The Robin's Nest

Footprints

I've found some new ways to do things that I am excited about and I think that it's healthier and cheaper but more importantly it is consistent with my personal belief that I am responsible to God for my ecological footprint. 1. I'm getting my calcium from egg shells. I clean and grind the shells and take them with a natural acid. The blessing in return is a new energy. 2. I've eliminated toothpaste and replaced it by making a baking soda and virgin coconut oil blend. I noticed right away my teeth and gums feel better. I've done the same with my toddlers toothpaste only for her as she is not spitting yet I use just the coconut oil. 3. I've replaced my lotion, moisturizer and make up remover with virgin coconut oil. It's a better product with less chemicals and packaging. 4. I make lipbalm. Again, I use virgin coconut oil, vitamin e and locally sourced beeswax. 5. I am putting together a natural medicine kit and planting medicinal plants in my garden. I am learning new ways of how to treat various ailments with plants. In all of this I am fostering an open attitude towards doing things a better way.
Sent from my iPhone

Female rufous hummingbirds

Did you know these little birds will raise their babies alone? I find alot of encouragement in that.

Finding my way part 1

For whatever reason the text did not get sent so because I am doing this blog from my phone I am unable to make changes so I am posting the text separately. I love watercolor painting and it has been a tremendous unanticipated blessing. I paint nearly every day even if it is only for ten minutes. Those ten minutes are incredibly well thought out and productive. I watch utube video's, and read watercolor books after my toddler daughter is tucked into bed and sleeping like the little angel she is. If I get a chance to visit a gallery or studio I take it and I bring my daughter along. It's been a year since I started to paint and lately I've noticed a huge improvement. I am really excited about this. I've become very particular about my palette and now I am using it how I want to not how I've seen someone else do it and that feels good. It feels like a step in owning the painting process for myself. I have this need to express my creativity but my first priority is my daughter. I need to be there for her as well as financially provide for us and with little time left in my day watercolor painting fills my needs. There are other demands with my time. I am reading Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to stop yelling and start connecting by Dr. Laura Markham. You can check out the reviews on amazon. The book begins explaining why anger is ineffective. Basically when you yell at your child the cognitive learning part of their brain shuts down and they go into fight or flight. Hence, you are NOT teaching anything when you yell. Becoming aware of this has really helped encourage me in my attempts to model healthy anger management with my daughter. "Every choice we make, at its core, is a move toward either love or fear. Let your caring for your child give you courage to choose love......" (From the book) It is a battle against yourself no matter what vice it is that you are struggling with but it's the improvements in your relationships with your loved ones that make it all worthwhile. The painting is titled, "hyacinths outside my cabin door." It measures 11" by 14" and is available for purchase.

Sent from my iPhoneSent from my iPhone

Finding my way

A new name

I've renamed the studio because I am replacing the purple door with a new fibreglass door that I will be staining a natural color. The name change also reflects the shift in my own direction. I have less time for creativity and while I do weave rugs I am no longer weaving tapestry rather I have taken up watercolor painting. I am also making beeswax candles. There is a pair of ravens that frequently fly through the forest around my cabin and I've renamed it after them.

Country Fare

I just looked on my phone as I was typing this message and realized today was Wednesday. I lost a day somehow, somewhere...This pot of pink hyacinths has been in and out of the cabin although I never leave it inside any longer than a hour or two. It's also been the source for a number of watercolours...maybe the fragrance is overpowering in enclosed quarters but its beauty is not. "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet