Smudge Sticks DIY

Smudge Sticks are a Native American tradition of burning bundles of dried herbs to encourage spiritual cleansing and clearing negative energy. 

They are ideal for creating balance especially after an argument, bad news, bad day etc. 

I used to buy these bundles at Whole Foods until I smartened up and realized how easy they are to make at home.  

I use lavender, rosemary and sage as they grow in my garden and have specific purposes in my cleanse. 

The use of sage is for healing. The smoke is used to bless, cleanse and heal the person or object being smudged. Sage is used to 'wash off' the outside world when one enters ceremony or other sacred space. Lavender, This native of Europe is often used for invitation of the spirits. The name may be derived from the Latin lavare (to wash) or livendula (meaning bluish). In ancient times lavender was an important herb used in mummification. Rosemary brings about mental clarity and calmness by allowing you to ’let go’ of any negative thoughts/programs you have been holding on to.
(source)

 Using a natural string wrap them around the base tucking the leaves in, I used sage on the outside as it had the widest leaves.  

Let them hang dry for about a week- more if you live in a high humidity area.  

I didn't get a good photo of them burning but just set the end on fire and wave it around or blow gently on the embers.  I use one smudge for about four cleanses.  I walk around the house, getting each room and corner, with stop off in the bathrooms and kitchen to shake off ashes.  Usually just walking around briskly will produce enough smoke, I try not to blow on it directly unless I'm over a sink so as to avoid ash damage or staining.  Feel free to meditate on your cleanse or declare your intentions. 

I'm also pretty obsessed with Incense  

Do you use smudge sticks or incense? 

Gratitude Rocks

We do a lot of rock collecting over here.  I've enjoyed collecting rocks since I was a kid and when I met Dr. J I was introduced to a whole subculture of buying rocks and crystals.  Needless to say everywhere we go our family ends up bringing rocks, fossils and crystals home. 

I love the feel of a smooth rock and remember hearing the concept of 'Gratitude Rock' from the book The Secret.  The concept is that by having a tangible object to remind you and help you focus your gratitude, you will attract good energy. 

I decided to combine my love of words with some smooth rocks and make gratitude rocks.  

I bought these adhesive stickers at Target and rubbed them onto smooth rocks.  For rocks that were not as smooth I simply brushed on a layer of Mod Podge first and let it dry before adding the adhesive and repeating the step. 

After sticking on the adhesive I gave it a few brush overs with the Mod Podge

I'm pretty happy with the final result, especially with the Red Rock which we find plenty of close to home. 

I will be mailing these to friends and family with thank you notes as needed. 

Do you believe in the concept of a Gratitude Rock? 

To see some photos of some of our hiking expeditions visit: here, here, here, here and here.

Finca Ixobel- Ecolodge Guatemala

Finca Ixobel is an ecolodge located in the northern jungles of Guatemala.  Our family spent four wonderful days relaxing, swimming, hiking and eating unbelievably delicious food.  

This self sufficient community was founded by Carole DeVine and Michael Devine, two Americans who travelled in down to Central America in search of a perfect piece of land to purchase.  Since they bought the 400 acres in 1971 the community has evolved to house several houses, outbuilding, barns, natural swim lake, cabins and campgrounds.  The vibe of this place is like no other.  I attribute it to the fact that each detail has been lovingly hand created with the help of volunteers from around the world. 

It is possible to volunteer at the ecolodge for room and board.  We stayed as guests but the boys dove right in to volunteering with the animals. They woke up every morning at 6:30 (often while Dr. J and I slept!) and gathered for the morning meeting where responsibilities were assigned and they worked with the horses, chickens and even fed the turtles one morning.  It was with a great sense of pride that my youngest gathered the chicken eggs each morning and brought them to the kitchen to be used for the days meals.

Ways that Finca Ixobel is eco friendly include it’s self sufficient water supply from natural springs on the property.  They use a RAM PUMP SYSTEM which doesn’t use any energy source save the water and air pressure.  There is a solar clothes dryer.  All the food is composted and they use velmiculture (red worms) to produce black dirt.  There has been an ongoing reforestation program to plant native plants and fruit trees.  

The natural swimming pond is a spring fed and chemical free.  There are several hammock huts around the swimming pond as well as a floating dock and water slide.  To say I enjoyed spending time in the hammocks is an understatement. 

Check out this little friendly guy the boys discovered, the poor fellow ended up in a cup with cellophane and air hole for the better part of the day until I FIRMLY informed my boys that under NO circumstances was he coming into MY cabin. 

We stayed in a Deluxe Cabin which was a free standing building on stilts.  The private bathroom was downstairs and our room consisted of three double beds with mosquito netting as well as a balcony with a private hammock and table with stools.  Needless to say it was perfect. 

There is an un-excavated pyramid on site which we braved

the heat and humidity of the jungle to climb.  We kind of got lost and became very disoriented as the trails are not very obvious.  My older son was worried we would get attacked by guerrillas which my younger son took to mean large monkeys were going to eat us.  We laughed all the way down to safety.

The meals were all served with an honor system.  You could help yourself to many foods and drinks during the day and just record it in the binder under your name.  The evening meal was a family style meal which usually included two choices of main dishes, several side dishes and salads as well as a vegetarian option.  Everything was either produced on site or bought locally so it was all seasonal.  We often ate by candle light and my boys were the official dinner bell ringers during our stay.  Carol the owner and her daughter joined us for most meals and it was very interesting to sit and talk with her, as well as volunteers and guests from around the world. 

These two macaws were at the front of the property.  One was very friendly and talkative, the other was rumored to have bitten a finger or two.  

One of the coolest experiences of my life was going to the jungle bar. 

Picture making your way into a dark jungle, in the middle of the night with the sound of music beats as your only guide.  Dr. J and I did this one night and it was a pretty neat experience to find a bar in the middle of the jungle.  The picture above is what the bar looked like during the day! 

Have you every stayed at an ecolodge? 

Mother's Day Is SO Overrated

We started a new Mothers Day tradition this year that I hope becomes an annual event. 

On Saturday morning we got up early and started organizing.  The tent was taken down and checked for all it’s components, the sleeping bags were retrieved and flashlights filled with new batteries.  Because we live in the desert we also gathered kindling and wood to pack into the car.  I made sure food was packed, cutlery, dishes, cups, pots and pans.  I packed the clothes for the kids and made sure there was sunscreen and a first aid kit.  I then waved goodbye as Dr. J and the monkeys took off on their camping adventure.  

I closed the garage door and entered my quiet house.  The next few hours were filled with reading, writing, wine, a bubble bath and popcorn for dinner.  I shut my phone off but allowed my computer to stay on.  I needed the computer because with the silence my mind raced with ideas, things I remembered I needed to look up, research- It is so easy to think when there are no interruptions.  

In the morning I woke up at 8:30 (!) to a quiet house.  I read in bed, made myself coffee, did some yoga then might have even thrown in a load of laundry.  I made some phone calls and then waited.  At exactly the 24 hour mark the garage door opened and in burst a cloud of red dust with dirty children and a tired husband.  Mother's Day is so overrated, all I want is peace and quiet. 

I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend! 

Gardening From Seedlings

During this walk last year we collected several pods and seeds.
I kept them in a jar for a year (in a cool dry place) and this year germinated them and planted them in egg cartons.  I officially have 18 mini trees now.  We are still waiting for them to have six leaves each before transferring them to a proper container.  No sure where I'm going to plant my 18 trees.

I placed them in a wet paper towel, folded over and kept moist. 

After about a week little sprouts started to appear and we then transferred them to the egg carton and soil. 

We also have sunflower seeds that  monkey number one planted.

In this photo my baby trees are in the foreground, the sunflowers are in the middle and a friend bought me these beautiful full grown sunflowers.

What have you been growing? 

Things to consider when planting with kids:

Kids of all ages love to play with soil, digging holes and water.  

Give them free reign on what they want to plant. 

Do some internet or library book research together.

Try to encourage fast growing plants so that they can see progress quickly (sunflowers are very rewarding!)

Talk about bees, insects and butterflies that help pollinate flower and are food for birds.  

Have fun! 

Natural Dyes In Guatemala

Many of the villages and towns we visited while traveling in Guatemala had Co-ops where woman gathered to make colorful yarns and weave them into may beautiful tapestries.
San Juan, La Laguna was a town that particularly specialized in the coloring of yarns using natural dyes.  This made for beautiful muted colors and an interesting lesson in the various natural plants native to Central America which were used in the process.

I have used natural dyes to make Egg Shell Art as well as Flower Petal Fabric Dye .

Do you use natural dyes? 

What are your favorite or most unusual?  

Trash To Treasures: The Sculptures Of Dave Thompson

Trash to Treasures: The Sculptures of Dave Thompson is the current exhibit showing at the Spring Preserve until May 20th 2012.  Found-object artist Dave Thompson uses primarily discarded metal, recycling it and transforming it into mythical creatures and other other worldly creations.  

Mr. Thompson’s works are seamlessly incorporated into the natural landscape of the Preserve and concentrated among the gardens and the paths leading towards the gardens.  At the entryway to the Preserve one is met with a large tree made using recycled metal, old pots, pans and teapots as well as wine bottles filled with bright colored liquids.  

As you continue down the pathways there are cleverly placed long horn sheep made from old machine parts along the boulders and turtles, squirrels and frogs placed among and on the rocks.  These whimsical creations are delightful to observe and I enjoyed the bright colors of some of his works contrasted with the rusty uniform color of others.  Further in the garden among the marshlands are his mermaid sculpture titled: Misty, whose hair is even made of long metal strands and other water animals, such as fish and flamingos.  

The boys particularly delighted in the various dragons such as: Sabretooth Dragon, Hissie Dragon.  These brightly colored dragons pop out among the desert landscape.  

Dave Thompson did not train as an artist but rather worked as a welder who stumbled upon his talent while working on a welding project which required him to curve and manipulate the medium.  He eventually picked up a few scrape pieces to work with and practice and ended up creating his first dragon.  Impressed with the way in which his piece took on a life of its own he began creating more art.  

I loved recycled art- Do you?