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American Thanksgiving

Good message for all of us. Wisdom to follow every day, all year long.
Good Morning Everyone!
Love sent to each and everyone of you.
Now, always and forever!

la foret des soupirs

Adult – very inviting landscaping. You know I’m always drawn to the little cottage off in the distance. =^_^=’ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hot%20Bodies/199/243/22

The Xmas tree has been put out, but there is no snow yet, the water is clear and inviting, the mountain off in the distance speaks of worlds to conquer, yet here on the deck, the birds and crickets sings, all is peaceful.

nov.26_002In the background I hear the voice of Edith Piaff singing songs from a long ago time.  It is very tranquil here.  I may stay and visit awhile.  The outside world is so busy, everyone is in a hurry.  The radio must be on in that little chalet I saw,  it was, the room in the chalet is a little oasis of comfort and charm.  I left the SL(Second Life) to  attend to every day errands, when I returned this evening, there was a couple happily  enjoying the sharing possibilities  provided in the cabin.  I left =^_^=   3 is company.

nov.26_004When we venture down paths we’ve not traveled before, we are more likely to encounter new experiences, and new people. In this build I discovered a world that is very sensuous, the designer has applied her skills to recreating a place that is inviting.  Her woodlands, home and furnishings are brought together in a piece of virtual art that is pleasing to the senses.

I bring this approach to my adventures in life, Life is Art,(PL, Precept #1) how we interact with the tools and canvas provided will influence the outcome of our day and lives.  Choose to use words and gestures that are kind, polite and courteous.  In this way, we help shape our day in a very positive way.

PL Precept #15, All is a Mirror   to recreate an environment such as the one visited today, the builder has to have lived, or experienced the “virtual world” they wished to share with visitors.  The site is group owned, it was founded by Leesha Azara (Pearl.solano)

PL Precept #18   Each moment is a Turning Point  I love this Precept, it is so positive and gives such hope.  Think about it, it is NOW, EACH moment is a Turning Point.!

Living in Perfect Liberty is so amazing.  Blessings everyone

Now I lay me down to sleep

Now I lay me down to sleep – is a song /prayer that I heard as a child.  Maybe you remember it.

the following are the lyrics that I got on the web should you not remember the prayer.  It has been revised several times and there are copies on the web for your to browse should you wish to do so.  I extrapolated the following from the web dictionary. Perhaps the earliest version was written by Joseph Addison in an essay appearing in The Spectator on March 8, 1711. It says:

When I lay me down to Sleep,
I recommend my self to his care;
when I awake, I give my self up to his Direction.

A later version printed in The New England Primer goes:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.

This little prayer has been playing in my head now for a week or so.  I wonder why it only seems to address itself to the younger generation.  Perhaps it is because I have been getting my “house in order” shedding, and recycling that I feel this little prayer is one that should be for all ages.  Especially those of us who are nearing our golden years.  As I packed and filled yet another bag for the Salvation Army, I thought of this, and wanted to pass it along.  I’ve seen to many friends pass on into the “great beyond” and their “treasures” and possessions became “stuff” to be rid of by family or persons unknown depending on the situation.

We don’t like to talk about such events, but that is what life is, we come, we live, we leave.  In the “we live”part, we deal with all sorts of challenges and adventures, our collections, our memories, how many of them do we actually look at and actually “see” as the years pass by.  In cleaning up I relived a lot of fun moments (during the collection) but I also realized that a lot of what I had /have was no longer being used, admired, or even much thought of.

Its cold outside, why do I need  a dozen or so hoodies, when it comes time to wear one, I usually wear the same one or two all the time. Someone else can benefit from them, they are in good condition, warm and in a thrift shop will be very affordable.  I used to like my “Designer” labels, and would enjoy just looking at the variety in my cupboards.  I used my leather purses for decorating and staging a “look” along my walls or hanging from a door.  Now I’ve kept only a few that I “may” use at some time or another.  I’ve come to terms with the “need” I had for wanting to “possess” (comes from being a child born during the war) =^_^=

Anyway, just musing out loud.  What do you think, isn’t the above prayer a good one for each and every one of us?

PL Precept #11  Always be with God

That said, remember to live with a smile in your heart.  Pass it on!  smilePencil

Life

Sometimes life is like that… we can enjoy the activity, we just can’t participate the way we would like to.
We can learn about mindfulness from our feline friends.

Live in the now. Appreciate the moment.
..

photo -Murphy cats

Carrot meat loaf

Thanks to a goof on my part, tonight we got to enjoy a yummy carrot meat loaf.  It looked so good in the roasting pan, I didn’t want to cut into it till I took a photo. =^_^=

photo (14)Yes it was good, it was delicious.  I didn’t set out to make a carrot meat loaf, my intent when I started in the kitchen was to make carrot juice. Yup I bunged up the carrot juice.. I used a blender, duh, so of course, I ended up with a lot of carrot fiber, and water that had a carrot taste.  I’d added a good dose of shredded ginger to the concoction   What to do.  I grew up hearing “waste not, want not”  I decided to use the 3/4 pound of lean ground beef we had and fresh veggies and roast the lot.  Creative thinking is my specialty =^_^=

Drained the “carrot juice” put the liquid aside and the fiber in a second bowl. (drank the liquid on its own, and used some in the loaf for added moisture.

In a big mixing bowl, I cut and sliced, 3 zucchini, more carrot, 1 good size stalk of  leek, finely sliced… & 1 medium potato….smashed up 4 good buds of garlic and tossed everything together. I found left over rice in the fridge, tossed that in too.  Soy (low sodium) and a dash of fish sauce (anchovies)

Added 1 cup of Panko bread crumbs and 1 egg, kneaded the mix till it was light and fluffy then poured it into a big roasting pan.  Patted it down nice and firm, the added slices of another zucchini arranged across the mixture. cubed and diced a large tomato and tossed it over the zucchini. Then to sweeten the taste I added handfuls of  3 types of cheese that were already shredded to form a light layer over the veggies.  I noticed I had a handful of sliced celery in the fridge so I sprinkled that on too. I like food to be visually appealing too.

Into the oven it went for an hour at 325- 350 degrees F.    WE had some very cold weather last night, so when it was done, I simply turned off the little oven and left the loaf there to cool and refrigerate till we were ready to eat today..   Supper time  I brought the pan in, sliced a piece of loaf and served it with  mixed green veggies, a red baked potato, and some Farm Boy slaw. (Farm Boy is a specialty fresh vegetable, meat and fruit shop we have here in Ottawa)  mixture of fresh greens were steamed, no salt, condiments or butter. The potato did get a dollop of butter.

This was a very high fiber rich meal. =^_^=,  we have enough left over (freezer) for a couple of meals.

Bon appetit!         nb* the spices you want to use are up to you, these ingredients will harmonize with practically anything.  Had I had mushrooms                                                       on hand, you can be assured I’d have used them.

Lost and Found

X nov 23b_007Lost to us is the simplicity of yesterday

Lost is the innocence of your younger years

X nov 23b_001Lost is the time when we were happy to simply explore and enjoy the world around us, where everything was new, being friends meant secrets shared and fun and laughter was just being together, free to play out our dreams and fantasies.

Where are those moments now?  Do you still cherish your dreams, do you make time for that young boy/girl you once were..

X nov 23b_013Today I found a quiet place, far away where nature was at play, and the day was playing out like a long forgotten song.  I watched while a bear patiently waited for the fish to come her way, I heard the sea gulls call out as they flew across the skies.  In the distance, I spied a small cottage waiting to be discovered.

X nov 23b_009To my surprise, as I got closer, I saw two chipmunks sharing nuts on the porch.  I’d found a bit of paradise and it was all mine to enjoy.

X nov 23c_002For a time anyway – after all, happiness and beauty should be shared.  Today I found a quiet corner, a place where imagination and dreams can be relived.  Link will follow at the end of this blog.  It isn’t enough to do things just to make yourself happy =^_^=  I did meet a fellow traveler while I explored.  He too was taking in the beauty of the build.

X nov 23b_006Like two ships that pass in the night, we exchanged greetings and moved on, each respectful of the other’s space.  No matter we were in the same place, our photographs I’m sure were very different.  Just like in life, even when we stand shoulder to shoulder and look out at the world, each person will draw their own impressions.  That is what makes life so interesting.

X nov 23b_005

 

link to SL location  –  there are many directions you can go, and something different at the end of each path.   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lucky%20Paradise/110/73/24

virtual photographs – Xsa

 

 

 

 

 

Changing Seasons

Caverns of Aleval – you’ve seen pictures now taken from this location in the last few blogs. This is a build by Asa Vordun in Second Life this is the taxi to click on to explore the place for yourself. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caverns%20of%20Aleval/243/90/21

This morning I took an online survey for a University in South Carolina on the experience of teaching,or being a student in SL, until about 2009 may of the major Universities and Learning Institutions had a presence in Second Life. Now it seems less so if I am to believe the document I read this morning.

As an artist and teacher, I have found Second Life to be invaluable for my own development and those who have ventured in with me. Some stay only a little while, others have stayed longer, some couldn’t handle it at all. It is a learning curve in one way or another for all who give it a try.

Fear of the unknown, insecure with technology, lack of time, for whatever reason, there is a time and a season. =^_^= Being in Second Life, requires a desire to be there, if you decide to visit and explore, you world will open up .. especially if you are creative person, the options are endless.

Caverns of Aleval is going through a change today, snow is falling and the land is taking on the charms of winter. Our lives also go through changing seasons, sometimes we feel the gradual change, and other times, plop, it is in our face.

PL lesson for today says. Once you Make up your mind things will begin to happen.. Once you decide, “I’m going to do it” your enthusiasm and courage will begin to rise, if you give it your best effort, God will give you aid when you need it most..    X nov 23a_004The attention to detail in this build is amazing.  (I caught Asa doing some add ons this morning, she closed the door to this darling little home, if you peak inside, you will find it warm and cosy, simply touch the door for it to open)

Attention to detail is what we need in our lives …  We need to practice mindfulness, if we want something to happen or desire a change, then we need do more than think and want it, we have to work towards that goal, being present and mindful of our journey is key.   I’ve taken a close up of her work, this is virtual art at its best.  Her place is welcoming and heartwarming.

X nov 23a_006

I love that little tree.   Share your world, share your dreams, step outside the box, make your dreams a reality.   Blessings.

Inspiration - ginger or garlic

Hmmm ginger or garlic, what has that to do with Inspiration. It is about choices, Garlic is such a wonderful little plant. Not only does it add flavour to food it is healthy for us. The same can be said about ginger, Each one has its own taste, and its own uses (as health benefits) and depending on how it is used, will determine our acceptance of use of it.
Interestingly, both are roots (bulbs) the most known remedies and uses are of the part of the plant that is underground.
When out in the woods, unless you know what you are looking for the wild garlic goes unseen.
If my husband comes into the kitchen while I’m preparing a meal, he reacts to the smell of garlic (in the negative) and it in turn affects his pleasure in the meal when it is served.
IF he does not see me cooking, he enjoys the meal with much more gusto and appreciation.

On the surface, life can be tranquil and peaceful, but when we look, really look, often what we see changes our initial perspective.
All this to say, there are so many layers in life, and often we are only dealing with the top layers.
When Inspiration comes to us, it is because the Universe has cut through the layers and has given us a quick glimpse at the heart or core of that moment and blessed us with an option.  I’ve used the word option, because. we are guided, it is up to us to make the choice of listening or doing something different.
Listen, accept the thought and if action is involved, do it. Go for it. Believe in your inner voice for it belongs to YOU, Have faith in yourSELF. me, myself and I, we are all ONE connected to the Universe, The Divine connection is always there, sometimes we simply are not listening. GOD/TAO is ever present.       A L W A Y S

PL Precept #18   Each Moment Is A Turning Point.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah   40:31     2013-03-22 9.9.2013 fall is coming 017

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is every 21st of the month for those of us who follow the Perfect Liberty calendar/philosophy.  A day we come together in prayer and community to formally give thanks for the people around us and the things provided to us by Mother Nature.  It is a time to renew our intention of beginning each new day with appreciation, and to step forward with a feeling of World Peace in our heart.

To begin my day today, I used up the left over mashed potatoes and designer carrots  by making a veggie ball with them, this gave me the protein since a scrambled egg was used to hold the ball together. =^_^=  I accompanied the ball with diced fresh tomato and red pepper, and for added colour a few flowers of broccoli.  No additional condiments were used.

photo (13)YUM YUM YUM… love my veggies.

Service is at 7 pm this evening.  See you then.       smilePencil

Winter scene

Have you been overdoing things lately, convinced that you have to get everything done now.
Relax and take a moment to breathe….
Actually take more than a moment….
Enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the day that was presented to you.
Express gratitude in your prayers.
Strive to do things for the sake of others, pray for their happiness as well.

God = love

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