March is surely the sweetest of months…  you can see… new life bursting from the land… or smell…the sweet scent of budding flowers filling the surrounding air. I love to sit outside…  in hopes of… even for a few minutes… happily observing… the buzzing of bees… watching as they take flight… seeing how drunk looking they appear when flying… because their small bodies are heavy with nectar.

March brings in so many good and positive energies for you to celebrate and rejoice in… and most of all the life giving energy of the feminine… including the opportunity for you to renew and rebirth your own spirit within…including… awakening your creative self… and  finding  ways to live a more natural and simple life. Make everything you do… say and feel … be life affirming and honoring of all life.

There is nothing that will connect you more… to your spirit… than nature and the land… so as part of your life affirming way of life… this Spring cycle… plant yourself an herb garden… an herb garden is simple and easy to grow… and ever so useful… not just for your culinary needs… but for your bath and skin… and medicinal needs as well. And if you have never drank a cup of fresh thyme tea with honey… from thyme that you have grown in your own herb garden… you are in for a wonderful treat… and will be hooked on herb gardening… from that first sip of home grown tea.

As part of your new Spring season life affirming… more natural and simple… way of life… make your own gifts… or if this is not possible… for you…purchase all your gift’s from artists and shops that focus on handcrafted products… you will be getting more for your money… as  handcrafted products are unique… well made… and a person has put a lot of time and care into the product or item they have made.  My personal motto is “Nothing says love… like a handcrafted gift”. Anyone can go to a chain store… and purchase an assembly line product…  however… you… can make a positive and caring statement… from you… and what you value… by seeking out… and purchasing… handcrafted and artisan products from now on.

Make this season… a time for you to take responsibility for your health… and where you get your food from… by getting  involved in  buying local… organic food…and be sure to buy extra… so you can also donate  to food banks… for those in need. Add low impact exercise into your daily life… and eliminate unwanted stress and worry from your life.

Start shopping at flea markets and vintage stores to decorate your home… and learn how to re-purpose  and recycle… in style. The same goes for clothes shopping… you will be amazed at all the beautiful clothes you can purchase… at little cost… at vintage and second hand clothing shops.

A well lived life…  is a life that focuses on quality… beauty… grace… inner creativity… and awakening all your senses to the joy and wonder of life itself. You don’t have to be wealthy… to enjoy a well lived life… for you know… the simple truth…that being alive… and all that embraces… in your heart and mind… is your wealth.  It means… living a life… with caring… awareness… gratitude… and simple living. It means doing your part… to live a life of meaning… giving… and making the world a better place… for you… your families… and the world as a whole.

This Spring season… the season of renewal and rebirth… honor your life… the environment… and all living things… by embracing the natural… the simple… and the basic… back into your life… and by doing so… you will be living the well lived life. A life worth living.

Happy March to you,

Victoria

WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH

International Woman’s Day… March 8th… St. Patrick’s  Day… March 17th…International Earth Day…March 20th…Spring Equinox… March 20th… Flower Day… March 21st.

IRISH PROVERB

Dance if no one is watching, sing as if no one is listening, and live everyday as if it were your last.

FEMININE LIVING TRADITIONS FOR YOUR HOME… HEARTH… AND HEART

… FOR YOUR HOME

Glass canning jars make great containers for many things… are reusable time and time again… are inexpensive… and can also be used to give a gift in… instead of store bought wrapping paper.

Use them to arrange flowers in…or to keep your fresh herbs in… to place on your counter tops… use in your bathroom for Q-tips… cotton balls… and makeup brushes.

Use them in your studio/ office for storing your art supplies… beads… wire… pencils and pens… and paint brushes.

Use them to serve desserts in… or make a green salad and serve the salad in a canning jar. Fill with yogurt…top with berries… and then chill in the canning jar … for a quick refreshing dessert or breakfast.

Take a canning jar… and put small gifts inside your jar… such as earrings… necklaces… votive candles… a pair of socks or headbands… wrap with ribbon… and you have a reusable and unique container for your gift giving.

… FOR YOUR HEARTH

Here is a simple… very good chicken recipe … that carries on the traditions of Italian  cooking. This is a recipe from the cookbook by Teresa Giudice…Skinny Italian…. enjoy!

CHICKEN BREASTS with LEMONY THYME MARINADE

serves 4

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 clove garlic minced

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes

4 chicken breast halves… skinless and boneless

Whisk the olive oil…lemon juice…garlic… thyme… salt…and hot pepper flakes until blended. Pour into a shallow baking dish. Add the chicken breasts… turning so each piece is coated with the marinade. Put in fridge and marinate up to 2 hours.

Use an indoor grill pan… or cook outdoors until browned… or about 10 minutes on each side… or use a thermometer to register 170 F . Enjoy!

… FOR YOUR HEART

Write down on a piece of pretty paper… everything that makes you feel happy… and carry it around with you… to look at throughout your day…  you can add to your list… whenever you want… or visit it when you feel sad or not in a good mood. Just reading your happy list… will lift your spirits… and renew your soul.