A Saturday Song...

Hello all! Getting my act together and trying to get my blog back up and running.. No doubt it will be amazing and it will leave you wanting more... hahaha

A lovely song is always a good place to start on such a dreary morning...  

This Moment

(From Soulemama..)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

A Saturday Song...

This girl can be heard in my home pretty much all day long these past couple of weeks.. she's great!

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

A Saturday Song...

Oh boy.. my favorite Bob Marley song strikes my heart again.. let there be hope!!

(thanx Ayelet xo)

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

This Moment

From Soulemama..

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

A Saturday Song...

Yesterday, I had a wonderful day with my boys..  we did an amazing hike that was faced head on (with NO whining !!) till the end. Quiet contemplation and existential conversations made the day even more sweet.  My 2 year old showed us that indeed he can hold his own, while my oldest confirmed his belief in mother nature. To top it all off we got to have dinner with ones we love .. I'll have a lifetime of that day please. 

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

Monday Morning Yoga

Happy Spring Equinox! I feel almost relieved since this winter has seemed expecially wet and long to me. There are a few flowers on the Camilia tree out front, and snow drops in the flower beds.. but the sounds of the birds singing brings colour to my cheeks. Blessed be those little birds :)  With the recent family purchase of a Blue Orchard Mason Bee hive and twelve cocoons, my boys are filled with excitement over watching them hatch and everything that follows. So welcome spring, lets get this show on the road!!

I was thinking that since winter is cold and we tend to sit alot more than any other time of year, a great yoga pose to bring some heat and energy into our bodies would be Utkatasana (Chair Pose).  Push past the discomfort, find strength in your breath, believe in yourself and breathe..

Utkatasana

(Chair Pose)

Chair pose can be an awkward pose but it is a very powerful pose at the same time. It builds strength in the arms and legs, but also the mind. Breathing into the places that burn will help release the pain. It stimulates the abdominal organs, diaphragm and heart, and can even reduce flat feet. I find this pose challenges me to demand more of myself.

1. Stand with your feet hip width apart.

2. Raise your arms over your head keeping arms straight and shoulders down.

3. As you exhale, bend your knees and move your upper body forward at 45 degrees.

4. Bring your knees as close to parrallel to the floor as you can but remember to not let your knees go past your toes (so stick your bum out while keeping your back strainght)

5. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to a minute (try to do it 3 times with a standing rest in between) and enjoy.

Namaste

A Saturday Song...

Last night I had the most epic dream set in 1995, I thought I'd bring a bit back  :-) This one goes out to all my friends from the Pensionnat.. aye, on viellit!

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

This Moment...

From Soulemama..

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Birth...

I have not been a doula long. In three years, 10 births and many post-partum visits, I have witnessed strength, courage and incredible surrender by women and men alike. From home births, emergency ambulance rides, four day labours, unexpexcted c-sections, 11 pound babies born without drugs and to nearly having to deliver a baby myself (never had to, but have come very close.. bless the midwives:)). It's always a wild adventure. Having been through two births myself, each birth I attend brings up different emotions in me.  I worked in film and television for nearly 10 years and never once felt as important as I do in a single moment as a doula.  They say:" Love what you do" no?
 Yesterday, in the wee hours of the morning, I sat with two people I care deeply for, and witnessed them becoming parents for the second time. As I was driving home, I felt a wave of gratitude come over me. How grateful I am to be with the ones I love at such an important time in their lives. How honoured I am to be wanted and trusted at that time. Just as every birth is a blessing... every birth blesses those who get to be part of it.  I definitely feel blessed.

(foot model:  Little Oakley 2010)

Happy St-Patty's Day!

Well... a good song and a pint should do....

(please remember to make arrangements for a ride home after a wee night of celebration..)

Monday Morning Yoga

....or... Monday Night at 10 pm Yoga... at least thats the way it goes when the brand new computer dies... RIP...   Anyway, plugged in the old  'mother board could go any minute' laptop to get the weekly Yoga Pose in.

     This time of year is never without a steady stream of colds and flus it seems. Runny noses, buckets, coughs, many baths, and the soup, oh the soup. I am ever so grateful to the chickens that help us recover from late winter bugs...oh and to my dear, sweet washer and dryer... thank you.. kisses

      So, I was thinking that this is THE week to bring in Shava-asana, otherwise known as corpse pose. It is, simply put, delightful. Breathe and enjoy.

Shava-asana

(Corpse pose)

This posture can be deceivingly difficult. The goal here is to quiet the body AND mind, all the while staying present (mainly awake) :). When the thoughts come, it helps to acknowledge them and then let them go. Personally, I find this pose recalibrating and quite awesome.

1. Lay on your back with your legs slightly apart.

2. Let your feet fall to the sides so the hips can release.

3. Your arms at your side, away from your body with palms pointing up.

4. Relax your face, let the tongue fall away from the roof of your mouth and your eyes relax away from the lids.

5. I like to imagine there are three very warm stones, one in each palm and one at my third eye..it seems to work...

6. breath deeply and stay here for 5 minutes..

Namaste



A Saturday Song...

My thoughts and deepest of love to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan... here is a song for all of you...

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

This Moment...

From Soulemama..

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

*** *** ***

 

 

Monday Morning Yoga

Here you are again Monday morning...  and sooo early this morning was i awoken, that I got to see your sunrise...through tired eyes, still a wonder of beauty.  So, for this week I thought perhaps a pose with focus and energy to get the heart working and the mind calm. See if you can do this pose every day this week for a few minutes.. enjoy and don't forget to breathe.

             

Vriksha-asana
(tree pose)

 When Vriksha-asana is practiced on a regular basis, it cultivates concentration and helps to focus the mind. It also improves balance and coordination. Spiritually, I find it calming and grounding. Most people enjoy tree pose.. try it with your little ones..:)

1- Stand with your feet together and find an unmoving point of focus in front of you.
2- Take your right ankle into your hands and place it into the crease of your thigh... take your time to find a comfortable place here..

3- Bring your hands together and when you are ready and grounded raise your arms straight over your head keeping your arms by your ears.

4- Hold this pose as long as you can.. and remember, if you start to sway.. tree's sway.. stay grounded and Breathe.

5- switch legs

Namaste

A Saturday Song...

My dear friend Matthew McCully.. so much talent.

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

This Moment...

From Soulemama..

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

*** *** ***

Farmaggeddon.. say it ain't so!

I am waiting patiently for the release of this very important movie. We have reached a point (and really always have been) where we must question everything.. buy locally as much as possible.. but get off yer touchies and go visit those farms and farmer's markets. Somehow I still feel hopeful ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0imJ1SToz8&feature=autoplay&list=PLEF586DC18F725342&index=34&playnext=2

Yogamazing..

Yoga has been in my life since I was 17. When I found it, I realized that I had been missing it my whole life. It remained an important part of my life till I became pregnant with my first son. In February of that year, in my 8th month, I fell down the back stairs and fractured my back.. not horribly, but bad enough where bending was a whole new ball game.  I sort of let it go, thinking it would always be uncomfortable and difficult. Now 6 years later, and after extensive chiropractic work with my second pregnancy, I have begun a very strong practice and I am so proud of myself. I feel lighter, better, stronger, younger. Anyone out there with a back injury that feels like they will never be able to do the things they love again, I say keep your chin up and keep trying. Your mind can easily work against you. Take your power back!.. yay! 

ok, so, I thought I would try a little 'Monday Morning Yoga'. On Monday's I will post a Yoga Pose and see if you can do it every day for 5 minutes..find a quiet place (good luck moms), breathe in , breathe out, and enjoy. 

Sukhasana (Easy Pose)

The Sukhasana pose is a relaxation pose. It is commonly used for meditation.  It promotes inner calm and straightens the spine, opens the hips, and relieves tiredness.

1. Sit on the floor (I recommend to put a pillow under your bum and to sit on the very edge of it. this will help open the hips and make you more comfortable)

2. Place your hands on your knees with straight arms to help straighten the spine (palms facing up if you feel you need more energy)

3.Tilt your chin down ever so slightly to straighten the spine even further

4. Breathe deeply and enjoy your 5 minutes

Namaste

In honour of this final weaning...

It was cold, I was new, though he was warm and fed...

A deep sleep follows...
while I fall in love all over again...



Oh.. long nights ?... mornings?
...What time is it? ...What day is it?  





May I always remember the way I felt,
 in these quiet special moments..
 a blessing, a gift,
pure magic.

 

Back from the electronic grave....

Well, I am having computer, um, 'problems' lets say.  Three months ago my computer took a downward spiral and was unreconcilable. Luckily, a good friend of mine is a highly qualified computer psychiatrist and after an extensive 10 week program got it up and sometimes running again. We all have our bad days I suppose. I am not sure how much time it has left but we are choosing to stay home and enjoy what time we have left together. Meanwhile, I discovered something, i think, very valuable.. the iphone is cooler if you are not relying on it for all things internet... just sayin' (I call this a first world concern, princess..)

Regardless, I am happy to be back up and running. Since my last post, as you can imagine, many things have happened: there was a halloween party, a birthday party, pretty much all of fall, a surgery, a weaning, Yule and Christmas... phew

Basically this season was filled with family and friends.. endless sewing and knitting (I will post about this as soon as I get my pictures in order).. lots of food and a snow storm. A wonderful season indeed ...even the halloween party's apple bobbing/beer cooler inflatable grave didn't burst hence not flooding the play room...

excellent ;-)

So here be a few photographs of the past few months events..



Happy Halloween!







Sugar on snow and chocolate crepe anyone??

Happy Yule!

A little TLC for mum... a little Whistler for papa..

We're all exhausted but that's nothing a few cold months by the
 fireplace can't help. Happiest of holidays to you and the ones you love
and a happy New Year for everyone!