Cousin's Sleepover

A post Christmas gathering of the cousins to celebrate the holidays on Jan 20th, was a weekend to remember. Our plan was to work with the gemstones and beads, clearing any dead energy in the house, I drummed the area, just like native Americans would clear the energy with sage, you can do the same thing with drumming. Reflecting back on the weekend, I know for myself my creativity was very bountiful, I contribute that to my energy was not stagnate anymore. Yahoo!

Donna, Kathy and I about to embark on our journey to Battle Ground. One might ask why all the group shots, it is our memories of where we have been.
Roger and our grandson Chants, would have their own sleepover, they went target shooting and then watched all night western movies in the "Hunt Trailer" while us women had the comforts of home. I did hear they were pretty cozy out there, with their new flat screen, heat and treats.
This sign says it all, spending time with family is so important, whether it is biological or not, we all need to do this. The girls wanted to check out a couple shops in Battle Ground, so we were off to Battle Grounds, Uncovered Ruby, the girls were not disappointed at all.
Some of my treasures I found at Uncovered Ruby in Battle Ground, Washington.
Kathy, Donna and I at" Battle Grounds" a coffee shop in old town Battle Ground, the setting an old church.
My first nonfat purchased chai in 10 months, oh so worth it!!!!!!

A perfect brisk cool afternoon to walk at Lewisville Park, just outside of Battle Ground, Washington.
Back at the house, I shared this wall hanging one of my clients gave me, some beautiful art work, do you see the cross? A light dinner, then these women were about ready to do some serious creating. I have a huge collection of gemstones and beads, Kathy and Donna brought some of their collection to share as well. We ended up staying up until 2:30 in morning, yes you read that right!!!! Very unusual for us three these days.
Kathy and Donna creating with the stones, Donna was making light catchers and some earrings and Kathy made earrings. Yes I finished off that bottle wine, I did share with Roger however, sending him at text message to the hunt trailer, he was right over to the back door to get his glass of wine, what was a girl to do, she certainly couldn't drink that all by herself, could she?
Kathy reading here the properties of the gemstones, I truly believe they have do healing work, God created them, so how can they not?
The finished product of my creative juices, creativity was definitely flowing. I sale some of these at my shop.

Our Little Cabin in The Woods

Our little cabin in the woods. A wonderful weekend was had with the Cousins and sister Kathy. The cabin was on the way up to Mt Hood, just out of Zig Zag. This was a perfect get away. Thanks Tanya and Donna for making this work. I can't wait for another chance to do it again.
This wood cook stove was right up my alley, we did not fire it up, perhaps it is used when the power goes out in the winter. I have one in my own Cabin Studio, oh how I must get in there and gut that cabin out and use it this winter.
Belated birthday celebrations for Donna and Kathy were celebrated this weekend. Love this bag that Donna got from Kathy, I am on the search.
Kathy sharing her "sister" charm that I had actually bought her many years ago, just thought I had already given it to her, I think she was happy with it. Kathy and I have been sisters for 39 plus years, thanks Kathy for being the BEST sister-in-law ever.
With the coffee brewing and a fire in the fireplace we created our own natures scenery through a steamed window, how cool is that?
Donna supervising me on coffee making 101, I had forgotten how you make coffee the old fashion way. When I got to the cabin, I was unloading my groceries, I said to Donna "is there not a coffee pot?" she said yes hun it is on the stove. I look and I say" oh Donna I don't remember how this works." Of course she gave me a quick lesson. Yummy.
I am hooked, I need to drag out our old camp stove coffee pot, just for weekend coffee, this coffee was delicious. Who needs the fancy espresso machines?
A Saturday afternoon adventure took us to this camp ground, just down from our cabin. I could just spend every weekend in the woods. How about you? It does my soul good!
The trails in this park were awesome, as you can tell the sun was about to go down.
Kathy and Donna.
This park had lots of trees loaded with Usnea and moss. I learned during my days working for a Naturopathic physician that they would use usnea in a UTI tea. If you pull a piece off and pull it out it will be stretchy. Magic I think!
Usnea close up. Sometimes referred to as "old mans beard".
Cousin Rose and Donna.
I told you I am a nature girl, I am having tooooo much fun. Love the out doors.
Cousin Donna brought bubbles for us to celebrate life, thanks Donna.
These bubbles are way too much fun, not just for the little ones.
This river is just down the bank from our cabin, with a steep path down to river, off Kathy and I went. You could hear the river roaring from inside the cabin, now that is a "calgon take me away moment." Don't you think?
Myself, I am so glad I have woods in my own backyard, I just wish I had the river close by.
You can't keep Kathy and I away from this water.
Cousin Rose tending to the fire, Rose had been here many times with her sister Sharon. I asked her what she and Sharon would do and she said they would just read, and watch movies. Rose brought us "Dragon Fly" to watch, if you haven't seen it, it is definitely worth the time to watch. Thanks Rose for sharing.
It is dark outside, so whats a girl to do but have some "Bitch" Bubbly, there is story behind this, Cousin Sharon whom we lost unexpectedly two years ago in December, used this word freely, always when I was around in "FUN" this cabin we are staying in belongs to Sharon's old neighbor, so what better spirits to have to celebrate her life, than "Bitch" Bubbly? Donna, her sister had decided to bring some of Sharon's beads for us to create with. With beads to play with I taught them how to make light catchers and earrings and so Sharon's spirit lives on. Thank you Sharon for blessing us with your love.
Donna and Kathy showing off their creations of light catchers that I taught them how to make.
Donna sharing her pumpkin light catcher.
This log cabin quilt belonged to Cousin Sharon whom we lost two years ago in December, the quilt was made by her mom, Aunt Edith, whom I dearly loved. She was Roger's mom sister. I have been yearning to make another log cabin quilt, well this finally has made my decision to get with it.
Cousin Rose, Cousin Donna and myself in front of our weekend Cabin in the woods.
Cousin Rose and Cousin Donna and my sister through marriage Kathy, Roger's sister.
All in all these girls know how to have fun. We are all nature girls, love to be out in the woods or take us to the ocean and you will find a well contented group of women. Thanks everyone for the wonderful weekend.