OM GARDENS

| Space for Rent |

2011-09-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

Om Gardens

Myrtle Creek , Oregon
On 9/6/2011

Om~

Hello out there. I am currently looking for a nice couple or single woman with child to rent my space here at Om Gardens Sanctuary - Myrtle Creek, OR (15 min. S of Roseburg)

My place is a two story bedroom, full bath & office. Kitchen is in Main House only a few footsteps away. $400 plus utilities ($100 - 150 range). 10 acres, 1/3 well manicured beautiful tree garden, outdoor Yoga space, entertainment art room, 4 industrial greenhouses and more. Very peaceful.

If you are interested, please me at www.matosun.com and I will send pictures and explain details. In the meantime, check out the archived months in our blog: http://omgardens.blogspot.com

Om Shanti~

Mato & Matthew @ Tribal Convergence 2011

2011-06-13T14:31:00.000-07:00

| Om Gardens - Our Shaman has arrived... Om Shanti~ |

2011-06-05T22:39:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

Om Shanti ~ means peace and PEACE is what Swami Dhyan Netra is bringing hOMe to Om Gardens.

We met Swami in Maui this past April through life-long friends Rich & Leslie and invited him to stay with us at Om Gardens for as long as he likes. We are so happy to have him here as a teacher, healer and shaman. This is a picture of Swami with Rich at a Buddhist temple in Maui.

Blessings to all sentient beings...

Om Shanti ~

må†ø•sun

Spring Fling Invitation

2011-05-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

~ Gratitude!

2011-05-07T22:33:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

One word, Gratitude!

First and foremost, I am so grateful for the family & friends that contributed to our KOR Kickstarter Campaign... WOW! Double Rainbow! We're so excited to play. THANK YOU : ) Om~

Here is the Ashland, OR show info for those interested: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116013055144880

I haven't stopped by This Ol' Blog nearly enough lately... I've been happily consumed with KOR and thoroughly enjoying my time with the two radical chicks in my life. : )

I am also thankful for my friends, who have recently helped me to see a little clearer, love a little more, and work towards being my best version of 'me'. Om~

Here at the OG, spring has sprung.
Maya enjoyed her first time to Maui. Thank you Uncle Richie and Aunt Leslie.

Maya in Maui, April 2011

I send warm tears of joy, kind words of compassion & eternal love.. : ) IAMU

OM Shanti~
må†ø•sun

| Calling all Angels! |

2011-03-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Namaste ~

Friends, family, world... Presenting the first music project from Om Gardens community members.
Please take a look at our fundraising campaign and see if it resonates with you. We would love your support for the launch of our LIVE SHOW! Please click the LINK below the video after watching... THANK YOU!!!!

Also: SUNNA's cookies (Om Gardens resident) are on the WWW now... Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunnascookies

And furthermore: LILY FLORES (Om Gardens resident) is a super talented artist and tattoo artist as well... Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pandalillies

| Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011 |

2010-12-31T11:00:00.000-08:00

Namaste~

Wow. Lotsa changes happening at a very quick pace. Maya is mobile, not walking, but crawling at light speed - my KOR project is in negotiations with CREATOR Entertainment - Also working on the 12 Volt Sex reunion show Feb. 19th in Vegas - AND most of all... my belly needs a break from the holiday snack season. I will be partaking in the Master Cleanse sometime during January to PURGE myself of holiday gluttony.

All the OM babies are doing great... more and more aware everyday! I am looking forward to this year... FOCUSED and READY to have some FUN!

Here is a recent picture of my old band: 12 Volt Sex.... (click on pic to enlarge)

Love to all - HAPPY 2011!

Om Shanti~
må†ø

| Happy Holidaze! |

2010-12-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

Namaste~

Here we are at the end of 2010 and we still have all of our limbs in tact, our spirits are high, and country living has not broken us city kids... in fact, just the opposite. I feel that the bond of our friendships is strengthening everyday, yes, even in spite of our Guru Larry's repeated attempts to sabotage our mission of living EGO free. Love you, Dad!

Overall, it's been a strange year with lots of big changes here at Om Gardens. From the birth of our 3 new babies to the in/out flow of OG residents, 2010 has definitely provided lots of opportunity for transformation.

I am excited for 2011, as it will undoubtedly mark the launch of my 6th major music project (Hostage Symphony, 12 Volt Sex, Loveshack, The Side Room, Mato, KOR) and 8th studio album. Wow. Life is moving fast.

Please hold the ones you love close & tight this season (especially yourself) and enjoy the blissful spring of joy that is bubbling up inside of each one of us eternally.

"We are the ones we've been waiting for." - Hopi Tribe

Om Shanti~
må†ø

| Halloween |

2010-11-19T18:03:00.000-08:00

Namaste~

Sorry for the late post..

Halloween for the Gucu's was all about Maya... of course!
Here are some exclusive photos for you to enjoy taken by the "baby paparazzi" of Oregon.

Om Shanti~
må†ø

| October 2010 |

2010-10-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

Sorry for not writing sooner but we've had a LOT of changes here at the garden. For starters, we have two new additions to the crew!!!! Leela Sage and Bodhi are our two, new & youngest members of Om Gardens.

Born just 3 days apart: Leela on Oct. 5th and Bodhi on Oct. 8th... we are too excited!!!! We are officially renaming the town "Fertile Creek, OR".

In other news:

We said our supportive good-bye's to Ben & Melissa this month as they decided to move to Jacksonville, OR. We miss them so much but we now have a crash pad further south and they will ALWAYS have a 2nd home here at the Garden.

I have been teaching Yoga at Zory's Yoga Shed now on Mondays. I LOVE IT. I have so much gratitude for Zory & Russ for opening the first Yoga Studio in Myrtle Creek... whodathunk?

Starting Mon., Oct. 22 - Thurs., Nov. 18, I will be teaching gentle classes on Mondays & Thursdays @ 6:30 pm and an All Levels class on Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm. S - T - R - E - T - C - H!

Up for a temporary, but possibly longer, stay... we also welcomed MLK & Lily here on the 15th of this month. MLK is the drummer for Kinetic Origins of Rhythm (KOR), our modern tribal music project. His better half, Lily, is an AWESOME artist and does tattoos for a living! Anyone need any INK? She's a BIG fish in a very small pond... take advantage!!!!

No pics for now... in a hurry... next time!

LOTSA LOVE to you and yours!

Om Shanti~
må†ø

| Helping the Neighbors, Maya Update |

2010-09-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

Part of country life is being neighborly. It's different than city life seeing as I barely knew my neighbors in Vegas (even though they were 20 feet away). Our neighbors here are some of the kindest people in the world. They're always here for us so when they need a helping hand we're quick to respond.

Today Pam & Mike needed some help moving hay into their barn.
Check it out, that's me lifting a bale to place it on the conveyor lift while Benny and Steve (another neighbor) catch it on the other end for a game of Tetris! Country Living!

Below are a few updates of Miss Maya.

We are expecting the 2nd OM Gardens baby any day now and then the 3rd within the first few weeks of October. Can you say, Baby Farm?

That's news to us!

Om Shanti~
må†ø

| Yikes! Our tomatoes are posessed! |

2010-09-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

This is not photoshopped... we only dropped out the background of the picture.
This is an actual photo of a real vegetable from Beelzebub!

We had no idea that SATAN worked his way into out tomato patch!

Scary, huh?

: )

Om Shanti~
MATO

| Life on the Farm is Fun |

2010-08-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

~ Om Shanti ~

| Photo BLOG! |

2010-08-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

~ NAMASTE ~

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words... well here are a few yummies.

August has been really fun this year.

My life long friend Todd came to visit 2 weekends ago and we had too much fun.

One of the highlights was Jeff's 62nd Birthday Party (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF)! We played music, ate like kings and partied like rock stars - more like hippie rock stars, respectfully!

I also mixed sound for the first official Solar Oven cook-off in Elkton, OR! My new friend, Greg is the founder and a solar enthusiast.

Anyway, things are good. Monica and I placed our "not yet world famous" popcorn,

The Yellow Pot Butterless Popcorn,

into some local stores this week

(New Day in Roseburg & Promise in Canyonville).

Hopefully we sell out!

Picture titles in order (remember you can DOUBLE CLICK on pics to enlarge):

• Maya Rose the Rock Star - photo taken at The First Official Solar Cook-off!

• Tree canopy - looking up from 2 hammocks at Jeff & Kathy's new pad!

• Back yard at OM Gardens

• Meditation pose in river near Jeff & Kathy's

• Counter display at our FAVORITE breakfast nook - The Broadway House

• Saki, our Shih Tzu

• Larry the traveling musician

• Daddy and Baby Maya

• Todd - I'm too sexy for this hammock

• The Yellow Pot Popcorn

• Solar Oven Lasagna! Ovens reach 350 - 400 degrees F.

• Mato & Greg at Solar Cook-off!

| JULY = SUMMER |

2010-07-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

It has been way too long since I've updated this here Bloggy Blog. So, I'd like to recap some highlights of July.

Firstly, we had tons of visitors this month and still have one more coming this weekend. Wowee.

My nephews (from my brother Adam) were here for the 4th of July weekend and we had TOO much fun. One of the highlights was our excursion to South Umpqua Waterfalls, a recreational area (Oregon style) that includes a natural water slide complete with a 10-12 foot drop into a bustling pool of churning water.

Then, Amanda P's mom, dad, sister and brother came to visit... for the last two weeks... we had tons o' fun getting to know them. Prestin was especially excited to have a few peeps his own age here at the OG!

Of course Maya is becoming more and more aware of this world and we are LOVING the progress!
She has discovered her attached pacifier - her thumb - and she has officially rolled over onto her belly, yikes! She's daddy's little muffin, I am enamored.

What else, oh, in addition to Sunna's Raw Vegan Cookies... I've begun selling The Yellow Pot - my Butterless Popcorn Recipe! It's getting a great response from a variety of people, enough to give us the green light to start pursuing it more. Also, Sunna will be launching her Chocolate Coconut Cookie soon too!

Below are some pics to accompany my BLOG entry.
PLUS I've added a book suggestion from author Deepak Chopra...

Have fun, be safe, love more each day!

Om Shanti~
må†ø

A New Earth

2010-06-19T18:41:00.001-07:00

BTW: If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend you do. It is a real eye-opener. : )

| First Farmer's Market & Got Summer? (we don't) |

2010-06-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

It has been a crazy summer so far - weather-wise. I mean, where the heck IS summer? It feels as if Jack Frost decided to outstay his welcome! Don't get me wrong, I personally like it a bit cooler but this summer is WAY different than last. It turns out that the locals are all bewildered too saying that, "this is not normal." Oh well, life goes on...

This morning marked the very first "product sales" for Om Gardens. We obtained a domestic kitchen license back in May and created two products so far... a Garlic & Dill dressing and Sunna's Raw, Vegan, Organic Cookies! I will be adding a "butter-less" popcorn recipe to the mix in the next two weeks.

On the baby tip, Sunna & Amanda's bellies are tightening up as the weeks become months. We now know that Sunna is having a boy and Amanda a girl! WOWEEEE! In related news: Maya is learning that her hands are part of her body. She has begun reaching for things occasionally and is using her fingers as a pacifier... she is SO cute, I'm in love with my little rose!

There's not much in the world of remodeling. We've been focusing on saving up more money and brainstorming towards businesses on & off the property. Any ideas? E-mail us!

Love to you and yours.

Peace always (Om Shanti)
MATO

ANNUAL PHOTO 2010!!!

2010-05-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hi there!! Last year I unofficially started a new tradition at the OG...when Ben and I came up to visit in May of 2009 we did the 'first unofficial family photo'. We all liked it so much we thought we would do it again! Of course this year we have the lovely addition of Terrien, Larry, Lucy and of course our first "OM grown baby"- Maya Rose Gucu. I thought it was funny to see the progression of the photos as I set the timer and jumped in on the last one.

Peace and Love, Melissa

Mothers Day DRUM FOR PEACE!!

2010-05-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

We were so thrilled with everyone who came out to join us! :) We had a fantastic Drum Circle SUNDAY honoring our Mom's. Let's do it again. woo hoo!!!! Here's some photos from the Mother's Day Drum Circle for Peace.--

See you next Sunday! -- BRING YOUR DRUMS!! ;) (and your friends)

If you are interested in doing a little light yoga this coming sunday, please bring your mat! We may do a small open yoga practice to the grounding beat of the drums! OM SHANTI

Peace and Love

Melissa

DRUM CIRCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

We had our first 'unofficial' Drum Circle in Millsite Park on Sunday..and we thought it would be a great, fun idea to continue. So here it is: Every Sunday @ Millsite Park 12-2pm..join us!!

Here's a couple photos from this past sunday- it was also little Maya's first official outing!

| Grandma Saves the Day, Greenhouse Fun + 1 Year OG Anniversary |

2010-04-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

These past couple of weeks have been the beginning of a beautiful new chapter in both our personal lives and the community as a whole. Grandma Maria arrived last Friday to stay at Om Gardens for 2 weeks in service of her first grandchild. Daddy has been getting a few extra Zzzzz's as a result! THANK YOU GRANDMA!

Meanwhile, we've been furthering our first greenhouse project from where we left off last season. We've recently added a second row of raised beds and thermal heating tubes beneath the soil in order to extend our growing season in the winter.

Tonight we will toast to our first completed year at Om Gardens!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all the big news for now... Love, Peace, Light.

Om Shanti~
MATO

| MAYA ROSE GUCU - 1st Om Grown Birth |

2010-03-30T14:40:00.001-07:00

Namaste~

Ladies and Gentlemen

~presenting~

MAYA ROSE GUCU

Our first Om Grown Baby here at Om Gardens. Needless to say, we are elated beyond words!

Enjoy this link for a slide-show of the birth and final days of pregnancy...

http://melissarich.com/slideshows/mayabirth/

Om Shanti~
MATO

| Yikes! |

2010-03-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

Namaste~

Last week, Monica and I were abruptly shocked as the tread from the driver-side tire of our Acura decided to completely fly apart.
We were on the way home from an appt. with our midwife in Ashland when, "BOOM!" - the calamity struck without warning. Luckily, I was able to get off the freeway, switch out the tire with our "pre-flattened" spare, and carefully navigate our vehicle to a nearby truck stop! Wheew! Baby and Moni - SAFE!
We ended up staying overnight and had all four tires replaced the next day -$OUCH$- Overall, we ended up having a really nice time chilling out at the Lithia Springs Inn ( http://www.ashlandinn.com ), a hotel with natural hot spring water tubs in each room. I think the receptionist felt sorry for us and gave us MORE than half off the room.

That's the BIG NEWS for now... still no Maya - but at least we're moved into our new pad! Pics to come soon!

Om Shanti~
MATO

| Pregnancy, Art, Puppies, Wood Burning Oven Walls & Night Elves with Staffs! |

2010-03-03T20:36:00.000-08:00

Namaste~

Life here at the garden has been a little hectic as we prepare for the arrival of Maya, our first child! So excited!

Also, pops has been painting up a storm, everything from butterflies to American Indians.

The "real men" around here have been adding the final touches to our little adobe. They're doing an incredible job, working late nights while keeping a smile on their faces.

B & M's puppy, Lucy, has been keeping the older dogs young and I've been working hard to pay the bills and finish the KOR record.

Prestin and I raided Moni's make-up kit, applied our Elf war paint and took a full moon stroll through the garden the other night. Wielding our Staffs of Light, those pesky hobgoblins will think twice before sneaking around the OG again anytime soon!

That's all for now... Look for baby pics soon in the next couple of weeks.

Om Shanti~
MATO

| SPRING has SPRUNG!!! |

2010-02-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Just a short entry...full of photos :) We have been blessed with almost a full week of sunshine, and for us desert dwellers....we are soaking it up!! So are the trees, flowers, grasses, frogs, dogs and everything in between! We respect and love the rain, knowing it is the reason we get all the green green grass, pretty flowers and flowing rivers, and of course we are grateful. The sunny weather this week has allowed us to get a lot of stuff done around the property, from Prestin mowing the lawn (for his first time ever) to garden preperation to replenishing our Vitamin D reserves ;). Here are a couple photos of the spring blooms.

Enjoy!

Peace and Love,

Melissa