My Attempt at a Promise

Wow, it has been a long time.  I don't know what my problem has been except maybe having too much to do and so little time.  I am suppose to be updating at least once every two weeks the following blogs:

Why would I do this to myself?  I can't fathom either.  Blogging has become so overwhelming to me because I spread myself so thin.

I guess what I am trying to say is this:  I am going to try to post something of interest at least once a month.  It could be a craft, recipe, thought, story.  Anything I fancy really.

I hope you begin checking back to see what I have to offer. 

Pagan Summer Camp

Patrick McCleary is hosting a Pagan Summer Camp over at his blog, Pagan Dad.  You will receive weekly newsletters with great activities.  The first four weeks will focus on the elements and the last week will focus on Deity.

I am already signed up to receive the newsletter via email.

...I'm Back...

Wow!  It has been awhile since I really have written for Perfectly Pagan. 

This blog started out as a way to catalogue my spirituality and keep track of things I want to remember for future reference.  It still is to a large part, but for awhile I felt an obligation.  An obligation to have new ideas and materials available to my readers.  An obligation to write or come up with a post just to get it done.

That was so far from what I envisioned when I started.  I had to step a way for awhile.  I am not sure how often I will be writing, but I know it will be more often than I have in last 2 months.  AND I know it will be more come June as I will have tons of time in the summer since I am a teacher and school will be out.

I post every other Thursday as a columnist on Pagan Household.  I update a link to my posts in my side bar under my pages.  So when I am not writing here, I promise to be over there. 

For some reason, I find posting on Pagan Household highly satisfying.  I am writing a column about how to share paganism with children in a very natural way.  Even being so new (2 years or so) into my path, I feel I am helping others on there journey and their encouragement and thought provoking words speak to me.

So, you can still expect to see here:

• my ponderings on my beliefs
• questions I am seeking answers to
• arts and crafts I complete or want to complete with my children 
• & all the goodness we explore and find in nature.

It just might not be as often.

I am considering started a mini sun school with my children on Saturdays.  My thoughts would be to divide the year into the 4 seasons and create 9 lessons per season.  The Sabbats would be included as part of these lessons.  Not sure how it will turn out or if it will, but it is a project I am contemplating for the summer.  I'll let you know how that goes.

Anyways...

I hope this doesn't deter you from stopping by as I love to know others are reading my thoughts.  I love to hear what you think or get a new perspective on something I have shared.  I just thought you deserved to know what has been going on over here in Texas.

Much more has been keeping me away as Texas and teaching are not going hand in hand at the moment, but I have a job next year and I thank the goddess for that every day.

Brightest blessings to you and yours.  I will stop by and write again soon.

Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

I came across this amazingly powerful challenge a bit too late in the year to implement with my kindergarten students, but wanted to share for all you homeschooling mamas & papas. Looking at your environment now gives you plenty of time to plan ahead for a future project that would benefit our planet.

Here is what the site says about Siemens:
Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is "the only national sustainability challenge that empowers students in every grade level to develop and share environmental solutions that just may change the world!"

The process seems simple:

•Go online. Create a team.

•Brainstorm with your children an environmental change that needs to be addressed in your home, classroom or school.

•Come up with a plan to address the problem and implement the plan.

I really want to do something with lunch waste... both recyclable and compostable. Not sure exactly how to gather data and what to do yet, but I guess that is what next year's kiddos will help me decide.

Please go check out the challenge and consider signing up next school year. The environmental impact alone is enough of a reason for me, but there are prizes too... really BIG prizes.
I could list the prizes for you here, but I really want you to take a look at the site for yourself. I think you just might be interested.

What environmental issue do you think your children could address?

Texas Sunset

Texas sunset from the Oasis.

Calling on the Goddess

Sometimes life goes by too fast and sends you into overdrive.  It rapidly skates by while you sit and watch feeling like you are stuck on pause.

Nothing particularly special is happening.  Nothing has really changed, yet you feel overwhelmed and in a funk.

This is where I am at.  I am out of routine, tired, grumpy, and dissatisfied for no reason I can discern.

I'm not unhappy.  I have no reason to be.  I'm just not motivated to live life to the fullest so to speak.

What should a momma to two amazing little boys and wife to her best friend do?

Well, snap out of it of course!

As the old saying goes... This is easier said than done.

I need to get back in touch with nature, my Goddess, and the people I love.  I need to put forth a bit of effort and change my outlook and plunge back into the life I love.

How do I plan to do this you may ask?

Hummmm.  To be honest, I don't exactly know.  I think I will start with spending some time alone... probably in the tub.  Seems to be the only time I am truly alone for a good chunk of time.  I think not thinking for awhile may be the place to start. 

It's amazing how many times I get clarity from my stolen moments of solitude.  I hope that by taking the time to ground myself I can shake this feeling of unrest.

How do you kick the funk?

What little things help you find your way when you seem lost?

Pagan Household Guest Poster

Go check out my article on Pagan Household.  I am so excited that Patrick McCleary from Pagan Dad asked me to write something... me just beginning this wonderful journey of knowing and honoring the Goddess.

Two Great Sites of Interest

Nature Child E Zine: Quartley additions come out for each of the seasons featuring articles on herbal lore, coloring & activity pages, crafts, recipes, stories, spells, science, Homeschooling, rites of passage. involving children in ritual, and much more.

Pagan Village:  Join the Pagan Village to learn ideas from like mined pagan families.  Share what you know and learn form others.  A wonderful support group created by the Pagan Dad.

Zen House Cleaning

Is zen house cleaning the way of the witch?  The more I read the more I think it might just be. 

My mom gave me the book: Zen and the Art of Housekeeping for my birthday.  When I first began reading I thought... "This is just crazy.  Housekeeping and 'zen'?  No way!"  But not far into the book, I made a discovery... Everything we do in life has a purpose.  We eat because we need the nutrition.  We sleep to rejuvenate the body and soul.  Why can't housekeeping have some higher purpose that just not living like pigs?

As you read the book (I am actually not that far into it... YET.), you begin to realize that cleaning the home can be very therapeutic and meditative.  After all, how many times have you made a life decision or come to a conclusion about something in life while in that deep thought evoking monotony of vacuuming or scrubbing the dishes?  I know I have, ALOT.

If house keeping can really become a zen experience, maybe (just maybe) I can keep it up.  We do not live in filth (not even close), but it does seem there is always something more interesting, shall I say, than cleaning my home.  Cleaning my home is a chore and not one I like at all. There are always dishes in  the sink and clothes in the washer.  Maybe if I begin to think of these things with a new perspective, my entire outlook on keeping my home the peaceful sanctuary I so desperately need will begin to become a reality.

How to you make cleaning your home a 'zen' experience?

What do you do to make cleaning less of a chore and more enjoyable?

Nature Bags for the Kidlets

Honoring the earth and loving nature is at the essence of all my pagan beliefs.  With that being said, I want my children to love Mother Earth and all she has to offer as much I do. 

My mom got the boys the coolest gift.  I know it will travel many places with my little ones and get much use as we explore the wonderful outdoors.

The Nature Bag is amazing.  Not only is it made from organic cotton, but the contents are all recycled, organic, and fair trade items.

The bag contains...

• all season activity booklet
• hemp twine
• recycled notebook
• 8 colour cards
• organic cotton blindfold
• recycled pencil
• rubberwood magnifying glass
• soy based crayons &
• 2 leaf viewers.

Read this excerpt from the website...

"Nature bag - the little (organic) nature activity bag that can.......

• connect children with their natural environment
• offer a hands–on, curiosity led alternative to TV and video games
• support the psychological and emotional well being of children through their interaction with nature
• create for our planet, stewards of the future
• contribute to the source of income of families in KV Kuppam, a district in Southern India, through the manufacturing of the organic cotton bag and bandanna in their factory
• provide you with the choice of buying an earth-friendly product."

Little J and I already put the bag to the test.  JJ gave it two thumbs up. 

As we hiked in the woods, he would stop and pull out various items to use in his exploration.  He was so cute during our journey.  He even made a point to move branches and thorns, so that I could meander my way through the brush.

I have not had the chance to sit down and really delve into the contents, but as soon as I do I'll let you know.  I am going to plan a couple activities that will get the boys acquainted with the contents of the bag.  I hope this will encourage their exploration even further.

So, what gifts did your children get over the holiday?

What gift just left you thinking... Wow, what a great idea?

For Those That Celebrate Christmas

Yule, Christmas, and the Holidays

So, I was wondering what everyone does for the holidays.  We have traditionally celebrated Christmas, but I would like to incorporate Yule as well. 

Since I began my pagan journey on Samhain 2009, I was so new to the path that I did not do much for Yule last year.  I quietly observe the holiday on my own... a 5 minute mediation and commune with the goddess.  It was nice actually, but it did not involve my children.

I do not want a big ta-do.  Something simple and symbolic of the season.

Any suggestions?  Ideas?

*Upon looking at a post from last year, I realize I did have a brief discussion with the boys.*

My husband doesn't want to confuse them by changing to a Yule celebration, but Christmas never had anything to do with Jesus and his birthday and all of that at our house anyways.

Any ideas on how to transition without a big change?  I also am concerned that if we do not celebrate on the 25th that others will begin to realize our beliefs and ostracize my children.

Isn't it sad to live in the United States and still have to deal with such ridiculous ideas as mainstream Christianity?

Fairy By the Moonlight

This is my new desktop wallpaper for winter.  Isn't it beautiful?!

Just thought I would share.

Happy Samhain!

Today is finally here.  I wish everyone a happy holiday and much fun this evening.  We are in search of green hair paint for Little J to be Frankenstein.  Nothing like last minute.

Blessed Be, My Friends.

Samhain Resource Just in Time

The Samhain edition to Pooka Pages was just released.  It is a full 29 pages this time.  Wooo-hooo.  If you have little ones, this is a must read.

This edition of Pooka Pages includes:

• In the Attic (story for children about Pooka the black cat)
• Pooka Cookies (look divine... peanut butter, chocolate cake mix, and candy= YUM-MY!!)
• 5 Little Witches Finger Play
• The Cutest Herb Jars (made from recycled baby food jars)
• 2 Pumpkin Stencils
• Thistle's Pumpkin (a rebus story for beginning readers)
• A Samhain Ritual
• Nathan Paper Doll
• Elemental Glitter Globes.

I hope you find something fun to do for Samhain this weekend.  The time approaches quickly.  It will be over before you know it.

Update

Check This Out... One Pink Fish is Moving

Practical Magic Blog Party

Go check out the links in the side bar of the Practical Magic Blog Party.  You are sure to find several great creations and posts centered around both the movie and the book.

The book was fantastic... a bit different from the movie, but still very good.  I rewatched the movie and remembered why I bought it in the first place.  Magick is always whimsical and fun no matter what your age or gender.  This story has everything... magick, love, death, and love again.

I am planning several posts related to the movie and book.  They are too late for the blog party as I was out of town, but I still wanted to share anyways.

Practical Magic

I am participating in the Practical Magic Blog Party on September 25th.  In honor of the party, I watched the movie for the first time in years.  It brought back all the magikal thoughts and loveliness the Owens girls have to offer.

My next adventure is to finish the book before the 25th.  the books is so wonderful it's hard to put it down to sleep at night.  Really... it is.

If you would like to participate in this exciting blog party, I have copied the rules from the site below.  You really should go visit the site though and add your blog to the comments. 

On the 25th,  we will blog hop and read all the wonderful connections people had to the movie or book.  It should make for some exciting reading in our near future.

Pagan Parenting Resource Blog: Part Two

I have been working hard to add some content from several of my blogs to the new Pagan Parenting Resource Blog.  I think it is turning out great. 

If you have children and need a place to find resources, I think we are on the way to something truly amazing.  Please pop over become a follow and take the poll in the side bar.  We want to know what needs the pagan parent has in regards to our blog.

Also if you would be willing to post about our new adventure, we would all be greatly appreciative. 

On a Side Note: We are still looking for contributors as well. 

Have a wonderful weekend.