Focusing on Life - Week 26

Week 26 - We made it halfway through!!

There were some challenging weeks along the way, times when an idea to fit the photo prompt from Sally did not come to me until the 11th hour...literally at the last minute. But I made it here in spite of myself. Yippee!!

My focus this week is on GOALS. I've learned that the goals that I set for myself have to be achievable...ambitious enough to keep me interested but not so challenging as to discourage me.

Breaking goals, especially long term goals, down into small baby steps keeps them from overwhelming me. They become more manageable and I can celebrate the small wins along the way to the ultimate goal.

Goals need to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. They need to be quantifiable and precise if they are to be really motivating. 

Sharing my goals with my business partner, family, friends or anyone who will listen make me more accountable and likely to reach my goals. 

Writing my goals down has proven to increase my chance of successfully achieving them than if I just keep them in my head. They get lost in there and quickly forgotten.

My GOAL for the month of July is to replenish my inventory of Tree of Life pendants. Four weeks of vending events in June has practically emptied my display board. So, here is how the board looks today...see all those empty spaces!

Over the next few weeks, I will update you with a photo record of my progress. 

Look What I Found Online This Week

The weather has been SO hot and muggy this week. I did not spend a lot of time online but here are the few things I did find of interest.

There are a lot of herbs that repel insects, so here is a small list of them with how to use them and what they repel.

Eucalyptus

You are sitting on a gold mine of resources in your kitchen that can be re-purposed or recycled to benefit your garden. The best part is that you are eliminating the use of dangerous chemicals, while saving money, and not harming the environment. Here are 8 Items in your kitchen that will make you a better gardener.

How about a nice homemade strawberry lemonade recipe, made in the blender using lemons, strawberries and honey?

That's it for this week, folks! Have a great long weekend!

Focusing on Life - Week 25

This week give yourself the positive reinforcement that YOU deserve! Take a moment to think about who YOU are, what makes YOU a wonderful person.

Finish this statement....

"YOU ARE _________!"

Today, I was on Faery Fest's Enchanted Ground among the fairies, and goblins and trolls. So...

YOU (meaning me) ARE MAGICAL!

Look What I Found Online This Week

I haven't had a lot of time to surf the web this week. I've been making preparations for another event this weekend. I did find a couple of interesting things to share though...

A rain chain is a decorative chain that you can use in place of an unsightly downspout on your home. When it rains, the rain chain makes a pleasing water feature using the rain runoff from your roof. Long popular in Japan, rain chains are beginning to trend here in North America. Check out the tutorial to make a rain chain for yourself.

The humble cucumber is actually a little gem. And not just for its nutritional benefits. Check out the 13 Magical Uses for Cucumber.

You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not. Learn more about this tribe here.

Today is the summer solstice. For some, it is an opportunity to slow down the world’s frantic pace, connect with nature and marvel at the mysteries of the universe. For others, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, one that marks the beginning of summer, is a chance to party all night long. Whatever you choose, enjoy the day and have a safe and happy weekend!

Focusing on Life - Week 24

We are going green for this weeks Focus On Life photo. 

GREEN!  The color of balance, learning, growth and harmony!  GREEN evokes feelings of calm and symbolizes self-respect and well being.  What a great color to focus on!

*Grab your cameras and find some green! 

Before I even saw this weeks' photo prompt, a plan was percolating in my head. I want to brighten up my kitchen a bit. And the colour I was thinking about was GREEN. Not just any green either.

Lemongrass Fiestaware Place Setting

A friend of mine got me hooked on Fiestaware. My biggest dilemna is...you cannot buy it in Canada. And unfortunately, importing it from the U.S. is extremely expensive. So for now, I have to content myself with the few pieces that have been 'gifted' to me. 

One of the newer colours is LEMONGRASS. I just love it! Wouldn't that be a good colour to paint my kitchen? I think so. I stopped in at the paint store to pick up some sample cards. Who knew there were so many shades of green!

I will stick them up on my wall for a week or so to see if I still like the bright green for my kitchen walls. 

Look What I Found Online This Week

Hydrogen peroxide is considered the worlds safest all natural effective sanitizer. It kills microorganisms by oxidizing them, which can be best described as a controlled burning process. Discover '20 Benefits and Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide' that you might not know about.

When was the last time your deodorizing spray read that not only is it 100% natural, safe and non-toxic, but can actually help with mental clarity, is an antidepressant and aphrodisiac and helps alleviate stress and mental fatigue?!  It’s super easy to make your own at home.

Here is proof positive that you can pretty much Steampunk anything. Check out these instructions for 'How to make a Steampunk Mr. Potato Head'.

Last, but not least, is a documentary on 'The Secret Life of Cats'. See you next week!

The Joy of Bartering

Bartering is system that dates all the way back to 6000 BC, long before money was invented, and has been continually used for centuries since then. You do not need money to barter. 

People exchange goods and services for other goods and services of equal value in return. It's a win-win situation for both parties. Just in the past month alone, I've bartered with my pewter supplier and another vendor too.

Pewter Pendants

My pewter guy needed some supplies to safeguard his products and I have a wholesale account with a company that sells them. I got pewter pendants and cloak clasps. He received an equal value of what he needs to display and protect his products. 

Goddess Pendants

The other vendor fell in love with my goddess pendants and wanted one for herself. I was attracted to a zebra jasper pendant that she had on display at her booth. We both went home happy. *smile*

Here is the pendant that I received in the exchange.

Front

Back

As long as you are exchanging products or services of the same approximate value, everyone goes home with a smile on their face. If you have never considered this form of commerce before, now may be the time.

Focusing on Life - Week 23

"The power of the written or typed word can be more powerful then you thought!  The style and appearance of printed matter has an effect to how we view items, websites, business, book titles and the list goes on and on.  Is the typography pleasing to the eye, does the font pull you in, draw you away, make you feel inspired?  This week focus on the printed word and see what the words are saying to you."

We were at a medieval re-enactment / outdoor theatre event today called 'Robin in the Hood'. The festival in the park was open to the public and everyone was welcome to come and become part of the on going plot for the day. It was great fun!

i snapped this photo of a fellow merchants' sign. The typography fit perfectly in with the medieval theme of the day. 

And in the tradition of medieval times, I bartered with this merchant to acquire a lovely stone pendant that captured my attention. She, in return, received a beautiful lampwork bead necklace from my booth. We both went home happy.

Look What I Found Online This Week

Here are '45 Uses For Lemons That Will Blow Your Socks Off'. Who knew that lemons were so versatile?

Cauliflower Crust Pizza Recipe - the best dough-less, egg-less, gluten free, grain and nut free, yeast-free pizza crust recipe ever. I must admit that one of the foods I miss the most is pizza. Not sure I will ever try this one but you never know. 

You can also learn 'How to Make a Log Candle'. 

They look pretty nice, don't they? Of course, being made of wood, you would not want to leave them unattended for long.  I mean...wood...fire...could be problematic.

There is always something new to be found on the world wide web. I wonder what I will find next week?

Focusing on Life - Week 22

Food can brings us together, affect are well being and bring us comfort when sad. So this week I ask you to capture a photo of,

"What ya eatin'?"

At this time of year, I love going to the outdoor farmers' market that is set up in the parking lot of the local mall every Wednesday, rain or shine. Fresh produce, locally grown...nothing could be finer.