It's Gardening Week...Let's Plant Butterfly and Bee Baskets!!!!

Happy Monday from the Toadstool!!!  The weather has made a remarkable recovery up here in the woods.  It's time to get outside and do some planting!  We wanted to plant some baskets this year that were full of bee and butterfly friendly flowers and plants.  This morning, before heading out to the greenhouses, we did some research on what kinds of plants we'd need.  I found THIS link very helpful for determining some of the butterfly friendly plants.  Here is a short list: 

for butterflies...zinnia, sage, marjoram, violets, asters, verbena, dainthus, pincushion

and for the bees...asters, sage, basil, lavendar, rosemary, zinnia, calendula, verbena, gaillardia

*this is just a short list...and these were some of the plants I knew would be easy to find in our local greenhouses.

here are some of the butterfly friendly plants that we got...zinnia's, sage, dianthus, violets

and for the bees...verbena, rosemary and lavendar...

Ruby is putting soil in our baskets...we just used potting soil...

and here she is planting one of our butterfly friendly hanging baskets...

this is one of the butterfly friendly baskets...all done!

This was a wonderful project to do with Ruby...she helped with the research and came with me to pick out the plants...it's a tremendous way to teach about the importance of butterflies and bees as well., (our bee friendly basket is at the top of the post)!

We also had an inpromptu visit from our lovely friend Megan, (and her son Oscar)...she was on her way to the city when her vehicle started to "smoke"...so, on her way back to her homestead, she stopped by...and how honoured were we to have her come by, not only because we adore her, but because it was her BIRTHDAY!!!!  Dinner and cake were in order, and of course we sent her off with a butterfly basket of her own!!!  Happy Birthday dear kindred soul...we love you Megan!!!! (and Oscar too)

Happy Gardening Everyone!!!!!

Come back every day this week, for some delightful garden projects and inspiration!!!!

Maureen

The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. 

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

by
Oriah Mountain Dreamer

This poem found me when I craved truth and inspiration. It spoke to me on my continual journey of ever changing, self transformation ~ inviting me to open the door wider to life ~ to welcome intimacy, honesty, and peace with myself, others, and the world around me. Reminding me to embrace the varities of human experience, from desire and commitment to sorrow and betrayal, and to open myself to all that is possible, fully discovering the beauty life has to offer. May you find yourself inspired too...

standing in the center of the fire
~ Shanti ~  

Image of the week...

We long for the cows to come back in the spring...last week they came, around the stone fence to enjoy the pasture that lies to one side of our house.  Today, in honour of the cow, a poem...

The Cow

The friendly cow, all red and white,

I love with all my heart;

She gives me cream with all her might,

To eat with apple tart.

She wanders lowing here and there,

And yet she cannot stray,

All in the pleasant open air,

The pleasant light of day;

And blown by all the winds that pass

And wet with all the showers,

She walks among the meadow grass

And eats the meadow flowers.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you!!!

Maureen

Our garland making afternoon...

Our beautiful friend at Wabi-Sabi Wanderings was brave enough to invite us all over to her house, with all of our kids, for a garland making afternoon!!!  A few posts back I wrote a little tutorial on how to make your own paper beads, and this is why...a paper bead garland!!!  Well, you need a few more things, pompoms, mini mirrors, beads of all sorts, fishing twine and glue...oh, the results are breathtaking!!!  I must mention here that this is not my idea...this was the sheer creative genius of our wonderful Wabi Sabi friend!!!

Get a length of fishing twine and start loading it on...did you know that the fishing twine goes right through the pom poms...no needles are necessary, (all of us moms were amazed by this today)!  Put on beads, paper beads, glue the mirrors together, slide on a pom pom or two...totally fun...no rules required!!!  And here is the stunning result...a heap of garland!!!

This afternoon was one of those times when my life felt full, and completely blessed...to have our kids running around the yard playing, laughing, screaming with JOY...the babies in the house, exploring, cuddling and being delightful, and these wonderful women, (both of whom have lovely blogs you should check out...Wabi-Sabi Wanderings and The Knitty Gritty Homestead)...oh, how completely honoured I feel to know them...they challenge me creatively, have given me a shoulder to cry on, (on more than one occasion), and just add a wonderful amount of sparkle to my life!  Thank you girls!!!  Below is a picture of the crafty crew...

This is all of us with our kids outside!!!

My co-blogger Shanti and I, being goofy!!! (I'm on the left)

The view at the Wabi Sabi homestead!!!

Have a happy, crafty fun filled weekend!!!

with love

Maureen

Mama's Journey

I recently returned home from a trip to the west coast. It left me filled  with plenty to ponder and fresh appreciation for the gifts that grace my life. It was a strange to be away from my girls, separate from my daily tasks that often find a way to define me. In this freedom I found myself untethered. As the week grew I became witness to new pieces peeking out of me. Some pieces felt like an old friend embracing me, gently reminding me of places within I'd forgotten ~ some pieces carried a new fiery strength ~ some pieces brought a  new freedom, allowing me to break out and express with fervour. It was a journey, that as a mother I will treasure. I am grateful for remembering the importance of taking time away from the routines of life, to search out the inner places that often lie hidden, places that  crave  attention and yearn for expression.  I will carry the renewed  knowledge that my family can not only exist without me but will also  remember the experience of returning home to two grinning girls that had stories upon stories about all the adventures they had had in my absence. I  welcome the new commitment of taking myself out of the family equation, occasionally ~ just long enough to offer nourishment to the places that feed my ability to stay connected to myself on this amazing journey as a mother.

Here are some  highlights of the beauty that fueled my journey...

   Beautiful times in the lush spaces of Stanley Park

Sunset at the ocean with my mother

    Play and lots of laughter with my sisters

 I welcome the infinite lessons as a woman and as a mother and I bow to mothers everywhere for the continual gifts of love, sacrifice, creativity, dedication and tenderness that they offer in their lives!

Namaste

~ Shanti~

Wool felt toadstool tutorial!!!

Firstly...be forewarned that making these mushrooms is totally and completely addictive, I've made three of them since Sunday, and each one takes about 2 hours to complete...it has overtaken my craft time, I haven't knit a stitch, but oh...aren't they delightful!!!!

Get out your...

wool felt...yes...I am a bit of a purist when it comes to felt...use wool felt!!!  In whatever colour you love best...purple mushrooms???  orange???  green???? or the traditional red and white!!

sewing scissors

thread, (I just used white sewing thread)

needle

stuffing

The dimensions above are for a slightly bigger mushroom...just bring the size down if you want smaller, medium, or bring it up if you want a deluxe super large mushroom!!!  For the spots on top of the mushroom, just wing it...cut out smaller circles in a variety of sizes.  So here we go! 

Cut out the pieces you will need.  Begin by sewing on the smallish circles to the top of your toadstool.  I like using a blanket stitch to do all of the sewing, as it tends to come out looking more professional and neat!  After you sew the circles onto the top, start sewing on the bottom, white piece.  Leave a gap so you will be able to stuff it...

Now stuff the cap...get it pretty full, and finish sewing it up.

Now get the stem...the rectangular piece, fold it together and sew up the seam on the side...sew it all the way up.

Now connect the stem to the "cap" of the mushroom...it is a bit tricky, but you can do it!!!

(again I use a blanket stitch to do this)

Stuff your stem half - three quarters full of stuffing, and then use split peas, lentils or rice for the last bit...this is what will help your mushroom to stand upright!  Sew on the bottom piece...AND...

There you have it...a mushroom all of your own!!!!  Happy mushroom making!!!!!

Maureen

Oodles of Paper Beads...

My lovely friend from Wabi-Sabi-Wanderings has me making paper beads by the bucketful.  Alright...to be honest, after 1.5 hours of work last night, and a half hour today I have a small plate full.  The plan is we're going to use them to make beautiful paper garlands this Friday, (and I'm thrilled, because Ruby's turning 7 on June 3rd, and we're having a rainbow party, and what better to decorate with than beautiful paper bead garlands!!)  Since I am in full paper bead making mode, I thought I would share with you how to make your own beautiful paper beads!  Oh, and go to Wabi-Sabi and check out the garland...trust me, you will want to make one of your own!!!!

You will need:

beautiful pieces of paper...think pages from magazines, gift wrap, scrap book paper, even newspaper

glue...I used a glue stick

bamboo skewers

modge podge, (optional)

scissors

First cut your paper into triangles...I did mine about 7 inches long.  You can vary the width...smaller if you want to make jewellery, bigger if you want to make garland, necklaces, etc...

Put a line of glue down your triangle...get your skewer and starting from the wide point of your triangle, roll it onto the skewer.  Put a dab more glue on the tip and VOILA!!!  A paper bead!!  (my camera just wouldn't take a good picture of a single paper bead, so refer to the top of the post to see the glorious paper beads)!!

If you want to make them a bit sturdier, this is when you would coat them with modge podge...but, it's totally optional.  Have fun!!!

And just because this was so darn cute...while I was making beads at the kitchen table I noticed the girls across the room doing this!!!  Oh my goodness...how I adore these little people in my life!!

Happy bead making!!

In craftiness

Maureen

Felt toadstools...and other delights!

For Mothers Day, in the hours I had in between work shifts, (I work overnights and day shifts on the weekend), all I wanted was some uninterrupted craft time, tea and the television hooked back up so I could watch a weeks worth of Coronation Street.  Since I'm a true multi-tasker, I took this as my time to sew.  Recently I saw a lovely pattern for felt toadstools, and deciding that I HAD to have them, (I mean, who doesn't need felt toadstools?), I got out the felt and in between sips of tea, and British melodrama,  enjoyed a morning of stitching!

Here are my toadstools, along with a bunny that I finished on a long car drive last week!

I will post a toadstool tutorial later on this week!  They are so fun to make...I foresee a rainbow of toadstools in our near future.

Of course Ruby wanted to get in on the sewing fun...here she is sewing a mouse for herself...

She hasn't shown much interest in sewing, so I was elated that she wanted to make something for herself...oh, and I love the out of whack stitches, makes it totally endearing!!!

And today...oh glorious day.  The snow has stopped and the sun is shining bright!  That means I can get back outside and plant these lovely perrenials I was gifted with yesterday, (I helped to divide a garden that was "bursting" with perrenials)!!!!  Oh JOY!!!!

Happy Day!

love Maureen

Image of the week...and a poem...

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care

We have no time to stand and stare.

-W.H. Davies

Mosaic Bird Bath for the Garden.

I was trying to come up with an inexpensive, yet beautiful gift for Mothers Day.  My mother loves her garden.  On any given day I will see her out there surveying her flowers, moving, dividing, adding, amending.  I can recall many a trip out to the woods and ditches as a child, to dig up interesting ferns and flowers...it is a passion that she passed onto me, (and for that I am so thankful)!  So...what to make???  Enter the mosaic bird bath!
 

Here's how you can make one of your own, for your garden, or as a gift
YOU WILL NEED:

a terra cotta saucer, (the bigger the better)

a large terra cotta pot to put the saucer on

stained glass remnants, glass pebbles, tile bits, broken ceramic bits

(whatever you have on hand)...I happened to have a bit of stained glass remnants left over for a project that I did in my bathroom, so we used those.

tile nippers, (optional)

hammer to break pieces of tile

Ceramic tile adhesive, (I strongly recommend getting pre mixed stuff)

Grout, (also, I recommend pre mixed)

a couple of small trowels...plastic works well, as it's a bit flexible
paint and varnish, (tole paints are fine)

If you are using tiles, start by breaking up your tile into workable pieces...I usually use a hammer and stick the tiles inside a pillowcase.  Work out all the weeks frustration on your tile...hammer hammer hammer away.  If you need pieces that are a certain size, you can also use tile nippers...be forewarned though and wear safety glasses when doing this...you do not want a smallish bit of tile stuck in your eye.  Our stained glass remnants were already broken up, so to begin we laid out our design.  Ruby did some flowers in the grass against the backdrop of the sky.  I did a bird sitting on a tree! 

Then we removed our tiles and I spread on the adhesive, covering the entire bottom of the saucer.  Stick your pieces back on, and try not to leave huge gaps in between the pieces.  The adhesive will need to dry for 24 hours...stick your saucer in a warm-ish place.

Wait patiently...

It is during this time that if you so desire, you can paint your pot...turn it upside down, (as your saucer is going to sit on top of the bottom of the pot...do you get what I mean?)  Paint it however you wish...alternately, you can also mosaic it...it's totally up to you!  If you are painting it, you will need to put on a coat of varnish.  I usually just use a waterproof craft grade varnish...there is also spray varnish.

After 24 hours has passed get out the grout.  It is wise to wear gloves when you are grouting...it isn't the nicest stuff to get on your hands, and it really dries out your skin.  If you are using pre mixed then just load up your flexible trowel and start grouting...spread it evenly in all the cracks between your tile or glass bits...when you have that done, go and get a cup of tea...you will need to wait a half hour...

  Then get a sponge and some water.  Start wiping the surface of your piece, the goal here is to get as much of the grout off of your tile/glass/whathaveyou as possible.  Don't worry if you can still see a bit of it, just get off whatever you can.  Then, you will wait again for a bit, (At least a few hours).

Get a rag and polish the piece...you may have to scrub some of the spots a bit, but wipe away until your glass or tile shines.

We also decided to paint the rim of our saucer at this point, (which you can see in the finished piece)...after painting, again, varnish it!

Get out that tile adhesive and spread thickly all over the bottom of the pot, stick the saucer on top...again it will take about 24 hours to set!

and here is Ruby's finished birdbath!!!!

Remember the Toadstool's crafting rules...don't make it too hard...the rules aren't set in stone and HAVE FUN!!!  The one I made is going to stay here at the Toadstool, and Ruby's is going to be my mom's Mothers Day gift...however, this is a great "anytime" project, and it really isn't too hard to do!

Happy Crafting!!

Maureen

Sweet Potato Muffins with Candied Ginger

1/2 cup chopped candied ginger (I use 1/4c.)
1/4 cup butter, melted, or vegetable oil (I use oil)
1/3 cup unsulfured black strap molasses
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (I often use 1/4c. organic sugar and it works great)
1 cup mashed sweet potato
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk (I substitute plain yogurt here)
1 3/4 cups flour (I use whole spelt flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375˚. Oil or spray muffin tins. Mix the ginger and wet ingredients in a bowl until smooth; mix the dry ingredients in a second bowl. Combine the two, mixing gently until well blended. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins and bake on the middle rack until lightly browned, about 15-20 minutes.
Makes 12 muffins.

From Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison, with a few tweaks by yours truly.This is the favorite muffin in our home. These little morsels are moist, sweet, loaded with goodness and spiked with spicy . The girls simply adore them!

sweet and spicy

~Shanti~

Inspiration for mothers...

My "spirited" child, who occasionally drives me crazy!!!

Today was a day that seemed to fly by at a frantic pace.  There is a garden that is begging for weeding, planting and mushroom compost...there is a little person who is teething and when she is not busy being a scientist of the world around her, she is crying copious, painful little tears, (and her cries have been known to sound like sirens wailing in our yard).  Then there is the slightly bigger child, who is full of energy...boundless excited 6 yr old energy, (that somedays, like today, I am too tired and slightly impatient for).   Add to this the packing of all the things we'll need for a city escape tomorrow, and I am up to my eyeballs in stress!!  Most of our days of late have been brimming with goodness, creativity, order...but, there are always "those days"...the one's that leave you feeling exhausted and guilty.  I think though, that it is in these moments that we have the most to learn.  I know for myself, when I have a bad moment as a mother, when I yell, swear,  or just can't slow down for the sake of my children, it is a lesson in self awareness...learning what my triggers are, or what I need in oder for myself to feel better, (am I getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, taking time out to be creative).  And sometimes, my behaviour can be so irrational that I just have to laugh at myself, and how absurd I must sound and look.  In times of anger I try to remember this, from the book "Buddhism for Mothers" by Sarah Napthali

"As encouragement for us to abandon the mind of anger and all angry actions the Buddha said this:

The one who offends another

after being offended by him,

harms himself and harms the other.

When you feel hurt

but do not hurt the other,

you are truly victorious.

Your practice and your victory benefit both of you.

When you understand the roots of anger in yourself

and in the other,

your mind will enjoy true peace, joy and lightness.

You become the doctor who heals himself and heals the other.

If you don't understand,

you will think not getting angry to be the act of a fool."

There is much to learn in times of anger...

 

I want to share some of the marvelous, inspiring things that keep me afloat on these not so good days...

My favourite parenting books 
Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali
Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children by Sarah Napthali
Buddha Mom by Jacqueline Kramer
What Do You Really Want for Your Children by Wayne Dyer

and my favourite sites...that offer gentle tidbits of parenting inspiration
Mama-Om
Mama Zen-cheerio road
Steady Mom

We are all perfectly and divinely human!!!  Let's continue to inspire and learn from each other...in our good times and the not so good one's too!

With lovingkindness to all mothers everywhere!!!
Maureen

Infamous Killaloe Chew Chews

 

 

Here is the basic recipe ~

• 4 cups brown rice crisp cereal  (Barbara's organic work well)
• 1 cup peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 cup brown rice syrup
• 1 cup sliced almonds

here are my enriching add ins but you can be as creative as you choose ~ dried fruit, drizzling chocolate over the bars, other chopped or ground nuts...

• a cup of hempnut, a sprinkling of chocolate chips (sometimes), half a cup of almond meal, 1/4 cup of ground flax and as much rice syrup and peanut butter to make it all stick together nicely. This is a HUGE hit in our home. These bars are packed with protein, easy to travel with, and delicious!

Whisk the peanut butter and rice syrup in a sauce pan on low heat. In a large bowl, mix rice crisps and almonds (and whatever other goodies you choose to add in). Coat mixture with rice syrup and peanut butter mixture.  press the  mixture into the pan.  cut into squares and await the devouring...

in Killaloe style

~Shanti~