Category Archives: Uncategorized

today’s plan…


alyssum, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
~E.B. White

simple gifts


color, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

This morning I got up early to work on a handmade gift for a family member. It was fun to think about that person and to put much intention and love into the process. I can only hope that they will enjoy the final product.

The pic above shows some of the felted wool balls that we made and gave as gifts to our nieces, nephews and beloved furpeople last Christmas. I loved that I was able to purchase the wool directly from the farm where the sheep were raised and where it had been hand-dyed. Making the balls was also great fun–choosing colors, rolling the soapy wet masses over and over in our hands until they created tight spheres.

What are some of the best handmade gifts that you’ve given and received?

‘Tis the gift to be simple,
’tis the gift to be free,
’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
‘Til by turning, turning we come round right

‘Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
‘Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we’ll all live together and we’ll all learn to say,

‘Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
‘Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of “me”,
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we’ll all live together with a love that is real.

a simple gift for you


bean blossoms, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

It’s Friday and you’ve probably got a hectic weekend ahead (I know I have a lot on my calendar). So let me give you a simple little gift to make you feel a bit more relaxed tonite…

1) Go to the kitchen
2) Pull some vegetable oil (I think olive is best) and some salt (coarse ground is best, but any will do) out of the cupboard.
3) Standing over the sink, drip about 2 teaspoons of oil into one palm.
4) Then shake about a tablespoon full of salt into your palm
5) Rub your hands together, rubbing the oil/salt in all over your palms, the backs of your hands, and each finger. Use circles to rub it into the backs of your hands and your wrists. Give each finger a gentle stretch as you rub the mixture into each joint. Keep this up for a few minutes.
6) Then, wash your hands with a gentle soap–preferably one with a light natural fragrance.

Now…..don’t your hands feel smooth and relaxed? 🙂

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.
~Etty Hillesum

🙂

the rapture


orange flower, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life….I think that what we’re really seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we can actually feel the rapture of being alive.”

~Joseph Campbell

your daily life


close up, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

“Your daily life is your temple and your religion. When you enter into it take with you your all.”

~Kahlil Gibran

Some deep thoughts for you today. Along with this photo of a flower cluster from a neighbor’s garden.

blue skies


hibiscus, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I took this pic last week in a plot near mine in our community garden. I just can’t get enough of the blue, blue sky and how beautiful it looks even in the middle of winter(!).

And on a totally unrelated note: for those of you on facebook, I’ve recently created a PilgrimSteps blog network that you can join. At this point I’m not sure exactly if/how I’ll be using the blog networking page, but if you’re on facebook I’d love to have you join the PilgrimSteps community and we’ll see where things evolve from here on out. 🙂

Happy A-C Day!


roses, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Around here, we celebrate Anti-Consumer Day each year on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Here’s hoping that your day is filled with joy, friends, family, and all the stuff that money can’t buy! 🙂

fountain of youth


aging fountain, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”
~Sophia Loren