what you're stringing? I loved making these beads. Warming the cinnamon dough in my hands was a lot like warming up for Kundalini Yoga, and opening the Nadis. The scent of cinnamon lingered on my palms long after making the beads as well!

Here's how to get started:

Stir together the dry ingredients
1 cup powered cinnamon
1 tbsp. allspice
2 tbsp. cloves
1 tbsp. nutmeg

Now mix in the wet
1 c. applesauce (for pliability)
2 tbsp. elmers glue (for firmness)

Mix until you've formed a nice ball of sweetly scented dough. This recipe made enough for a mala, plus extra. I figure I'll roll up the extra and stash away for another day.

Pinch off a bit and roll in your palms until you have a nice, little round bead.

Pierce with a small wooden dowl, chopstick, embroidery needle . . . you get the idea. Lay on a baking sheet in an open, airy place to dry overnight. You might want to flatten your beads a bit by pressing down on them. This helps to keep them from rolling around. You'll need 108 cinnamon beads to string your mala. Depending on what style you choose, you'll need 3-4 marker beads.

Now don't just forget about your little darlings. Check back on them periodically flipping them allowing both sides to dry evenly. Your dough will shrink as it dries so it's a good idea poke the holes one more time to keep them open.

Now you get to choose which style mala you want to string. I used this diagram and chose the Zen Mantra Style, just because. I used some crochet thread I had laying about, and used carnelian spacer (marker) beads. I used a lovely citrine bead for my guru bead. You can use whatever holds meaning for you, or just because you like how it looks and feels. I didn't get too fancy with how I strung the beads, just went for it. I figured the most important step would come when I charged the mala.

I used this tutorial for making the tassel. There are loads of how-to's out there (God bless the Web), so have fun. Investigate, explore. Use whatever technique lends meaning to your creative process.

Blessings!

Everyday Holy

What joy the hens give me by generously providing clean, bright, beautiful, colorful, nutrious, and sustainable eggs, day in, day out.  They are a never ending source of amusement, wonder, mystery and surprise!

Hope Springs Eternal

Sure signs of Spring, heaven sent and blessed:

The weather has been such a welcome relief, I find myself in a state of suspended belief.  Not enough to keep me from the garden this weekend however.  I spent a good part of it scraping off the Winter's blanket of dead, brown leaves and debris to welcome the our harbingers of Spring.  It's great, albeit, very physical work.  I'm grateful for the strength and opportunity to stretch and flex this body after a Winter hibernating indoors.  I'm also grateful for the help I got from my boys.

Now, I watch and wait as the colors unfurl.

Blessings!

This Day

Keeping the wheels of love spinning.

Round and round they go.  Where they'll stop, G-d only knows!

Blessings!

What's Making Me Happy Today

The sun.  The warmth.  The fact that I am home and can step outside to enjoy it, if only long enough to breathe in the heaven scent of the earth shaking off the shackles of winter; let the ladies and gent out to free range and take a dirt bath; see the signs that spring has been Marching forward all along.

Blessings!

February

Oh February, how you try my patience.  Every year it's the same dance, you test me with grey skies, cold winds and temperatures.  I try to ignore you.  Maybe that's why it feels like the longest, yet shortest month.  I have my ways of coping, and so do the pups:

Ordinarily there is a lot of handwork to show for this month of hunkering down, or at least tales of ski days.  This year however, I've taken a different tack: 

Click here for the link to this book!

It's pretty obvious that Yoga helps me sail an even course, helps me to maintain balance.  However, there is no way I could show up for a class every time I needed my fix (daily).  So . . . I've embarked on developing a home practice.  It's really nothing fancy, just another commitment.  An opportunity to flex those disciplinary muscles so to speak!

It's also become pretty obvious it's taken that time I used to blog, think about posts, take and upload photos.  You get the idea.  Guess I'm just popping in to say "Hey" and I'm still here.  Just exploring another way to stay connected. 

And . . . I have been doing my handwork (crochet and knitting mostly) and would love to post some lovely photos.  Just waiting for the sun to come out again for good lighting.

Feel free to comment with any questions or suggestions about your daily practice. I'd love to hear from you.

Blessings!

Walk With Her

Hi All - did any of you happen to click on the link for the cinnamon beads in the last post?  If so, you are familiar with Rebecca.  What a woman.  What an artist!  If you haven't visited her blog, please treat yourself to an uplifting visual and viceral feast and do so.  I was moved by her latest post where she shared a bit more of her story.

Her's is a story of courage, not just creativity.  I'm in awe of people who have the courage to face the struggles they do on a daily basis, especially when I consider the "struggles" I face doing the everyday in beautiful Boulder.  Gives new meaning to the word hope.

I will act as if I do make a difference. ~ William James

Cinnamon Prayer Beads

Hi All!  It's been awhile, but I'm still here.  Been playing around with the idea of making a Mala for an upcoming 40 day meditation for Lent.  Where do these ideas come from?  Sometimes things catch my attention, and if they persist, and don't let up, I know it's time to make it happen.

This time I was captivated by the idea of making cinnamon prayer beads, and the idea just wouldn't go away.  Boy howdee I'm glad for it.  It was lovely forming these beads with the intention of stringing a mala as well. 

I hope to post a tutorial, but for now, I'm off to do the dishes.

Blessings - Melissa

Sweet Sixteen

Oy!  That last post was rather doleful, rather down (I wrote it last week but didn't have the heart to hit the publish post button).  Geeze, could I be a bigger Eeyore?  Have no fear!  I've been rescued by a rather shining spot in our lifes.  Let me introduce you to Rachel:

Our dear Rachel turned sweet 16 last week, and although that saying fits her to a "T," right now this is not what impresses me most about her.  THIS week I had the great good fortune to see her compete in a High School swim meet.  My daughter is not the most competitive of sorts, neither is her brother, neither am I.  So getting her involved in competitive, organized sports has not been easy. Why do it?  I've learned the hard way that everybody needs their niche, their "clan" so to speak.

Let me tell you, what I witnessed floored me.  We had just gotten there when the 50 free heat was starting.  Brad pointed out a swimmer and said, "Is that Rachel?"  We both were taken off guard.  I said, "I don't think so, that girl is a machine.  Look at her chugging through that water."  I'm used to seeing Rachel swim beautifully, gracefully.  This girl was moving as if her life depended on it.  I mean, this girl didn't even come up for air the entire second half length of the pool.

That's when it hit me.  That is Rachey, and look at her go!  Look at her move!  Look at that POWER.  Look at that STRENGTH.  That was the gift.  Witnessing her harness her own power, her own strength.  What a beautiful lesson.  I hope she takes this with her throughout her life, that through her own discipline and committment she could excell.  Through her own diligence she will propel herself through life like she did through that water, as if it were air, as if it were nothing.

I couldn't be more proud of my sweet, thoughtful, caring, STRONG and POWERFUL daughter.  I love you dearly Rachel!  If you read this Rachel, did you know that you inspire me??

Lazy Days

Ok, I admit it.  I'm moving at a snail's pace these days.  My mojo seems to have taken a hiatus.  I guess it's just the season, and that is all there is to it for me.  I try and justify my lethargy by remaining faithful to my handwork.  It seems my knitting is my only salvation for my discipline, or lack thereof.  Yes, I'm getting the dogs out, doing laundry/dishes, preparing meals, showing up for work, but really there is not a lot of "joie de vivre" in much of it.  It's more like I'm on cruise control, a very S L O W cruise indeed.

HOWEVER, here is a peek at two of the knitted pieces that have come from my mid-winter slumber:

Saphire Wavy Feathers Cap

Click here for pattern!

Entwined Cowl

I would direct you to my Ravelry Page for more details, but alas, I have yet to post these.

Sigh . . .

Having myself a moment on this snowy day.  It seems a bit of a tease after two days in the upper 50's nearing 60's, but I'm grateful for the moisture and happy for all those skiiers out there who have been bemoaning the lack of it.  Today I get to prepare for my daughter's 16th birthday.  Although she has had a room make over (per her request) she has informed me that I can still get her a present.  Got to love that girl.  Really, I mean who doesn't love to start their birthday with a few wrapped goodies?

Rachel's Room Before

Rachel's Room After

But before I head off in search of that perfect something, I get to sit at my messy desk (much more comfortable for me than overly tidy), sip some jasmine tea gifted me by a friend, and stare out the window.

Stolen moments, some of the best kind.

Good Morning!

Is it true what they say, "Red Sky at morning Sailors take warning?"  Or "Red Skies at night, Sailors delight?"  Either way, wouldn't it be nice if they cancelled each other out?  I mean, why the fuss?  Does there need to be delight only to be brought down by dire circumstances and vice versa?  Why not be happy with plain vanilla?

I guess the New Year has me thinking, of course.  So many people so full of good intentions.  I'm not saying that I don't have any.  I guess I just want to stay the course.  Nothing dramatic.  One could say, the middle path, or that Goldilocks "just right" kind of place.  We have had a nice year, 2011.  Pleasant.  A few bumps here and there, but really I'm so grateful to say that we've been able to aright ourselves and stay the course.

I know so many people that had dramatic years.  Big changes, big surprises.  After being there to witness their journeys, I guess I'm asking to get my knocks in small, manageable, bit-size pieces.  I'm good with that.  Little challenges that encourage me to grow, without getting the wind knocked out of me.

Is it too much to ask  for?

Saphires and Diamonds

Ha ha, did that title capture your attention?  Well, I hope so.  It sure has mine.  These days have been as precious as jewels.  The colors!  So beautiful.  We've been getting treated to some beautiful sunrises and sunsets:

So much inspiration. 

I've been wanting to get some new yarn to take the Wavy Feathers Cap out for a spin again, success!



Left Cascade Kid Seta Shade 31, Right Karabella Gossamer Color 6302

 AND I've been wanting to stitch a new dish towel using Emily's festive little houses:

So I'm a happy camper.  After bopping around the house at night without a gripping book or something tempting to watch, I now have pleny of projects to hold me through the New Year.

What's got your attention these days?

The Greatest Gift

Bump Feeling Festive

Nan and Her Prayer Shawl

Need I say more?  This year we were blessed by the arrival of my parents for our holiday.  We enjoyed a lot of laughs, shopping, meals in and out, and even family games (Rachel trumped us all!).  I'm grateful for all the wonderful gifts we shared (and I do like presents!), but perhaps the greatest gift of all was the ability to enjoy each moment, and not get sucked away by some old pattern, habit, reaction that would take away from the present moment, for that is the greatest gift.  Time with grandparents is a commodity, and I thank all my sisters for sharing them with us this year. 

We really did embrace this past week of Advent, and here is the blessing for any of you who were wondering:

The fourth light of Advent, it is the light of Man

the light of joy, the light of thought

to grow and understand

I hope you all enjoy the little things this season and the year to come.  You never know.  One day you may discover that those little things are the big things.

Blessings, Melissa

Making Waves

Just in time for the holidays!  Here's a quick peek at the wavy feathers cap I completed for a friend:

The yarn was oh so lovely to work with.  Yes, it was a bit fiddly given it was finger weight yarn, and BLACK, which made for close work.  I hadn't ever worked with Yak yarn before, and given the price, may never again.  It was so light but strong.  I love the dissonance of that.  It worked up well into a lightweight, yet warm cap (as promised by the pattern).  Click here if you want to make one as well!

Giving thanks for those animals and the yarn they provide, and thinking it's time to do some yarn shopping.  I feel a need.

The Third Light of Advent

Just in case you were curious how our Advent season is progressing, yesterday we lit our third candle.  This week is the week of Animals.

The third light of Advent it is the light of Beasts.

The light of Hope that we may see

in the greatest and the least.

A Bouquet of Chickens

No thing is too small or obscure to be revered.  I hope you take time this week to feel gratitude for our animal brothers and sisters and all they share with us: food, shoes, bedding, clothing, COMPANIONSHIP, insight, humor, and much wonder.

The miracle is not to walk on water but on the earth. -Thich Nhat Hanh

Another outstanding opportunity to embrace the incredible beauty that surrounds me.  Was it scheduled?  Was it on my to-do list?  Or was it a matter of seizing the moment?  I bet you can guess which one.

Rachel and I share many early morning drives to get her to the school bus.  I think by now she is used to me "ooh-ing" and "ah-ing" at the sunrise and its relfection on the hills that surround us.  At this point she is a willing accomplice in my wanting to capture the moment.  She oh so cleverly grabbed the camera and got these shots:

And I wonder, did anyone else see what I saw?  Amidst the early morning commute where they able to shut off the hurry and relish the present moment?

I thought about cropping out the cars and highway, but somehow I like this image.  Amidst the speed is a quiet beauty that beckons.

And I listened, and was granted an incredible 15 minutes of eternity. 

And of course, I had company:

Being the second week of Advent, the week of the light of plants, it was more than appropriate to enjoy nature decked out in her crystal finery:

So many blessings to be found in the quiet whispering of the season.  Can you hear it?

There's No Business

Like snow business!  This week the Arctic Blast moved in and we've been getting intermittent snow for several days.  Although the temptation was great to stay tucked inside, sometimes a body just has to get out!

Surprisingly, the pups and I arrived at our usual trail to find we had it all to ourselves, First Tracks!  They were more than delighted to rip about in the fresh snow:

And snuffle, and burry their heads for hidden treasure:

I just love watching Lucy's ears flop about when she runs:

Our only company was the water fowl:

I guess ducks don't read:



 

Our favorite bramble patch:



A great place to play hide and seek:

 

And that's all the news from around here.  Living simply, and simply living. 

Hope you all are cozy!