Grounding: Food

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After I had Penelope, my dear friend Jessica brought us a feast. Lentil soup, roasted root vegetables and lots of other goodies. We feasted for days on the soup and veggies. We loved both so much we tried our hand at recreating them. They both are now staples in our house.

Roasted Root Vegetables.
2 yams
1 large beet or 2 smaller ones
2-3 carrots
5-6 small purple potatoes
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 heads of garlic, tops chopped off, still in paper however
A coating of olive oil
A sprinkle of Celtic grey salt or Himalayan pink salt
Fresh ground pepper to your liking
(Normally there is also one large onion but we did not have one this time.)

Chop all veggies close to the same general width. I love a good ole rustic chop but this time I sliced them. Mix them in a large glass baking dish. Tuck the whole garlic heads and sprigs of rosemary into the veggies. Top with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees till the yams are soft and the beets have still a little bit of crunch to them. About 1 hour. You can stir part of the way through baking but really it's not necessary. The garlic can just be squeezed out of the paper when you go to eat it. 

Laura and I enjoyed this on the side of our dinner tonight and it's definitely comfort food for this momma. I believe Laura was a huge fan as well....considering she asked me how to make it so she can after I leave. She also found out that she's a lover of beets now that she's eaten them this way instead of the typical pickled, canned, not-so-tasty beets I'm sure most of us have had at some point in our lives.

Peace and Love.
Katelyn

Lessons from the Road.

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A little over 5 years ago, I packed up Joey's truck and drove from California to Louisiana with my mother to meet Joey who had drove out to find a job a month earlier. The drive was agonizing. I found no solace on the road and felt very unnerved as I left behind everyone and everything I ever knew. When we drove back to California to visit the first time, still, nothing resolved between myself and the road. I don't know when it happened, this girl I am, who can pack up her two girls and drive 8 hours, (or even over 12) and actually enjoy it. As I packed up to come to Laura's house I knew I was leaving behind so many transgressions and would return a little bit different. This "work" trip is definitely not one of hard laborious work but one of hard spiritual work and release. My shower this morning was spiritual as I literally washed away the past three days emotions. The past three days where I beat myself up numerous times for feeling like I wasn't there for my child in the past few months. When my four year old would speak of things she has never spoken of before and bringing them into the light. So much to the story. More than I could handle. But from this, actions of hers, conversations with herself she has had, it is all starting to make sense.

On the road to Laura's there were many times the universe used it's magic to let me know it is all going to be okay. One that stuck out to me was from the sky. Three flocks of blackbirds flying in the sky. Large flocks. Two flocks joined at one point and did this beautiful dance where they then flew for a brief moment in an undeniable shape of a sparrow. 
"Blackbird awakens the mind with awareness as changes of perceptions are unfolding. He stirs psychic abilities and brings to consciousness latent healing gifts and creativity. Blackbird shows how to move with determination, focus and tenacity and how to use your power to its fullest potential. At this time there is a magic of the unseen worlds coming forth that is paired with the balance of grounding within the earth as you walk your path. Blackbird will guide in this new awakening. Blackbird teaches use of intuition that will aid in understanding Mother Nature and the connection to all things. Are you listening carefully to the seen and unseen worlds? Are you grounding and balancing your energy appropriately? Blackbird will teach much and bring new surprises when you least expect it. Pay attention and listen carefully."
"Sparrow aids in opening the eyes to our self-worth and instills dignity and empowerment. He teaches the importance of voice and communication and the timing of exertion and retreat. It is time to sing your song in all that you do. Sparrow teaches cooperation and sharing responsibilities whether at home or work. Are you helping or should you be helping or working more in some area of your life? Sparrow aids in survival instincts by sharpening intuition to make proper choices. He will bring to awareness any old tendencies so that you can realize the newer more conducive means of being. Sparrow teaches assertion so that you may survive in spite of any circumstances with a balance of joy and empowerment." -Source

I don't even know where to end this blog now that I sit here, mouth agape from these descriptions. So much digesting going on. I'm listening mother earth.
And by the way, my girls were roadtrip warriors!
Peace and Love.
Katelyn

Clarity: And the time to move on.

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You try for ages to declutter. Release and let go. You give away things, you sell things, you donate things. Still drowning. But when the thing suffocating you isn't really things you never truly feel peace. Then something so monumental, so in your face happens and you can't ignore the catalyst before you any longer. This year has been leading up to this huge shift happening in our household. I have been ignoring the warning signs all along. Trying to tell myself that this isn't happening. That it would be too hard to make the shift and jump ship.

It's happened.
I jumped and I made it.

I learned finally to trust myself. Lean on myself first. Not to worry about others so much when it is detrimental to this family. To use the throat chakra that I've been so mindfully working on trusting and allowing it's place in my life. And to listen to the voice of a child.

Children speak volumes, when you actually learn to listen to them.

The things my child has told me over the course of the last two days was the universe's 300, Sparta, kick in the gut, way of telling me it was time to let it go. Stop holding on to the decay. I've ignored the warning signs far too long and it upped the ante with this warning. Well baby, all my alarms are blaring.

Laura spoke these words to me and I hope she doesn't mind me sharing, with a few choice words,  for privacy reasons, changed:
"I guess your feelings of (it) were coming from a deep instinctual need to let (it) go and the universe just did it's magic for you. Your heart was in the right place. Just sit with this for a while and then gently let (it) go."

Magic. Yes.

Just wish I listened sooner.
This morning I drew a tarot for the first time in a long while.
"Nurturing lodge of the bowls: The fruits of devotion."
Some lines that stuck out to me specifically in my guidebook-
"You have given away too much. You have extended your hand to others so far that you have lost your balance. Go prepare a nurturing space. Renew yourself. Get what you need to fill your space and feel good about sharing once again with others."

Check and mate.
Only this time me extending my hand to far manifested itself within the soul of my child and I am hoping the road of healing for her, for us, will not be one paved with any more stumbling blocks.

Peace and Love.

Katelyn

10.

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This little gal. 10 months ago today, I was snuggling with my new little baby after a quick and furious labor. I learned to trust myself again. Know that I am capable and that I, no matter what, am a mother who will do anything for her children. I was renewed. These last 10 months have sure had their ups and downs. Trials. Tribulations. And all that jazz. This year has been one of the hardest lessons in learning to let go. But it's all been worth it and I feel Penelope's birth was a new catalyst to propel our family. Even though age 4 has been the hardest with Leena, we are closer than we ever have been. There are certain lessons I am still learning. Focusing on and tripping over. But they will not get the better of me. And can I just say how amazing my husband is? Every single step of the way, he is there for me. I am continually amazed by him and his acceptance and love. I thought I had pushed him with things like saying:
"When we get married, I know you don't like vegetables but you HAVE to eat them and eat them with a smile when we have kids."
"If the baby is a boy, we are not circumcising. I will fight you on that." 
"I don't want to vaccinate."
"I am going vegetarian." 
"After Leena's birth, I refuse to have a baby in the hospital ever again. Even if that means going unassisted."
"Would you encapsulate my placenta for me?"
"I am questioning my faith and think everything I ever knew is all wrong."


He stuck through it all. And now I find this man, who only ate cauliflower and corn, which isn't even a vegetable, having conversations with his mom about fluoride and it's link to Alzheimer.

Together, we've grown.

And together, we've had two beautiful girls.

Happy 10 months, baby girl.
Happy 4 1/2 years, Leena love.

Peace and Love.
Katelyn

*Yes, I realize that I sound über controlling and well, bitchy.

A deeper meaning.

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I hear you mother earth.

Firefly
*Ted Andrews/Animal-Wise
Keynote: Spiritual inspirations and hope.

Fireflies, often called lightning bugs, are magical symbols of inspiration and hope. They are the promise of accomplishment through hope and efforts. They remind us that we have laid the appropriate groundwork and from it will spring great reward. In the traditional tarot, they would be associated with the Star card.

Fireflies are small beetles that give off light, usually from the hind end. They may light up while flying or wile resting in vegetation. The blinking or flashing of the lights is performed for short periods, and each species has a distinct rhythm. For the most part, the flashing rhythm is performed to attract a mate, who responds with a corresponding rhythm. It is part of the mating ritual that will extend the life of the species. The males perform aerobatics, making light patterns that are answered by the females, each species producing its own characteristic recognition patterns. These patterns are remarkably precise. A male emits a pulse of light that, after an exact interval, is answered by a female of the same species. Only if the timing and response are correct will a male fly over to visit a female.

The larvae of the firefly are flattened, luminous, and segmented. They are usually called glow-worms. They are often a reminder of the inner star we are developing or the promise of the star that is on the horizon for us.

For those to whom the firefly appears, it is time to trust in your own rhythms--physical and spiritual. Our hopes will begin to manifest, and our ability o inspire will grow. Fireflies remind us that there are others who will respond to us and who are like us. They flash with similar creative rhythms. They will make their presence known soon, and they will make our life more creative and healthier.

Fireflies generate light without heat, a process of chemistry and physics that is still baffling to science. Whereas most electric bulbs waste 97% of their energy in heat, a firefly concentrates 90% of it's effort into light. The glow emerging from so tiny an animal is sufficient to read a printed page, reflecting wonderful opportunities to make the seemingly impossible a reality, inspiring wonders that will be flickering and manifesting around us.

When the firefly appears is a wonderful time to jot down all of those creative ideas that are flickering in our mind through this time. We needn't worry about what to do with them now, for just by taking them out of the mental realm, their creative force is released into our life and they will provide inspiration that will affect us for a long time in the future.

The firefly looks ordinary during the day, but by night they sparkle, flickering like a star. They hold the promise of accomplishing our goals. Spiritual gifts are awakening. We are on the right path, and there are strong spiritual forces around us. When fireflies appear, people begin to reassess their former opinions and perspectives. We begin to shine and sparkle. Opportunities to fulfill dreams, to inspire wonder, and to awaken greater hope will begin to flicker strongly within our life.

The firefly can indicate a variety of misjudgements or warn of their possibility, especially in dealing with those of the opposite sex. The female of one large predatory species has learned to mimic the female signals of a smaller species. When the eager males arrive, they are quickly eaten. It is important to be sure that those around us are not mimicking what is true rather than what we hope to hear. Or, we may be focusing upon the wrong path or perhaps we are working with the wrong people or socializing with a crowd that is not healthy for us. We may be letting others (through their negative opinions) prevent the success of our creative endeavors.

The firefly should also get us to take a look at our health habits, particularly at what we are eating. Adult fireflies eat very little. They have learned to generate and draw energy from around them for their purposes. It would be wise to examine what we are eating and how much because this affects our health and our spiritual creativity.

Remember that fireflies remind us that positive hope is a critical component to fulfillment and accomplishment.

Ask:
Are we being pessimistic?
Are we holding on to a sense of hopelessness, that all is lost?
Are we trying to force movement along the wrong path?
Are we not acting upon our creative ideas or even acknowledging them?
Are we not taking advantage of the spiritual gifts available to us?
Are others misleading us, giving us false hopes and false inspirations? 
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When we listen, the earth tells us what we need to hear. What has mother earth been trying to tell you lately?
Peace and Love.
Katelyn

Chasing Fireflies.

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Dusk. 
Little hands hugging in close. 
Watching. 
Waiting. 
Anticipating. 
A flash! Excitement! 
Little bugs making beautiful twinkling. 
Soft light rain. 
Humid air. 
Nature whispering, "Slow down. Reroot. Breathe. Laugh. Pay attention."
The wind caresses my body.
Cradling.
And whisking my tears into the ether.

Watch closely.

Peace and Love.
Katelyn

Fall Fashion Week: Day 7

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Tonight we celebrated. Joey is another year older and I love that man even more than I did the day I married him. Maybe not more. Differently. Yes. Love is ever evolving. And tonight, the man saved my shoe from mud disaster. That wins. But, I am so exhausted and I *drunk tripped into a hole. I think it's time to sleep. Tomorrow I will update properly but I wanted to share my outfit for Fall Fashion Week that I wore to celebrate my love. And Donna took my photos tonight for me. I simply edited them. She is awesome!
Outfit details:
Hair flower: Me, just a flower from Hobby Lobby glued to a clip.
Hair wrap: O Bella Organics
Necklace and woven wrap: Oh Sew Serendipitous
Shirt: Goodwill, I cut.
Dress: Gifted from a friend, sold by Modcloth at one point.

*I have only been "tipsy," never fully drunk. And that has happened only twice in my life.

delirious rhapsody
 Thank you thank you Deanna for hosting FFW! I quite enjoyed it!

Peace and Love.
Katelyn

Fall Fashion Week: Day 6

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Honestly guys (gals), I don't know how I am even still awake. I went to bed last night around 10(ish) and Penelope then proceeded to wake every stinkin' hour to eat until I woke up at 4 to head over to Donna's to watch the kiddos for her. Come 3 pm I was crashing HARD. Luckily I had picked out my outfit last night. Thinking ahead people. Since I've started writing this post (which took 5 minutes or so to write) Penelope has already woken up once from just putting her down. I'm hoping she's going through a growth spurt or something of the sort where she will start sleeping better soon. I completely fell asleep nursing her just now to where this blog would have been left unposted. But then she slightly nipped me when unlatching. I never woke up so fast in my life.
Outfit details:
Hat: Some random mall store
Dress: Target
Sweater: Ebay but it's a Target brand
Tights: Target

One great thing about waking up early is I actually get to watch the sunrise. Once we move I am really going to make the effort to wake up before the sunrise most if not all mornings...Just, get more sleep before then each night.

Tomorrow is Joey's 25th birthday so we will be celebrating at Donna's with good friends and good food. He is rarely onshore for his birthday so I am really excited to spend his actual birthday with him. He's an amazing man. I'm pretty fond of him, I'm not going to lie.

delirious rhapsody

Peace and Love.
Katelyn

Fall Fashion Week: Day 5

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Last year for Fall Fashion Week I wore this dress on the last day. Post pregnancy, it's still one of my favorites. Surprisingly for having 100 yards of fabric, so it seems, it does not make me look pregnant when I am not. At least I hope it doesn't. ;) 
 Outfit details:
Dress: Modcloth
Nursing Tank: Motherhood Maternity

I was actually able to get some photos of Leena. Lately she just wants nothing to do with the camera or just moves and moves and moves so every shot of her is blurry. I was so happy she wanted to jump in and was willing to let me take some photos of her.
 I checked her scalp and after a week or so of going, mostly, wheat free (we've had a couple slip ups) her scalp actually does look a bit better. I hope this is the cause of it so we don't have to test her for everything. I'm hoping in a couple more weeks it will show some improvement in her behavioral issues she's been displaying and she can have more control over her own body. She is such a little ray of sunshine so I can't imagine how it must feel to not have control over your body and be upset but not even know why or how to stop yourself.

Tomorrow I must wake at 4am to go watch Donna's kids while she's with a friend during labor. I better go to bed.

delirious rhapsody
Peace and Love.
Katelyn

Fall Fashion Week: Day 4

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 Today was spent really just making a mess. I had every intention of getting lots done. But then when I stopped and looked at what I had accomplished, I swear, all I did was move mess around and make a different sort of mess. Sigh. I know packing is a process and I can't wait to stop talking about it on here as I am sure you can't wait to stop hearing about it. On a productive note however, I did sprout sunflower seeds, make coconut milk flour, rock out some gluten free, vegan pancakes and realize my blender is now on it's way out. I can't wait till we can afford a vitamix but until that glorious day, (I swear, I will hear angels singing) we will just have to buy another cheapy blender and run it to DEATH.
 Outfit details:
Shirt: Dharma Trading Co., tie dyed by me
Skirt: Borrowed/stolen from my friend Jessica
Barefoot: All day long.

After taking these photos I smelled of Volkswagen. It is one of my favorite smells. Reminds me of my father, good memories. My husband's friend owned this bus and when he went to sell it he told Joey first because he knew how much I loved it. I used money from a photoshoot and Joey paid for the rest for my mother's day present this year. It doesn't run but one day it will. I will have to share photos of the outside of it. It will most likely look completely different once it's done because we will have to fix a lot of rusted out areas. So momma will be repainting the psychedelic swirls and maybe add flowers,  a unicorn and all sorts of hippie goodness.

delirious rhapsody

Peace and Love.
Katelyn