The Joy & Peace of Cooking

You will always find this can of Love sitting in my kitchen. I have had it for nearly 25 years. The kids in our old neighborhood where my son grew up always loved coming to our house when I was baking or drying apples for Christmas treats. I'd let them help me, and before anything went in the oven, it was sprinkled with as much love as their little hands could shake out of that can. The smiles on their faces as they shook the Love can always made my heart smile. Love never dries up unless you let it. Love never runs out even if someone turns their back on it. Love waits for your to pour it on life as freely as you wish.

I am realizing more and more each day how time spent in my kitchen is good for my soul. It's good for my mind because it gives me an escape from negative thoughts I may be having due to life or an onslaught of anxiety caused by PTSD. I was told by a dear hippie friend in the early 70's the importance of cooking with love, and focusing on how the food will bless those who eat it. It made sense to me and I've never forgotten it. I do not cook when I'm angry. I can't. I grew up to become a hippie, too. I always cook with Love.

If you're having a rough time finding joy this holiday season, try making a batch of cookies for a group home or a shelter. Sprinkle the ingredients with mental love. Try this with everything you cook or bake even if it's just some scrambled eggs for yourself. You will taste the love and your body will feel the love, too.

Here's a quick and easy main dish that looks festive and tastes great!! It's a Woodstock Lily original.

Happy Apples and Sausage

Slice up a package of smoked sausage, 1 large sweet onion, 2-3 apples [don't peel but remove seeds], and 1 large red pepper. You may also add chopped yams or sweet potatoes. I prefer yams because they have more nutritional value than a sweet potato does. Drizzle the mixture with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Add some fresh oregano and a sprig of rosemary if you have it and bake at 350 degrees until nicely browned. Stir occasionally while baking. You may also add a nice touch of color and flavor the last 5 minutes with some dried cranberries. The options are endless with a dish like this. Be brave. Cooking is an adventure. Sprinkle it with LOVE and enjoy!

Next time you're preparing a meal, put the tea kettle on.

Make a nice cup of Black Cherry Tea and think of me.

I'll be smiling and sending you some love.

Happy Spring!!!

Happy Spring Everyone!

I cannot wait to see what blooms
in your yard this year.
Plant seeds of joy, hope and love.
~Then watch them grow~

Embracing Today

I really do embrace every season. It seems we often spend more time waiting for or talking about the next season than really savoring the gifts of the current one. Soon it will be summer, and we'll be complaining about how hot it is... We'll be wishing for an icy, cool breeze to take us away from the sizzling, sweltering heat. We'll begin talking about how nice it will be to wear sweaters again.

How much time do we really spend here today?
Right now--in this precious moment.

Yesterday Superman took me for a winter walk. I had a doctor visit that was quite a distance away so to help me cope with the traffic [and my tired foot from helping him brake on my side of the car] he broke up the trip with a glorious reminder of the beauty in "today".

I am OK...

I can find my center and remember how to be here now.
My joy to be alive is bigger than my fear of being in a car.

And a great winter hat is always a reminder why I have every reason to smile.
Besides....
This hat goes great with a pair of monkey pantz.

Prayer Request

Jake and Emery

My son's daddy isn't doing well. He's battling throat cancer. It's very hard for so many people right now especially my son, Jake. Please say a prayer, and send comfort, and peace to cover us all in a blanket of love.

And lastly, please pray for my Mom. The surgery on her back is tomorrow. The last 2 years have been really rough on her. I'm just sick that I cannot be with her. One day I'll be able to drive or ride in a car anywhere I want to go. I cannot give up hope that this will be a reality. It's times like this I feel so bad that I can't step outside my comfort zone to be with those I love when they need me like my son, and my Mom.

Thank you so much everyone.

Tis the season to be

Opie Taylor knows how to "be"...
Peaceful, Joyful, and Grateful
For all things, in all ways

This holiday season I'm going to follow his example.
I'm not adding stress to my Christmas list
Just joy, love, and peace.

Happy Holidayz, my dear friends,
and readers.
Opie Taylor, Superman, Wonder Dog,
Dylan, Jake, Ash, Emery and I
Wish you a Season
Full of Love, Joy, and Peace.
May you find a pair of Sassy Monkey Pantz
under your tree or inside a package.
Remember "One Size Fitz All"

I'll be back after Christmas...
But will try to stop by to wish
as many of you as I can get to...
Happy Holidayz
and to ask you....
If you have your monkey pantz on...

NOTE: These pics were taken last year at my beloved Tree House. I'll post pics later of my peaceful hippy, bohemian style Christmas here at the Lily Pad. I have kept it simple, sweet, and stress-less.

The Owl and the Sassy Pants

I dreamed about the Tree House all night long. In the midst of the confusion and chaos in the dream, a baby owl landed on my arm. I could literally feel its soft feathers, and sensed it trusted me. It had a harness on, and was missing one wing.

Superman was in my dream, too, and I told him, "Look it's a baby owl! Remember when I told you I'd wrote down I wanted a baby owl to visit me? It happened just like I requested! See!! Writing it down does make things happen!"

I have the power within me to create my heaven or hell..... Even in my dreams I know when my Higher Power speaks the truth. I believe my inner wisdom was telling me to trust my instincts, and acknowledged the safe place is always within me--just a whisper away. All I have to do is ask for it. I left the chaos behind, and have a new place to build my nest. The injured owl reminded me I could fly free, and unencumbered, if I let go of the past, the anger, the hurt and trust in myself. I can rebuild what I felt had been taken from me. Simple as that.....

Last night I pushed through to higher ground, spiritually [and physically] by moving on, willingly, to the next phase in my journey called life. I choose to create a heavenly life.

OK I admit in the dream I did say a few things I'd bottled up to the people (woman) who moved in below me. Pfffttttt... I spit the ugly thoughts out like an angry three year old. And I have to admit.... it didn't feel as good as one would think it might. The negative words sounded trite, and childish, and my final words rolled off her back as if they had no Velcro to stick to. As in real life, some things are best left unsaid. They only poison you in the end. But if you're going to let loose of some venom, a dream is a safe place to get the toxins out. So is a private journal that no one reads but you.

Now, I'm off and running, to build my new nest. I have my sassy pants on now, friends!!!!!

And look how lonnnnggggggg my sassy pants are.

Oh yeah, baby!
I've been sassified!

Picture of one of the flower beds at the new nest I'm going to
"Woodstock Lily-fie"

A Love Letter in My Mailbox

I found this in my mail this morning. I believe it was yet another green light from the Universe/God/Higher Power I am right on course. All is well.....

On this day of your life, Lille, I believe God wants you to know...

....that obstacles are not opposing you, but merely and

gently re-routing you.

It is important not to view that which stands in your

way as your 'enemy.' It can often be your best friend,

sending you on a detour that takes you around what

could have been your biggest stumbling block.

Send a word of gratitude, then, for anything that seems

to be 'opposing' you now. All things in life happen for

good. Trust God about that.

Love, Your Friend....

Thank you, Nolly Posh, my precious friend down under who often guides me by her peaceful, loving examples of who I want to be spiritually when I grow up. Her recent post led me to discover another road map to help me find my way to become that person. If times allows, please read other posts Nolly has written. You'll feel her love, sense her sincerity and will be inspired by her ability to sparkle like a ray of sunshine in spite of personal health challenges that seek to cloud her world with discouragement. She is every bit the most courageous woman you'd ever want to meet.

More info below about Neale's best selling book.

The N.Y. Times Bestseller
When Everything Changes, Change Everything:
In a Time of Turmoil, a Pathway to Peace

By Neale Donald Walsch

"A dear one has died. Or a romantic relationship has ended. Or a job that was once going to be your career has just evaporated. Or your child has left home. Or you've moved to a new town. Or you're suddenly facing a health crisis, or a financial crisis, or a crisis of faith . . .

. . . whatever the circumstance, you are sure about one thing: Nothing will ever be the same.

Deep sadness, even bitter negativity, can sometimes follow. What to do then? End the life you've been living? Yes. That's the startling answer from modern-day spiritual messenger Neale Donald Walsch in a book that will touch the lives of people around the world with the same uplifting hopefulness as his Conversations with God.

When Everything Changes, Change Everything speaks to the heart of every person who has lost their bearings in the aftermath of a major life change—and to those who would help them. A strikingly clear, imminently and immediately useful text, it offers God-inspired insights on the way to move on and a breathtaking reason to do so. Here is a practical application of the fresh perspectives of the New Spirituality, with wonderful tools for healing and living and a brand-new definition of God that could make every mystery of life clear up overnight."

~~~Excerpt from Neale's website