King Edward

Eddie I am. 

I am Eddie. 
I am King of this house.
King I am.



I do not answer
 to beck and call.
 Answer them?
 I will not at all!

I do not sleep where you say I will.
I Find my bed as I should.
Where I want, and where I say.
Be it box or hamper I lay.

I do not play when you say I must.

I find my play where I trust.
 Be it sheets or laundry fill

 I choose the toy as I will!

 

I give you love when it is best.

be it your lap or the computer desk.

I do it because I want it now

I'll even be so kind as to show you how.

 For I am King and I chose you!     So respect, and do see that you do!

For I am the King,

King Edward the Cat!

- you will just have to deal with that.

I am too adorable to ignore, after all. :P

Canning days

Days come and go,
some smoothly, some not
How it is interpreted-
depends on what you put in the pot.

HaHa! I got on a bit of a roll the past few days, crafty kitchen kind of roll. I first made candles. Actually just re-purposed /reused my old candle containers and refilled them with some new soy wax and used orange and cinnamon essential oils to give them a scenty yummy kick! Wonderful!
But that just got things started! 

Our first time ever canning anything! We tried simply- tomatoes- and they turned out perfect! So happy!

 

We celebrated our little old fashioned endeavor with an early afternoon BBQ.  Felt great to add jar to the shelf, knowing they contained nothing more than fresh ingredients. 

 The experience continued when memories of canned items on grandma's shelf inspired me to look up apple butter- which used to be one of my top favorites as a child. I was impressed with how easy it looked to make! So I made it! LOL Took all day, and I especially understood that I'll need to get a sieve soon if I plan to keep this up! 

But there it was- our second canning event! Apple butter! Yay!!!!!

Between it all the Snow Full moon peaked out. Loved it! Wonderful!  How have you been this last week?

Homemade Yogurt YUMMMMMMMMMMMM!

I was a bit apprehensive- then I asked myself, why are you doing this? Isn't spending a couple of dollars at the store for the pre-made yogurt more convenient? The answer is yes, Simply, YES!...except, lately I haven't been happy with the store bought. Too much sugar. Too runny, and tooo little effect on my gut.  More and more, I am becoming aware of labels, and quality, and basic ingredients and WHY having the live bacteria in a yogurt culture viable is so important for gut health.
I'm not old, but I'm not in the best shape- I notice if things are not working! The more I learn about eating real food, and eliminating the preservatives, and the fake of fast convenience foods- the more I know this is better for me- better for my family, and fun! So I had my answer, and motivation to stop being lazy and give something new a try! Amazing! results! I am so happy with my first batch! I just know...This is going to be a hit!
I got a Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker, and a Cultures for Health Traditional FlavorYogurt Starter to use. My initial cost is going to pay off in just 1 or 2 batches!
This first batch I used 2% milk, and I am impressed! I am going to bump it up next batch to whole milk. (I wish I had a goat- I have read goats milk is fantastic!) Any way from this one batch I can make up to 7 more! And I still have 7 more culture packets beyond that- we are looking at 49 batches before I need to re-buy cultures...

 I tilted one of the 7 jars to show you how thick it was- tilted, and  still didn't pour after I grabbed camera! 2 jars are a tiny bit thinner- so I poured them in a coffee filter to strain and the result comes out super thick! I am impressed! by the time I finish using just this first 7 batches I will almost have my money back in savings, no artificial ingredients, additives or preservatives- and viable probiotic cultures growing for everyone's gut health.... Took me a half hour yesterday morning to sterilize the jars and heat the milk, after that the yogurt maker does the rest- set it aside and wait 8-10 hours, cap the jars and put them in the fridge! Soooooo simple!
Add honey, add fruit. Add granola, oats, nuts, seeds- whatever! Be happy! Yay!!!!
I am having success. Hope this helps! :) Come summer I think this will be great for frozen yogurt bars! And the more I learn! The better it will be! There is a whole host of things plain yogurt is good for! Yayyyyy!!!  LOL :)

call me crazy

Ever sit and look through a wish book?  circling, earmarking, highlighting-  or labeling "FAVORITE!" ooooooooooogling, ahhhhhhhhhhing, flat out drooling! and imagining what holding this, or wearing that, or using this-would be like? Most women do it with clothes, know several who oooogle shoes. I have found myself doing it at jewelry a lot too! (ooooooh silver fairy at silver enchantments is awesome....ooohhhhh....)
I've done it all my life- especially when I was a kid and catalogs were the big thing..." Hey girlfriend! Look at this dress! Wow!" or later- "Hey, honey- check this out, baby! Sassy!" .....

but now the catalogs are on the internet, super easy to go through and drool and wishlist away!  and none get me more excited and "wishlisting" than going through Superior tattoo's site.... ahhhhh man! It is so true- once you start ink, you always ink....  it gets under your skin... literally! Bwahahahaha!
This process of learning how to Tattoo has been, and still is, a slow one- I have years to go before I reach status of decent - as far as pro's are concerned. But man, oh man, do I love it! Nothing like seeing my work later after the swelling is gone down, it's healed up, and it looks absolutely delicious! Oh... I mean gorgeous!
See - I'm different than most- my canvases so far beyond the practice pig skins and the initial starter oranges  :D - LOL - has been myself and my hubby. A very unique relationship- 'cause not only do I get to learn to do it.. I get to enjoy viewing my work anytime I want- and I do usually want.;P Ha! It has been so awesome! Don't know anyone else personally that can say it. Taking years to do- but we have fun! We got nothing but time! Yeeeaaaaahhhhh buddy! There is something so sexy about seeing one bad ass tattoo on the muscles of my man! Half pride, half lust and a whole lotta fun in the end!
But today is fun cause I got to purchase my "wishlist" at the tatt supplier and my new ink gun is on the way! Plus reloads of my basic needs like green soap tincture and more ink... bam! Booooyah Baby! It's on!  It's  A nice nice nice one I have been sooooo waiting for! Yay! Look out valentine's Day! New Raven tattoo is in the works! Yay!
 like I titled it- call me crazy, but that's me!

Happy Wednesday! 2/6

So after a longggggggg weekend, of which we BBQ'd for Imbolc and thoroughly enjoyed some absolutely beautiful weather here! Yay!!!!!

I am back at the basics- and trying to find the house- what is it about weekends that is so absolutely messy?

LOL

All is well though, and I am hoping all who come across this we blessed with a loving, bright and happy weekend!

I am drying my curls as I write, and I noticed a lot of ads for Valentine's Day coming up. I had forgotten about it. Not being surrounded by girls, or little ones anymore- and not being a huge TV watcher -LOL- I just tend to forget that one. Ack!  Maybe it's bad. Maybe that's good.... I often get very tired of the hype surrounding some holidays. Valentine's Day is one of the worst. It has become so commercialized that people do not realize it should just be about loving and caring for others.  Recognizing a person and acknowledging their qualities and showing you care should be the best gift given at anytime, but the media pushes value to diamonds, and flowers, and chocolates like that is all it's about. And if you don't get jewelry or sweets you have been cheated! Oh my! .... but to me- Nice as they are- most regular folk are just barely recovering from the budget blowers of xmas- much less have money for diamonds. (Eye rolls here!) It just further perpetuates the problem.

Also I went through a period of years working as a florist where I HATED Valentine (mother's day is not much better). As purchaser and orderer of the bulk flowers available for Valentine's day rush- The quality coming out of the warehouses and greenhouses and shipments are crap! The rush to provide for the media pushed hype causes suppliers to cut early and store longer- meaning even the best of florists get old flowers delivered to them that are supposed to be fresh! -They are not. Trust me- after nearly 10 years dealing with rush day of over thousand orders each time- trust me people- the WORST time to buy flowers is valentines day. Wait 2 weeks-3 would be better!- surprise her when she really least expects it- but not on Valentine's day.... not if you want quality flowers that last extra long. 

But that's just me. I'll probably get bashed for my opinion, but oh well. What do I recommend instead? It depends on the girl, but heartfelt cards, lots a lovin!, nice food, and extra huggin' ;P can go a long way!

On another note, after time taken this weekend to specifically attune with Mother Nature I just wanted to share - because many people focus just on Moon, and do not realize how the sun can daily affect our lives. Father Sun is a powerful being and he has been so active lately! This year is incredible for solar activity! Solar flares really affect us all! Moods change, things feel off-odd and some people are more sensitive than others! It affects the magnetic field of the whole mother earth each time a solar flare projects our way! Been feeling particularly odd? Can't quite focus? Thoughts just are not as organized? Check for flares! It may have a lot more to do with it than you realize! The perfect site to find out about it- ion a scientific level, is .spaceweather.com- a treasure trove of information! Starts to help make sense scientifically of what the traditional pagan cultures and belief systems have tried to tell us all along! Check it out! 

-BB! Janey

Just for fun... thoughts

 I gotta laugh each time  bell bottom jeans are the "new" thing. or what's called "skinny jeans" comes into play, and I think of the pants Twiggy wore- just painted on "skinny jeans"- ooops! with a bell bottom! LOL I believe.

But if katie holmes wears it....oh lord! NEW!=>

I gotta laugh when the new 2013 layered hair takes on a "feathered" Farah Fawcett look- but they call it but the new girls name.... or just messy hair for Jennifer Aniston.

 Or how about the First lady gets bangs, oooooooohhhh... how new!
-like they did for groovy in the 60's again in the 70's, and 80's and 90's....jeez.



Today I laughed at an entertainment article complaining once again about lyrics of popular songs.... how grunts, acronyms, syllables and street slang takes the place of actual English language words- the writer sounding like some aged conservative complaining about how things change-pouring over the old songs as if they spoke perfect Shakespearean prose!...And I just belly laugh.... as the Crystals 1963 song pops in my head and I remember standing the kitchen singing away with my mom and sister to spatulas in hang in microphone form - oh we had it down - doing the hand gestures in line-

"Met him on a monday and my heart stood still.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
Somebody told me that his name was Bill.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
Whoa, my heart stood still.
Yeah, his name was Bill.
And when he walked me home,
da doo run run run da doo run run.

He knew what he was doin' when he caught my eye.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
He looked kind of quiet, but my, oh my.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
Oh, he caught my eye.
My, my, my, my, oh my.
And when he walked me home,
da doo run run run da doo run run."

But, syllables half words, and grunts and groans were never acceptable "back then" according to the article.(and we all know James Brown knew that, of course! HEY!)
oh, how time, and fads, and history of souls repeat... whether we believe it or not, our decision I suppose to accept or reject the new/old/in thing. And just laugh when others cannot. (or cry....but I'd rather laugh! )

ahhhhhh I'm getting old. HA! Bwahahahahahah!
Met him on a Monday and my heart stood still.... a doo runrunrun a doo run ruuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnn- yeah eh yeah - 

Hello Sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Ever had a song stuck in your head?! Boy do I have one!!! It's been there all morning! GooGoooDolls- "Don't Want The World To See Me"..... don't have a reason for it- it just is. So imagine that song and a bunch of determination and you have my morning!

Yay! I did it! Turn over (first turn mind you still have to add fertilizer and turn it again!) But I completed turning over and breaking ground and mashing up a whole whopping 13 X 17 rectangle of dirt! Just me and a shovel. Going to be my first garden ever. Well, I have had a few boxes in past, but my first ever designated space. 13 x 17 is damned near he size of entire yard I had entirely at the old house before we moved. Now I have this plus plus plus! Yay! It's like 2 yards in one! :) Yay!
whew. pooped... but happy! ..... no really tired now... Ha!
And this... (LOL Haha!Tatt is showing in my highwaters- LOL) ...This  below is the mini rock garden I have found along the way- so cute... I think the birds keep messing with them. They get re-arranged after I leave. :D

Okay- that's my morning. Now to go drink a ton of water and find some lunch... what sounds good? I'll probably have some left over Zitti.... maybe... or just drink some water and sit a bit..Ha! Happy Friday!!!!!!

Monday morning thoughts and knots

Eeeeet'sa Monday! ( I say it with my great aunts' Sicilian accent)
Good morning! This weekend was the absolutely beautiful Wolf Moon! Bella Luna!!!! And Ahhhh was she gorgeous! Did you get a chance to see her? Did ya howl at the moon?We had rain rain rain all weekend- but the clouds parted long enough to get to see her in her full glory, tie a ribbon around her and draw down the peace and power- she was a beauty!
Wonderful!
This early early morning, as hubby went to work, I got one last peak at her before the sunrise took away the glory- the setting moon... brought a smile first thing and great start to the morning!

So! The rain kept us from working in the yard much but oh boy did we knock out some serious time organizing the garage an finally getting some shelves up, a couple of my paintings hanging and some awesome work space!! Love it!!!!! felt wonderful! Was an awesome and productive weekend- along with several rounds of darts under the porch- my son beat our butts! But we all had a blast! Great family time!
I got all our feathered friends supplied with wild bird seed, and the hummingbird feeder is  hanging! - the Mr. especially liked that. Can't let them go without as the months will soon be turning colder!
Had a visit Saturday lunchtime from a Redish colored Hawk- in our yard! My son and I saw him, will have to look up that meaning this am. And Saturday night as we enjoyed our moon, a barn owl graced my hubby and I 's presence! Was truly awesome!
Yay!
Today is all house hold catch up - the weekend does make a mess- but moods are high and smiles are abundant!
bright blessings! 

what I have noticed today--- tiptoeing tuesday 1/22

Hi !!!!!! Yesterday - Monday -was bizarre!!!! Usually Mondays are cursed with no energy, I sleep in late and stay up late all weekend then wake up Monday just wanting to go back to bed! Ugh! But not this Monday!- was the total opposite! Awesome day! Maybe it was just the extra energy from such a beautiful day- the sun was out it was about 60 degrees- just gorgeous! I fed off that vibe all morning! I rocked the shoveling and soil turning in the yard! Yay!!
Added a few rocks to the collection. Outdoor as I find it altar- as I dig, I keep gathering the rocks that catch my eye and want attention- they are warming in the sunshine- turning out to me an outdoor special area-  here's what it looks like this am.

 Got loads of laundry done, did my catch up housework to gain control back of the house after the usual weekend mess,  made some killer baked Tilapia, fresh steamed carrots, and pilaf  for dinner last night! Super yummmmmmmm! Was awesome!  Last, but not least, got an email from my sister who reminded me of the jupiter/moon conjunction last night and all four of us went out to a beautiful eve and enjoyed the moon and the planet! Worked out great!

Beautiful end to the night! Loved it!

Today I am waxed out!  But I have finally caught up on many of my emails! Enjoying some catch up on Pink's latest album and video's from my fav. youtube channels.
... feels like a Monday. I did some kind of day reversal in energy I think! I guess that happens! Guess I best just drink my extra water and go with the flow- Yay! It's a "Monday-Tuesday" to tiptoe through!

My Morning... What I noticed today

Since I moved to this new house I have the pleasure of being accepted by the 2 hummingbirds who live in the two trees in my yard and the one large tree in the neighbors. A little grey female and her hubby -a beautiful green, grey,& red male. He doesn't get close to me, but when I prune the lemon tree out front or check it's progress the female always pays a visit. She even allows my sons to get close- my son took these pictures- shows her right above my head.
For the first time in my life I have experienced not just getting to see hummingbirds, but I have experienced their chatter. I am learning to understand their sounds, for normal day to day. The song, the clicks, the warnings, the chatter. they are very talkative creatures!
But today was different. It just happened. I am not sure what happened exactly but in the animal world, I actually got to be privy for a moment, and instinct and intuition screams at me inside to be glad I was! So I will not question, I obeyed and everyone seems to be happy I did.

 So here's what happened:I was out by the furthest part of my front yard- I have just begun to start knocking weeds and trying to think about where I want a garden to start:

I heard my hummingbirds chatter. The usual talk. I walked to the furthest left (northern) corner and snapped a picture of my agave- been having fun with sun play lately :

This is when I first heard the sound. Sharp - tone. I am not musical so I cannot place a key note to it; however, it sounded a lot like the beep you get from a house fire alarm when the battery is getting low??? There quick but gone. I thought- huh, weird. I turned to take another picture of the the rock wall the previous owner left me with

 Here at this picture I looked up because the sound came again. I glanced into my fruitless mulberry and say the male flying. He made the sound again- and I realized it actually came from him- but I was stunned to see him do it as to make the sound he actually is thrown backwards in flight in order to make it. He darted over my head. I thought- something's wrong! I briskly walked up to the house- and he made the noise a third time as I reached the porch the whole area went dead silent- not a bird, not a dog- it was freaky quiet- as if the whole world was listening- I listened- by my front door- too caught up in this weird to move-

quiet .....quiet.......not even a car moved..... there! That's it! I could hear a man yelling! Screaming profanities and it sounded from behind my house in the alley... I could hear his voice as he moved!  the warning sounded again, and this time the neighbors dogs went insane berzerkkers! Explosion of barks - fierce barks! then the back alley neighbor's dog went crazy and the man kept moving... I listened -you could hear him as he went for the dogs now took over the alerts! and I could hear the whole neighborhood- countless dog voices raising up in communication- After I knew he'd moved on down the road beyond the corner- and the neighbors dogs settled down a bit,  indicating safe- I went inside to find my cats at the back bedroom window -alert and hair raised, intent on watching down the alley.
Like I said- I don't know what happened exactly, but I am sooo happy I listened. So happy. Gut instincts are happy anyway.

I realize I could just be paranoid. The town's high school's news last week with the student shooter went international, and everyone in the town is still on edge. But this seemed significant in another way. So I am noting it, even if I do not completely understand it.

ps. now that I am typing this to share- my "helpers"........................." are helping...