Autumn always inspires  me to make acorn cookies! 

2 cups walnuts (pecans will work too!), finely chopped but not ground
Put 1/2 cup aside for later
​

1 cup  butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
     combine in food processor or mixer
3 cups flour
1/2 teas baking soda
​     add flour, baking powder  and 1 1/2 cup nuts
1 teas. vanilla extract
     add vanilla and process until dough is mixed
Refrigerate  until  firm for a  couple of  hours or overnight.

Preheat the  oven to 350 F 
Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls -  should make about 3 dozen cookies. 
Bake until firm and lightly browned on the bottom. 
Cool.

Roast remaining 1/2  cup nuts on parchment paper on a  cookie  sheet  in 350 F oven until brown, stirring occasionally to brown evenly. 
​

Combine
1 cup chocolate morsels, dark  or milk chocolate, based on your preference - 
​2 teas. shortening
in  a  small microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30  seconds. Stir. Heat for 30 more seconds.
Stir until evenly melted and ready for dipping.
​

The cookies are very rich  so handle carefully.
Dip about a third of  the  end  of each cookie in chocolate and  then dip into the nuts! 
​Enjoy!

 Lafayette Gilchrist and Daryl Davis, piano masters from Baltimore, MD, mesmerized the crowd at the Creative Alliance on Friday, September 27th. This  town is over flowing with talent. Have  I mentioned I  love Baltimore?

The sun  enters Libra annually from September 23 until October 22. Libra is  an air sign,  ruled by Venus.  Venus also rules the earth  sign Taurus  so they share some of the same zodiac herbs. Characteristics of  people born under Libra  are

• Sociable
• Charming
• Diplomatic
• Easy going
• Idealistic
• Peaceful and
• Romantic

If you're looking for negative characteristics,  you'll have  to go elsewhere. This is an asset based site!

​Yesterday  my oldest daughter reminded me I used to say  "the only one who likes change is  a wet baby." That was before I started 'collecting firsts', opening my heart and mind to new experiences and actively seeking change. I love  it! Variety is truly the spice of life!
The end of summer, marked by the Autumnal Equinox on September 23, and Mabon, is an example. Summer is delightful, but I don't want it  to  go  on forever. I'd find it difficult  to live in a place with no change in seasons. I guess if I had never experienced them, I might not think about it. But having enjoyed their unique  beauty and variety, I look forward to each one. 
​

The colors of Mabon include many of  my favorites - shades of orange, gold, red, burgundy and browns. As the leaves  change here in the north eastern part of the United States, we will watch the colors gradually unfold until they crescendo. Even after they pass their peak, they are still breathtaking, with more muted and metallic tones. I once heard leaves are the only  thing that gets  more beautiful before death. I'm not sure I agree with that. 
Decorate your home and wear colors in these glorious shades. If you're an artist, create a painting with the warm, vibrant shades of Mabon. Or pick a favorite color and look for it as you go  about  your day. 
​

Herbs, defined by herbalists  as "any plant that is useful", are abundant during Mabon. Some most traditionally associated with the season are acorns, apples, barley, carrots, chamomile, corn, marigolds, onions, pomegranates, rosemary, sage, walnuts and wheat. Harvest some of the herbs from your garden or look for them at farmer's markets or garden centers. Combine them to make a still life, bouquet, wreath or swag, to celebrate this second harvest. 
My booklet  on Haunting Herbs is located on the site. I could attach  a link, but this is hidden treasures, so I'll let you see if you can find it. (Or you could look to the column on the right under herbs or free).
The sun will move from Virgo to Libra on Monday, September 23, and I will be adding at least one of Libra's zodiac herbs, so stayed tuned!
​

In addition to the colors and herbs, there are also stones for those of you familiar with  the power of  gemstones. And if you aren't familiar, you may want to spend time around them and see which ones catch your attention! There's a reason! 
Amber, in  shades  of orange, golds, yellows and browns, will warm and delight! Yellow agate, cat's eye, hematite, jasper and topaz are also associated with this  time of  year. 
​

In addition to the ideas mentioned about you might also want to

• Make a gratitude list.
• Compare this year and the same time last year with columns labeled Same and Different. Then consider what is valuable and what isn't working. Make changes as needed. 
• Light candles or have a bonfire to create an atmosphere to enhance meditation.
• Take a walk in a park, garden, forest, etc., to celebrate nature.
• Pay attention to the blessings and beauty of the season. Take a deep breath and be mindful of the moment.
• Add your own ideas in the comments below!

​

This showed up as a memory on Facebook and prompted me to repost. I've had it out since January  and in these challenging times, it's kept me focussed and provided peace of mind. 

It's that time of year! This has been our of sight, out of mind since the move in July. My course prompted me to look for it and display it again. It's helpful to reflect on what I cherish, what I want to create in my life and business, what I want to surrender and release, and why I know these things are meant to be. Hope it prompts you to do a map of your amazing life! I love the ocean and roses. Create your map with things that are personal to you!
​

This quote captures a concept I've been processing for quite some time. I'm convinced it takes self confidence to love*. I've watched people withhold love, and it seems they are often afraid if they give too much away, there won't be enough left for them. Those with high self esteem openly give love, praise and encouragement. 
Love is boundless. A Russian folk tale tells of a mother who had five children. One asked her which she loved best. She took the flame from a candle to light five candles and explained that the original flame was the same size as it was at the beginning, and each of the five candles had the same size flame. None  of the candles had any less. That's how love is. It never decreases because it  is given away. It remains the same, or even greater.
If we are aware that fear  and lack of confidence are the reasons people hold back, we can be more compassionate and not take things personally. 

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! 

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".

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. 

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.  

​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

​

 
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, 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!