A Goodbye With Thanks

Goodbye 2011 and thank you  for all that you have given and shown me. For helping me on my journey. I don't know my destination but I know that each day, I have taken just one small thing with me in my luggage. One small thing that's bright. One small thing that shines as glittering light on silver sea does.One small thing that at times it may seem is just barely visible as a spark in a dark cloudy sky.
There has been a lot of talk about this new year. Lets hope if change comes it will be only good. The shift  will be a realisation and opening of eyes. Lets hope we realise that we are not the only species of life on this planet and that the only way forward is harmony and interconnectedness with the earth.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and most magical 2012.

 And to anyone that hasn't had a go in the giveaway. There is still time. :) x

A Rainy Day Out

A rainy day....

A house, glass eyes peer across landscape little changed.

Scent of raindrop soaked garden, flash of peacock turquoise. Jewels in the green.

Solid stone storybook house is watched. Eyes on peacocks, eyes on trees.

                                        (A painting awaits from these images I think? ;-))

And from the earth amid the leaves and damp and smallest of creatures, eyes that look up.

                                                           Let me lie on grasses green

                                                             On my mother earth I lean

                                                             Let me lie on grasses green
                                                              On my mother earth I lean

                                                                    Under burning sun
                                                              Through my veins she runs

                                                            Let me breathe the forest air
                                                         It's the life force that we all share
                                                               Feel my burning tears

                                                                Heal me through as I lie
                                                                       Here with you
                                                                      Heal me through

                                                          Let me sleep and keep me close

                                                                         ********

Hayley Westenra 'Let me Lie' extract

You can read more about the house here. :-)

Some Thoughts About Earth Our home

With the miracle of Spring happening all around us at the moment, who can not notice the beauty of the Earth.

Trees are bursting into their blossomy leafy cloaks once again and primroses decorate grassy banks  The days are filled with sweet song of robin, blackbird, thrush and the tap tapping of the woodpecker down in the little wood has returned. It's a beautiful sound to hear, calming and comforting as bees humming from flower to flower. I've seen brimstone butterflies, bumble bees/dumbledores and many native species ladybirds. The moths have returned at night fluttering against my window. Their eyes reflect my desk lamp and glow like tiny fairy fire embers. New life is everywhere and of course soon the glorious hawthorn will grace us with her white magic. One of my favourite sights and the smell...heaven.

The other day I imagined if the leaves on the trees didn't arrive... What if no flowers came into bloom, no birdsong, no bees. What if we waited and waited but Spring just didn't happen?  A horrible scary thought indeed.  But we do take everything so for granted. We put such importance on things that really aren't. How can so much value be put on a diamond when water is worth so much more?

 It made me think of these words...

Only after the last tree has been cut down

Only after the last river has been poisoned

Only after the last fish has been caught

Only then will you find money cannot be eaten

~Cree Prophecy~

Saturday like many people we lit candles and marked Earth Hour. A small statement for change some would say, but change is what is needed. I believe we should all strive to live by the Earth Commandments.

Thou shalt love and honor the Earth for it blesses thy life and governs thy survival.
Thou shalt keep each day sacred to the Earth and celebrate the turning of its seasons.
Thou shalt not hold thyself above other living things nor drive them to extinction.
Thou shalt give thanks for thy food to the creatures and plants that nourish thee.
Thou shalt limit thy offspring for multitudes of people are a burden unto the Earth.
Thou shalt not kill nor waste Earth's riches upon weapons of war.
Thou shalt not pursue profit at the Earth's expense but strive to restore its damaged majesty.
Thou shalt not hide from thyself or others the consequences of thy actions upon the Earth.
Thou shalt not steal from future generations by impoverishing or poisoning the Earth.
Thou shalt consume material goods in moderation so all may share Earth's bounty.

 Ernest Callenbach

'The Song Of The Earth Is Love'  is the title of my Aceo for Japan.   It will be for sale in my Etsy shop shortly and all money will go to the Red Cross appeal. Again like all Aceo's it measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches. It is a pencil drawing on moleskine paper with some acrylic paint added.
A tiny gesture that I can offer as I can't begin to imagine how those people affected by the earthquake and tsunami are feeling. Small things do make a difference. From where we buy our vegetables, eggs, tea, coffee, are they free range? is it fairtrade? What about our shampoo and toiletries? (I always prefer natural things and products not tested on animals) Even just our small choices which we might think insignificant affect the bigger picture so we must remember to be mindful when we choose. I was contacted a while a go to do a review on here. Now I wouldn't normally agree,  But this company Novica I did find inspiring so I thought yes, why not and the fact that they have offered a gift voucher which I can give as a blog giveaway prize was enticing. :-) So why did I find them inspiring and who are they? Novica are an online company in association with National Geographic who promote Fair Trade by Artists and Artisans from around the world enabling them to make a living by sharing and selling their products. There are some beautiful things to buy there. Wood sculptures masks, rugs, jewellery, stationary, bags. ceramics, paintings, weavings, drums, musical instrments... take a look at the coporate gifts section. I particularly fell in love with these by Mexican artist Marco Polo.  And I love this solar wind one.                here.
More favourites of mine are the eco friendly products If you would like a chance of winning a gift voucher for $75 to use on the Novica site, then just leave me a comment and I'll pick a winner in a couple of weeks time. Until next time tread lightly and good luck x  If you would like to find out more about Novica and their fair trade products have a look here: http://corporate-gifts.novica.com http://microfinance.novica.com/ http://eco-friendly.novica.com/ http://www.novicalive.com/