The Haven

I just want to say thank you to Vanessa over at A Fanciful Twist for hosting another Mad Tea Party!  Based on all the participation and comments, everyone had a great time. Also, I want to thank all my friends (new and old) for the wonderful comments.  I enjoyed visiting everyone's parties, even if I didn't comment on all of them. So...THANK YOU! ~ Heathen

Welcome party goers!  If you've just found my site, I'm very pleased to meet you.  Please feel free to wander around a bit.  For my contribution to today's Mad Tea Party I've created a digital collage...Tea in the Garden. click to enlarge It was inspired by this... I hope you all enjoy.  I'll be blog-hopping around to check out all your Tea Party posts today.  To follow along with the madness, click here and visit A Fanciful Twist for more partiers! Thanks to Vanessa for hosting her annual Mad Tea Party!

The Summer Solstice, also known as Litha or Midsummer, is the longest day of the year.  After the Solstice the nights gradually begin to grow longer again.  Litha is a fire festival and a classic time for magic of all types. Customs and Activities: spend the day outside wear the colors of the Sun lighting a blaze (or candles) on Midsummer's Eve and maintaining it until midnight brings luck and blessings to the home Colors: red, orange, yellow, green, and white Decorations: sunflowers bees lanterns or twinkle lights wreath of ivy with yellow & red flowers or ribbon intertwined Foods:  due to the Summer heat in FL, I like to serve a light meal that doesn't require the oven. summer veggies grilled meat, poultry, or fish Sangria anything lemony or citrus Spellworkings: love divination protection inspiration any fairy magic

To all the Dad's out there in Blogland and the great wide world! Enjoy your special day!

Next Sunday, June 19th, is known in the U.S. and a lot of other places around the world as Father's Day.  Every year on the 3rd Sunday of June we honor our fathers or father figures. So what do you give the man who has everything or wants nothing (and doesn't need a tie)?  That all depends on the man in question.  In my experience, most men don't really like the spectacle of receiving gifts in front of other people.  It seems to makes them feel awkward.  So instead of wrapping up a pretty gift, consider doing something for or with the man of honor. Host a backyard barbecue for the family and you've got a nice Father's Day for both Dad and Hubby.  Give Hubby the weekend off from that honey-do list and let him spend his time on the computer, or in front of ESPN, or whatever it is he likes to do.  Take your Dad out to breakfast, just the two of you. If you don't live nearby, send him a book you read or CD you listened to that you think he would enjo...

We all know about the horrible economy and we're all feeling it's effects on our wallets.  For a lot of us, this means skipping the traditional Summer vacation.  So instead of leaving home, try taking a vacation from something you normally do.  Things like television, your computer, the news, or driving.  Sound too hard?  What about taking a vacation from the things you don't really like such as complaining, whining, demanding, or judging.  Don't get defensive, we all do these things. Or... take a vacation from work but stay local and pretend to be a tourist.  Do all the things someone visiting your town would do on vacation!  A lot of times you can even get discounts on the "touristy" things if you're a local, it never hurts to check. The point is, don't skip your vacation...we all need them.  But you don't have to spend a fortune or uproot the family to do it.  Enjoy your Summer Vacation! ~ Heathen Living Life Seasonally

Finding inspiration can sometimes be a daunting task.  So what to do when you simply have no new ideas?  First, you have to realize and accept that these things cannot be forced.  In fact, the harder you try, the less you'll get.  Sounds counter-intuitive right?  But it's not.  The truth is, a lack of inspiration mainly stems from an overload of information.  Your mind needs time to process, and most of us are going/doing/thinking way too fast for that to happen.  You have to slow down and stop, just for a bit, and essentially "re-boot" your mind.  Haven't you noticed that some of your best ideas pop into your head while doing something routine or absolutely nothing? Consider these examples: Newton was loafing under an apple tree when he saw an apple fall and got the idea of gravity.  Galileo was sitting and watching a great swinging lamp which triggered the idea of a swinging pendulum as a means to measure time.  And Watt was ju...

June brings the beginning of Summer.  The weather is warming towards hot and the kids are home from school.  It's the perfect time for outdoor fun!  Not only will you enjoy the healing rays of the sun (don't forget the sunscreen!), but the fresh air and sunshine will help burn off the extra energy kids seem to have in the summer. Make a Summer playlist for your music player and take it with you. Head to the beach, lake, or pool for some water fun. Spend the day at the park and have a picnic lunch. Create sidewalk art with chalk on your driveway or porch. Go for a walk around your neighborhood. Go to a baseball game. Plant a vegetable garden. Visit a local street fair or farmer's market. Chase butterflies, frogs, lizards, and fireflies (please don't try to keep them). If your town still has one, go to a drive-in movie. Go camping and sleep outside; even if it's only in your own back yard. Even if you don't have small children, you can still enjoy the ...

Okay, I know spring cleaning season is over (for most of us).  But if, like me, you've left a few things undone, now is the time.  The Summer Solstice is nearly upon us!  It's time to finish the spring cleaning and get your house ready for the summer months.  Here are a few ideas to get you started: Spruce up your porch, deck, or patio for outdoor lounging and entertaining. Get your grill ready for evening and weekend barbecues. Start saving your empty jars to use as luminaries. If you live in the north, remove the storm windows/doors and replace the screens. Air out the house before it gets too hot and sticky. Change the filter for your air conditioner and make sure it's working properly. Clean your fans. Pack away any remaining cold weather clothes and blankets; donate those you no longer want or need. Bring out the shorts, skirts, t-shirts, flip-flops, and lightweight blankets. I know, it seems like a lot of work.  But trust me, you'll appreciate...

That's right...it's time for a Mad Tea Party!  The whimsical Vanessa over at A Fanciful Twist is hosting another Mad Tea Party this month.  If you don't already know about this, you can find all the info here . I wasn't around for the previous festivities, but I do plan on participating this year.  I just love her blog and her parties!  Not quite sure what I'll be doing, but I wouldn't tell you anyway. *wink* So, if you haven't already, head on over and sign up to join.  Look forward to seeing you for tea! ~ Heathen