Life's Storms

 

Listless and tired I boil the kettle yet again and hold the steaming mug between my hands and stare outside.  The December wind protests loudly, sweeping the snow off the roof into eddies that vanish as quickly as they appeared.  It is easy to get swept along with the winds, whipped this way and that.

 I'm sensitive to getting swept away, realizing this about myself I do not own a television, or listen to the news, or engage more than I have to with negative, emotionally exhausting people.  This has taken me decades to accept about myself.  During this globally challenging season, more than ever I try to be aware and respectful of my needs and hold to my healthy habits and boundaries.

Sometimes the world is overwhelming 

 

 I look around and wonder if anyone else
feels the same way I do

 

Sometimes I just want to hide away

and close my eyes and dream instead.  
There's nothing wrong with dreaming.

Once I'm rested I can accept that
even in life's challenges there is a certain beauty to be
found and a particular wisdom
that comes with having weathered life's storms.

May you be comforted and find strength to weather any storms you may be experiencing.  

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a day of gentle strength,

Sandra

 

Jumping off the Page

Journal writing has been a part of my morning routine for decades, I love everything about it and when I miss out on it, its akin to discovering there will not be tea this morning, or that I miscalculated how much dark chocolate I thought was in the pantry.  Journaling  is part of my wellness practice.

Over the past few months I had noticed that I didn't love my handwriting as much as I had, what was going on?  So I wrote in a "stream of consciousness" style this morning, which if you are not familiar with it simply means you write without editing or forethought or a plan, you empty your thoughts quickly onto the page before your ego has a chance to try to script them. Here is an excerpt from this morning's journal practice.

Fascinating, I was wondering, I was concerned that recently my handwriting was jagged and a little disconnected.  But no, that wasn't it at all, I didn't know that  my writing, my self expression needed to be allowed to expand, to extend beyond the confines of the lines.  My words wanted to inhale and expand and exhale and to breathe more freely.  So today's stream of consciousness writing is an experiment to wonder and allow.  Where does my expressed word want to move to?  How much space on the page do I desire to fill with ink and thought? How large does my writing want to be?
When I tried to restrict the size of my writing over these past few months (read: restrict myself, my truth, my essence) it became unbalanced, jagged, nothing flowed.  I hardly recognized it and the more I felt disturbed by the unfamiliar writing showing up in my journal, the more I tried to slowly and deliberately form the letters to try to recapture the beautiful penmanship I had once loved.  The more I forced, the uglier the letters became.  It was as though my mind and my hand refused to cooperate.  
But here today I see that when I allow myself space and freedom, my writing takes on a larger, swirling, delicate dance, it is creative, it is organic and it is beautiful and new.  The ink flows freely and carries my thoughts on a divine thread onto the page.  I am fascinated and I am curious. 

I have let these thoughts simmer throughout the day.  In the same way that my inner world has recently been expanding with new ideas, studies and fresh insight I think it makes perfect sense that this would show up in my penmanship.  Where I once lived neatly between the margins on the ruled page, I am no longer satisfied with squeezing myself into those expectations and routines which feel small, worn out and confining.  I will give myself the freedom to examine what I have been reluctant to let go of and ask myself "Is it time?  What and who bring me joy?  What drains and depletes?"  I'm not suggesting all the mundane and unpleasantness of  life can be flushed, there are lessons in everything, but if I can remove the confines I place on myself around certain situations....ahhh now I can breathe, move and take up a bit more space on the page of my own life.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you be free,

Sandra

Shrinking and Expanding

Outwardly my world (and probably yours too) has shrunk, I have less freedom and limited interactions, my days are spent at home.  What could feel like the constraint of a too small itchy wool sweater, actually feels snug and comforting, like the swaddling of a baby, safe, snug and cocooned.  While the outer parameters of my life shrink, inwardly I have time to stretch, to breathe.  I have spaces in the margins of my days.  

Prayer shawl in progress

This is no small joy.  With time to meditate regularly, to pray more deeply and to improve my yoga practice, my inner world is expanding.  There is no fixed schedule, no rushing.  Our meals are all home cooked, we've made our own bread and homemade ice cream.  We expanded a small garden for vegetables and have sewn some masks for our family members.  We have story time after breakfast most days and sometimes we nap after lunch.  There is time for ourselves for sitting and thinking and there is time for one another for listening and sharing ideas.  Last night my granddaughter taught me some dance moves and I showed her how to do the Twist to Chubby Checkers' hit song.  There is time to laugh.

One day the quarantine will end, schedules will fire up and restrictions will be watered down.  My daughter and her children will return to school, I will return to work, I will finally be able to see my daughter who lives in another province, it will be a time of rejoicing.  Those on the front lines will finally have the rest and freedom that they deserve.  May I never take for granted everything they have done to keep us safe.

Eventually the quarantine will be a memory woven into the fabric of our lives.  Do I want it to be over? Absolutely, but until then I believe there are many gifts to be discovered, unwrapped and appreciated right now that would never have been possible without these current circumstances.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May your day be filled with beautiful gifts,

Sandra

I'm Home

In so many ways I think that I've always been searching for home.  As a little girl I would often imagine that my bedroom closet, which was narrow and very deep, was my home.  Behind the row of hanging dresses and blouses I created a cozy, secluded nest for myself where I could draw and dream.  One of my favourite things to draw where cross-sections of ant homes with their narrow tunnels leading to an ant kitchen, bedroom and playroom.  I could visualize how safe and secure an ant might be tucked away underground in her little refuge.

As I outgrew the limited space of my closet, my bedroom became my haven.  My mother gave me the freedom to decorate as I chose, allowing me to choose paint and wallpaper.  I went through a phase where I Mod-Podged newspaper onto all the accessories of my room and another where I painted a full wall mural of a tree and a hippie (I know, I know!!).

I loved the security of my room.  Behind the closed door.  I could relax, I could think, I could sit and listen to the crackly songs from a tiny grey transistor radio.  As a teenager I could take my inevitably cranky self away from the concerned faces of my parents and be miserable and vent onto the few lines offered in a fabric covered lockable diary.

I wonder now if I was drawn to study interior design less as creative expression and more as a longing to create a home. Forty years later I think, yes, that was always it.  I've longed for the safety, security, freedom and relaxation of being truly home.  And I've wanted to help others find it too.

A quiet corner for crochet

 I've been married, married with children, single with children, married with children and other people's children and now I live alone.  In every case I've longed to create a home, a refuge for myself and my family.  I've painted and fixed up and sewn curtains and chosen furnishings.

 But I'm realizing more and more that while I craved a refuge from the world I also craved a refuge from those I lived with.  I need a lot of solitude to offset the effects of being surrounded by others, even those I love.  A few years ago I wrote a post about work."leaving the work place".  Now I realize it was never work itself that was the issue, it was that working meant I lacked solitude, I was surrounded at work and at home, there was simply no possible way to have enough time alone. I felt trapped and not working afforded me a way to be alone while my family left for the day.

This explains, I think, my near giddiness on mornings like this one when I wake up and notice the gauzy bedroom curtains lifting and falling against the morning breeze, how the predawn lightness fills my room and turns the wooden wardrobe a honey-yellow, how even the outdated blush-pink tiles of my 1963 bathroom are absolutely beautiful and perfect.  It helps me to understand why I am moved to tears, yes, actual tears with gratitude for this house, this brick and mortar building has been my home for nearly 25 years.  But at a deeper level I'm moved to tears with gratitude for this life, this single life, a life that is beautiful and (mostly) feels balanced with a mix of working and socializing and then the sheer delight of coming home to the hushed solitude, a cool refreshing oasis from the world.  A place where I am relaxed.  A place where I can be still and know, know that God has me and that I finally have a soft place to fall in a sometimes harsh and overwhelming world.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

I hope that you too find your home,

Sandra

Maybe an afternoon nap

Sometimes a day off on a rainy Monday is a true gift.  My mood matched the weather today so once the lawn was mowed and the gardens weeded and the gentle drizzle of began,  I made a big cup of tea and tucked myself in under a quilt.  With my window open to hear the rain I settled into my self and accepted that today this was all I had to do; drink tea and nap.

Hours later with tea drunk and dreams dreamed I meandered around the gardens enjoying the vivid colours and droplets left by the showers.

Lily of the Valley

Dalia 

Do you ever find it difficult to give yourself the gift of real downtime?  I know I do, I  have a (long) list of chores and when I have a day off I want the satisfying feeling that comes from crossing off as many items as possible.  Today after my nap I woke to a sink of dirty dishes and a laundry basket still overflowing. Does that bother me? Yes, but for today that is going to have to be okay.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you give yourself permission to find a little rest this week,

Sandra

Emotional Contaminants - An Ounce of Prevention

Since in my previous post I've committed May to be my "may I ..." month, I'm going to post weekly in an effort to keep myself accountable.

The month of April was frustrating on the health front, not in any big way, just small annoyances.  But I can trace it back now to a single event.  If you think I'm off my rocker with this post, that's just fine, I'm going to share my thoughts regardless.

I met a work colleague for a coffee.  She's a lovely woman.  In the space of 90 minutes however she had told me about 15 years worth of negative things that had happened to her, her husband (a former employee of our employer) and others at the hands of our corporation.  I found during our coffee time that I wasn't even able to lean in to the conversation, I physically found myself sitting way back in my chair.

Now I know no one and no organization is perfect, but I had considered our company to be the nicest, most  responsible employer I have worked for to date.  I believed that my ideals lined up with theirs.  I am respected and treated very, very well.  Now I felt afraid.  I began thinking that I better be very careful, I better keep quiet, keep any suggestions, observations to myself.

I got home, I couldn't digest this information.  I ate a cracker, I choked on it, it got lodged in my throat.  I got it down but my throat hurt.  For a week I kept trying to peer down my throat.  I guess gaping down my throat so often (mouth ajar way more than normal, lol) I caught a bug, I got a sore throat, it turned into real laryngitis.  I had no voice. I felt anxious.  I got congested, developed a cold, it turned into a sinus infection, my eyes got infected.

Its almost comical isn't it?  Except it wasn't for me.  Not at the time. But when I traced it back to my coffee date it began to make sense.

 I am an adherent to the metaphysical belief about thoughts and energy affecting my health.  When I developed the laryngitis I looked up in my Louis Hay book, "Heal Your Body" the possible causes of laryngitis : "So mad you can't speak.  Fear of speaking up.  Resentment of authority."
Oh my goodness!!!  That was me exactly.  I was angry to hear that anyone may have been mistreated, afraid to speak up with new ideas of suggestions, and felt a fear of the authority of my employer!  Basically my body became blocked, nothing flowed, blocked voice, nose, sinuses.  I went to the clinic, and I began to heal.

Life is lovely when it flows from a place of trust

This weekend I felt really drawn to my prayer time, it was intense and wonderful and yes, there were tears (these are neither happy nor sad tears - they are just prayer-tears to me)  All the prayers and tears seemed to unblock something emotionally, spiritually and even physically (my sinuses!).  And then a funny thing happened, things flowed again.  My mood, my energy level, my thoughts.  I was able to spend time with people whom I love, fun activities presented themselves, shopping with my sister we discovered those perfect finds, even a wonderful creative opportunity arrived in my e-mail last night.

My take-away.  Be very careful what you expose yourself to.  What will I do if I find myself in that situation again?  I won't binge eat crackers!  I think I will try to find a quiet place and take some time to acknowledge what happened, to identify what about the encounter/situation upsets me, why am I feeling frightened, sad, anxious and remember that while a situation may require action it does not require me to be contaminated by other people's fears, anger.  I can throw a life preserver from the side of their cesspool, I don't have to jump in.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you have a lovely day,

Sandra

A Place of Peace and Kindness

Let's just take a couple of minutes and do something kind for ourselves.  I was in a yoga/meditation class this morning and the instructor guided us through a meditation that allows us to access that place inside of ourselves that is always peace-filled, always calm regardless of circumstances that may be whirling about us or within us.  It went something like this:

• Sit comfortably and let your breath flow naturally 
• Choose a place within your body where you can actually feel the breath on your inhale/exhale, a place where there is no tension.
• Can you discern what colour this place is?
• Can you attach an image to this place?
• Can you attach a memory to the image?
• Keeping this imagery in mind, we can return to this peaceful place in our body when we feel stressed, it will act as a way to anchor or root ourselves to keep balanced in life's storms.

We can handle life's unpleasantness more effectively and with grace when we know how to decompress and relax.

Find a quiet place of solitude

❤

 I've mentioned in previous posts the importance of treating ourselves with love and kindness, I think it bears repeating.  The relationship I have with myself is the most important one I will ever have.  Looking after my mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellness allows me to be the very best version of myself.  The challenge is that it is important but doesn't always feel urgent. I get it, others' lives, problems and drama feels more urgent and yes there are always times when we put our agendas aside to help, encourage and rescue others BUT we should have a boundary.  We shouldn't give and give until we are depleted.  How do I know when I'm running on empty?  I feel resentful.  Resentment is the red light flashing on the dashboard of my life.  I used to ignore it, now I respect it.  I pull back.  I choose one day each week that is only for me; a massage, a yoga class, a walk, a cup of tea in front of the fire, a book, a nap.  When I return refreshed I feel the joy of helping others, of listening of caring.
I hope that you too can find a quiet pocket of time and space this week to unplug from the noise of other people's lives and to listen to that still small voice within you.  After all if your inner voice doesn't merit your attention, what does?

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today,
May you have a peace filled day,
Sandra

The Regret Game

Sometimes I play the "regret game" with myself to help gain clarity.  It goes like this, "If didn't have any more time here, what would I regret not having done?" This is more of a feeling exercise than a thinking one.  Thankfully there isn't too much on that list but the one thing that came up after I went hiking with my daughter in August, was the unsatisfied longing to spend more time in nature.

Sunset - Lake St. Francis

But in order to get away in nature the way I wanted to do it (alone) meant facing the fear of being away by myself and maybe not feeling safe. My wish list included a place with cell phone reception, not too remote, where I wouldn't have to socialize, but also forest, waterfront and quiet.   I  found the perfect camping spot that was relatively close, the price was reasonable and the location perfect. For three days I was able to listen to the wind in the trees, hear the waves on the shore while I slept and no one expected anything of me, I didn't have to show up anywhere at anytime, there was nothing I had to do.  I walked through the woods, I sat on rocks along the shore, I watched gulls, geese and herons, chipmunks and squirrels.  I enjoyed gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, made a campfire, read a book, napped and took photos.

Blue Heron

Morning Campfire  

My time there was precious and I was sad to leave.  I had suspected that I was craving time in nature, but I didn't realize how much so until I was able to immerse myself in it.  I plan to incorporate activities like this more regularly into my days and weeks.
Its good to take stock every now and then of what we might be wanting and needing in our lives.  Its easy to function on autopilot and do what we have always done, to surround ourselves with the same people and noise and busyness, to feel that there isn't enough time for what we really enjoy.  Its easy to  feel that our needs and wants are secondary to those of the people around us, but they're not secondary.  This life is our one chance to live without holding back out of fear; to live without regrets.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle life.

Wishing you a day full of possibilities,

Sandra

Out of Hibernation

It's nearly mid-March.  How long have I been hibernating for?  Months in fact.  Months and months of pulling inward away from the world, away from the darkness, the cold and life's winter storms.  Weather patterns can be so unpredictable.  So when life's storms arrive on your door step I hope that you have your survival kit in order.  Mine contains: kindred spirits, a quiet corner, prayer (if you can manage it, and on the worst days you may not be able to), a dog to curl up with and mugs of tea.

With the arrival of March the sun is stronger, the sound of melting snow trickles to the sewers and the smell of mud reminds me that it is time to come out and play again.  That is how I found myself back in my painting studio after months of inactivity.  I tried to paint intuitively choosing colours and shapes that pleased me without giving myself any restrictions.  My goal was to play, to be happy again.

Title: Happy Flowers
40" x 40" Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas

Detail from Happy Flowers

Today is sunny and the mercury has climbed all the way to 5 degrees Celsius; and tomorrow?  Fifteen to twenty centimeters of snow.  Oh well, today is lovely and I have decided not to let tomorrow's flurries dampen my happiness today.  I'm on my way out the door for a sunny walk with our dog.

Thank you for stopping by at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.
Wishing you a most happy day,
Sandra

From "A Course in Miracles"

My last post was written so long ago that I had trouble signing in to my blog this morning.  I don't really have any of my own words or thoughts to share but everytime I read this brief passage from "A Course in Miracles", my heart resonates.  I believe these words are true and wish to experience what they promise.

 

"What could you want that forgiveness cannot give?  Do you want peace?  Forgiveness offers it.  Do you want happiness, a quiet mind, a certainty of purpose, a sense of worth and beauty that transcends the world?  Do you want care and safety, and the warmth of pure protection always?  Do you want a quietness that cannot be disturbed, a gentleness that never can be hurt, a deep abiding comfort, and a rest so perfect it can never be upset?

 

All this forgiveness offer you, and more.  It sparkles on your eyes as you awake, and gives you joy with which to meet the day.  It soothes your forehead while you sleep, and rests upon your eyelids so you see no dreams of fear and evil, malice and attack.  And when you wake again, it offers you another day of happiness and peace.  All this forgiveness offers you and more."

Lesson 122 A Course in Miracles

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a day of happiness and peace,

Sandra

When Life Hurts

Ow.  Life sometimes hurts:pain, fear, uncertainly, loss.  Sometimes it is true that we need to soldier on, one foot in front of the other; through our numbness.  Evenutally though a time comes when we should tip toe away to our safe place; a place where we can cry our tears, nurse our wounds, pray our prayers, write our words of pain.  Whether we visit a trusted friend, a place in nature or just a tub brimming with warm water and fragrance, we need to give ourselves permission to go as often and for as long as we need.




Let me find a hide-a-way.

A shelter where I feel safe and secure

so that when life's flood waters rise and threaten to swamp me,
 

and when I feel lost and alone,

 

I may look around and see that I am in fact surrounded by family and friends and sheltered in their love.

 

 

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today,

 

May you be sheltered in love always,

 

Sandra

Prince Edward County - Ontario

Prince Edward County Sunset
S. King-Allikas

Not to be confused with Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward County is located south of Belleville, Ontario.  "The County" as it is referred to by locals, is a home to dozens of wineries, farms, quaint towns and huge sand dune beaches (Sandbanks Provincial Park).  Although it is only a four hour drive from Montreal, it is a very well kept secret and few people from this province have ever heard of it.  Shhh...  

My husband and I spent a week there recently.  We rented a private waterfront cottage (actually a lovely home with all the ammenities one could want -Cottage Rental ) and spent a week touring the county's back roads, cycling, kayaking, soaking up the sunshine, scenery and peacefulness of this idealic location tucked away along the shores of Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte.

If you haven't already decided on a vacation destination for this summer perhaps these photos will inspire you. 



Once a hops farm, this is one of the barns on the property of Gilead 66, a local micro-distillery
S. King-Allikas 

Stroll along the sand dunes that tower over the waters of Lake Ontario
Sandbanks Provincial Park, S. King-Allikas

Enjoy gorgeous sunsets from a waterside deck
Prince Edward County - S. King-Allikas

Prince Edward County Sunset
S. King-Allikas

 

Why not consider a long weekend or a week away this summer.  Escaping our daily surroundings and routines allows us to come back refreshed and more appreciative of all our blessings. 

 

Thank you for stopping by at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

 

Wishing you a lovely day,

 

Sandra



Beans - A Photo Essay on Personal Transformtion

About a month ago I felt that I really needed to spend more time in prayer, meditating, thinking, reflecting and listening.  It is so easy to allow our routines and habits (even the good ones) to constantly dictate our actions.  It is even easier to allow ourselves to be influenced by the people we are surrounded by: at work, church, in social situations and at home.  Without realizing it we begin to adopt the attitudes and behaviours of those around us.

So, in order to undertake this time of solitude, I adjusted my routines and curtailed certain activities and eliminated others completely.  What I was able to create was time and space in which to ask the important questions and listen for the answers.  I was able to be still and quiet.... what a luxury.






S. King-Allikas



 It takes a deliberate effort to avoid living and looking like everyone else.




S. King-Allikas



 Taking time alone to reflect on our personal values and goals helps to us to align our lives with our values.



S. King-Allikas



 One of the benefits that I've noticed of spending more time in reflection is that some of my old belief systems and ways of thinking that once formed a hard shell have begun to be peeled away.





S. King-Allikas

Solitude, reflection and rest have allowed new ideas to germinate.



S. King-Allikas

New ideas and ways of thinking are the seeds of transformation.  Fresh perspectives lead to living authentic and creative lives, lives that are uniquely us.

 

 



S. King-Allikas

 Becoming the best version of ourselves isn't a selfish pursuit.  Our authenticity allows others to be released from their limiting shells as well.

 

 

 



S. King-Allikas

 Fully actualized and developed people are each unique,



S. King-Allikas



 they bring their best to their relationships and to the world. 

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a day full of fresh ideas,

Sandra

A Puddle of Peace in a Sea of Chaos

For most people, mid-December to the beginning of January is a really busy time of year.  There are a lot of good things going on as we prepare for the holidays and the new year.  But by December 26th many of us have already had too  much of a good thing: too much food, drink, entertaining, shopping, spending, cooking, cleaning, driving, visiting.  And it isn't over yet; new year's celebrations are less than a week away which may necessitate another round of the "good things" listed above.

While I have whittled away my holiday obligations and preparations to the point that I really only do what I enjoy doing, not everyone has that luxury or freedom.  Yet even I feel ready for a little time-out by this point in the festivities.

If you can manage it, this is the perfect time for a little holiday escape.  My own will involve a mini-retreat to a luxury hotel, just one night, just me.  It isn't for long, it isn't far away.  But it is a private space with a locked door, no cell phone, no lap top, no obligations.  A time to think, pray, write, plan, reflect. 

Sometimes when actually leaving hasn't been an option, I let my family know that I'm doing an in-home retreat;(usually when my husband is travelling) and that I won't be taking calls, or e-mailing.  I make sure I have everything I need on hand and try to ensure that the house is tidy and clean.  The benefit of this type of mini-retreat is that everything is here.  If I decide to paint or putz around in the garden I can; the downside is I am still in my regular home/work environment.

Whether you can retreat away from home or even just carve out a solitary afternoon to pamper yourself, the benefits will be worth the effort to arrange it. I always come back refreshed and filled with gratitude for all of the truly good things in my life.





Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a peaceful day,

Sandra

Toronto

"As a remedy to life in society I would suggest the big city. Nowadays, it is the only desert within our means."
Albert Camus


Last week I travelled by train from Montreal to Toronto to visit my eldest daughter who has recently relocated there.   I had never been to Toronto; yet living in Montreal one tends to hear a lot of commentary on that city and little of it is positive.  My own experience proved otherwise, what I saw I found beautiful, especially the kilometers of waterfront.  But what captured my heart was the friendliness of the people.  People on downtown streets, in stores, strangers in the elevator were so often friendly, upbeat and helpful. 

We didn't do a lot of sight-seeing.  Mostly we hung out at her condo, putting the finishing touches on her new place, hanging paintings, organizing storage etc.  We also cooked, baked together, watched a couple of movies and often sat on her vast 25th floor balcony watching the city below.

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time you know how I crave solitude, quiet and times of retreat.  I would never have guessed that high above the center of one of North America's busiest cities I would have found that mystical space where quiet, solitude and security meet.

Toronto at night
Sandra King-Allikas

Early Morning Rain view of Toronto
Sandra King-Allikas

As evening encroached we would wrap ourselves in quilts and watch as the lights began to illuminate the night city.  The view was vast and uninterrupted for miles and miles.  I loved the comfort of her very private balcony combined with the sense of being elevated and removed from the noise, the problems and the reality of everyday life.  It was not unlike the sensation when I sit at the edge of a seemingly endless body of water, or that of being perched high above a landscape that dips and rises until it finally meets the horizon.  It was perfect, an oasis in the city.

 Isn't it interesting how we can find exactly what we're looking for in the most unlikely of places?

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a magnificent day,

Sandra

Amherst Island, Ontario

Last week my husband and I spent a few days on Amherst Island in Eastern Ontario.  I hadn’t heard of the island prior to finding it on-line and even then there wasn’t a wealth of information or photos.  What we were hoping for was an escape that was secluded but not too remote, a location near the water without too much of the touristy commercial scene.

What we found could not have been more perfect.  We booked accommodation at The Lodge on Amherst Island, a haven for writers, painters, musicians and artists of all persuasions yet because we travelled mid-week and early in the season we were the only guests. The Lodge is lovely and situated on a point so that there are water views no matter where you stand.   

Accessible via ferry from Millhaven, this quiet pastoral island is beautiful and the people are welcoming.  Before we travelled I had contacted Sally of Topsy Farms,  http://topsyfarms.com/en a large sheep farm and small wool products shop.  On Thursday morning, Sally welcomed us and after finally selecting my wool (so many gorgeous colours!!) she let us cuddle and feed a few of their foster lambs (lambs whose mothers were not able to nurse them). Check Sally’s blog http://topsyfarms.wordpress.com/ for a behind the scenes look at life on a sheep farm.

Little lambs at Topsy Farms

This is the little one I fell in love with

The remainder of our stay was spent cycling, walking the shorelines of secluded beaches, collecting sea glass, appreciating the fabulous sunsets and taking hundreds of photos.

Sunset on Amherst Island

Blossoms and beaches on Amherst Island

A ladybug sunning on the shoreline

Our stay was wonderful and we returned refreshed and inspired.  Thank you to the staff at The Lodge on Amherst Island, Stella's Cafe and of course Topsy Farms for welcoming us so warmly.
Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a perfect day,

Sandra

How to nurture your creativity

Last week I had one of the most creative weeks I've had in a very long time. It started slowly and consistently expanded, by mid-week I found myself bursting with creative energy and ideas. Where did it all come from? What precipitated the flow of creativity and how can I tap into it more consistently?

My husband was travelling last week so I had been anticipating a week of solitude. While some people feel nervous or uneasy about solitude I really enjoy my time alone so I was in a positive frame of mind.

I spent the first day uncluttering my environment. I tidied up the house, organized drawers, moved some furniture, washed the floors and basically went on a purification binge. By that evening I fell into bed exhausted but very happy.

Create a beautiful environment for yourself

The following morning was Sunday; I woke from a wonderful night's sleep refreshed and appreciating my beautiful, pristine and uncluttered environment. I was completely content pattering around the house while the sun filled the space with a warm glow. I made a big cup of tea and spread my journal and inspirational material out on the bed and began writing. I practice daily "stream of consciousness" writing. I aim for about 3 pages long-hand. On this particular morning I wrote freely and without any time restraint, producing 15 pages of writing!

I declared the rest of Sunday a "silent" day and treated myself gently: healthy food, a slow walk with the dogs, a nap in the afternoon. I just tried to listen to my body and to give it what it craved.

I think that beginning with a feeling of positive anticipation combined with those two days of clearing my environment , clearing my mind and resting my body were critical in how the rest of my week unfolded. When I went back to the studio Monday I found I had adopted a very gentle attitude. I gave myself permission to play, no need to make a masterpiece, no restriction on whether I painted, or knit or sewed.... I opened myself up to whatever creative urge surfaced. I didn't force myself to finish one thing before I began another. I let my child-self play and gave my grownup-self the week off.

Your creative-self may be delicate... be gentle with her

The result was two paintings that I love and that seemed to be birthed from my heart, two cute little sundresses for my granddaughter, some great photos, new ideas for my garden, work done on my mosaic table and a couple of blog posts. What fun!

I'm hopeful that being able to pinpoint what set me up for creative success this past week will allow me to duplicate the process in the future.  An attitude of positive anticipation, clearing out my physical and emotional environments and permission to create in whatever direction feels natural, may be the steps I need to nurture my creative energy.  I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a nurturing day,

Sandra