10 THINGS I LIKE...
DREAMING ABOUT A NEW SEASON IN MY GARDEN. I love that time after harvest when all I can do is dream about, imagine and draw out in my mind what my new garden will grow for the upcoming months. I love thinking about where I will place my plants and who I will pair together. And making my list of colorful flowers for the bees and yummy edibles for my families bellies gets me rather excited. Visualizing it, like a watercolor painting in my mind and then watching it manifest and grow abundantly is one of the most rewarding experiences.
DANCING LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING. I have a degree in theatre and I've danced for years. For my own pleasure and others entertainment. I was with a wonderful Bollywood Company, Amrita, up in Northern California. You can check out the website, if you'd like. www.Amritadance.com Dance is form of expression for me. A healthy release that fuels my spirit and replenishes my energy and body . It makes me smile with joy, inside and out.
ASTROLOGY. I've studied Western Astrology for over 10 years now. I do natal, transit, and composite readings for myself and others. I also wrote an astrology column for a newspaper, Womens Voice's, up in Northern California, for 3 years. The planets are where I look for guidance. I seek council in the energetic relationships between people and the planets. Even on a daily/weekly basis, I look to my Western Ephemeris in order to better plan my week or reflect on what transpired. I find Astrology to be a way in which I stay connected with my spirits evolution. It helps me to look at where I've been and where I want to go with relationships to family, friends and my community, performance art, parenting, gardening, writing and any other endeavors I embark upon.
PLAYING WITH MY FAMILY! Whether the four of us are at home wrestling on our king size bed, digging at the garden, traveling, frolicking at the beach or at a party, I wouldn't want to be with any other company. My children, husband and close family enjoy celebrating life together. My very favorite time is right before bed, when we read, tell stories and sing together on our big bed. It is a time where we connect as a family and decompress from the day. It is sacred time. Contentment. 
TRAVELING NEAR AND FAR. From backpacking the Grand Canyon in Arizona to a cruise on the Mediterranean, I LOVE travel. Meeting new people, learning about others cultures, eating delicious world cuisine, sightseeing historical places and living more spontaneously all make the travel experience very appetizing to me! I was born into a traveling family. By the time I was 5, I had explored in and out of my country. I've been all over the United States, Central and South America, Caribbean, Europe, China, Japan, and Africa. My goal is to raise my children with similar exposure to the world. I feel that it has made me a more compassionate person and has allowed me to relate to many people , similar and different. I think diversity is the beauty of the world. And what a BEAUTIFUL rainbow we all make!
FOOD! I love indulging in a good meal. Some of my favorite cuisines are Middle Eastern, Thai, Indian, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Ethiopian, Southern Soul BBQ...and of course, DESSERTS! I have a weakness for sweets! Especially if they are homemade from scratch. That always pleases me so!
WATCHING MY CHILDREN CONNECT. I adore watching my almost 3 year old and 6 month old connect for the first times. Lately, they have discovered each other on a different level and are absolutely enamored by one another. My 6 month old LOVES my 3 year old and vice versa. He is the only one in the family that can get her to have laughing fits that last for 5 minutes. They gaze at each other and smile into each others eyes. It warms my heart. I am so happy that they have each other to grow, explore and discover with.
MY NEW MAIN ST GARDEN PROJECT. As some of you know from following my blog, I have a community garden space. After becoming a featured gardener with my mother for a season, I was offered a new garden space that is quadruple the size of my existing plot. It had been abandoned for almost a year however and needed tons of work. We've ripped down structural settings, laid brick, raised beds and lots of junk even. We are starting from scratch; re-designing the entire garden, building and painting a fence around it, laying brick and boarders, amending soil and then eventually planting our Winter Garden 2010-11 in it. Although the project is extremely overwhelming at times, I am loving this process and feel so blessed that my family has a larger space to work, play and grow in. We couldn't be happier about the transition and can't wait till we are able to plant our new garden and watch it grow!
COMPOSTING. I love a good compost, almost as much as my garden does. After years of composting, we have settled on a layered worm compost bin. We love that it supplies our garden with nutrient rich compost juice and black soil. Their is nothing better than a nice compost tea to boost your plants growth and production! And, I believe that composting completes that cyclical process for a gardener. We amend our soil with nutrients, plant a seed, watch it grow, flower and produce fruit. Then, we eat the fruit, discard the rest in the compost and build the soil up all over again.
GROWING. I love growing plants in my garden. I love growing flowers and food for my family. I love growing knowledge in my mind. I love growing smiles. I love growing as a parent. I love growing from maiden to mother to wise crone. I love growing a big heart. And I love growing into a better person everyday by connecting, sharing, reflecting and striving to be my best.
Amanda, it brightens my day knowing there are people like you in the world. -- OK, you may think that sounds corny, but it DOES.
ReplyDeleteAwww...Missy, you just made my night. Thank you sweet spirit, my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Amanda, thanks for sharing. Your Main St Garden project looks so exciting.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes.
Believe it or not, I really enjoy reading your list. It's true that dreaming is a fun process. Dancing like no one is watching. How wonderful! I always enjoy reading about astrology and elements. Have done that for many years but still totally confused. It's really good to see your kids connecting like that. I don't see that in my kids but my dogs; Goldee and Clifford, mother and son, adore each other. Thank you for sharing, Amanda.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much One for including me in this fun garden game. I never would have thought to do it, but am so happy that I had the opportunity. I have always been a Jack of all traits, if you will, so it's fun to be able to share all that I love in my life, instead of just focusing on one, like my garden.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading everyone. I too, have enjoyed your lists of 10! :)
Hi. Came across your blog. I am glad to know more about you. It is nice to know the gardener beyond his/her garden. We have several things in common but since I have two left feet, dancing is unfortunately not one of them.
ReplyDeleteHey Bom! Thanks for visiting my blog! Glad that you enjoyed my list. Would love to know more about our common interests. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I just bumped into your blog and I really like it!!! I let my students have a "3 Minute Dance Party" in my science classes to break up the long sessions. Dance is like gardening - both done with the soul. :0)
ReplyDeleteSO true! I like your style! My husband and I are both teachers as well. Love that you bring dance into your science classroom! What grade?
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting! :) And nice meeting you!