Hitting Send

It all depends on whether you have things, or they have you.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time and energy assessing and reassessing the material possessions I’ve chosen to keep in my life. What has true meaning and brings me Joy? What’s worth keeping and what would serve other’s lives through my willingness to let them go? While I understand all too well the reservations one might have for not wanting to go through possessions, reassessing, getting rid of things and clearing the clutter, there are so many excellent reasons for pushing through any resistance you have and doing so anyway. First of all, let’s look at it from an energetic perspective: everything is energy and clutter is low vibrational, stagnant energy which decreases our ability to focus, is stressful and draining. This stuck energy is thus reflected in our personal, and professional lives, negatively affecting our psyche, creativity, and general flow in life. I promise that once you begin getting through any clutter you’ve accumulated, you’ll quickly begin to feel happier and lighter, as you raise the vibration of your surroundings and yourself.

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.

Does your outer environment reflect your authentic self? There is a connection between our personal environment and our inner selves. You’re not just going to face your physical stuff, but come to a resolution with your past and incomplete processes. YAY! Good for you for being willing to face those old college papers, remnants of relationships past, and anything else you’ve understandably been hesitant to go through and let go of. You shall no longer be a victim of your possessions and stuck environment. By clearing clutter and removing that which you’ve been hanging onto, you’re putting yourself in the driver’s seat and taking back control of your life.

The old adage ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is so simple and so true. If you have to spend a great deal of time looking for things, you’re wasting time and energy, which will end up in frustration and feelings of irritation. If things are organized and systematized, not only will you feel in a flow, but the results are a better alignment with the principle of prosperity and abundance. There is also a Beautiful flow about completing one’s processes, as you’re continuing to move in a positive forwardly and organic direction, rather than staying stuck in the past. With this flow, you’ll feel better, expend less energy and experience greater harmony within yourself and environment.

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach.
One can only collect a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.

If all of this hasn’t convinced you to tackle those piles of papers, boxes, or hodge-podgy drawers, then I’ll ask you to do so for the environment and your fellow Soul Siblings. As we’re all connected, your decreased clutter and ease of movement on a day to day level will reflect greater peace throughout. Also, giving Rocks! It’s also very green! Loading up your car with all of the stagnant energy in your environment and taking it to local libraries, or other charities is such a great feeling. As much as I Love books, for example, a recent large donation to a local library brought such a Joyful feeling as I thought of how many people could now enjoy them! Or, sell what you can and reinvest the money into something which makes you happy and adds value to your life. And, when you return to your organized, higher vibrational home, you are going to be Amazed by the wonderful results rippling out from your life into the World at large! Happy clearing, BeLoveds.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

The picture above is of my BeLoved grandparents, both now gone, and was taken not long after they were married. Didn’t he look handsome in his uniform? Last year at this time, I chose to write a piece about the history of Memorial Day. While researching for the post, I could not help but think of my grandfather and his time abroad during World War II. While it seemed a bit odd to me at the time to include him in a Memorial Day post, as he was still alive then, I am so Grateful that I did, as it allowed for me to candidly discuss his wartime with him. Blessed that was, I say now. And, as Memorial day creeps up again, memories of the Beautiful ancestors who’ve come before me have been swimming through my head, and my heart.

My greatgrandmother, Christine Barton, whom I called “Bestamor”, was a very important womyn in my life, and I feel so truly fortunate to have known her as well as I did, and have shared as much dear time with her as I was allowed. She was Awesome! When I was about nine years of age, I used to have sleep overs at her house every Saturday night. We had sweet rituals of eating pizza or hamburgers, then watching the Love Boat together. Wow! It makes me smile so to think back to those times now. She not only allowed for, but encouraged a certain artistic freedom in me, showed me how to balance being a soft, yet strong womyn, and boy oh boy, did she have a green thumb, which I could only hope to emulate.

Antonia and Bestamor

I’ve been thinking a great deal about the way in which those who came before us help to teach us, and shape our lives. They share their wisdom, but this, along with a certain energy, is left behind. And, of course, it is up to us to carry on their legacies as best we can. To take the Love they’ve shared, and energy they’ve left us, and not only allow it to continue assisting us, but also to share it with those we Love who are still among us.

Upon my recent visit to the Botanical gardens, I came across a Gorgeous example of what I am trying to describe. The roots of what must have been a very Beautiful and impressive tree had been left on its side. From the dirt, along one side of this root structure, burst forth new, spectacular life. Even in death lay Glorious Beauty. It is the circle of life, which continues to unfold, ’round and ’round.

This Memorial Day, I shall honour not just those brave men and womyn who have fought for our country, but all those Dearly BeLoved who have come before me, assisting in shaping me, and allowing for the life I have today. For all of you, I give thanks.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

I perhaps owe being a painter to flowers.

When my mother asked me to join her on an adventure to the Mendocino Botanical Garden recently, I had no idea it would be a journey so rich in Beauty. I was clear that I was supposed to go, despite my reservations about the distance to get to our destination, albeit a Gorgeous drive over the Mendocino County hills, through the redwood forests, past beaches and coves to the small town of Fort Bragg, CA. Once there, we were greeted by a Lovely pond, seen above, which evoked images of one of my favourite painters. I was immediately very Grateful to be there, although still unaware of the exquisiteness which lay ahead.

The journey through the gardens began in a circular, open area, with small ponds, statues and flowers in bloom; a hint of the tremendous and awe-inspiring wonder upon which we would feast. “I see them!” my mom happily declared upon spying some of the rhododendrons she’d come to photograph. I turned to take in the very large and impressive red and pink flowers, and understood why she had made such a long trip. Do you see, Dear Reader?

The Earth laughs in flowers.

Yes, of course these Amazing trees, standing much taller than I, were extraordinary, but there was something magickal about this place, and I felt drawn into it, anxious to explore the paths to see what lay ahead. I was enraptured by pockets of Beauty all around me.

What could be down this path?

So accustomed to the bright orangey California poppy, I was quite taken with this white variety.

How Sweet are these Five Spots flowers?

Each flower is a soul opening out to nature.

Dance along the path with me!

This Lovely pond left me with an overwhelming desire to stay the night, awaiting the potential fairy play. Don’t you see how inviting it would be for them?

Where flowers bloom so does hope.

Isn’t it truly Amazing that someone thought this place up and created it for our pleasure? What a gift!

This gate is so Creative!

View from a bridge.. can you see the stream?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

It was Cinco de Mayo, and I was browsing the internet when a new email appeared in my inbox entitled, “I’m making this”. It was from my Lovely mother, and it was a recipe for Coconut pudding. Sounded good to me! I Love coconut! But, would she? Ohh-ho-ho, the answer to that came shortly thereafter, when I heard the sound of pots and pans coming from the nearby kitchen. “Come and help me,” she called! I didn’t need to be asked twice!

She had already begun the first step, which is to heat the milk on the stove. A note about the milk we used, to which I initially had an aversion, but am now a big fan. It is excellent, fresh local, organic milk, antibiotic, hormone and preservative-free, and comes in glass bottles. My hesitancy wasn’t from its lacking in hormones, as I believe my body makes those just fine on its own, and certainly doesn’t need artificial varieties in my food or any other source. No, my resistance stemmed from the slightly lumpy texture at the top, which mom quickly explained comes from the fresh cream in it. Hmmm, I wasn’t so sure about that. But, she pointed out that even the low fat version had a certain amount of cream and that it was the natural form of milk. I tasted it… she was right! It was Excellent. I highly recommend trying to find this for yourself, Dear Reader.

The rest of the recipe is very easy to follow. The only other recommendation I would make is to read the directions through prior to making it, have ingredients measured, and make certain you beat the whole egg, plus the additional egg white prior to beginning, as one needs to stay put near the stove quite vigilantly for this recipe. I think the pudding is better when served warm. But, either way it is very, very yummy!

COCONUT PUDDING
~ Best served warm from Mexican Light Cooking
____________
2 1/2 cups low fat milk
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/3 cup sugar
(if using sweetened coconut, reduce the sugar to 2 Tbsp.)
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
pinch of salt
1 whole large egg, beaten, plus 1 lightly beaten egg white
1 tsp. vanilla extract

In medium saucepan, warm milk over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edges, 3-5 minutes. Add shredded coconut and half the sugar. Remove the pan from the heat and let the coconut steep in the milk 20 minutes. Transfer coconut mixture to a blender and puree until smooth.
Combine remaining sugar with cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in coconut puree until well blended then beat in one whole beaten egg plus one lightly beaten egg white. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook, whisking, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Let pudding cool slightly for 10 minutes and serve warm, which is traditional in Mexico. Or spoon into serving bowl/bowls and chill. (6 servings)

Mom found this recipe at Joey Randall’s blog

Enjoy, Dear Readers!

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

In true Northern California form, it had been raining incessantly for days straight. At the first sign of a break, I thought it an opportune time for an explorative adventure to the lake. With directions in hand, I made a last check of the weather and sky.. hmmm, a lot of clouds, but they were white puffy clouds rather than the ominous-looking ones threatening a down-pour. Yes! Let’s take advantage of this opportunity! I made my way up the mountainside to the picturesque lake.

Nestled between the rolling hills, Lake Mendocino was created from the construction of Coyote Dam, and offers Beautiful sweeping views of the valley. This impressive lake has 1,822 acres of surface area, and is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer. On the day I visited, there were a few people fishing from the water’s edge, and a lone boat gently drifting along, but I know people enjoy other nautical activities at the lake, such as water skiing and jet skiing. There are also areas set up for camping and barbecuing.

As I made my way along the paved pathway which lies parallel to the lake, the cacophony from the geese was unavoidable. They were grouped together by the little island in the lake’s middle, and they were very, very vocal! lol A few geese made their way up on land, shaking themselves off and squawking.. hopefully with delight! They seemed to be having fun and it cracked me up. I made my way down a rocky makeshift path to capture the above picture. Can you see them?

I climbed the hillside back up to the path and continued along with my adventure. The mustard caught my eye and I admired the Gorgeous tree in the center of the field. Other hikers made their way past me, as I stood snapping pictures and gazing out at the Amazing, relatively unspoiled landscape. After almost eleven years in Los Angeles, I crave nature, and am very Grateful for both the land below and blue skies above.

There were many buzzards circling about in the sky, and I shall admit that I envy them. What can they see as they drift through the air, high above the mountain tops? It looked like fun to me!

As I was walking back out to my car, I spied this Beautiful clover! Wow! Isn’t it pretty? And, I Love the little purple flowers juxtaposed throughout. Lovely. I thanked the lake, mountains, and active wildlife for offering such a special afternoon escape and headed back home.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

“There’s always something getting between you and your meditation practice, Antonia,” my mother joked with me. I cracked up! Ah, yes. First the squirrel orgy and now the mommy and daddy scrub jays squawking at me! lol Well, I shall not fall into anthropocentric thinking on this one, as I know that, to the jays, I am the uninvited guest in mom’s yard, and that these Beautiful scrub jays are merely protecting their sweet babies from my presence. The babies emerged from their eggs a few days ago, and so, when I stepped outdoors for my morning meditation, I was met by two Lovely scrub jays who perched nearby to where I stood and squawked their disapproval.

“Feed them peanuts,” mom suggested. ooOOoo, that appealed to me! Yes! As the “I’m not here to harm you, only to meditate” Loving energy I had sent them had not been met with the open-hearted nature in which it had been sent, perhaps a contribution to the new family would reassure them. I made my way along the side of the house, fist full of peanuts, and whistled, just as my mom usually does. Yet, they were not convinced, and did not greet me as they would have her. Hmmmm… Perhaps I should just meditate on the front porch.

I made myself comfortable on the front porch, grounded in, and began meditating. Fortunately, I was almost done and was making my way back to this realm when the squawking began again. haha Evidently I was still too close to their nest, as the daddy jay was now sitting in a nearby camellia bush, none too pleased with me. Oh, dear. “I’m sorry! I’m just trying to meditate, not harm your family,” I wanted to explain to him, while respecting his vigilant protective nature. There really is no way to build chi energy faster than outdoor meditation, and as I am most definitely in need of some restorative energy building, I would like for some sort of agreement to be made during my little visit upon the property. However, I also understand that one cannot barge into a new environment and expect to be accepted right away. Some things take time. Perhaps there is a morning walk to the local park in my future!

Love and Blessings,
Antonia