Mikell's Hidden Treasures - Mikells' Blog

Mikell's Hidden Treasures

Goal Setting - Last quarter - 2019

9/16/2019

I love vision boards and goal settings, but if they aren't visual and engaging, I lose interest. I started making maps years ago and they keep me on task! Circling completed tasks gives me much more satisfaction thank checking off linear lists. If you are a creative, you may want to try this approach. The limbs from the my tree are based on my values. These have changed over the years, but always include health, relationships, creativity, and learning and education.

Gratitude is alway at the base of my goals. If we don't appreciate what we have now, we'll never be content. Leave a space for seeds - people, places and/or things that may - or may not - flower and grow. Also included a space for completely unexpected opportunities! One year I took a trip to Paris and bought a house - both completely unplanned when I made my draft goal map! Life is over flowing with possibilities. Leave a space for them!

Y in Towson

9/13/2019

You are probably all familiar with today's Hidden Treasure, but what you might not know are some of it's hidden virtues! I've always thought of it as a place to go to exercise, but it is so much more! Last evening my friend Hal Gamber invited me to an event at Cafe Troia in Towson, MD, to learn more about the Y (YMCA).

Yes, there are buildings located throughout the area. The Orokawa Y in Towson is located at 600 W. Chesapeake Avenue. But their services spread far beyond the four walls of the building. They are committed to contributing to a "stronger, healthier, more connected community for all".

Y people are for a better us

Here are a few thing you might not know about the Y.

380,000 meals served in Y Head Start and Community Schools so children can focus on learning and not be hungry.
6,400 volunteers give of the their time in community service.
26,800 children and adults given Y Open Doors financial aid or grant support.
3,000 backpacks donated so students and go to school feeling confident.
Over 300,000 people participate in Y programs and membership enabling a sense of belonging, purpose and well-being.
2,600 young children in Y Preschool and Head Start get a solid foundation for school and life.
175 high school students experience civic leadership in Y Youth and Government.
4, 150 youth keep active and full of happy discovery throughout the summer at Y Camp.
105 youth who experience homelessness nurtured and taught life skills.
11,800 seniors engaged in healthy Y activities that combat disease and loneliness.
475 youth supported by caring members who help them feel loved and worthwhile.
9,600 young children taught to swim and enjoy the water safely.

With so many programs and services being cut through recently, it is a comfort to know that there is an agency providing quality support and community connection! For more information, visit the Y in Towson.

Smudging with Sage

9/9/2019

Sage has antimicrobial properties that keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay. Burning sage decreases the levels of aerial bacteria by up to 94%. It neutralizes dust, mold, and pet dander. It dispels negative energy, soothes stress, improves your mood and aides in better sleep.

My illustrated journal summary is below. Complete instructions are on my August 11 post.

On August 11, I posted on making smudging bundles from sage grown in your garden. I added the steps to the process in my illustrated journal, above. After the sage was harvested and wrapped it needed to dry. That process takes about 4 - 6 weeks and when I checked this morning, it was ready!

We smudge for a variety of reasons. One may be a general cleansing. But if you are smudging because someone had violated your space or made your angry or uncomfortable, it is imperative that you center yourself and come to a more positive frame of mind before you begin. It you need support, find a friend or two to help you feel positive and loved. You are clearing negative energy and adding positive to replace it so keeping a positive frame of mind during the ritual and following are vital.

It might be helpful to find, or write a prayer or poem to express your intentions. When I was in Stone Harbor this summer, my friend Lisa had a book with a beautiful prayer to accompany a smudging ritual.I hurriedly copied it into my illustrated journal and will probably redo it on parchment, but for now, it gives you the words you need. I'm not sure who wrote it. I looked on line and found several people acknowledged. Thank you to who ever wrote such a lovely piece.

Say this prayer as you guide the smoke toward your heart, over and around your body.

Gather your materials. A feather for directing the smoke and a brass bell to awaken the energy in each room are optional but lovely if you have them.

The next step is to gather your materials. If possible, use natural materials.

Smudge Stick
Candle, preferably lit with a wooden match
Shell to catch the embers, or you can also use a pottery dish

Optional

Feather to direct the smoke - you can also use your hand
Brass bell to wake up the energy in each room as you move through the house

It is best to declutter each room before you begin. Open all of the doors, closet doors and windows so you can move from room to room easily and without interruption.

1. Light the candle and set your intention. You may use the prayer above or something you have written or found that expresses your personal perspective.
2. Use the candle flame to light the sage. Once the sage has caught fire, blow it out and watch for glowing embers. When you see the smoke begin to roll off of the smudge stick, it is ready.
3. Guide the smoke toward your heart, over your head and around your body to purify yourself before you begin.
4. Go the the lowest area you will be smudging. You will be working clockwise in each room. Use your feather, or your hand, to direct the smoke from the lowest part of the room to the highest as you move in a circle around the room Be certain to direct smoke into the corners of the room. Direct the smoke out the door or windows before you move on to the next room.

KEEP THE SHELL CLOSE BY TO COLLECT BURNING EMBERS. I tap the smudge stick on the shell when I begin in each room and usually another time or two as the leaves burn.

6. After you have completed smudging each room extinguish the sage by rubbing it onto the shell or on sand or dirt. Check to see that there are no burning red embers.

DO NOT wet the sage. If you do, you won't be able to use the sage again.

After the smoke clears and the negative energy has been released, fill the space with love. You can say prayers, meditate or journal about love, have dear friends over, read inspirational materials or do what ever feels best for you!

The Bygone in Baltimore

9/3/2019

The Bygone, located at 400 International Drive, invites you to "step back into the roaring glamour of days passed." It has a 20s flair, and is billed as Harbor East's most elevated and exciting dining experience. You enter the Four Seasons Hotel lobby and take the Bygone elevator to the 29th floor for a spectacular view, creative and delectable dishes and phenomenal service!
Two weeks ago, Carrie and Izzy came from New Jersey and took me to the Bygone for brunch. On Sunday, John joined me for a return visit. It's fantastic!
I wore my vintage dress with the Baltimore Oriole print (see below) and we spent hours enjoying the view while we dined on the finest and freshest seafood, fruits and vegetables, and delectable pastries. It's an experience you'll always treasure!

Sunrise in Stone Harbor

8/30/2019

Tapenade

8/27/2019

People frequently cringe when I order anchovies on pizza but Caesar salads certainly seem to be popular! Anchovies add spark to tapenade as well. This one is a favorite!

Preparing Sage Bundles

8/11/2019

The sage I planted this spring is ready to harvest so I've been making Sage Bundles. Sage and other herbs, such a red cedar, have been burned by cultures and tribes through out the world for thousands of years. Sage is most often associated with Native American Indians, yet not all tribes participate and the uses may vary, or even be taboo, depending on the time of the year and the tribe's beliefs.
Burning sage, or smudging, is purifying, cleanses the air of bacteria and repels insect, can improve your mood, the quality of your sleep, and more. I'll go into more detail about the numerous benefits and how to use them when the sage bundles have dried. This post gives directions for creating them with the sage in your garden or purchased. I like to make my own so I'm sure of the quality of ingredients.

The first step is growing the sage. It takes a few months to grow and is best gathered in the early morning after any dew evaporates. Trim into 5 or 6 inch lengths, being sure to leave half of the plant so it will remain healthy. Remove any discolored or wilted leaves,

Once the herbs are harvested, spread them out on cloth or paper to dry for 24 hours to begin the drying process. I use burlap but newspaper, brown paper or muslin will work. Turn them over several times to begin the drying process

Divide herbs into bundles. Measure pieces of natural colored twine or string 5 or 6 times the length of your bundles. Place the stem end of the sage over the center of the twine and tie a knot, wrapping several times. Cross the string in x patterns as you work up the bundle toward the top of the leaves. Tie securely. Trim the stem ends. Hang the bundles in a dark, dry area and allow to dry thoroughly, about 4 to 6 weeks. When mine are dry, I'll post on additional benefits and how to use them.

Magnolia Sketches

8/2/2019

What could be more delightful on a warm summer's day than sketching magnolias in my illustrated journal? I started illustrated journaling when Lisa and I did a "Take the Rose Instead" beach retreat in Stone Harbor. Lisa brought journals for all of us to take notes, create mind maps, sketch and process for the weekend. I've been hooked every since. Lisa has invited me back and I'll be taking the three journals I've filled since I was there last!

Update

6/25/2019

Why do I feel like I'm living in a Dicken's novel? Best of times - worst of times. The political atrocities and environmental decay have me heart sick but I'm doing my best to focus on what I can control in my own space. I read that if you express you can't feel stress. It's not true, but it has helped divert my attention.
My creative energy has been electric recently and I find myself bouncing from project to project.The entire house is set up with possibilities! I'm designing, crocheting and knitting in the sewing room, doing research, reading and working on the computer in my office, journaling and illustrated journaling on the porch or in the living room, painting and book making in my dining room, and cooking, baking, aging journal pages and playing with eco printing on fabrics and papers in my kitchen.
This is an attempt to catch up a bit! My illustrated journal pages form the basis for the projects I'm creating.

Painting Stones

Designing with Scarves

Playing with Silk Batik Scarves

5/30/2019

The heavy drapes in the sewing room have been replaced with sheers for the summer - a perfect back drop for playing with the gorgeous silk batik scarves from my neighbors, Hatai and Sue!

My first project was a flowing caftan, followed by a skirt made from scarves in similar colors. I gave the skirt away before I thought to take photographs.

The skirt above is made from 10 silk scarves with the top corners pressed to the outside to form a casing for an elastic band.

I ripped two scarves into sari ribbons and crocheted the strips to form a matching belt.

Most of the scarves are geometric patterns but there are a few one-of-a-kind batiks featuring animals and landscapes. They are all such special treasures and I will be very thoughtful in how I use them in future projects.