Embracing Autumn

As the season changes once again. I have been taking some much needed alone time to regroup and think about what direction my life is moving into....seasonal changes does this to me. Autumn is by far my most favorite season no matter what country I am living in. When I lived in Hawaii I longed for Autumn...but it never really showed up on the part of the island I lived on.....yes.... I could have moved more towards the mountain top...but it still felt too tropical for me. With that being said...I DO love Hawaii and miss the island life oh so often. But being able to throw on a hoodie and go apple picking any day of the week is pure bliss! Last Autumn I took this photo up in the mountains in Tochigi Japan...today I added some of my favorite things about Autumn.....I hope you can relate.

Homemade coconut flour pecan cookies

A new blog! You see I am on the verge of having more free time to cook...bake...create! While I continue to grow our little baby boy! Life is good...let's hope I can blog and share more with you in the next few months. If  you are interested in the recipe and I do not post it just send me a message. Need some catering? I can help! Just send me a message. Much love to all as we flow into autumn in the northern hemisphere.

Sharing

An update...if you don't know..I am pregnant with a baby boy! Due in December! We are very excited!

Silence ~ Collage Mandala June 2013

Looking Within ~ Collage Mandala 2013

Big changes on the horizon!

I can not spill the beans just yet about our changes...but be clear they are happy and fun changes! More on that in a few weeks....in the meantime I will share with you my wonderful blackberry plant that just started to bloom today! Blackberries are not sold in stores where I live, so my only choice is to grow my own! This is truly more rewarding! I think I will start growing another hard to find berry as well....raspberries!

Finding my center in the month of February

lighten up...life is great!

Japans Onsen Bliss

If you live or have lived in Japan or have even had a visit, you know the beauty of the onsens Today we went to a place in the gorgeous fall coloured mountains it had 10 private onsens with unlimited use for 3000¥=$30 super deal! Check it out

Granola Time!

Although the heat is not really letting up... I am determined to continue on with my Autumn activities...like making nourishing soups and homemade granola...having the oven on today was not so fun but I made my granola and added some extras to this recipe Homemade Granola This time around I used cashews instead of walnuts and added dried blueberries instead of raisins! total granola bliss! Enjoy!

Autumn White Bean Soup

A wonderful dear friend of mine recently posted this white bean soup recipe on her website... andrearussell.com I made a few changes only because I do not have access to everything in the recipe here in Japan. I added spinach instead of kale and I roasted my garlic and added more than what this recipe calls for...because I love garlic! I also added a bit of fresh rosemary from my garden. The soup is total bliss! Enjoy!

The Flaming Pearl

An early 40th birthday present for myself...because every woman deserves these types of gifts. A wonderful woman named Pamela Pollock designs gorgeous jewelry! I met her online during a mandala webinar with our teacher Julia Weaver about a year ago. Just recently I went on a trip to America to see family and friends... while there I was on the search for a nice piece of jewelry ....I came back to Japan with many things but not that special piece of jewelry.When I returned to Japan and started paying attention to facebook land again my friend Pamela posted these gorgeous rings! And that was it! My 40th birthday ring! Had to have it! So this is where you can find her lovely work TheFlamingPearl.etsy.com please take some time and check out her work! I am totally in love with my new ring!

Full Moon Creations

Still waiting for our Autumn weather to blossom here in Japan...it's been a long Summer heat and October starts tomorrow. It is unusually hot for this for this time of year and it has been hard to focus on my Fall gardening but I have been doing my very best with planning and preparing.

I have also been creating something new that I am getting ready to offer the world. Daily Mandala Inspiration cards! More information will be released about these little treasures.... but here is a sneak peak ....take note these photos are not the finished work..just a taste of whats to come:-)

Life has been full of travels this summer my life is wrapped up in loving and caring for my sweet daughter...it is purrrfect!

Between the solar & lunar eclipes