Patreon!

Just a quick update!
I've been studying and working so much! My Shamanic Apprenticeship is almost up and I've learned an incredible amount. There is more learning, seeing and experiencing to do.. I can't wait. This life is so beautiful, even when something unexpected pops up.

I opened a Patreon account if anyone would like to check it out! I have special tiers set up that you can get monthly dowsing sessions (with rods or pendulum) or Tarot sessions on a video chat.

Click here to check it out!

I'll be cross-posting here, as well, so anything public on Patreon can be seen here on the blog.

A Forced Cleansing

It's 2018.
I've been M.I.A here since January of 2017! Amazing how we can let time fly isn't it? All we have to do is ask it to slow down.

2017 was full of challenges and stress. It was a year long test that ended with our house catching fire. It didn't burn down, thank goodness, but we have a long way to go before we can move back in. The smoke damage is beyond what I could have ever imagined, everything is rusted and melted, everything is black, everything smells. Fire is so powerful and seeing what it can do in such a short period of time is truly awe-inspiring. I thank Spirit every single day for waking me up before the smoke took total control of our home. We made it out. The animals made it out. We made it.
I struggled the first few days after the fire, asking what I had done wrong to bring about such incredible destructive power. After sitting with that thought for a few days I realized that I was wrong. I have done something right. I woke up to a voice in my head that said "WAKE UP!" and within 1-2 minutes we were out of the house and safe and as we were shutting the door behind us the flames were taking over our dining room. It was quite a powerful thing to see.

I was woken.
I have done something right and the Universe knew that I needed this fire, as odd as that may sound. Fire is cleansing. Fire takes the old away and offers a fresh start if you're willing to let yourself rise out of the ashes like the great Phoenix.
It pains us to let go of the physical representation of the memories we've made together and it's hard to let go of things. It's saying goodbye to your old life and saying hello to something new. Sometimes new is scary but, if you're willing to accept it, it can help you grow in so many ways.

As a family we are closer and loving harder and it's been so wonderful.
As individuals, we are finding ways to cope with our new life paths.

I can't speak for my Joe and my Olivia, as their journey's are theirs and not mine to share, but my life journey has taken off once again and I'm so incredibly grateful.

I've been accepted as an Apprentice to further my Shamanic journey, my soul's purpose that I've known my whole life, but was always a little nervous to jump off the cliff. I've jumped and I can feel the Universe and Spirit soaring with me. My intention for this journey is not only to further myself in the world of healing and true love, but to help everyone around me further themselves and their life paths, as well. I can't wait to share this journey with you all.

Changes are happening and I'm inviting my readers to change with me. We can heal together, we can love together, we can breathe together and we can keep our fires going inside of our hearts and find our soul reason for being here on this plane in this lifetime.

Much love to you all<3

Remember the only way to truly do, is to be.

☆☾☆☾☆

New Year's Goals

As always, with a new year comes new goals. I've been feeling much more productive in the last month, partly thanks to an attitude adjustment and partly thanks to a gorgeous Mookaite Jasper pendant I now where. Mookaite Jasper is a motivating stone and I swear it works; the magic produced by the Earth is really something. 

Living in Georgia adds to my productive feeling, I have the ability to start seeds extra early. So of course I've gotten some onion, artichoke, pomegranate and flower seeds in some little seed starting pots.

That simple 45 minute activity perked me up! I was in a mini funk last summer and fall because I wasn't able to really plant much because of our move and unpacking, Joe's company bought up a bunch of smaller companies so he was working 10-12 hour days 6 days a week for 3 months, my random work schedule, etc.. It all just added up and I couldn't spend as much time outside planting and doing what brings me meditative peace. This year, however, will be different; we have much more time to enjoy those things. 

So what exactly does the rest of the year look like for me? Well, honestly, a lot of hard work and a lot of 'I don't know' but, I can try and break down my monthly goals to build up to my ultimate goal of having enough of an overflow of fruits, vegetables and eggs that I'm able to successfully support myself on just my small farm. January's goals are pretty simple, some are fun and some are just normal things that I'm trying to do to keep up with adulthood. I've hooked up with Angie and Karen's Monthly Goals link-up again to do just that!

Fun Goals:

•   Read 2 books
•   Do my barre dvd 3 times a week
•   Save an extra $250 for longevity items - I will explain what this is and more importantly why in detail later, but these items would be bottled spring water/canned food/dehydrated foods/etc.
•   Plant Amaryllis bulbs
•   Start at least 50 more onion seeds and 3-4 types (15-20 each) of flower seeds
•   Go to the Georgia Guidestones

House Goals:

•   Finish cleaning out the last closet of my stuff at the farmhouse
•   Buy two invisible books shelves for my bedroom
•   Hang invisible shelf in living room
•   Take donation boxes to church
•   Get previous owners couch out of the house! THIS WAS AN OCTOBER GOAL, UGH WHYYY DO I SUCK!?
•   Buy enough hangers to hang all my clothes and then actually hang them
•   Get empty unpacked boxes out of the office and into the fire pit

 Blog/Work Goals:

•  Blog 1 time a week - 1 time? That's not hard! For me it's nearly impossible, but once I get in the habit of posting I will continue with no problem.
•  Take inventory of what SK Body Shop stuff I have left and revamp my company to integrate it with the farm
•  Start planning what markets/festivals I'll be working this spring and summer

Add your goals to the link up here!

12 Days of Christmas Swap Reveal

Wow, it's already January 4th!! I meant to have this up days ago. Christmas and New Year's flew by. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! I, personally, had a blast. Christmas Eve was at my parent's house, Christmas was at my house, both days were in the low 70s and gorgeous. For New Years we rang in 2017 with all our neighbors at Casa Banana (HUGE rental home/vacation family home/wedding venue/prime fishing spot for all of us that live here that one of the neighbors owns at the end of our street.)  

☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆

Another awesome thing that happened in December was the last 12 Days of Christmas Swap put on by Angie and Beth. My partner was the wonderful Erika from Cat Eyes and Skinny Jeans.

I was so excited when I opened the box! Right on top was a pink princess stocking for Olivia, that she immediately took out and started asking if she could open her presents :) Erika didn't have to get anything for her, but she did and it was all very well received and very much loved! 

I wasn't able to get a picture of the LaLaLoopsy toy that she got because it was open and already meeting other dolls in Olivia's room within 30 seconds, but that's okay! I also can't find the Christmas themed coloring book she got Olivia that we have both enjoyed coloring. It's amazing though, I feel like I've seen that book daily for the last 2.5 weeks and when I want to take a picture I can't find it.

This is after the first 4 days of opening :) How cute are all the ways she wrapped everything?! Boxes, bags and wrapping paper!

First let me say, I love deer and I love this super cute, soft deer ornament! Olivia got the milk and cookies one :)

I love Julep polish and I love this color Erika picked out.

I love sweets. I really, really do and this Rudolph Mix had a great variety and was so good. I'm definitely going to be buying more soon. It's from Target if you want some, too!

As I said earlier, I love deer and this mug is perfect; it's so pretty. I've used it a lot already and can't wait to use it for the Chocolate Peppermint (yum!) mug cake.

During our email exchange getting to know each other, Erika asked what holiday movies I like but don't own. I didn't know and basically just said we love anything family friendly. And ya know what, I'm shocked we don't already own Prancer! We enjoyed a nice little family movie night at home watching it over winter break.  

 

Look at these!! Non-GMO (super important to me and very kind of Erika to find) spruce and poinsettia seeds! I've been wanting to add some smaller, bushier trees to our landscape and the spruce seeds are perfect. I also LOVE poinsettias and this gives me a reason to start growing them early in late summer and enjoy them all next fall and winter. 

 

I love a good quick read. I'm looking forward to reading this one by the fire on the few cold days that are coming up. Yes, I said cold. It's going to be in the 30s for two days.

And last but not least, this yummy candle. It smells like winter and I love the little design on the labels. Once it's all burned I'll be adding a new wick and some more wax and scents because it really is a nice little candle container.

Thank you so so much Erika! I love everything!

A really late goals update!

I'm talking LATE goals update. I was supposed to do this the first week of November😐
I've been busy..and not with my goals.

Alright let's see how this panned out....

Fun Goals:

•   Be tasters at the Madison Chili Cook-Off Yes, it was awesome!
  
•   Go to Trick or Treat in our downtown area. No but we finally found a neighborhood to trick or treat in! It only took 3 years.
•   Take Olivia to a pumpkin patch  No, but got some awesome pumpkins!
•   Do my barre dvd once a day Big NO
•   Save an extra $250  Yes, already spent on Christmas gifts.
•   Dig up new garden area and cover with cardboard and compost (this is technically a "house" goal but I consider it fun!)  No :( Work is killing all my free time.
•   Stock the freezer with fresh homemade pumpkin butter (Olivia's favorite thing) YES
•   Go to the Georgia Guidestones  No, again, work - boo.
•   Go to a fall festival Yes!

House Goals:

•   Clean out the last closet at the farmhouse (I still have an overflowing closet full of my stuff over there..Sorry mom!) I got most of it out, so I'm counting this one as a win.
•   Buy and hang invisible book shelves in bedroom Nope.
•   Pack and take donation boxes We donated food, but we are still packing toys/clothes.
•   Organize desk and Stella Kenton supplies Nope
•   Get couch out of the house! This should really be number 1. The people that used to own our house asked if we wanted to keep a couch and we said no, but they left it anyways. It's not a nice couch. It's not dirty or anything, it's just really old and ugly and just feels ehhh, plus it's taking up a lot of space. NO AHH
•   Unpack 1 box a week!! With my work and Olivia's school/after-school schedule and Joe's crazy long hours (converting a bunch of smaller companies they just bought) has made it difficult for us to get our house where we'd like it to be in a timely fashion. YES
•   Get Joe to move more of his tools to the shed. He insists on keeping them in his office for some reason and it's making me slightly batty. He moved some out and now he just has to organize the rest!

 Blog/Work Goals:

•  Blog 2 times a week NOPE
•  Start making products again and start advertising Stella Kenton again  NOPE
•  Start putting together a giveaway NOPE
  
  
  Got 8/19 done. Not that great but at least it wasn't 0/19!

12 Days of Christmas Swap!

Posting a quick update on the next swap I'm in with the Chaotic Goddess Swap ladies! Plus, it's a nice little distraction to what is happening in our crazy, hectic, political world.

I did this one last year and it is so fun! You and your partner each get a minimum of 12 gifts for each other to be opened each day before Christmas. Sign ups are open until Monday November 14, come join us!! 

Sign up here!

Swapoween Show Off

This year's Swapoween with all the awesome blogger ladies was great! It was a little different because we had an odd number sign up, so we had two partners! I sent a package to Rebecca and Beverly sent a package to me. 

I LOVE it all!

When I opened the box I thought the pumpkin was real! It looks great and is so cute mixed in with all my other decorations. I got my all time favorite candy, the mini Twizzlers, and some delicious Lindt pumpkin truffles and caramel filled Ghirardelli chocolate. I got some fall themed note paper, which is perfect because I am a list maker and some fall printed tissues!

I also got a delicious smelling Cinnamon Coffee candle, a beautiful stamped out pumpkin candle holder and some spiced potpourri shaped like little pumpkins. 

Thank you so much Miss Beverly, I love it all!!! 

The next Swap is the 12 Days of Christmas Swap! Come join us - sign ups start November 7.

October Goals

I haven't done a goals post in a while, which is horrible because it was always one of my favorite posts to do. The Goals Link-Up is run by Miss Angie from My So Called Chaos and Karen from A Peek at Karen's World.

I have a lot of goals this month. Winter is nearing and there is so much to do before it gets here. 

Fun Goals:

•   Be tasters at the Madison Chili Cook-Off
•   Go to Trick or Treat in our downtown area
•   Take Olivia to a pumpkin patch
•   Do my barre dvd once a day
•   Save an extra $250
•   Dig up new garden area and cover with cardboard and compost (this is technically a "house" goal but I consider it fun!)
•   Stock the freezer with fresh homemade pumpkin butter (Olivia's favorite thing)
•   Go to the Georgia Guidestones
•   Go to a fall festival

House Goals:

•   Clean out the last closet at the farmhouse (I still have an overflowing closet full of my stuff over there..Sorry mom!)
•   Buy and hang invisible book shelves in bedroom
•   Pack and take donation boxes
•   Organize desk and Stella Kenton supplies
•   Get couch out of the house! This should really be number 1. The people that used to own our house asked if we wanted to keep a couch and we said no, but they left it anyways. It's not a nice couch. It's not dirty or anything, it's just really old and ugly and just feels ehhh, plus it's taking up a lot of space.
•   Unpack 1 box a week!! With my work and Olivia's school/after-school schedule and Joe's crazy long hours (converting a bunch of smaller companies they just bought) has made it difficult for us to get our house where we'd like it to be in a timely fashion.
•   Get Joe to move more of his tools to the shed. He insists on keeping them in his office for some reason and it's making me slightly batty. 

 Blog/Work Goals:

•  Blog 2 times a week 
•  Start making products again and start advertising Stella Kenton again  
•  Start putting together a giveaway

If you'd like to link up your goals, head on over to here!

Swapoween!

Just making a quick announcement while I have a 30 minute break during my kitchen double (ugh).

I am so excited for the Swapoween Swap over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps! Come join us if you love Halloween, meeting other fun bloggers, and love swapping goodies! 

A Quick Fall Planting Guide

The second most wonderful time of the year.

Tied with spring planting time ;)

 

 If you live in a southern state you have a longer fall/winter growing season, if you are in the north or mid-west you have a shorter growing season. Now is the time to start your seeds, if you haven't already. You're almost out of time, especially in the cooler states.

The best crops to plant now are leafy greens, lettuces, hardy root vegetables, brassicas (cabbages, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower) and garlic. The best time for planting garlic is late September through mid-November. The last two years I planted my fall garden in a large garden on our family farm, this year because of limited sunlight at my new home, I'm planting them in containers. All of these, including garlic, are super easy to grow in pots, deep window boxes, or standing planters. 

This year I'll be using a standing planter that a dear friend got me for my birthday.

The top row will house broccoli, the second and third lettuces, kale, and some smaller round carrots. The bottom is being saved for garlic!

Germination time for lettuce seeds is only 1-3 days! Get those babies planted and in 20-30 days (depending on how big you want them grow) you'll have fresh lettuce all ready to eat. My organic non-gmo lettuce mix seeds sprouted after only one day. Fall planting really is great, most things grow themselves, especially the non-gmo heirloom varieties - some have been around for centuries and are wonders to grow.

What are you planting this fall?

Book Swap Reveal!

As you know, I joined in the Chaotic Goddess Swaps Book Swap this month! My partner was Heather from spiritblog.net, she lives close to where I used to live and enjoys the same kind of books as I do. 

Heather sent me Paradise Lot as the book she loves and suggests I read. It definitely looks like something I am going to enjoy! I'm always trying to find new inventive and smart ways to better my garden, this book will help!
The other two are from my wishlist, with the Chakra book being the one that Heather is interested in for herself.

I can't wait to jump into The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs. My yard/forest is the perfect place to practice what I learn from it. Thank you so so much Heather, you've provided me with endless days of reading and learning!

The next swap is Swapoween! Come join the fun!

Settling In

It's been a while since I've been here. Our new house, new puppy (!!), Olivia (she's in first grade, omg), work and our new forest have kept us so busy! Adult life = ugh! 

We're halfway settled into our new home. I'm in desperate need of shelves and a better organizing system, but that's in the works. I really do love this house and this land, living next to a National Forest and a huge lake has made life more beautiful than before and I didn't think that was possible.

We got a puppy, too! His name is Sammy or Samuel when he's in trouble or being extra cute.

He's a rambunctious little guy, but he is so super sweet and is my shadow. He follows me everywhere; I love it!

Samuel loves his stick😻 #labmix #blacklab #chocolatelab

A photo posted by ↠Bethany↞ (@bethanyymichelle) on Apr 20, 2016 at 7:32am PDT

 Isn't he cute?

☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆☾☆

I need a push to get back into a better blogging schedule so I'm joining the ladies over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps for their Books 'N' Bloggers Swap! There's still a few hours left to sign up! All of the swaps I've done with them have been great, so I suggest you check it out :)

12 Days of Christmas Swap Reveal

Hey y’all! Sorry it’s been so long since I last checked in. We bought a house! ..And started renovating it. But, that’s for another post.

Today I want to show off what I got from my awesome partner, Amanda, over at Funky Frugal Mommy for the Chaotic Goddess Swaps’ 12 Days of Christmas Swap!

 We have quite a bit in common and I loved getting to know her! We both like gardening and chickens and have sweet little babies :)

It was a very pretty box to open!

There were so many goodies! I tried getting the majority of it all in photos.

 I LOVE that book! If you know me, then you know I love my chickens and anytime I can learn something new regarding them I get very happy. That cute little B stocking was also filled with some pretty delicious candies.

My sweet little Olivia got some awesome things from Amanda and her family and I love the Christmas napkins and all the earrings and rings!

It was such a fun experience getting to know someone new and opening all the goodies :)

KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway!

Hey y'all! Miss Angie over at MySoCalledChaos is hosting another awesome giveaway!

Wowza, do we have a special treat for you just in time for the holidays! I've banded together with Angie over at My So-Called Chaos, her sponsors, and some other wonderful bloggers and people to offer all of you lucky readers a Kitchenaid Mixer. Do you want to win a Kitchenaid Mixer? Good-read on to enter! Angie asked the wonderful people participating in this giveaway with me to share their favorite holiday treats with you. Maybe our answers will inspire you, and if you win, you can make those treats in your brand new kitchen baby. *Swoon!* So here are the lovely ladies involved, and their favorite holiday treats: "To kick this off, I'll share that my favorite holiday treat is Pumpkin Pie. I know, it's totally basic, but a good homemade pumpkin pie is something I look forward to all year long. That and all the festive holiday coffee options-love!" - Angie from "There's something just so classic and comforting about freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of cold milk. I bake them every year because the smell stirs up the best childhood memories." - Kimi from Kimi Who "I recently made Buckeye Brookies! They are a twist on an old Ohio classic. I made them on Monday and by Wednesday they were totally devoured. Everyone loved them and was asking me when I was going to make them again! Looks like I've found my signature sweet treat!" - Stephanie from Wife Mommy Me "I am definitely a sweet eater! I love just about any sweet, but when it comes around to the holidays, I'm in love with cream puffs. If you haven't ever had a cream puff, its a dough filled with a cream cheese mixture feeling. It is a must try this holiday!" - Ashley from Simply Ashley Nichole "Churros with dulce de leche!, it's sweet and crunchy, and I just love the creaminess of the dulce de leche, it could also be Nutella!" - Gaila from Petit Gourmet "My favorite holiday sweet treat is Christmas cookies. I love cookies year round, but the cookies my family makes around the holidays are super delicious. I love my Grandmama's shortbread and my Aunt's sugar cookies. I also like to make cookies and make some awesome chocolate chip cookies." - Christina from Cali Darling "My favorite treat is homemade Caramel Apple Pie. I'm not great at baking but I can make some delicious pie and this one is by far my best. I'm proud of it every time I cook it and it's absolutely delicious." - Bethany from Stella Kenton Body Shop "My favorite holiday treat would have to be brownies or cookies, wait maybe Pie. Lol I love all three. How can I choose? But I do need them to have some time of holiday spirit on them such as peppermint." - Jasmine from Classy, Sassy, and a Bit Smartassy "Definitely hot chocolate! Maybe with a shot of espresso? It reminds me of colder weather (I live in Florida!) and cozy blankets! There's a comfort in holding something warm." - Samantha from Samanthability "My favorite holiday sweet treat is simply hot milk with cinnamon. I think cinnamon immediately drives me to the Christmas atmosphere as for the whiteness of the milk that reminds me of snow falling down." - Caterina from Kate/idoscope "Cookies....because who doesn't love cookies? :)" - Linda from Brunch with Joy "Every Christmas, my grandparents in New Jersey ship us out kiffles from the Kiffle Kitchen Bakery in PA, and they're by far my favorite holiday sweet treat! I love them because they remind me of the holidays in NJ when I was a child! Now that I'm across the country in AZ, it's nice to have a little something that reminds me of home during the holidays." - Nicole from Violet & Vine "Our favourite holiday sweet treat is a chocolate candy called Almond Roca. It comes out in the stores around the holidays. It's toffee wrapped with chocolate and almonds." - Tript and Prabh from Footnotes & Finds "Anything with chocolate - white, milk or dark, I love it all!" - Ang from Juggling Act Momma "A big ol' piece of pumpkin pie covered in Cool Whip! But, minus the crust. I eat around that nonsense ;)" - Leeann from Join the Gossip "I love my mom's homemade butter cookies. Her baking always fills up the house with a fantastic smell that reminds me of the holidays. I remember sneaking cookies that just came out of the oven. So good!" - Jessica from Living La Vida Holoka "My favorite holiday sweet treat is pumpkin pie, although I have met very few cookies I don't like. I love the spices of the pie and it brings lots of fond memories. Plus, I love to squirt the whipped cream in my grand kid's mouths." - Kathleen from Fearlessly Creative Mammas "I love homemade toffee - one bite takes me back to sneaking pieces off my grandma's kitchen counter during the holidays!" - Heather from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen "I love cinnamon rolls. The sweet smell. The warmth. It just is perfect for the fall and winter time!" - Amanda from Green Tea & Cotton "My favourite holiday sweet treat is something we get in the UK called After Eight Mints. They're absolutely delicious and I can't imagine not indulging in a few (or half a box) after dinner on Christmas Day!" - Louise from With Love From Lou "Every Christmas we host a Family Cookie Day, so I have to go with Butterscotch Haystacks as my favorite holiday sweet treat. Eating them brings back great memories of my youth." - Darcey from Foodie & Wine "Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls - they're a tradition in our family and I've been making them for my kids for about 15 years!" - Julie from Mom Fabulous "Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies because they're good with coffee or after dinner." - Tiara from Ice Cream & French Fries "It's so simple (and might sound totally lame) but I love Peanut Butter Blossoms. Every holiday season I crave them!" - Mary from Vindulge "My favorite holiday sweet treat are Hershey kiss peanut butter cookies! There is something that just screams holidays when I'm stuffing them in my mouth by the handfuls, haha!" - Amanda from Little Lady Little City "I love hot chocolate and fudge! Hot chocolate just reminds me of the cooler weather and fudge reminds me of Christmas time!" - Alissia from Stay at Home Mompreneur "Sugar cookies topped with sprinkles are my favorite! They are so simple to make and taste delicious." - Krystal from The Krystal Diaries

Enter the Giveaway

Prize is one Kitchenaid Stand Mixer in your choice of color (as long as that color is no more than $300 value currently on Amazon) This giveaway is open Worldwide (Internationa winners will receive $300 Paypal cash instead to purchase from an international site) and ends on 12/8/15 at 12AM. Entries will be verified and entering below agrees to full terms and conditions within the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway