You can find me over at The Phoenix Mind blog or over at Wings of Flight.

The Phoenix Mind focuses on my student life, science lessons, mental health and re-definition processes.

Wings of Flight is my spiritual hub; my path to Druidry and beyond.

Come on over and leave a comment to say you’ve made the switch; don’t forget to update your blogroll links!

In Light,
Rose.

Please come a say hi over at wingsofflight.wordpress.com and I shall apologise personally.

-hugs to all-

Things slotting into place, intuitive nudges and opportunities I never thought I’d get. I’ve also had some interesting lessons about blogging; which I’m taking time to really settle in. I don’t want to stop after 5 years of loyal work, but it might be time for a rest. We’ll see where life takes us.

Thanks for sticking with me on this journey, and I hope to be back soon with more interesting content.

~Rose.

Simple Food

Food Quiz

It’s times like these when I wish I could record and transmit scents to the internet. This microwaved apple crumble, based on Summer’s apple pie recipe smells amazing!

I sliced [didn’t peel] 2 washed apples, blended them with a couple of grapes (needed using up) and some pineapple juice because a) was out of apple juice and b) the apple wasn’t moving and thus not getting chopped/blended.  So it’s a bit different form summer’s recipe but I added cinnamon [no nutmeg here at uni] and oats; slipped it into the microwave for 2 minutes on high [only made half a mug full to make it last longer/give me more attempts to perfecting it].

I think I used too many oats in comparison to apple; and perhaps should try adding a bit of water to the oats to make them integrate more. However, mixing/mashing  all ingredients up, though looking less appealing, works well to get liquid into the oats.

And the verdict:

***** 4.75 out of 5, due to oat issue. Think I can get it to 5/5 tomorrow.

As I’ve run out of milk for cereal tomorrow; I look forward to having PineAppleGrape Crumble [perhaps to be named Apple Delight or something] for breakfast before a hectic Monday morning.

When I went to stay with my grandparents during school holidays, it was custom that we’d have pancakes for breakfast each Friday morning. I’ve always thought I’d have a “pancake day” a couple of times a month when I have my own house. However, I’m thinking I may have to produce lots of chunky apple sauce and make this a university, Monday morning tradition…

Many, MANY thanks to Summer for sharing. I think I’ll go look at that Apple Casserole now…

What are your favourite recipes for simple but nourishing/yummy snacks?

I love Christine Kane’s idea, which supports my new theory that anything combining Apple and Cinnamon is Perfect.

Tonight I’ll be doing a small ceremony to welcome the coming of light; of spring. I came home from lecture and tidied/swept my bedroom and today also marks the start of my second 5-a-day-for-14-days challenge.

Tonight’s Meal: Chicken soup with vegetable pasta + grapes&apple for dessert.
Tomorrow I’m thinking mashed potato, boiled vegetables and perhaps turkey.
Then Thursday or Friday I need to buy some fresh vegetables and I can have my weekly meat-free day.

Oh, and tonight’s play list includes: Bay City Rollers, Steps, Starship, AC/DC, Ten Thousand Maniacs, B*Witched, Third Eye Blind, The Police, Dixie Chicks and The Who.  It’s an upbeat dancing night.

Light a candle, breathe the warming air [unless you're in the UK, where it' getting colder...] and smile: The sun is returning and it won’t be too long before the flowers bloom.

Make A Wish.

Life’s being hectic at the moment: Applying for jobs, work experience, finishing coursework, running two societies, celebrating 3 years with my husband, reading, lectures, seminars, practicals, paid experiments, working for course credits, and going to birthday parties.

I’m carving out time for reading, I’ve gained all the course credits I need for this term and I’m loving the Clinical Lectures so much I’m actually excited to write notes. It’s a wonderful feeling.

I’m going over to see my partner this week which I’m looking forward to. However, I’ll be missing Anderida Gorsedd, which makes me sad. It’ll be Beltain before we meet again (which sucks) but it does mean I get off my backside and actually practise. I’m a bit more focused on being a nicer, more patient person than “being closer to the Gods”, which I find a little vague. However, I miss my consistent practise.

Though I’ll try not to leave such a long gap between entries here, my main blogging focus is over at Simple Wings so please do come and find out what i’m learning about Simplicity and Success.

~Rose

This week I took part in The Great Interview Experiment. This means I was interviewed by one blogger, and I interviewed another. If you’re interested in taking part, just leave a comment on that post. I had to get in touch with the person before me, but it’s not a difficult task and reaps some great rewards.

Firstly, I was interviewed by Altme over at It’s Not The First Time, where you can see my answers.

Secondly, I interviewed Kanani over at Kitchen Dispatch, which focuses on war, yoga, books and the life of a military wife. I learnt some wonderful things about a fellow blogger and encourage you to check out both their blogs to discover two gems in the internet blogosphere.

1. When did you first discover yoga and how often do you practise?

I discovered yoga a couple of years ago. I quit and then I came back to it in July of 2009. I practice in the studio 4 times a week, and if I don’t go in, I just practice at home.  I love yoga, but I make no pretence to know what it’s all about. All I know is that I feel better when I do it. But overall, I look askance at the popular yoga culture that has grown out of it. A lot of it is marketing, and sidesteps doing substantial work on one’s inner self by encouraging people to
buy this or that.  Anyone can stretch (especially if they are young). But it takes a much longer time to question one’s own beliefs and allow oneself to change.

2. If had a day to do and be anything, with time and money covered for, what/who would you be and what would you do with the free time?
Oh, no doubt I’d spend it writing, reading and having lovely meals with friends –new and old. Once the groove is found, then it all feels like free time because one is doing precisely what they love.

3. How do you find time to write so many blogs; what’s your secret?
I was a writer before I was a blogger. And so I’ve always written around specific interests. They’re separated to reach different audiences. The only secret is to only write when I’ve found something of interest. It helps me keep it from devolving into a whine fest! I can pound out a post in less than 15 minutes, but have spent as long as 3 hours crafting one. But in general, short (less than 500 words) and to the point seems to be the goal.

4. Do you have a morning routine? If not, what’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
It changes. I enjoy checking my messages, going to yoga, and then falling into writing.

5. How do you feel your experiences of war have shaped your blogging experience across your separate blogs?
Well, certainly I lost a few readers who only wanted the writing and literary posts. They didn’t want to read about military service, or even have their own views questioned –as I was questioning mine. Those posts really dropped off, but then again after writing about writing for over 2 years, I really did feel that I’d covered everything. I mean, there’s writing about writing, and then there’s just the beauty of taking those skills to explore a much bigger world. Ultimately, every serious writer has to do this.  Milblogging provided new ground for me to explore.

After all, I think that’s one of the benchmarks of a writer –being curious and willing to go into new worlds. I leaped into the milblogging world in 2009. It was very tentative, but then I went full bore into it because what I was experiencing was so interesting. Every single assumption I’d made about those who serve and even the war was questioned and often times overturned. What I found was a passionate and equally compassionate group of individuals. Also I found one that has in the U.S. been scorned and often discriminated against. They have great needs, compelling stories, moments of depth. And then I had the chance to meet some milbloggers. What an incredible group of men and women, and also very supportive.

6. What would you say your favourite song/band is in general or at the moment? Is there a specific reason you like it?
I don’t keep track of bands. I never have. But I will tell you that I grew up in a household filled with classical music, then I moved onto Jazz, and then I found poetry. Poetry is music. Good prose is music.

What a wonderful way of putting it! As a poet myself, I can really relate to this idea.

7. What is your favourite genre to read? Any favourite authors or must-read titles?
No favourite genres. I look for writers who are consistent, are good wordsmiths, and explore themes often overlooked. One must read is Kent Haruf who crafts prose that has both compactness and beauty. Any Californian who doesn’t know John Steinbeck is really missing out on the western experience.  Jane Austen. She was fan-tab-u-lous. I think all writers should read her. A healthy dose of Shakespeare helps as well, and fortunately, one can take in a play or watch it on DVD. If someone wants to read a biography, I adore David Niven’s “The Moon Is A Balloon,” for his storytelling. For some eerily crafted magic of putting words, try Peter O’Toole’s biographies.

8. Have you had any amazing experiences you wouldn’t have had if you didn’t blog?
I wish I could tell you that I was picked to travel the world for free, but it hasn’t happened. Blogging has always been secondary. Writing is the thing that makes me tick and has opened doors.

9. If you were stranded on an island, what movie, book, and item of food would you take; ignoring the lack of TV or cooking utensils?
The Moon Is A Balloon by David Niven. Oranges. Cinema Paradiso.

10.  A couple of weeks back, you mentioned a huge editing project you were working on: Can you give us any more details? How’re you fitting in blogging around it?
Blogging and more specifically, Facebook has been taking a backseat. No, I can’t give any details on the project. But needless to say, there’s a tight deadline that I have to meet. I have to cover at least thirty – fifty pages a day.

Wow, what a challenge. Wishing you luck! I know I thrive on a challenge so I hope you find something wonderful amidst the project.

Thank you to both bloggers for taking part in this experiment and giving us all a chance to share with others.

~Rose.

I’m pushing my boundaries this week; spreading my wings.

Tomorrow I’m leading a meditation session; Thursday I’m running a workshop on habits to get ideas for my eBook and Friday I’m going to a gig.

The latter doesn’t sound very adventurous, but due to the crowds, the noise, the lights; it’s an experience which pushes my boundaries. Saturday I’m helping Yana shop for her party and then I get to spend Sunday writing 3.5k words. Joyous.

In all the excitement and fear; I need your help.

If you were to attend a workshop on creating habits and accomplishing goals; what would you want to know? Is it the why, the how, the what; which parts do you struggle with most? The motivation, the consistency?

Either leave me a comment here, tweet me or email me at a.celestial.rose@gmail.com to answer.

I’d really appreciate any feedback so I can add it to the workshop; and thus add it to my eBook in the next few months. I may even podcast the workshop; if all goes well.

Many Thanks,

Have a wonderful week.

So with a little shameless plug for my search for simplicity, I present the Secret to Happiness.

Anyone who thinks I’m day dreaming if I believe we could make this world a happier, healthier and safer place; please visit Denmark.

~Rose.

• Read 25 books since July
• Taken part in a revolution [RATM4Xmas]
• Written a 50,000 word novel!
• Got a “First” [university class] in a couple of my exams
• Started a second blog
• Made progress toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle
• Given a talk on Paganism
• Taken part in Nine Pagan Rituals
• Taken up weekly meditation for over three months
• Sung on stage
• Tried NIA and Belly dance (gothic and traditional)
• Donated over 150 items to charity/Swish Swap
• Given almost 150 volunteering hours
• Received a V50 award for volunteering
• Committed to co-running two university societies
• Had my ears pierced
• Got my weight to a healthy level
• Visited Ciarán in Ireland
• Made some sock cats
• Given personal presents
• Signed up to 10:10
• Started an eBook
• Reconnected with family members
• Learnt a lot!!!
• Made friends with wonderful people [Yana, Emerald, I’m talking to you!]
• Signed up three books to BookCrossing
• Won three honourable mentions, two bronze and one silver trophy on allpoetry.com
• Taken part in 4.5 hours of experiments

There must be more, but I can’t think of them at the moment.  My goal word for this year is Focus. I’ll post a more in-depth entry soon, but I think I should live it a few days before I fully explain what it’s about. I may find aspects I wouldn’t think of elsewise.

I’ve a bracelet ready for wearing as a reminder and I’ll let you know how my year progresses.

Until then, Happy New Year and Take Care.

~Rose