if you were here...

we could sit at the edge of the pond
and i could listen to you, deeply,

or i could take you to one of my favourite spots.

it would mean the world to me if you'd come with me.

giving thanks...

for each moment of life
a warm bed to sleep in
my family by my side
a roof over my head
clean water to drink
enough food to eat
achieving literacy
basic human necessities
buju banton's new album
enlightenment through music
friends who daydream with me
handwritten notes in the mail, and
those who dare to be a voice for the voiceless
knowing that JAH will lead the way, always



what are you thankful for today, friends?

i find peace...

where land meets water

and sky smiles through clouds

listening to raindrops

or soaking up rays of sunlight


while sitting in silence
meditating. praying. daydreaming.

peering through my lens

trying to capture the essence of life


in the arms of my king, or

each time i hear, i love you mommy

but most all, i find peace

within.

how about you?  where do you find peace?

praying for freedom...

i sit here, alone in meditation
sending prayers up to the Most High
and hoping, with all that i am
that the truth will set you free.

and the flower said...

my light shines from within

on a nature walk...

In case you've been wondering, I have not fallen off the face of the earth (even though the earth is round...at least that's what they tell me). But no, I have been out on a walking meditation, with a few of my friends.  waving at titi and m.heart.

(click on photos to enlarge)

As we walked mindfully through the labyrinth, trying not to get lost, it wasn't long before we were distracted by the intricately woven webs surrounding us.  My inquisitive daughter blew softly inside the entrance, and out sprang this spider.  It was quite territorial and uninviting so we decided it was probably a good time to walk on.
So we did.

Inching along the ground, at top caterpillar speed, was this furry little friend.  So I wouldn't scare him, I bent down as low as I could go, getting real up close and personal.  I asked him in my softest voice, what's the rush little fella?, but he didn't answer.  So we walked on.

My daughter decided to tuck this shy, little cricket in m.heart's waist for safe-keeping.  You can barely see it, but believe me, it's in there.  These are the things you must endure when your daughter loves bugs.

Yes, that's a teeny, tiny baby grasshopper getting ready to spring into action...but still nothing compared to her most treasured find of this summer...

cool, huh?


one love.

drifting thoughts...

we were gazing at the clouds, slowly drifting by
so deeply lost in our imaginations, when her little voice asked,
Mommy, do you ever imagine that you can stand on clouds?
and i smiled.  because i still do ;)
~ ~ ~
what are you daydreaming about today?

Enkutatash...

Today is the Ithiopian New Year!!!!!  whoo-hoo...
and as you can see, even Mother Nature is celebrating in style.

I finally opted to wear this gown because I wanted to make sure I wasn't too hard to find in the Queen's Ballroom tonight.  I'll be waiting for all of you in the VIP section...tabs on me ;)

To celebrate this wondrous occasion, and in addition to our exchange of greeting cards in the *gift of jewels* project, I thought I'd save a special gem to give away to one of you today...a perfect symbol of the love we've all been sharing amongst each other.

This crocheted and embroidered masterpiece was handmade and donated by the beautiful Queen Elizabeth, a talented fiber artist who graciously rules over her wonderful world of Landanna.  You can register for your chance to win this unique wall hanging by leaving a comment on this post.  Entries will remain open for the remainder of this weekend and the randomly selected winner will be announced on Monday, September 13, 2010.

Melkam Adis Amet (Happy New Year)!

one love, always.

UPDATE:  Congrats Meredith!!!  You won this special jewel. 

jewels are arriving...

The anticipation is more than I can bear...

3 more days and it's the Ethiopian New Year!!!

This is the part of the *gift of jewels* I enjoy most...tracking the jewels as they wing their way around the globe, straight to your home.  A handful of jewels have already been delivered and some of you decided to share your royal treasure with the rest of us.  Thanks so much for making this project such a fun experience.  

christina, soul aperture

connie, loose lemons

m.heart, secret notebooks.wild pages

cinner, things about the who, what, where, when and why

anyes, far away in the sunshine

shelagh, alice in paris loves art and tea

tracey, quietly kickin and screamin

vchelle, operation you

tracy, pink purl

birdie, simple ways

teresa o, the cottage on the corner

carol, my painting room

beverley, bunny's girl

lyn, lyn's lifepixels

sheila, tea and toast

lynn, allegria images

elsa, honey & sage

elizabeth, landanna

sharon, happenings on chaos ranch

did you receive your *gift of jewel* yet?  i'll be right here, waiting with you.  in the meantime, in-between time, however, i hope you don't mind if i start lightin' up some fireworks. ;)

getting dressed...

sooooo.....whatcha been up to?

i'm just here, trying on a few gowns
in preparation for the Queen's big day,
the Ethiopian New Year.



think this one is a bit much?



well, how about adding some vintage hair accessories?



this one kinda reminds me of a crown.  (quite fitting i'd say).

~ ~ ~

Only 5 more days until all *gift of jewels* are mailed (September 11, 2010).  I am just bursting at the seams with excitement, and I hope deeply that you will enjoy your special jewel. 

how are you doing?   

magical jewels...

I spent all day in prayer and meditation.  It's been a while since I've done so, but I felt like I needed to.  And it was felt soooo good.  

I prayed that love would touch the hearts of the people in this world, and that each human being would be treated equally, regardless of race, or colour, or other man-made reasons for discrimination.  

I prayed for those whose unforeseen or unfortunate circumstances threatens the very foundation of their family unit.  

I prayed for those who are interviewing for jobs in this tough economic climate.  fingers crossed ;)

I prayed for the survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.  i hear your cry, and hold your hands, especially when night falls to depths unimaginable.

I prayed for children in "institutions of learning" - and hope that true education will reign over personal and political agendas.

I prayed ...and I meditated.  and I then prayed some more.  

I was interrupted only by the ring of the doorbell.  It was the mailman, delivering magical jewels.  a new set of mala prayer beads in the midst of prayer?  could this be a sign?  I ran my fingers over them and felt the love that had gone into making them.  Overwhelmed by emotion, I slowly put them on, and continued to pray.

~ ~ ~

My heart skips a beat each time I read about how the *gift of jewels* has touched your life.  While jewels continue to arrive in your mailboxes, I thought I'd share with you that Empress Christina of Soul Aperture has signed up for a photography e-class hosted by her jewel partner, Shelagh of Alice in Paris loves Art and Tea, and they have a spot in the class to giveaway to one of you!!!  Registration will remain open until next Friday, September 10, 2010 (my New Years Eve!!!)  Please click here to enter the giveaway.

one love.

love paves the way...

first day of school.
sending her off, made a little bit easier
as she carries symbols of love
close to her heart.

~ ~ ~

*Over the past week, I have received a lot of emails about how to purchase the items featured in the *gift of jewels* giveaway.  I thought it would be easier to make one general response.  Most of the featured guests also have etsy/online stores.  

Christina, Soul Aperture Paper Goods:  the sweetest note cards and photo prints.

Tracy, Pink Purl:  Last 3 days!  50 -75% off closing sale...and a portion of the sales will be donated to charity.

Susy, Moonflower Studios:  her original artworks and prints.

Kim, Queen of Arts Studio:  the love cards she donated are on sale now...only 1 set left.

Julochka, Moments of Perfect Clarity:  feather touchstones.

Marie, Blossom Time Creations: her original prints and other artistic creations.

Marilyn, Marmalady's Tea:  teatime accessories, jams and jellies.

Toni, Toni Johnson Designs:  art glass and photography.

Chris, An Inch of Time:  contact her directly there.

*Happy Shopping!  one love.