Winter Photo Essay

I thought it was time to share some images of what we've been up to so far this winter. Here goes!

We've been partying with our friends.

The boys won the New Year's Eve competition, hands-down, with their hilarious skit.

We've been playing lots and lots of games: board games, video games, card games, dice games, and role-playing games.

The cats have had a bit of cabin fever.

We've been reading (individually and together), crafting, cooking, baking, and writing.

We went sledding.

We celebrated some birthdays, including ElvenTiger's.

Sure, it's been cold, so we've been on the computer a lot.

But we've also been out taking walks.

Along with, of course, the usual dinner discussions, watching movies together, chatting with friends, sleepovers, and well, life. Hope your winter is full of fun and friends and learning, too!

Darkness and Poetry

Here's a poem I wrote recently. I went back and forth on whether to post it, since it's kind of dark. I fully realize the need for balance, and the value of darkness. But there's already a whole "news and entertainment" industry set up to spread that message. Anyway, I decided to share the poem after all, since my Word of the Year is "create," and creativity can be inspired by a wide range of emotions and experiences.

To the Angel

Being human is not for me.
Is it too late to reconsider
This experiment in
Blood & flesh & bone,
Tears & fears & sorrows?
Yes, I know it is,
For me, caught in these
Everyday dramas,
Cautious creations,
Resplendent yearnings.
At night I dream myself home,
Back in the realm of
Light & joy & brilliance,
Where the mysteries
Are familiar,
The love is felt, always,
And I am not so
Desperately alone.

2011 Vision Board

Cake of the Month: January, part 2

The second Cake of the Month for January, ElvenTiger’s birthday cake, was quite a success! I created my own recipe, after doing a bunch of research online and in cookbooks. My Mom, BlackLion, and ElvenTiger all helped out in various ways (and thanks to Jen-Mom for two of the pictures, below!). The recipe is called Caramel-Chocolate Layer Cake. Not a very clever title, but it describes it well. And it was delicious!

The cake itself was very tasty, although I found it a bit too dry. I’m going to increase the amount of liquid and try it again. The Caramel Filling, which went inside, was amazing, though my recipe made too much. We ended up making the leftovers into a drizzle for the top of the cake by adding melted chocolate. We still have some drizzle left in a jar in the fridge, designated as an ice cream topping. The Caramel Frosting came out perfect – it has the Caramel Filling as one of the ingredients. I hope to improve my cake decorating skills over the course of this project, but I thought it looked funky and cute with the candles, and ElvenTiger loved it.

The leftover Caramel Frosting topped some brownies I made for a friend’s birthday party the following night. They were well received, particularly by the female party guests, although BlackLion thought they were a bit too intense. Hee hee!

By the way, this cake is by no means low-calorie or vegan! It has eggs from a friend’s farm, real butter, cream, and plenty of sugar. If you’re watching how much of those things you eat, don’t worry – some of my future cakes won’t be quite so rich and decadent. I can also make some rather tasty health-conscious creations.

I’m still tweaking the recipe, but if you’d like a copy, contact me and I’ll send you one when it’s ready. You can reach me by leaving a comment here on the blog, through Facebook, or via the Contact page at http://www.felinedreamers.com.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

"The appreciation that Source feels for you, never-endingly, will wrap you in a warm blanket of worthiness if you will allow it." - Abraham through Esther Hicks

Riding the Waves

A dear friend of mine recently posted this quote on her Facebook status: "It's okay to not be okay." - Robin Benwa. On the day I read it, it was something I really needed to hear. Since the Winter Solstice, I've been noticing lots of ups and downs in my day-to-day emotions and stress levels. Other people have mentioned feeling intense energies recently, too, and it may have to do with the astrological tides or other phenomena.

On a personal level, I think I'm still recovering from the holidays and all the social events, and all the hard work I put into getting ready for the festivities. I'm an introvert, so even though I very much enjoy parties and gatherings, I need down time to recharge afterward.

The thing is, I'd felt so positive and strong during the dark time of the year, when I was focused inward, that for some reason my recent lulls felt like a problem I needed to fix. We humans often do that - if we don't feel happy and positive, we start to feel like something is wrong with us. We think we need to take action, to make immediate changes, to "get better."

Actually, our emotions are there to guide us, but perhaps not in the way we might first assume. Rather than rushing around trying to comfort ourselves, or making sudden, not especially well-thought-out changes, what if we just abide where we are? We can just sit and feel the feelings, and notice what associated thoughts they bring up. Rather than judging the feelings as "not okay," what if we just let them happen, riding the waves of our emotions? What if we just have a good cry when we feel like it?

I find that when I stop and listen, and take some time to meditate, the unpleasant storm of emotions begins to still. My feelings are released, rather than stored or blocked. If I let them go, it's easier to move forward. My usual state of optimism naturally re-emerges. Then I have the space to come up with inspired actions, from a centered state of being.

Cake of the Month: January, part 1

My original plan for January's Cake of the Month was to make ElvenTiger a special cake for her 12th birthday. She requested a layer cake with chocolate and caramel, and I've started doing some research. For the most part, I plan to create my own cake recipes, so I can share them on the blog and perhaps write a cookbook at some point.

In the meantime, a friend had decided to organize a surprise baby shower for the lovely founder and hostess of our local Red Temple group. So, when we started planning the details, it seemed obvious that I would make her a special cake! Our founder, you see, has been a big fan and supporter of all my creative efforts, which I really appreciate. And she also expressed a strong interest in helping out with the cake project...by tasting the results, of course! Plus, she's just an all-around wonderful person and caring friend. So here is the very first Cake of the Month, pumpkin chocolate-chip cake with vanilla frosting!

Unfortunately, I can't share the recipe for this one. I co-wrote it, and I'm under a legal agreement with the co-authors of the cookbook it will appear in, so I can't publish this recipe. However, stay tuned, because January will have two cakes! I'm going to create the recipe for ElvenTiger's birthday cake, and I'll share it with you later in the month. Bon appetit!

Tarot Tracking 2010

“Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice.” – E. M. Forster

I'm definitely a chronicler of life, as posts like this one prove, but I've also delved into practice. In this case, a daily spiritual practice which includes a three-card daily Tarot reading. I note the day's cards and events, keeping track of how many of each card I draw over time. At the end of the calendar year, I like to return to the cards I drew most often to evaluate what they meant for me that year.

Here are my most significant cards for 2010:

1. The Hermit: solitude, inner exploration, shining my light in the darkness, introspection, seeking, a time to observe but keep silent, spiritual advancement

2. Knave of wands: (knaves are catalysts, taking risks, the need for study) adventurous, seeking new directions for self-growth, uninhibited

3. 10 of cups: (tens relate to completion, satisfaction, and responsibility) the blessings of family and community, joy, optimism, thankfulness

4. 5 of swords: (fives are about struggle, confusion, and change) being challenged, seeking answers to questions, mental angst

5. 4 of pentacles: (fours describe stability, order, a desire for security, and inward focus) establishing order, material concerns, home and hearth

6. 6 of pentacles: (sixes are about sharing, generosity, and expression) exchange of energy, giving and receiving, sharing resources

7. King of pentacles:(kings are concerned with mastery, authority, power, and being limited by one's own rules) established roles, being practical, concern with security and quality, being slow to change, material well-being

Compared with last year's cards, there is still quite a strong earth influence here, but there are also changes and new self-understanding. Money issues were still a big focus this year, yet the ways I've dealt with the stresses surrounding them have been evolving. I'm thankful for all the help I've received. I feel like 2010 was spent establishing the foundation for success in that arena.

Self-exploration and contemplation were a huge part this cycle. After a major conflict with a friend during the first part of the year, I began questioning who I am and how I relate to others and the world in general. The loss of the friendship sparked a lot of mental angst, but the questions raised were of great value. I took time to delve into these questions in a positive and thorough way, observing and learning more about myself. I was also able to turn that light back out, sharing some of my findings through writing and teaching.

I continue to be blessed with amazing family, friends, and community. My gratitude for these blessings overflows. My natural optimism is buoyed by my loved ones and their support and love. My home is my sanctuary, and being able to share it with my favorite people has been a joy this year. In these ways, I am wealthy beyond measure.

This year has found me ready and willing to take on the adventure of being more fully myself. I've discovered that there are those who love me unconditionally, just as I am. And I've also found that trying to please those who don't is a worthless pursuit. I've always been introspective, yet the second part of being The Hermit is key - to share my discoveries, to turn the light outward and shine it freely. No, not everyone will be interested, but there will be those who are, and I can help uplift them. As we share our wisdom with each other, we all benefit.

In 2011, I'm ready to create an even more exciting and powerful life. As I follow my callings, walk the path of the spirit, and honor my creativity, I can't help but succeed!

Goals for 2011

I've been musing on my goals for 2011, and a few weeks ago I came up with my Word of the Year, which is CREATE. This word will be my touchstone for the year - all of my other goals are steeped in it. Today I sat down with my notes for various things I want to create, but I wasn't sure how to put it all together. Based on BlackLion's creative suggestion, I'm going to organize them into categories based on the five elements, which I find very appropriate given the focus I had in 2010. I've been doing a lot of in-depth study of the elements and the points of the pentacle, and this way of grouping my goals feels right. Some of them could probably fit in more than one element, but these are the associations that worked best given my intentions. So, here they are:

Air: I write and publish books and articles. I explore paper arts and crafts, such as collage, origami, and scrapbooking. My Cake of the Month project involves creating or finding a recipe, baking and decorating a fancy cake, and posting the results on my blog (with pictures) each month.

Fire: I am increasing my self-confidence and power-from-within, thus creating myself anew. I agree to participate in events and projects only if they feel like a passionate "yes!" to me. I discover and take the next steps of self-exploration and activism based on my work with the Iron Pentacle.

Water: I cultivate positive relationships with my favorite people and make new friends who I enjoy spending time with. I remember and record my dreams and use the imagery for my creative and spiritual projects. I use the Voyager Tarot to deepen my intuition.

Earth: I make a living by sharing my creativity with the world. I drum in sacred space and see where it takes me. I take regular walks and hikes, exploring the world around me as the seasons change. I help create a vibrant vegetable garden and share the harvest with my family and friends.

Spirit: I gather with others in circle to explore spirituality in community. I attune my body, mind, and spirit through the regular practice of yoga. I explore the non-physical planes through out-of-body travel and I have full recall of my adventures. I bring back wisdom to help me on my spiritual path.