The Haven

Which do I celebrate?  I saw this type of question a lot around the Holidays last year.  Yule or Christmas, then of course there's the current holiday Ostara or Easter, and let's not leave out Samhain or Halloween.  You get the idea. My question is, why choose?  Very few of us grew up celebrating Yule, Ostara, Samhain or had any idea about the wheel of the year.  When we were kids Spring meant Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and lots of candy; Fall brought costumes, going out at night, and more candy; Winter was all about Christmas, Santa Claus, presents, and of course...candy.  There were family traditions that were followed year after year, passed down through the generations and some new ones thrown in occasionally.  These are the things that stuck with us as we became adults and started our own families.  So why should we turn our backs on all those good memories and traditions just because we've chosen a different path for ourselves? I sa...

Today I succumbed to my girlie side and went thrifting at a few local consignment shops.  I found some beautiful pieces but my favorite looks something like this... image found at arhdecor.com It is all white, more shabby/vintage than this one, with less glass and the top shelf is open.  I couldn't find a photo of the actual piece.  But alas, it is out of my price range.  Such a shame, wouldn't that be perfect for displaying seasonal decorations?  I figured I didn't really have a place to put it anyway.  That is until I came home and realized I have the perfect wall for it. *sigh*  Even though I didn't come home with this wonderfully perfect piece, I had so much fun looking through all the beautiful things and getting great ideas.  Definitely not a wasted trip! And after feasting my eyes and daydreaming, I just had to re-watch the new Alice in Wonderland!  If you happen to have Netflix, they've finally added it to the instant streaming....

Those of you who know me personally know that I am not your typical girlie girl.  But for some inexplicable reason this Spring, I am head over heels in love with this... and this... and this... and this color... I don't get it and I can't explain it but I have this crazy urge to move into a cottage, plant a garden, and decorate completely Shabby Chic, claw-foot tub and all! **all photos found on Google Images keyword Shabby Chic**

Warm afternoons and cool nights The smell of orange blossoms Blooming flowers and trees More daylight hours Relaxing rainy days A sense of renewal Farmers markets Butterflies Enjoy the season! ~ Heathen

It's that time of year again...Spring time!  Did you remember to change your clocks last night?  It's hard to realize an hour of your life is just gone, poof, vanished, in the time it takes to set the clock ahead isn't it?  Ah well, Ostara is a time for renewal and change so I suppose it's fitting. This year Ostara, also known as Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, and the First Day of Spring, is on Sunday the 20th.  It is a celebration of balance as day and night are once again equal in length on this day. Here are a few customs and activities for this month: Time for a new broom. Get rid of your dirty & dusty broom filled with all the negativity of last year and pick up a new one.  Check your local dollar-type store for the best deal. Start your Spring cleaning.  I'll be doing a post on this later this month. While you're cleaning, sort through your personal items and donate anything that's no longer wanted or needed. Pick or purchase flowers th...

Happy Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras everyone!  Are you wearing your beads? Having some Cajun cuisine?  Did you at least have some coffee with chicory?  Honestly I'm not much of a reveler any more, what with the family and full-time job.  And around here, there's really not much hoopla for Mardi Gras.  Unless of course you want to spend $100 per person (I'm not kidding) to visit the fake Mardi Gras at Universal Studios in Orlando.  So, since I know most of you don't live anywhere near today's celebrations, I'm curious to know how you celebrate Fat Tuesday.  Do you do anything different or special or is it just another Tuesday around your house? Image found on  globusjourneys.com It's funny, I love all things New Orleans, and yet I've never been there.  I always wanted to go for Mardi Gras when I was younger.  Now, I don't think I could stand the throngs of drunken people.  Too many things going on at one time = my brain overloading!...

February is finally over and March has officially arrived.  This month is shaping up to be a busy one as there are quite a few holidays/observances in the coming days.  Mardi Gras Daylight Savings Time (most areas) Saint Patrick's Day Ostara/Spring Equinox While I don't actually "celebrate" all of these, there are a few small fun things that can be done just to recognize the day.  For Mardi Gras, why not listen to a little Zydeco music and make red beans & rice for dinner?  Don't forget the coffee with chicory and some beignets!  Maybe watch a movie that features Mardi Gras or is set in New Orleans, personally I like The Skeleton Key. Daylight Savings Time starts this month and that means it's time to set the clocks ahead one hour (Spring forward, Fall back).  Now I don't like adjusting to getting up an hour earlier in the morning, but it is wonderful to have the extra sunshine in the evenings.  Take advantage of it; go for a walk around y...