Fall is in the Air!

For the last week or so, it's been very cool in the morning...the heat of August's Dog Days seems to be mostly behind us. The flowering plants are mostly done, the grass is brown, corn & apples are showing up in the Farmer's Markets around town, and even the vines on our Pumpkins & Cucumbers seem to be loosing their "oomph". All signs pointing to cooler weather ahead, and a busy Harvest Season!

This year I'm going to be attending the NW Fall Equinox Festival for the first time, (I'll be giving a full report when I get back!). The theme this year is Diwali, ("Festival of Lights" in Hindi), with the primary Goddess of this festival being Laxmi (Mother of Wealth & Prosperity). I think we all could use a little of Laxmi's influence in our lives right now, what with the economy going to pot and all....I'm thankful I was finally able to get a job, even though it will cause some stress (when will the dishes get done? Who knows!)..but to eventually get REAL health insurance will worth it!

NW Herb Fest

Well folks, I've just come back from a very amazing "herbal" experience! I attended the 2009 NW Herb Fest at Wise Acre Farms, just about 15 miles south of Eugene. I got alot of great information, met some fascinating working herbalists and a naturopathic physician (and several ladies studying to become N.M.D.'s - all of them at Portland's own National College of Natural Medicine). Although I'm not into Chinese or Ayurvedic Medicine much (I prefer the Western Eclectic tradition), the program does seem to be very comprehensive. So now onto the nitty-gritty pics and info!

First up is a picture of my campsite under an old oak tree in a huge open field, (the entrance to the Fair is directly behind the tree...see the pink tape if you click on the picture to make it bigger).


I was welcomed by several friendly folks as I set up my tent, and saw a beautiful crescent moon as the twilight deepened, then the stars came twinkling out, and I saw the Big Dipper, Milky Way...and many other constellations I didn't know. In the back of my mind I filed away a determination to learn the night skies for a future project.

Unfortunately, I think I got about 3 hrs sleep max...people came in until 1 am, the lights of their cars shining directly in everyone's tent, then bumbling around & noisily setting up their own tents. Of course there was the small hike to the bathrooms...


This a view from from my car in the parking lot (the other end of the field), with the green house & gardens behind the Port-a-Potties. In the background you can see the sewage company actually servicing the Port-a-Potties on Sunday Morning, (click to make the picture bigger).

There were alot of people there, maybe as many as 200 attendees. They also had a little vendor row, with some wonderful, mostly local products (there were a few from Washington & California). Here are some pics: (the one below I took from inside the main tent while I was eating breakfast)









The next view is from the other end, from the path to "kitchen" class room, in the back (on the right) you can see the table they used for the optional meals served during the Fair. I decided to buy all the meals, to save money (although I went out a little too!), and to learn about more healthy/vegetarian options for eating. The food was excellent! I really liked their garlic sour cream artichoke dip, Nancy's yogurt with granola & berries, quinoa with vegetables...and many other dishes. They were all prepared by the Park City Cafe (see a mini-review here. I complemented the lady who did the cooking and talked with her a little bit, come to find out they have a booth at the Oregon Country Fair near the Community Village! Awesome, definitely going to check them out next year...


















From this booth I bought a "Leo Balancing" astrological herbal bath therapy product. She also had a full year "Cosmic" herbal bath teas, as well as cooking herbs aligned with the signs/planets. Although I'm not much into astrology, it was a fun thing to get.






I also bought several tinctures from some other booths, and gathered up some propaganda from all of them, including one with herbal wines! Some of the teachers also had their own booths, selling their own herbal preparations, goddess tapes, book and various other items. One booth that I really liked was Mountain Rose Herbs
a huge sponsor of the festival, (which had only an an informational booth, not selling anything). They gave away posters, pamphlets, and lots of bumper stickers, plus let you touch, smell and taste several kinds of herbs they offer.


I have ordered from them, and used their products. So far I'm impressed with the quality, quick service and the cost. They are the premier local source for truly organic herbs, teas, and other body products.


Finally, I have some pics of the extensive herb garden:

Primrose & Coneflower (echinacea)










and some of my favorite flowers:









Nasturtiums & ?






Last, (but not least!) was the heat...it was unrelenting. I actually spent the 2nd night in a hotel, and was glad I did. I got some sleep and was able to pay attention and take notes in the classes alot better on Sunday. It got so hot in that big tent out in the field I kind of passed out and missed out on 2 good lectures. I ended up discussing the heat problem with some fellow student ladies, and found that it was a big problem for alot of folks, not just me. One older woman had pretty much decided not to come again, even though she had not missed one since it's inception many years ago (it's been through a couple incarnations, but always held by the same woman, Sharol Tilger). If I come next time, I will definitely stay in a motel with air conditioning!

The conundrum (if you will), is that it is the only reasonably priced herbal seminar around the PNW. The ones at Breitenbush are more than twice the cost...and the lecturers they get are VERY GOOD - almost all of them are clinical practitioners with 20+ years experience, and the majority have published books too. I will post more later about the specific classses and teachers at the Fair, since I think that information is worth sharing, and it's just so much I wouldn't be able to include it all here..(it's the post that never ends...it goes on and on my friends...).

Blessed be!

Ze Fair!

Gnomes on Parade!

Once again, we headed down to Eugene for the Oregon Country Fair...and had a pretty wonderful time, (there was a little unfriendliness the 1st day...but great after that). It also was the 40th anniversary of the Fair, and I managed to get one of the last Commemorative Batik Sarongs...they also had some flags which I wish I gotten now...but no worries! We also had one of the Beaniac's friends from Alaska (via Virginia...it's a long story!)-he was great, just became part of the family, and we're planning on having him back next year too! So now onto some more pics...


E -The Bean's AK friend & all around good kid, the Beaniac & Snabby

The second day was nice as well as we got to park nearer the entrance, and just mosey on in a little early with our 3-day wristband passes (cost a pretty penny, but makes Fair life just a little easier)...You can see above an example of the funky signs around that make it a fun place too-even the No Parking ones!


Glitter Henna!

I decided to spend a little cashola and get some Mehendi done - the lady that I chose incidently also offers a fine glitter decoration while it dries if you want - and I wanted! Here below is a pic of the finished design a day or so later...

Done!

May Day Fun!

Spring Lady Bag

Well, I'm working on a new project...and trying to get it done by Friday - May 1st!
I got the special edition Eco Bag from Sublime Stitching, and mostly following Jenny Hart's design & colors, (see pic above). I'll post updates as I finish more embroidery.

Also, I'll see if I can take pics at the May Day celebration at the Rose Garden too - I'll be up early - at 4am to get there in time for the Bagpipes at Sunrise!

Spring Lady-More!

Update # 1 - I've finished up the face, and will do the bee stuff tomorrow (will upload another pic too). I've really liked how it's turned out so far...and I'm on track to be finished by Thursday night (May Day Eve)-Yay!




Spring Lady-"Bee" almost done!
Well, I am way ahead of myself...I might be able to finish it by tonight...a whole day early! This is great, since I've got alot of other things to prepare for May Day - I really want it to be a totally fun day for the family!





Spring Lady DONE!
Yay! It's all done, and I've sure received alot of compliments on it! I am really pleased with how this project turned out, and will definitely be checking out other Limited Edition stuff by Sublime Stitching (the bag is already down from the website!)...Jenny Hart has had something special for each month this year; in February she had a VERY cute Valentine's inspired stitchable card...but I couldn't get it :( ...due to money being tight. Check out her site at the link above and see what her featured product is this month!

Opening to the Fullness of Spring!

Wow, spring has finally sprung from this long, dark, COLD wintertide...but still the chilly fingers of Jack Frost haven't let go...The mornings are often very cold still...

In the meantime we've worked on our garden, my potted herbs and even gotten an air/duct sealing for our home (for free!). We've worked very hard on getting more frugal with our lifestyle, reduced/eliminated some debt and will even be able to have some savings soon (in case of job loss). So many positive steps...

However, recently I've had to step back from an increasingly unhealthy situation...and it's been difficult. I'd been back and forth on how to handle it...and every time I thought, "Well, maybe..I'll just do this,...or ...I'll just help out here..", I'd get requests to do even MORE! "Do this! We need this!" There were several creative ways to "get the job done" without me, but they "can't see the forest for the trees" evidently.

I didn't want people who I've really come to like and admire think bad of me...but since they don't know the FULL details of what my family's dealing with on a financial, wellness/health and psychological level, I simply can't expect them to understand. Some have a small inkling, but aren't sympathetic as several others are dealing with health-related crises of their own. The one thing I didn't bring up to these folks is that this all happened during February/March, leading up to the most difficult part of the year for me. It dawned on me that my son's death still affects me to this day, and the grieving process intensifies problematic situations. I discussed the problem extensively with the two people who were present on the worst day of my life (the stillbirth of our son), and they both agreed with me; I had made the right decision to stand firm in my departure from this group. The relief is palpable, I didn't realize I had had been doing so much work for so long! It may get nasty, but come what may, I can finally say I made the right decision for me, my family and ultimately, for them.

So on to May Day...a Spring Sabbat to celebrate with Mirth and Joy; release burdens, and open up to new mysterious possibilities!