Making Memories

Making Memories

What a wonderful thought it is, that some of the best days of our lives haven't happened yet.

Throughout life, one of my favorite things to do is make memories. No matter how big or small, whether good or bad, we make memories each day as we push through. I used to think the best thing about memories was making them. It was so definitely true as we were young and having crazy family times. Now, as I am more seasoned, ahem,  I see the wisdom and value in those memories that were made. As we sit around and visit as a family, many memories are often brought up, “remember this or that...”, which always leads to much laughing, and more stories. It is one of our favorite things to do....relive those memories.

Often, a memory rolls out of my eye and down my cheek in the form of a memory!

I will forever be grateful for those memories, but also am excited about the prospect that some of the best days of our lives haven't happened yet! That means to me there are many more memories to be made.

Fast forwarding my life .... 20 years from now.... what do I want those memories to be? This has made me take a hard look at life, where I am now, and not so much as where I want to be in 20 years, but what I want to have accomplished. More importantly what memories I want to have made in my own life and in the lives of my family and loved ones. What memories of me would I like to leave with each of them?

If I have learned anything in life, it is that any event can easily become a treasured memory, by our attitudes and what we make of it.  I have to be honest, lately I just haven't always had the best attitude about certain things, but I always try to put a smile on my face so nobody knows about it.  Trust me it gets easier as you do it more often.  Plus, I work in a kindergarten class room, which is packed full of memory making moments every day!  I do love it!  

 With family, we have this tradition where each year, a month before Christmas, we travel to Calgary to do some shopping.  Honestly we don't do a ton of shopping, but we have a lot of fun.  We really didn't intend it to become a tradition that first trip, many years ago now, but it has become one that we all look forward to.  This year we had three cars full head up there, we met at various locations and had food and good fun.  We even threw in a little bit of a twist last

minute to see who could find the craziest thing for under $10.  You didn't have to buy it, unless you wanted it, you could just take a picture on your phone!  When we met for lunch a couple of hours later, we compared items.  Of course there wasn't really a winner, because we each thought our own prize was the best!  But secretly I think I won, I mean come on who doesn't think this is the craziest thing they have seen............. Spontaneous Combustion Ghost Pepper Popcorn!  Sadly, not everyone else thought it was as great as I did.  I am already thinking of how we can twist up our shopping trip for next year to make it a bit more exciting!  We are making memories out of little things!

Memory making moments are all around us every day.  I am always looking for memory making moments, or opportunities to turn the small little things into a memory moment.  Little things can make as memorable of a moment as the big things, and often more so.  

I don't know where the past 50+ years of my life went,  because it went so incredibly fast, but I do know where I want the next ones to go, and that is in making memories, because truly in the end, all we can take with us, is what is in our brains.  Yes knowledge is valuable, and I love learning things, it is an ongoing pursuit in my life, but the memories of loved ones and the things we did together..... now that is valuable!

So go make some memories!  I am already working on my 2017 bucket list of memories I want to make, and it has some good ones on it!  Even little things like "walking up a creek for an afternoon!"  Simple, but oh so memorable!

Don't wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.

 

 Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

 

The Business of Life is the acquisition of Memories. In the end that's all there is. 

 

Die with memories, not dreams.

And in the end the most important piece of advice that my past has given me, is to enjoy life while you're living it. You can never know which moments will be the ones that you'll remember and when happiness will hit you. So be open for anything at any time do not fret over the past but learn from it, and make new memories every day. For there is only one life and one chance. a.p.

Strangers In The Box

STRANGERS IN THE BOX

Come; look with me inside this drawer
In this box I’ve often seen,
At the pictures, black and white
Faces proud, still, serene.
I wish I knew these people,

These strangers in the box.
Their names and all their memories
Are lost among my socks.
I wonder what their lives were like.
How did they spend their days?
What about their special times?
I’ll never know their ways.
If only someone had taken time
To tell who, what, where, and when;
These faces of my heritage
Would come to life again.

Could this become the fate
Of the pictures we take today?
The faces and the memories
Someday will pass away.
Make time to save your stories!
Seize opportunity when it knocks!
Or someday you and yours could be
The strangers in this box.
–Author unknown

 

Oh the memories I have of these strangers / long gone now.  They were not strangers to me - Thank Goodness!  I loved them each dearly.  Many good memories in that box of my old black and white photos.

 

Making Memories

If you are like me, you change focus often, some people laugh and call it adult ADHD, but I just think it keeps me going.  Thus, after much debate between the crazy flip flops in my mind, I want to adjust and change the focus of this blog, just a little bit.  Originally, Walk The Creek was about finding our happy place and getting through tough times, which worked great to help me get through some really tough times.  It was a MEMORY that got me through some of those tough times.  A special memory that made me happy, helped me remember what was important, made me smile, kept me going.  Not necessarily just one memory, but it was that one memory that brought about this blog.   The memory of me being at peace, walking the creek, fishing with my Grandpa in the mountains.  As a child, it was my happy place, one that I love to physically return to, and mentally visit often.

As I look back through these years, it has always been about the memories.  Everything I do is about making

Reading to one of my four favorite grandsons!

those memories, either for myself, my family or others.  The good memories are what get us through life, not only remembering them, but more importantly making them.  I think I am at that point in my life now, where "Making Memories," are pretty much the only thing that makes any sense any more.  It is what matters most. I am watching my parents generation pass away, and my own generation developing too many illnesses, leading to rough lives.  I see too many families fall apart, choosing selfishness over making memories.

I have always said making memories are important.  It has kind of been a family motto, so to speak, but now I am really going to start living it.  Memories are what it is all about.   I love my grandkids and want them to have many good memories of spending time with Grandma.  I want my kids to remember the good times we had while they were growing, and the good times we can create as grown ups and best friends. 

Time is simply, just to precious, and just too short, to waste it on things that don't matter in the end.  Making memories - now that is what matters!

Three Years, Memories, What I Have Learned - Again!

In a couple of weeks it will be three years since I started "Walk The Creek."  You can check out my first few posts here. 

In the first few posts I kind of explained why I needed to find an outlet to "Be Happy"  so to speak.  I know I was struggling with some depression at that point in time, especially because Christmas was upon us once again, and I am not a person who loves Christmas.  Anyways, read about it, if you click the above link.

Three years later, Christmas is a month away, and I still don't love it!  I have learned to create a better appreciation for it, and I think mostly - to be honest with you - I just have learned to put on a happy face, and take it for what I can, and get through it. I try to find fun things, and spiritual things, to make it worth all the fuss and muss.  Doesn't sound very fun right?  Ah, it's okay, just not my favorite time of year.

What have I learned in the past three years of Walking My Creek, now that's been a journey.  I have written several books, mostly reference books of some sort.  I have two novels, in the works that I have put on hold for almost a year - bad me - just because life kind of over took me for a time.  I really need to get back to them, because I love where the stories are going, and I loved doing it.  Jeesh, when do I find the time to do it?

I have learned to appreciate the little things in life, so much more.  In the past three years, I have had a scare with some heart problems, which still gets me sometimes, and also had a scare with cancer, which was a small problem, and hopefully won't ever resurface.  I have had other health problems, which will never go away, so I have learned to cope with them and put a smile on my face.  So, honestly, I appreciate all the little moments that are precious memories.  I can honestly say my favorite quote is still by Og Mandino,

"I am convinced that the greatest legacy we can leave our children are happy memories: those precious moments so much like pebbles on the beach that are plucked from the white sand and placed in tiny boxes that lay undisturbed on tall shelves until one day they spill out and time repeats itself, with joy and sweet sadness, in the child now an adult."

Honestly, making memories, my motto in life!  Let's just make happy memories, and even the sad ones can be memorable and good things can come of them.

I also have found another of his quotes that has been a big factor in my healing over the past three years: 

"Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself."

Serving others, giving to others, taking myself out of the equation and focusing on the needs of others, has been a huge part of my saving grace, and in return has offered so many small "tender mercies" of the Lord over the past few years.  It is true, you cannot pour happiness on others without getting a few drops on yourself.  It always comes back to you, often when you least expect it.  

I have learned that Christmas isn't so bad.  It can actually be kind of fun, if I let it.  Just need to let go of the commercial side of it and make those memories.  

I have learned in the past three years - or remembered - that God is always in control, and I just need to let Him be.  If I do my part, He always does what is best for me.  I know that is a hard one for some people in the world to believe, because there is so much bad, and sad, that happens, but I believe that He has a plan, and in the end, it will be good.  There is much good in the world, and He really does want what is best for us.

So, I hang in there, from Christmas to Christmas, making the best of each day, doing what is best and right according to what I believe, and making many memories!  Memories are all we get to take with us in the end, so we better build the bank of them and make them the best.  We can't take anything physical with us when we go, and I want to remember the good things, and the sad things, and yes even the things that have made me stretch and grow.  Most of all I want my family to have those memories, SO WE MAKE THEM!

 

Distractions

I listened to a talk the other day from a wise man, who mentioned a few things that really made me stop and think.  I love it when I hear something that makes me ponder my life a bit, and want to be better.  I have always said we live in the age of distractions now.  There are just SO many things out there, to distract us and keep us from doing the things we really should be doing.  For me, one of my biggest distractions is my cell phone, and I am sure I am not alone in this.  Everywhere you look people are on their cell phones.

Now, I can justify my cell phone by saying I am using it for work, I am getting caught up on what happened through the day, I can even say I am blogging, or reading my scriptures, or whatever it is..... but the truth is, it is a distraction to me.  Even if I say I am reading my scriptures, something inevitably buzzes at me, or lets me know there is a new message, or somebody

updated facebook, or ...  and it distracts me from what is important.

We have totally created our society of ADHD people, not even just kiddos!  Adults are often far worse than the kiddos, but we label ourselves as being busy, or justify it by saying we are getting stuff done, but really, we are distracted, and  use excuses.

Now in his talk, he made sure he mentioned that not all distractions are evil.  He said distractions, even though they are not evil, are still distractions.  I add in here excuses, even though you think they may be justified, are still excuses.  And he said, Sin is still sin. And it will always be sin.

We can be distracted with so many good things, fun things, that we procrastinate things that should be done, and don't have time to do the things that are important.  We then get to the point where we justify it, or excuse it away, and think it's okay because we have been busy doing good things.  It's not okay being busy unless we are doing what is most important.  If our families suffer, and our commitments suffer, it is not okay.  Excuses are just excuses no matter what.  Sin is still sin, and what is that?  directly going against God's commandments and what He would have you do.

Thus, I have deleted the apps on my phone that are distractions to me.  Even though they were not bad, they were taking up too much of my time, making me justify / making excuses, like I was just relaxing after a long day, or taking a few minutes to just sit.  I found little things like that were taking up any spare time I had in the day, stealing from what was truly important.  Allowing me to sin, in a way, because I was procrastinating, and that is not a good thing.

So what are the distractions in your life?  What are the excuses?  What are your justifications?  What could you give up, to make something better?  What? 

People are More Than a Name or Number

Often, and I mean way too often, we (as a people in general) tend to forget that others have feelings.  They have needs that need to be fulfilled.  Several times of late, in conversations I have had, the importance of building relationships has come up.  Whether it has been because we have been looking at stats, or talking about specific people, it has come up. 

Why is it, that we get so terribly caught up in what is important to us, what WE think, that we completely

miss the picture of what is important on the other end of the conversation or objective?  Seriously?  Why can't we see things from the other point of view, and understand it isn't always about us? 

Interesting, I was at a meeting where we were going over some stats, which of course involves people.  Questions came up about why certain stats were so low, and how can we bring them up, improve them.  I really feel building relationships is one main key to dealing with people.  Like a wise man told me over the past week, you build a relationship with someone, and build up that bank of trust, and occasionally you have to cash in on some of that trust.  If you don't have a bank of trust, and a relationship, you have nothing to cash in on.

Relationships, something I have always tried to create with my own kids, with those who I have taught, and those I have worked with.  It doesn't always have to by my way, in fact when dealing with people we want to help, it is very rarely my way.  It is about what is best for the other person, what will help them best to solve the problem.  Not... what I think is best, or what I want, but what is best for them!

This is a hard concept for so many to accept.  I get it.  But I guarantee if we take our eyes off ourselves for awhile, and really focus on the needs of others, things seem to start to make sense.  It works.

People are more than a name on paper, or a numbers on a list of stats.  They have feelings, needs, and are breakable.  What are their feelings?  What are their needs?  How can I help them without breaking them?

Life is Fragile!  Lift, don't tear down.  Strengthen, don't break.  Encourage, don't be mean.  Build relationships, don't close off.  You will be happier, and so will those around you.

Creative Muse

I have never figured myself to be a creative person.  My house isn't all crafty and gorgeous.  I don't really keep up with fashion, you know, just jeans and a t-shirt for me is all good. I don't draw.  I don't create artwork or stuff like that.  My kids can come up with some really creative forms of art, or decorations, or cool things, but not me.  I guess my brain just doesn't think like that.  

But then.... I think of the things that I can do, and when I look at these things, I realize I probably do stand out in my own way.  Maybe people think of me as being weird, like sometimes I refer to others this way.  Grins!  

If you look at the definition of the word muse - or at least one definition -  it says:   a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.   I raised six artists, of sorts, and I would like to think I am at least partially the inspiration behind some of their creativeness!  

I can cook pretty much anything you want, and very rarely need a recipe.  I can organize a large

event, feed a couple hundred people, and pull it all off without a glitch, with the help of my team (family, and a few others).  I am prepared for almost anything that might happen, in my home, outside my home.... preparedness is what I do.  I homeschooled my kids for most of their growing up years, and I actually miss it. I love creating blogs, and writing on them.  They are always changing and morphing as I meander along in life. I love writing stories, I love doing research, and I love planning things.  It doesn't really even matter what it is that I am planning, I just love planning things.  My mind is always whirling about new ideas, projects and stuff.  I know what I want and what would look good, I just don't always know how to make it happen, and that is where I can plan and call in the creative labor of my kids or hubby and make my vision happen. 

So I guess I am creative in my own ways.  It isn't always an outward picture of creativeness, like an artist or something, but I can create.  I actually like to create.  Creating is a learning journey every time I do something new.  Like walking up and down the creek looking for new rocks (okay one of my things I love to do), the learning journey of creating, to me, is a pleasure, a challenge, and yet peaceful all the same.  I kind of thrive on projects.

What are you creative in?  Do you like to make various forms of art?  Do you have a knack for story telling?  Do you like to design outfits?  Do you like to build things?  Do you like to carve sticks?  Do you like to be crafty?  Do you like to write things? Do you like to help people?  Do you like to cook?  Do you sew?  Do you weld?  Do you like working in gardens?  I am sure whatever you love to do, you are creative at it.  So next time you think to yourself, I am not really creative, think again.  We are all creative in whatever it is that we love to do, because I guarantee you, there is someone out there who doesn't want to do what you do, and they think you are so creative!

A Post For You

I have totally loved reading this post from Daniela Uslan.  It is called How I tripled my blog traffic with Pinterest In Less Than a Month. 

I gotta tell you I love Pinterest!  And I love blogging!  So I have taken to heart some of the things she talked about in her post, with more changes still to come. It's kind of a work in progress, but I had to share her info with myself and you!  BTW Daniela has some great posts, with a wealth of information, so check her out.  Anyways, I then came up with the new look for this blog, and am in the process of changing many of the pictures, amongst other things.  I am loving the way it is turning out, yet still have a long way to go.  Then once I have played with Walk The Creek for a bit and got it down, then I will move onto updating a couple of other blogs I work on.  Oh the joy and pain!  Lol... 

I hope you enjoy her post, and hope you enjoy my new look.  Books, posts, and much more on the way......

My Summer of Writing

My Summer of Writing

Yes, summer if half over and I haven't done 1/4 of the writing I wanted to get done.  It started with a bang, camping for a week, and of course with that came the preparation and then the coming home, dump in the dining room pile of stuff, sorting, cleaning, and then I thought:  "Now I can get a bit of writing in before my daughter's wedding in a couple of weeks!"  Haha, not!  My computer crashed, and that goodness, with the help of a friend, we saved it!  Now the wedding is upon me, and.... well the rest is history.  But.... I am still smiling!  

Miracle Salve

I did manage to sneak in my new eBook on Miracle Salve, and get it uploaded to the Kindle Store.  Check it out for only $1.  It will give you the walk through on how I make my famous, all purpose, wonderful, amazing, Miracle Salve.  

It really is a wonderful salve, and not hard to make.

"This stuff is the BEST! We use for everything in our house from rashes, to cuts, to our pets skin issues and our own skin issues! Do yourself and your family a favour and buy this book so you too can enjoy the benefits of this "miracle" salve!"

You could also check out my eBook called Retreat Yourself: How To Create Your Own

Retreat Yourself

Writers Retreat  If you are a writer, but never seem to have time, like me, then you might like this book as well.

"Writer's have to write, they need to write. Writer's don't always have time to write. Retreat Yourself will help you make the time, create the time, to do what we all love best, to write. Whether you have a small or large budget, or no budget at all, you can create your own writer's retreat."

And here is a short excerpt out of my novel "Paradise Creek"  that I hope to have finished by the end of the summer.  It has been a long time coming, and is totally for fun.  I have loved writing it, and now in the editing stage, but what a fun and laboring project at the same time.  Enjoy

.......“Come on, I want you to meet someone.” Linking arms, they ran along the beach, skipping, racing and laughing without a care in the world. Ten minutes later, they rounded a corner, into a small inlet and found what Anni was looking for. 

“That's a pirate ship!” Jai choked in her excitement. “You're taking me to see a pirate? Is that why you dressed in your pirate get up? You should have told me, I could have matched you!” She was only half mocking now. 

“This isn't just any pirate Jai. He is my really good friend. His name is Killian, and you are going to love him.”

Killian never missing anything was already half way out to meet them.  No one got this far on the island without him knowing about it.  He came strolling out dressed in black, dark hair, moustache neatly trimmed, and eyes that were as dark as his hair, with the biggest grin on his face.   

Killian was tall, slender sure of himself in everything he did and said.  With arms outstretched, he called out. “Anni love, I have missed you.” He turned and eyed Jai carefully, “And you brought me a new friend.” Raising his eyebrows in question.

Jai studied him in awe. He looked like everything a pirate should be, minus the hat, minus the parrot on his shoulder, and minus one hand .... she gasped! 

A hook. This is Killian who Anni always talks about? It's him?

Killian lifted Anni off the ground, as he swirled her around, him laughing, and her squealing with delight. 

They have obviously met before. Jai thought with an almost jealous, excited feeling. Killian turned to her like the perfect gentleman and offered his one good hand as he greeted her. “Hi, I am Killian. Welcome to my home love.” He gestured to his surroundings.

“Jai, and I am so happy to meet you.” Savouring every second of that gorgeous, short hand shake as she took in the surroundings he was gesturing to. The perfect island cove, white sandy beaches, bluer water than she realized blue could be, and deep green foliage surrounding them, it was perfect. 

“This is amazing.”

Killian just chuckled. “That's not what everyone says when they first see me, but I will take that as a compliment love.” He winked at Anni.

“So what brings the visit? Did you just miss me? Did you come to stay for awhile, maybe forever?” Killian was always playful in his comments. Teasing Anni came so natural to him.  

“Of course. I always miss you, but no, I can't stay with you forever, no matter how much you plead.” 

“You are wearing the hook. It looks good on you love. And the glasses are exceptional as well. Nice touch Anni.” 

It was obvious to Jai that these two had built a pretty solid relationship over time. How long did Anni say she had been visiting, adventuring, or whatever she called it? Just where did she say that door could take her?

 

“Thanks Captain, I got this hook from a dear friend,” she felt her necklace again, then stood straight and saluted him. “I just wanted to bring my best friend, to meet my other best friend today. I figured it was time I allowed you two to get inside each others heads.” Her hand swirled around her head then gave him a push on the shoulder. “That way you can stop messin' with mine.” She laughed, and he winked at Jai. 

Messing with Anni was something that he had grown very fond of........

 Thanks for reading, sharing, and I hope you enjoy

Stay tuned.....

Well, today I did it!  I decided to combine all of my blogs, meaning my own personal blogs that I write, and I have combined them down to three main blogs.  My family blog Atwood's Front Porch, my preparedness blog Today While The Sun Shines, and this blog, Walk The Creek.  Why?  Well, let's just say, it saves me time.  One thing you must learn about blogging, (which I have forgotten from time to time), is to maintain your focus.  I love to create new blogs!  Seriously!  I get an idea and run with it!  Sometimes those blogs take off, sometimes they are for others, and sometimes they fizzle out and fade into the background of the mass amount of data out there in cyber space.

I love this blog - Walk The Creek.  It is the blog that really started all of the others.  It is my happy place, my place to just be who I am.  My place to dream.  My place to vent.  My place to write.  My place to de stress.  Most importantly, it is MY Place!  I should not forget that.  It makes me happy.  Every time I turn to it, I smile, and find a small sort of peace that gets me through another day, or hour.

A few months ago - time flies when you are having fun - my family was hit hard by the shutdowns in the oilfield due to our newly elected government - but don't get me going on politics and how screwed we really

are.  When this happened, instead of turning to my comfort of writing on my blogs, and working on my novels, I stopped writing all together.  It seemed like I kind of went into survival mode.  Going through the motions of work and duties, but not really loving any of it, or anything.  I guess it is time to snap out of it, because it doesn't look like it will be ending any time too soon.  Sigh......

Therefore, today I begin once again, by compiling, simplifying, and writing, once again.  It feels good.  It feels great!  I need to take it all back again!

Have you ever felt like you are in survival mode, just going through the motions, waiting for the next thing to hit, and holding you breath hoping you will come out on top of it all?  I am done holding my breath, and done just going through the motions.  Done!

I have a business idea, and nope I can't tell you yet.  Hopefully in another month, it will be up and going.  I also have been working hard on emergency preparedness and self reliance.  Both have to do with my volunteer calling in our Church.  I am a Self Reliance Specialist.  It is one of the things I love to do.  Watch here for more updates on that, or take a look over here at Inch by Inch Preparedness, a blog I have going specifically for this calling.

Yes it is time, once again to renew my commitments, my faith, and my stubborn attitude and determination, and do it my way, instead of just getting through survival mode again.  It is time for me, how about you?  I know you feel it too.  I know we all feel it.  I talk to you, and it is very much a part of our world today.  My question is what are you going to do about it?  My advice is take control of it, don't let it control you.

Good luck!  I know I am going to need it.  Work hard, and persevere, and I will see you on the upswing of it all once again!  Stay tuned......

Meeting Your Needs

Well this should have been a post for a couple of weeks ago, week three to be more specific, but it didn't get finished, until now.  Such is my life and meeting my needs right?  Haha.  I have decided that I can't do a weekly challenge.  It will push me to where I can't accomplish what I want, and then I get frustrated, and feel like my needs are not being met.  When in reality, my needs are not realistic - I can't do a weekly challenge in my life right now.  I just need to do what I can do.

Had lunch today with a good friend, and chatted about this very topic.  How is it that we go about meeting our own needs, when we spend so very much of our lives meeting the needs of our children, husband / or spouse, extended families, and others around us?

We are both at the age of life where our kids are grown and pretty much gone, and now it is a time of self discovery.  What do we do with ourselves?  What do we love?  What are our hobbies?  What comes now?  Sure we have the grandkids that take up some time, and we have our work, and our volunteer church activities, but what about ourselves?  What can we do to meet our own needs finally at this time of our lives?

Every stage of life we go through, we have to discover what our own needs are in amongst the chaos.  It isn't easy, but it needs to be done.  If not, when we get along to the stage of empty nesters, it is a lonely struggle to figure it out.

Now, I in no way mean we need to be selfish about our needs.  We never need to put our own needs above those of our loved ones, especially to the degree they suffer while we are being self centered.  Not a chance.  Yet we can work with our loved ones and express our needs to them, perhaps they can help us meet our needs and we can develop a win, win, situation. 

This week, I have the week off, and I was really hoping to get a ton of writing done, but once again, life took over and I didn't.  I am accomplishing a ton of other stuff, all good stuff, like decluttering, service projects, and the like, but not much for writing.  The week isn't over yet though!  I am not giving up!

I guess what I am trying to say with this post is - it is really important that we never leave out our own needs.  Sure we sometimes push them to the back burner, especially as mothers or fathers, but at some point in time, we need to meet our needs, or we will suffer burnout, depression, and other more severe things.  

Be realistic about your needs, and be realistic about meeting them.  

100 Things I Love

100 Things I Love

I came across a challenge to see if I can come up with 100 things I love in my life.  Deal!  Here goes, not in a specific order....

I love.....

1. My husband
2. my children and grands, including the in-laws

My crazy family

3. reading
4. a good night's sleep
5. running water - inside the house, like flush toilets and tap water
6. running water outside - like a creek gurgling
7. flowers
8. herbs in my body and in the garden
9. transportation - walking everywhere would get old fast
10. technology - my computer, my cell phone, - communication technology I guess
11. friends - I love people, but really love my close friends

I so love camping

12. camping - love, love
13. the mountains
14. traveling to places - beautiful places - not that I ever do it, but I would love it I am sure
15. good music 
16. my Savior
17. my extended family - parents, siblings, etc
18. my camper trailer
19. St. Bernard's - I miss my Ronon
20. Mastiff's - I love most large dogs, but these two specifically
21. Tigers
22. the ocean - mostly walking on the beach - especially when we lived in BC - camping on the beach was amazing
23. the forest
24. picnics

love bonfires

25. bonfires
26. living on a farm - wish I could do it again right now
27. family reunions - most anyways - Houseman ones are a blast of fun
28. my bed
29. my back yard
30. meeting new people
31. writing
32. cooking
33. listening to my family be musical
34. helping people - service
35. being busy
36. libraries - can wander in them for hours
37. being prepared - food storage, etc
38. modern medicine mixed with herbal medicine
39. the scriptures
40. studying spanish
41. planning things
42. teaching classes - I learn most by teaching
43. horses
44. eating good food
45. sitting on my swing in the back yard
46. peace - no noise - to ponder
47. the temple
48. walking on a forest trail, finding a waterfall or small stream
49. lady bugs

Lady Bug Note Generators 50. butterflies
51. house plants
52. Johnny Reid music - going to see him in two weeks!!!
53. good memories
54. having a job to be thankful for
55. when my kids are happy
56. sleep overs with the grandkids
57. going for a drive - with no destination in mind
58. the feeling of coming home - doesn't really matter where home is - just the feeling
59. being happy
60. being involved in things - like groups, committees, etc.
61. learning new things
62. my faith
63. my plate collection that goes almost around my entire dinning room - it makes me smile - good memories behind each plate
64. playing with my family - making memories
65. a good cup of herbal tea
66. going for a walk with a friend
67. singing - but I suck at it - so I only sing with loud music playing
68. our old prayer rug - we use it at family prayer time
69. having a roof over my head - not necessarily my home - but the ability to have a home
70.  tropical birds - macaws, African greys, etc the big ones
71. greenhouses - I love growing things in greenhouses
72. gardening
73. preserving food
74. watching the news - used to do it with my dad - it's his fault :)
75. information - I have binders full of information I have gathered on various topics
76. salty things - like chips, crackers, etc
77. the days when I don't have headaches - few and far between
78. enjoying the little things in life
79. having the cupboards full / the fridge full - I hate shopping for it, but love having it there
80. having a storage room with supplies and food in it
81. being somewhat self reliant - with goals in mind to do more
82. being healthy
83. losing weight
84. hot peppers and hot pepper sauces
85. Essential Oils
86. cabins in the mountains
87. eating yummy vegetarian meals
88. to crochet
89. all things southwestern decor style
90. making home made stuff from scratch 
91. front porches - especially Atwood's front porch
92. the looks of the old apothecary's
93. parks, I love walking through parks, and just sitting and enjoying
94. eyes - they tell so much
95. happy people - they are easy to be around
96. a good chick flick movie - could probably do without other movies and tv
97. blogging - it is my escape and my place to just be and say whatever I want
98. hearing people talk about their life story - not complaining, but sharing stories
99. to think outside the box - how can I make things different - how can I do it all myself
100.  Finally - but not least - I love the dream that someday I may get to travel.  It is only a dream, and will likely never happen, but the dream of traveling is there nonetheless.  Top places I would love to travel and why.

Wow, I actually had to do some thinking on this post.  It wasn't so easy to come up with 100 things I love.  There are some things I like, some things I hate, but to say I actually love something, was different.  How's about it?  What are some of the things you love?  Could you come up a list of 100 things?

A Good Cup of Tea

I gotta say, one of my favorite gifts from Christmas included two great tea to go mugs.  FYI I loved all of my gifts, they are all my favorites.  My dad always introduced us girls to his friends as one of his five favorite daughters.  I always used to feel so good, thinking I was one of his favorite, and now I laugh because he only has five daughters and we are all his favorites.  Now I also have picked up on his teasing and do it too. 

Soooooo, back to the thought that my tea mugs were one of my favorite gifts this Christmas, and I say that because I love herbal tea, and they were the perfect thing to get me through long days at work.  I had one already, now I have three!

Nothing beats a good herbal tea.  Now I know when I say that, you are probably thinking I like to drink the fruity yummy smelling kinds of herbal teas, well yes and no.  I like to add them to the real herbal teas.  I absolutely love a good nettle tea, or a good detox tea that consists of burdock root, milk thistle, nettles, and dandelion root, mixed with either a cranberry or some other kind of berry tea.  Delicious!  One of my favorite teas as of late is a good lemon ginger tea, using a tea bag, and then I often will cut up a thin slice of

ginger and add it to the mug, then pour hot water over it.  Spicy and yummy!

Nothing also beats a good friend.  A good friend and a good mug of tea, and life is pretty perfect. I gotta say, I am pretty blessed in my life.  I have plenty of good friends, and lots of yummy tea to go around, but will always share one with you too.  Pop over sometime, and I will whip us up a great pot of tea!  We can sit and chat for awhile.

 Now you know one more thing about me!  I love a good cup of herbal tea, and love to share it with a friend, or sit with it while I write.

I have been drinking herbal tea now for many, many years.  It is a great way to get the healing properties into your body, and soothe the body, and soul at the same time.  What is your favorite cup of tea?  I would love to hear about it.  What is your favorite place to drink your tea or who do you like to share it with?

Herbs and Their Properties

Herbs and Their  Properties

Herbs are known for their properties and that is how we decide what the herb can be used for.  Following is a list I have come up with of various herbs and their medicinal properties.   The next list I will post is one that will share the nutritional value of various herbs.  Enjoy

Ashwaghanda root - tonic, sedative, antiflammatory, nervine, immune booster, aphrodisiac -

general tonic or capsule

Astragalus root - stimulant, immune booster, antioxidant, anti tumor, hepatic - capsule or tea

Balm of Gilead resinous leaf bud - expectorant for upper respiratory, salve aches, salve for skin - cough syrup or salve

Bilberry leaf and berry - astringent, hepatic, diuretic, good for eyes, helps reduce macular degeneration - pill form

Burdock root, seeds, leaves - alterative, good for kidneys, diuretic, nutritive - teas and tonics

Calendula flower heads - vulnerary, emollient, antibacterial, diaphoretic, alterative, astringent - oil or salve, poultice for skin, tea, great to use for varicose veins.

Cayenne fruit - diaphoretic, expectorant, stimulant, rubefacient, anodyne, vasodilator, hypotensive, antimicrobial - food, capsule, salve

Chamomile flower heads - nervine, tonic, sedative, antispasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory - tea, pill, salves

Charcoal - activated - absorbent for toxins and poisons - pill, salves, or alone

Comfrey leaf and root - tonic, fast healing, bone knit, demulcent, vulnerary, astringent, expectorant - tea, capsule, or salve, used to heal deep wounds / bones - not open wounds, assists with blood clotting,

Dandelion whole plant - alterative, cholagogue, diuretic, stomachic, aperient, tonic, glactagogue, hepatic, tea for liver and organ problems and cleansing

Echinacea root and leaves - antibacterial, febrifuge, immune stimulant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, tonic, adaptogen, anticatarrhal - tea, tincture, capsule for respiratory infections and other infections also

Elderberries, berry and flowers - stimulant, anticatarrhal, antirheumatic, alterative, diaphoretic, immune stimulant - teas or tinctures for colds, flu, fevers

Eyebright, aerial portions - astringent, anti-inflammatory, expectorant - eyewash, tea for eyes and sinus

Feverfew, whole herb - analgesic, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, purgative, carminative - capsule or tincture daily

Garlic cloves - immune system builder, antioxidant, anti inflammatory, antifungal - capsule, tincture, cooking

Ginger, rhizome - antiviral, sedative, analgesic - tea, capsule, tincture, or cooking

Gingko Biloba leaves - vasoactive properties, cerebral, nervine, antioxidant, improves peripherial blood circulation, good for renyalds syndrome, adhd, alzheimers, etc - capsule

Ginseng Siberian - Bark of root - Eleuthero - adaptogenic energy tonic, nervine, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, mild aphrodisiac - capsule, tincture, tea used for low energy as an energy boost

Hawthorn berries, leaves, and flowers - cardiotonic, tonic, hypotensive, vasodilator, antioxidant - tea, capsule, or tincture

Kava Kava root - antispasmodic, stimulant, intoxicant, diuretic, antifungal, muscle relaxant - tincture for mild tranquilizer, not long term use

Lavender flowers - aromatic, nervine, sedative, carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, antispetic, vulnerary - tincture, salves, oil, lotion

Lemon Balm leaves - nervine, vulnerary, antiviral, cerebral, vasodilator, hypotensive, antispasmodic, carminative - tea, tincture for fevers, depression, nerves, digestion

Marshmallow root, leaf - emollient, demulcent, vulnerary, antibacterial - tea, poultice, capsule, tincture

Milk Thistle leaf, flower - hepatic, bitter tonic, demulcent, antidepressant - tincture, protect and regenerate liver

Mullein leaf, flower - expectorant, demulcent, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antitussive, astringent - tincture, smoke, tea, opens the bronchial tubes

Nettle leaf, stem, root - tonic, diuretic, nutrient, histamine, rubefacient, hemostatic, laxative, hypotensive, galactagogue - nutritive, tea, capsule, tincture overall health, promotes healthy

adrenal glands and kidneys, expels toxins, joint pain treatment

Passionflower leaves - sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, anodyne, hypotensive - tincture, capsule, tea, for nerves or insomnia

Peppermint leaves - carminative to nerves, stimulant to circulation, antispasmodic, stomachic, rubefacient - tea, essential oils

Plantain leaves and seeds - diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, aperient - tea for urinary, poultice for external wounds

Raspberry leaf - hemostatic, astringent, mild alterative, parturient - tea for pregnancy and delivery, and menstrual problems

Skullcap aerial portions - sedative, nervine, antispasmodic – tincture, tea, or capsule for nerves, insomnia, and with drawl symptoms from drugs or alcohol

St. John's Wort herb - sedative, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, astringent - tea, capsule, tincture for nerves, depression, insomnia

Stevia leaves - sweetener, reduce blood glucose levels - use as a sweetener

Usnea whole plant - antibiotic, antifungal, tuberculostatic – tincture, used as an atibiotic for fungal, viral, and bacterial infections

Uva Ursi leaves - diuretic, urinary antiseptic, astringent - tea for urinary tract infections and problems

Valerian rhizome - sedative, hypnotic, nervine, antispasmodic, carminative - tea, tincture or capsule for insomnia, stress, pain relief

Yarrow herb - diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyreic, carminative, hemostatic, astringent - tea, tincture, or capsule for colds, fevers, bleeding and hemorrhoids