Romantic Bird Watching

Watching backyard birds can be relaxing and romantic. Slow down in life and smell the roses, or rather, watch the birds. Watching the activity with your honey can be romantic; you are spending time together chatting or simply being. 

My mom loved birds. Dad made special feeders for her to fill and she'd watch her feathered friends daily. My boys have been raised enjoying the fun that comes with having feeders. We call them Feeding Stations since they are designated to hold certain food/seed combinations to attract particular critters. Living in the woods has provided us with unlimited visitors.

Son #3 and I filled the feeding stations as the first snow began to fall. It didn't take long for the critters to arrive.

A Chickadee and finch come in for breakfast.

A blue-jay decides which seed feeder he wants to visit.

Tufted Titmouse is just hanging around.

A Tufted Tit and Finch wait their turn.

Good Morning, Cast Iron and Kisses

After grabbing the first cup of coffee, start the day right by making breakfast together.

I cook with beloved cast iron pans and tips from Gram. She told me of an easy and simple meal to prepare with your honey.

Begin cooking grits before everything else because slow cooking is better. I like to add smoked salt and half n half  to mine.

Drop a dollop of bacon fat into a warm pan. Add a variety of vegitables. Let cook for a couple of minutes. Season - we use a New Orleans flavor.

 Add a precooked meat (or may be served as a side). Whip an egg with half n half then pour onto veggies. Lower temp and cover. Add cheese. When cheese has melted and egg is cooked, cut into pieces and serve ontop of hot grits in a bowl. 

While doing food prep with your honey, enjoy sipping coffee, sample the fresh veggies, and maybe nibble on each other.

 Enjoy your morning!

Monday Mojo - Spirit of the Crow

Seth Crowe, a crow shifter and Keeper of the Spiritual Law.

He considers himself to be a carrier of souls from darkness to light and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic. 

Seth is a Native American Crow shifter.

The crow is a spirit animal associated with life mysteries and magic.  The power of this bird as totem and spirit guide is provide insight and means of supporting intentions. Sign of luck, it is also associated with the archetype of the trickster; be aware of deceiving appearances.  If the crow has chosen you as your spirit or totem animal, it supports you in developing the power of sight, transformation, and connection with life’s magic.

The crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keep of all sacred law. The medicine he practices gives him mastery of illusion. It is the power of the unknown at work, and always guarantees something special is about to happen.

The crow is also the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing. In any healing circle, a Crow is present. He guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality. The crow can give you the courage to enter the darkness of the void, which is the home of all that is not yet in form. Read CROW MAGIC to learn about Seth's magical power.

Grandma's Chicken Soup

When Mom would get sick, Grandma would move in with her homemade chicken soup and cure the entire household from the common cold. Ironically, studies show that Gram was right. Chicken soup really can help you get over a cold! Those miserable symptoms of the cold usually include coughing, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. Actual university studies have proven ingredients in chicken soup have anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit certain white blood cells from traveling into airways that contribute to the inflammation that causes cold symptoms. Chicken soup contains compounds that also help inhibit mucus production. In addition to the soup's anti-inflammatory effects, the heat and steam may help open nasal passages especially if you add some garlic or cayenne pepper! Always drink the broth, researchers determined most of the help comes from the liquid. 

  Here's Grandma's recipe: 

3-4 lb stewing chicken 

1 onion 

2 -3 qts water 

1 Tbsp chopped parsley 

1/2 tsp salt, dash pepper 

1 Tbsp butter 

1/2 cup diced celery 

1/4 cup diced carrots 

2 cups noodles or 1/4 cup rice 

Heat to boiling then simmer until meat is tender. Gram would simmer hers all day. She also said you could always add lemon juice to "help cut a thick throat" or garlic for a stuffed up nose. 

Grandam always thought ahead and would prepare batches of soup so she'd be ready at a moment's notice to aid her ailing family. 

The Magic of Crows

  "The crow represents change or transformation. But much more than that, it refers more to a spiritual or emotional change. These intelligent birds give us valuable insight into situations around us and help us adapt as needed". - Crow Symbolism & Meaning

I grew up listening to legends and tales of animals from a neighbor who was a member of the local Chippewa tribe. The intelligence as well as the beauty of the crow always drew me in. Perhaps the attraction led me to write Crow Magic, where the hero is a Native American Crow Shifter. He uses his body and mind to cleanse a person’s soul; taking it from darkness to light.

Available on Amazon 

 Some cultures think of the crow as a bad omen. It has been said this idea came from the wars during the Dark Ages when crows would be seen after a battle picking at the dead. The Vikings believed it was the spirit of a raven that escorted the souls of the dead warriors to Valhalla. Story tellers simply put a dark spin on the tale.

The Native Americans consider a crow to be a sign of good fortune. Crows are cleansers of both the land and the mind. My Chippewa friends hold steadfast to this belief and always express joy when they see crows visit their feeders.

Since moving into the woods, we've attracted a variety of critters. For several years we were blessed with a family of crows. Seeing their antics and family dynamic up close was amazing. The hawks moved in for a couple years chasing the small murder away. However, the hawks moved out and by fall the crows were cautiously returning.

This spring brought two handsome couples into my office view. My building is located along the Flint River. A pair of eagles nest not far from here as well, but they haven't disturbed the crows. I'm not sure where the crows roost, but they come to our yard to feed. 

Do you have some unique critters visit your yard?