off to Rhode Island . . .

I made this doll awhile back . . . and she was purchased yesterday through my ETSY shop.  I had actually  let my listings expire . . . but someone contacted me regarding this little blonde voodoo doll.

I was a little surprised since my shop hadn't been active in awhile . . . but excited because I love when I get to ship my dolls off to a new home.  

Now I just need to take the time to make some new dolls . . . maybe this sale was just what I needed to get myself going in that direction . . . because I am now feeling very inspired to create dolls.  I am thinking about a new line of  "little old lady" dolls . . . more on that later. 

* * * 

Ghislaine

Ghislaine is a very clever little voodoo doll

and made with hopefully enough magic that she brings a smile to your face. 

She is nearly always happy, somewhat sarcastic, and also very determined. 

When given a job to do . . . she doesn’t quit until it is finished.  Loyal to the end . . . Ghislaine will do whatever she has to do to help the people she cares about. 
 Keep this little doll around to 
remind you that life is too short to let anything or anyone bother you . . .

not a post about onesies . . .

This was supposed to be a post with pictures of cute onesies that I appliqued for my new granddaughter Avery . . . with matching hair bands, but I actually forgot to take pictures of them.  How do I forgot to take pictures of anything????  I am still trying to figure that one out.  Plus I didn't even realize that I hadn't taken pictures of them for a couple of days.  What is with me?  I am pretty sure I must have been thinking only about giving them to her . . . and more importantly - just excited to go see her.  So maybe I will get pictures of them later . . . if not - they turned out really cute and I am hoping to make some more.  So instead . . . you get pictures of my Turmeric Tea . . .  or Turmeric Milk may be a more accurate description.  I have made something similar before, but I really like this recipe and having been drinking it consistently.  Turmeric is supposed to help with inflammation as well as having other health benefits.  How much it helps??? - but it is worth a try.

Plus this is just fun to make every night.  

Richard commented that I was mixing up some witches brew . . . maybe it was the moon and star spoon that gave him that idea.  (The spoon belonged to my grandma . . . and I love using it.) 

 He did agree though that this tastes pretty good.  

You start out by making a turmeric paste . . . that keeps in the refrigerator up to two weeks.

Someone else commented while looking in my refrigerator . . . that it does look like something else.  But we won't go there . . . . because who would keep a jar of that in their refrigerator?  :)

Paste Recipe

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup turmeric

Simmer on low 7-10 minutes.

Store in glass container in refrigerator.  Will keep up to two weeks.

Turmeric Mild Recipe:

2 cups coconut milk

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. - 1 Tbsp. turmeric paste

1 tsp. chopped fresh ginger

4-6 peppercorns

1 pinch stevia

Whisk ingredients together in sauce pan over low heat.

Simmer for 10 minutes - stirring occasionally.

Strain.  Top with cinnamon.

The coconut milk tends to make this a little thick.  I have found that I like it better if I use a little less coconut milk and add a little water.  (1 1/2 cup coconut milk and 1/2 cup water)

Watch out spilling this stuff . . . it turns everything yellow and I would advise using glass bowls not plastic ones . . . just so they don't stain.  

No onesie pictures . . . but here is one of our new baby girl.

She is already a month old. 

Dream big little girl . . .  

today . . .

Our temperatures have been a little warm, but the weather has changed enough,
 especially the last couple of days, to feel and enjoy the change of seasons.
 I think I need that change - or rather I change right along with the seasons . . . and I need that.

It changes my routine and my way of looking at things.  I seem to slow down and find joy in things a little easier this time of year.  I read more.  I enjoy cooking and baking,  I pull on an old, cozy sweater that has been softened by years of wear and drink my coffee outside because the day feels beautiful and glorious and I don't want to miss a minute of it.  I love to just be home.  We light fires in the back yard.  We go for rides in the country . . . and sometimes we just wander.  I love this time of year!

"Summer ends, and Autumn comes
 he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night; 
and thus he would never know the rhythms 
that are at the heart of life. 
~Hal Borland

Asilomar Beach . . .

early morning . . .

I have way to much on my mind lately. 

It has helped to get up early and enjoy the quiet of early morning. 

Sometimes I wish that time of day could last just a little bit longer.  

be true to yourself . . .

 Charlotte's drawing . . . .

spring magic . . .

"People from a planet without flowers 

would think we must be mad with joy 

the whole time to have such things about us."  

~ Iris Murdoch, A Fairly Honourable Defeat

"It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.

And when you've got it, you want . . . 

oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want,

but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

~ Mark Twain

Do I ever have spring fever!  I try to get a few miles walking and running in during my lunch break . . . and today I just wanted to keep going.

  I probably posted the same thing last year

 . . . but Spring never fails to work it's magic.  

Oh, I do believe in magic . . . and I do believe there must be a fairy of some sort in this last picture - sitting in that tree soaking up the sunshine.  

At least I like to think there is . . . life is just way more fun when you believe in MAGIC!

good things this weekend . . .

I usually try to jot down in my journal good things that happen each day.  

It helps me see the positive and to find joy in every day . . . something that is very important to me.

  I thought I would bring a little of that here once in awhile.

GOOD THINGS THIS WEEKEND . . . 

1. PINK donuts . . . (a special treat from grandpa)

2. A ride in the country . . . and wildflowers as far as we could see

3. Stopping by to see Jake and Kasey (Charlotte found her "secret garden")

4. Everyone coming over to watch The Walking Dead

5. Lunch, cribbage, and laughs with Richard Allen

6. Calling Roger to wish him a happy birthday.

7. PEACE & LOVE rocks from Brent, Ashley, and the boys

8. Sitting in the back yard while the wind blew the blossoms off the trees . . . Charlotte thought it was snowing.

9. Getting up early . . . I love early morning quiet with my coffee

10. Painting in my journal.

Take the time to write down at least 10 good thing about each day.

Even on a bad day . . . . especially on a bad day!

a colorful weekend . . .

paper paper cranes . . . .

"Make visible what, without you, 

might perhaps never have been seen."

~ Robert Bresson

 I cleaned out the storeroom yesterday 

and found a little creative inspiration on the shelves . . .