2011 leaves with a Shake... so what will 2012 begin with?...

2011 is leaving.
Well, ceasing. And The Bitch doesnt want to leave us without a decent farewell - We got that!
Today we had a 4.82 that the USGS recorded as a 5.2! Some serious shaking, more damage for some, liquefaction for others - us, the lucky ones, just a stern reminder that Mother Nature Lives Beneath.
After a drive yesterday, we realised sadly, that yes, there are changes being made in Canterbury, but our neighbourhood is now looking like a series of country lanes, empty houses on funny angles, broken bits and bumpy gravel roads and neglected spaces where gardens still bloom regardless. Sad and Forgotten for the most part. The people who drive by, are just there just to look, to Thank God, maybe, that it isnt them?  and then they drive back from whence they came.

Did the Mayans truly predict that The World Might End in 2012? Im sure the Mayan who was in charge of writing the numbers at the time, lost count of where he was, and then decided, he had to go to the bathroom. When he arrived back, he looked at what he was writing (The Calendar) and shrugged... Meh. It seemed like a good thing to do at the time, but Im over it... and off he went to lunch. Never would he ever guess that he left us all hanging...
Ok, so thats not it at all, but we will never know :-)
Im picking The Changes that are spoke of,  have begun already. Theres an air of unrest right around the world.  Chaotic Economic changes, Natural Change, More water, less food, more people, Earthquakes, Floods, Famine. Civilization is Changing.
It is all part of an energy that means we MUST assimilate Change - Into our lives, our homes, the way we educate our children, technology, it all will change.
Change never happens without some sort of negativity or positivity to activate it. We need to get used to the changes, and its tough!
Its what they say - What doesnt Kill Us, Makes Us Stronger.
Im about as Strong as I can be. No - possibly not, but lets not push that to trial.

... Out with the Old, In With the New...I just want to cruise - no - sleep! through the end of 2011. I do not like New Years Eve at all.
My family are not entirely with me, and never are now theyre older and have Social committments. New Years Eve for me brings back sad memories of people dear who are no longer with us, of past Memories that bring home how much I miss the ones I love.
So Im a sad sack, and I ll be happy just chilling with the littles, watching some TV, then drifting off...

OR WILL I?
This year in Christchurch, it seems half the world wants a reason to celebrate... and why not?
Weve had some kind of wacky stuff to deal with  this year...
On with the good stuff - Celebrate Your New Year Cantabs~!
Parties on each side of the street here, and lots of music.
Someone was jamming on an electric guitar before - It sounded awesome, even from here, and Im picking it was a few houses down. The unfortunate thing, is that next door have Elton John on Replay, and the two playing alongside one another makes me want to run for cover :-)
Shouting can be heard, (the happy kind) and lots of families walking in the night air. It isnt dark or cooler yet, at 7.30pm its a nice time of night for a stroll around our neighbourhood...
Let the celebrating fill your heart, and let go of the fear - not just here, but whereever you are!
We got through, we will continue to make good.

Love, Light and Blessings
HAPPY FABULOUS NEW YEAR

Roll On 2012!!
Love
Earth Butterfly
XXXXXXXX

Tuesday already...Plans... Globe Trotting Teens... Bikkies for Breakfast.

Cant believe it is  Tuesday already. I know, its Tuesday every week, but this Tuesday has come around so quick. Think about what you were doing last Tuesday. To be honest, Im not sure I can remember the details. It involved reenactment of the chicken with its head cut off, panic, frenzied shopping and Lists. Ahh. Thank Goodness that is over!
This Tuesday Im planning. Ive just bought another red currant. And an Autumn Bliss Raspberry that fruits late Summer/Autumn. I think it is the wrong time of year to buy things like this, but they are On The List of Wanted Plants, and they can sit until the beds are ready to go in. Im planning next years garden already.

My list of Wanted Plants is extensive. I think Dwarf Comfrey sounds good. The blue variety. To put right along my fenceless edge that I share with our neighbours. Theres a huge *hedge* of Flax and Bears Breeches, and Im thinking some dwarf comfrey along underneath might encourage some good soil eventually.
It is very dense soil out there, and it has been sorely neglected.

Also, I have a list of herbs Id like to have access to. Not all for culinary purposes, but medicinal too.
Some of the herbs have the most romantic names - Pellitory-of-the-wall, Alexanders, Skullcap and Lovage...
Watch this space, Ive not made my selection yet, still in the Learning stages - ie, Im reading up on things.
Thank Goodness for my aged copy of A Modern Herbal by Ms Grieve. It is great for reading up on herbs...
Yes, this book information IS ONLINE!

So the Pre-teen with the Cellphone has spent the morning catching up with his brothers. Theyre the Globe Trotting Teens that have this morning, hit Auckland and are looking to see as much as possible while theyre at a Family Function. Its awesome theyve had the chance to go, their Dad is very brave taking two unruly teens on holiday with him and his wife, for a week... I hope Auckland looks after them - if youre up that way and you see one very bedraggled, tired looking man and two perky looking teenagers, its them...  :) I hope they have a blast! Its not often they all get away together.

And Im picking Im in line for Bad Mother of The Year award given this mornings fare for breakfast. We have eaten so much of late, and there was a dearth of goodies left, or given... It was bananas this morning, that took their fancy, and shrewsbury biscuits, with milk and shortbread afterwards... Oophs!!

After watching Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows 1) last night, this morning I have the pleasure of watching The Muppets Take Manhattan, with Miss 5. She loves it. The rats are so funny, and she giggles her way through it all... I get more pleasure out of watching her reaction, than the actual movie.

Well thats us.
I hope youre all doing fine, and enjoying the sun if you have it. Remember to Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap if youre in the sun!

Thinking of You,
Love,

E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX

Softly Whispering...

Another Sunday and it dawns on me that its nearly Year Over again! Roll on 2011!

Hearth & Home

It has occurred to me today that while I sit here, enjoying the quiet, that maybe the children are almost empty - tired and expectant, ready for school holidays. It isnt often that I am allowed a few minutes to gather my head before they appear on a weekend day morning... And the sun is gorgeous already, the sky the most beautiful blue, dotted with fluffy billowy clouds that are moving away quickly, as if the wind is chasing them across the sky...

Christmas Tree

The Christmas carols have been on the radio for weeks already which fuels the childrens impatience for Santa, and the expectation of presents & celebration, the stores are the same with their early exhibitions of Christmas trees and decorations for sale - every colour, every size and shape...
It used to be when I was little (not THAT long ago, surely?) that Christmas was just in December, but now - and especially this year, it seems we are dragging out the festive season for two extra months. Who can keep up?

Not me.
I have just pulled out the first Christmas CD and dusted it off. You find yourself tapping fingers and merrily humming to the tunes, singing outloud, (looks of amusement from said children!)
The children are practising anyways, for end of year carol services etc.
Old familiar music - how the tunes bring the bittersweet memories, the lyrics, the Christmases of long past, and childhood memories both good and bad, are all stirred up by Christmas carols.


Late night carol services, midnight mass, hushed secrets, presents that bought happy tears or thrills, excitement, smells of custard and brandy pudding, the richness of spicy fruit, or apricot sauce to thickly coat the ham. The family holidays, the swapping of gifts, the recieving, the giving.. Oh you get it... It is all so good, so good... sometimes so sad, but usually it is good!

Well its  too much to wade thru this weekend.
Maybe its me, Im winding down at the end of our Difficult Year, I feel the melancholy - the depth of emotion from the memories of people who wont be here with us this year.
I feel each and every one of them, and remember them all within my heart.
Historically, this is never an easy time of year for me, its just how I am. 





I ll buck up though, the children and I plan on getting the house ready for our Christmas tree, so the heavy heart wont last long. Soon it will brim to overflowing, full of the soft whispers...
The baking, the smells, the scents of Christmas, the shiny bows, the crispness of the paper, the various renditions of favourite carols, the stories of Christmas past... yes, the sadness will subside, and build with anticipations, fascinations, the sheer delights of Christmas Spirit.
It is in the giving - some small part, about the recieving maybe but honestly... its ALL about giving.
The joys of being a parent hover over the word FANTASTIC when you see the joy children get from such small things at this time of year.

Just for now though, I would like to hear soft whisperings...
The old year simmering, waits to fade into end. The new year, full of hope waits, like a shiny box with unknown secrets inside.
For now, I ll remember the ones I can no longer hold, no longer enjoy simple pleasures with. Memories are wonderful, painful things.

SOFTLY WHISPERING I LOVE YOU
English Congregation - 1972

Softly, whispering I love you,
echoes of your voice are calling still through my dreams,
softening the chill of the breeze.

Through my window,
I can see the moonglow
painting silver shadows on a rose-colored land;

A world that we walk hand in hand
in a day of gold
colored by the glow of new love.
 
I can feel your warm face ever close to my lips
and the scent of you invades the cool evening air.
I can close my eyes and you´re there in my arms still
and I know your soft kiss,
turning into music every beat of my heart,

When I hold you close to my heart
and I hear your voice
whispering I love you.

FOR MEHARUS
In my heart,
with all my 
Thanks & Love
Sat 20 Nov 2010 

wonderful clipart

Love and Seasons Blessings

EButterfly