WHEN AN OLD FRIEND VISITS...

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My friend Katelyn and her two adorable kiddos came to visit us this past week.  They arrived late Saturday night and left Wednesday morning.  We packed so much in those 3+ days, but at the same it actually felt like the most laid back, relaxed, enjoyable stay they have ever had here.  Let the photos speak for themselves.  We had a little get together with some friends down by our river as a late birthday party for me since life was so crazy on my actual birthday this year.  Even though only half of my peeps actually came, it was perfect and I had the best time.

Hightlights of their time here: hearing about how excited Penelope was to come to 'warwah's' house, watching the girls fall in love with Banjo, lots of river time, hanging out in my teepee in the backyard, visiting James at HEB, shopping at Of A Muse, making jewelry with the girls, dancing around the house, Katelyn doing henna on my hand while getting drunk on Mai Tai's late at night, doing two photoshoots for Katelyn, feeding the deer with the girls, having breakfast picnics in the yard, early morning time alone with the girls, letting the girls play dress up with my jewelry, listening to Penelope play the guitar, taking silly videos, late night girl talk, finding tons of silly photos on my phone that the girls took like the two above with their crazy faces, and most of all just enjoying giggles and smiles from the kiddos.  Priceless.

Thank you Katelyn for the great 'weekend'.  It was a joy. Love you.

Banjo + The Tunnel

Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper
Banjo Juniper

Banjo and his tunnel.  These were taken when Banjo was little still (he's a growing weed these days).  He LOVES his tunnel from Earthbound Trading Co. Like loves it.  There has not been one day since he got it that he has not played in it.  Now that he is bigger he rips through the house, and running through this baby is always on his path!  Its so funny.  He loves popping in out and of the hole on top, and equally loves the dangling ball. 

Growing up we always had kittens from our outdoor country cats, but they didn't have toys like this being outdoor cats.  This is the first kitten Ive ever raised indoors, and it has been so much fun.  And alot of work!!!  It's been fun to experiment with toys with him.  Bella has never been into toys.  She likes string, and that's about it.  I tried to get her to play with cat toys and she has just never had any interest.  Banjo on the other hand will play with anything! 

If you ever get a kitten, get a tunnel!  Seriously, hours of fun!  I love that Earthbound came out with a whole pet line for dogs & cats.  I think my babies love it too :)

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT

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The beautiful things hanging in my bathroom window: left dreamcatcher - pineal vision // leather macrame hanger - sun & glory // agate windchime - soulmakes


I have been home for a week already from my vacation with my family, but it only feels like Ive been home for about two days.  It's strange how the days have run together lately.  As soon as I got home we had just under two days left to get every last thing we wanted from my parents house before handing it over to the new owners.  There really wasn't much left at that point besides a few old boards, some rocks and a chair.  I think it felt way more overwhelming than it was b/c I knew I was saying my final goodbye.  I feel like Ive been saying goodbye for 4 years now.  Really, more like 7 1/2 years, since my mom has been gone.  Its been a slow, painful journey of letting go.  So many choices along the way that define my future.  All having to be made without my parents here helping me along.  I still hope I made the right choice.  I feel a huge weight off my shoulders since it sold on my birthday 5 days ago.  And at the same time, an inevitable emptiness. 

Ive immersed myself in a huge studio renovation.  Which may really be me running away.  I'm still not sure.  But it's giving me something to focus on and the gift of excitement, of a new start and a fresh face to my sacred space of creation, which has not felt all that sacred for a long time from its over cluttered pile of messes. Selling this house on my birthday, felt like a birthday gift from my parents, so I'm looking at it as a big gift from them to be able to do this.  It's strange, b/c I keep having feelings of guilt along with this renovation.  I have always just used what I have, or have been handed down.  There is not much in my entire house that is not used, thrifted, given or what not.  Only a few pieces of furniture have we bought new.  Which I truly love.  And now that I have the opportunity to create a new space from the ground up, I'm learning about my relationship to money and guilt.  I am really looking forward to this new space though.  Right now my studio is over run with beads and trinkets for my jewelry making.  I have figured out a new layout to be able to store them all away and still have them easily accessible, so now I can split my studio between jewelry design and magazine design.  Before my studio was the LAST place I would go to work on my magazine b/c it was so cluttered I couldn't think straight.  I'm truly excited to have a space I can go to that will feel inspiring for this work that I'm doing.  

With everything that was going on this week, and saying goodbye to my parents house on my birthday, my plans for getting together with friends did not happen.  Even though it may be a few weeks down the road, I'm still going to plan a get together.  Right now I feel drained and a bit overwhelmed.  My studio is currently a wreck from going through everything in there, my house needs cleaned, I have not been taking care of myself or eating properly and I'm really starting to feel it, it's my moontime, and I have a million commitments that I feel I'm failing on right now, and I haven't even brushed my teeth for the past two days (how's that for honesty?) The month of June seems like it just flew by and I have no clue where it went!!! 

*BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT*

Just typing this makes me realize that I need to do some deep breathing, some stretching and probably some dancing.  I need to shake it out!  Life is funny sometimes, how you can feel so many feelings all at once.  Sadness.  Excitement.  Empty.  Relieved.  Guilt.  Grateful.  Etc. It's all part of letting go.

HONORING, REMEMBERING, LEAVING & LOVING

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Yesterday was my mama's birthday.  It would of been her big 60th.  Kind of weird to think about it.  I would have loved to see her grow into a wise old woman.  I can only imagine how her spirit would of grown through the years. 

I started the day with some time spent in my tee pee in the beautiful morning light while the grass was still dewy.  I made a little alter with her photo, snipped some lavender for her, and placed my teepee crystals around it.  As I was having a conversation with her I look down and a few inches in front of the altar I found this little silver feather charm.  I have no clue where it came from b/c its not one of the styles I ever bought for my jewelry line.  And I don't remember ever having a piece of jewelry with it on it.  But now I will!  I'm going to make myself a little something special with it to remember this day.

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Saturday we had plans to go out to my parents house to spend some time there and start saying our goodbyes since it might sell soon.  We originally tried to get friends and family out there to have a goodbye party, but it just did not work out with anyone, so we cancelled.  By the time saturday rolled around I was just having a really hard day and did not feel like being around anyone.  So instead, my brother and I decided to go out there on sunday, just us, his son, and James.  I'm so glad it turned out the way it did.  It was a really nice day, and it was my Mama's birthday, so it was extra special.  We took a long walk through the woods together, we spread my dad's ashes, and I took it all in...

Since we recently had a flood, the pond that has been dry for ages out there is now completely full and so beautiful.  We walked down by it to spread some of my dad's ashes to find that one of the swan's had returned.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  I just know it was a sign from my mom.  She loved those swans so much and its been so many years since they have been out there due to the drought.  It was an amazing and touching thing to witness on this day.  I didn't have my real camera with me, so the photo above was the best shot I could get.  I'm going to try to get out there and take more soon. 

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Aiden was so sweet helping us spread my dad's ashes.  We put some in the garden, in the fire pit, and in the pond.  I was so glad he was there with us to be a part of it.  Even though he doesn't remember his grandparents, he knows of them, and will always have our stories.

Our friend gave us some flowers to take out there with us, which was such a sweet gesture.  We left some of them on top of dad's ashes in the fire pit.  The rest I took home and made a garland for my window to keep.

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During our time out there I had many little encounters with beautiful animal medicine that was very fitting... The swan for one.  Butterflies + Dragonflies. And I found a snake skeleton.  I have never seen one before, and it was such a cool find. 

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The part of the day had to be when my brother and Aiden came to our house and Aiden got to meet Banjo.  He fell in love with him so hard.  He completely wore my cat out!  Ha ha.  He had so much fun with him and he just kept saying over and over how much he loved Banjo.  Although he asked if he could name him Tickles, ha ha.

I can't think of anything my mother would of wanted more for her birthday then to see her kids hanging out together and enjoying each other.  xo