Live Music

We just arrived back home from Safety Harbor's Third Friday Music Series. Every third Friday of the month, the city of Safety Harbor closes Main Street in the heart of downtown and host this free event. The event includes live music, vendors, street performers, delectable food choices and beverages, including alcohol. The merchants along Main Street participate by offering samples and treats along the sidewalk. The vendors are numerous, varied and include homemade soaps, candles, artwork, pottery, jewelry, eco-friendly products such as recycled handbags, clothing and pet products.

Food vendors included BBQ, Thai, Greek, Italian ice, pizza, candied nuts, knish, hot dogs, lobster bisque, crab delicacies and wings. Beer and wine were also being served, as well as various other specialty drinks. After picking up a delicious beverage, my children and I spread a blanket on the grassy lawn to enjoy the live music of the evening. Tonight was a folk type band that mixed the tunes up a bit with some blue grass and even included a song by Jim Morrison. The evening was perfect as the sun set over the horizon.

Safety Harbor is a beautiful, quaint town with a touch of innocence. Most events hosted by the city are free and are always a treat. Each third Friday features a different band with their own sounds. I have personally heard Celtic, Reggae, Rock and Jimmy Buffet style music on various third Friday evenings. The festivities last from 6-10 PM and the event is family friendly. Children are running around, laughing and playing, while parents enjoy some social time. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and look forward to the next third Friday in Downtown Safety Harbor.

Here's to your Happiness!
ClearSkies

Mother's Day in Paradise

For Mother's day this year, we visited Rainbow Springs up in Dunnellon, Florida by Crystal Springs. The springs and surrounding area are simply breath-taking. The water temperature is a perfect 72 degrees Fahrenheit, which may seem too cold, but on a hot Florida day, the temperature is perfect. Personally, I like to wait until I am too hot to handle and jump into the crystal clear water, swim around a bit, let the minerals envelop my body and emerge from the cool water, refreshed and exhilarated. After a few minutes, my body starts to warm back up and I feel totally relaxed and at peace with the world as I bask in the rays of the glorious sun. Once I warm up, I do it all again. After a few hours of this ritual, I am ready for a long nights rest. I slept like a baby last night and loved it. Today my skin feels smooth and I feel tranquil.

My children loved the nature excursion and were quiet the whole drive home, which was about 2 hours for us. What a rare treat to have a quiet two hour car ride with three children in tow. The best Mother's Day gift ever!

Rainbow Springs park has canoe/kayak rentals, hiking trails, huge grandfather oak trees and magnolia trees, waterfalls and beautiful flora and fauna. Parking is free and admission is $1 per person over three years of age. Picnic tables abound if you arrive before 11 AM and rolling hills of grass are ample for blanket laying and sun bathing. Everyone brings coolers of refreshments, grills are provided and a refreshment stand offers additional provisions.

Rainbow Springs is one of the hidden Florida Wonders and a must see for everyone.

Here's to your continued happiness!
ClearSkies

Flower Moon

As my toddler and I drove over the bridge from Clearwater to Tampa tonight, the full moon was rising over the bay. The moon was pregnant with fullness and light of an orange color. The brightness radiated over the calm water and cast a beautiful hue of salmon color into our eyes. We pulled off on the side of the road, as did many other motorists to bask in the wonder of nature. My son was mesmerized, eyes gleaming and a large grin across his chunky little face.

In goddess traditions, the full moon represents the mother in all her glory. This is the power of love and on the eve of Mother's Day, what a glorious gift she has bestowed upon the children of the earth. As the flowers are blooming this time of year, Mother Moon shows us the light of love is everywhere, if we only stop and see. She guides us to complete our projects with creativity, energy and abundance.

This month of May is known as the Flower Moon from the Native American tradition of naming the full moons by the season. Perhaps this is yet another reason to honor mothers with the gift of flowers, which represents the beauty of growing and blossoming in life. Mothers guide us, love us, support us and honor our path no matter how different from their own. Unconditional love is a mother's love.

Remember to love yourself as a mother loves a child.

Here's to all Mother's!
ClearSkies

sources: http://www.farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-names
Circle Round, Raising Children in Goddess Tradition by Stawhawk, Diane Baker and Annie Hill
Photo Courtesy of: http://www.pdphoto.org/index.php

Native People

I have a special place in my heart for the Native American people. In the spirit of Naturally Living, I feel that as a culture, the Natives of our country embody living naturally. Recently, NPR did a piece called "For Native Americans, Old Stereotypes Die Hard", which refers to the depiction of Native Americans in society. Native Americans have been made a mockery in social, political and media circles.

Also of note is PBS's series titled "We Shall Remain", which is a must see. Log onto the link and watch all five episodes. The documentary covers the following: After the Mayflower, Tecumseh's Vision, Trail of Tears, Geronimo and Wounded Knee. The treatment of the Native Americans has been nothing short of a holocaust in my opinion. Watching the history of what has occurred would go far to educate our society on the Native people of our country. The importance of education cannot be understated. The knowledge of other cultures allows us to accept those different from our own as well as having understanding, compassion and empathy. The spirit of the American people is strong and able to rise up from any adversity or persecution. Native American people need to be respected and revered for the wonderful contributions they have made. Furthermore, they need to be honored for their spirit and drive to survive.

Here's to Honoring Others!
ClearSkies

Hormone Free Children

I receive periodic emails from the Food and Water Watch. This group helps keep citizens informed and united to encourage the government to take appropriate actions in order to protect the people of the United States. Most of the issues deal with public health concerns or social issues as it relates to food and water.

Recently, I received an email to participate in the campaign to bring hormone free milk to our country's children. The children of our society are served milk via school lunches and breakfast programs. During 2005-2006, approximately 430 million gallons of milk were given to our Nation's children (National Milk Producers Federation). Much of this milk was not free of artificial growth hormones.

Artificial growth hormones in milk can lead to significant health issues in our children. Some of the health concerns are long term such as cancer. Our children can also be affected by developing and maturing too quickly due to the abundance of growth hormones in our food supply. In order to ensure that hormones stay out of school provided milk, send a note to your elected represented regarding the Child Nutrition Act. As the saying goes, "it takes a village to raise a child", so even if you do not have school age children, you can make a difference in our society by taking action and protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

Buying organic milk will send a clear message to milk producers that consumers want hormone free milk. The Food and Water site has a list of hormone free dairy providers for your individual state. Be proactive in your quest to live naturally!

Here's to your continued health and well-being!
ClearSkies

Caprese-Yum!

After a workout at the YMCA, while my daughter had piano lessons, I came home and prepared a light dinner. I love insalata carprese, one of my all time favorite foods. The herbs I planted a few weeks ago are doing well in the pots out back. We have cilantro, basil, Italian parsley and garlic chives. What a wonderful treat to clip fresh herbs whenever I need them for salads and cooking.

Tonight I prepared a tasty insalata caprese, with fresh tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil from my potted herbs, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I slice the tomatoes thin and then top them with sliced buffalo mozzarella and basil leaves, sprinkled with salt and pepper and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Caprese pairs well with a crusty baquette to soak up all the oil and vinegar. Sometimes I will have a fresh green salad and marinated olives to make the meal complete.

Living Naturally is simple and easy, especially when preparing summertime favorites. With the days getting longer, mealtime can be easy and light, which gives us more time to enjoy the outdoors. What I relish even more is sharing the meal with those I love in the outdoors before the weather gets too unbearably hot.

Here's to your continued health!
ClearSkies
Photo courtesy of: http://www.pdphoto.org/index.php

I feel the Earth move under my feet!

Happy Earth Day!

We celebrated Earth Day by playing at our favorite park, Philippe Park, in Safety Harbor, FL. We played near the Indian Mound and breathed in the wonderful breeze coming off the water. Philippe Park is encompassed in ancient Oak trees, which feels like being embraced in the strong arms of a grandfather.

Anytime we need to connect with the Earth, we pay a visit to Philippe Park. Pinellas County has information about the park, as well as a virtual tour on their site. Visiting Philippe Park is a truly beautiful experience.

Here's to your Earth Day!
ClearSkies