The Miss Mermaid Chronicles

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:58:00 +0000

hmmmm...to delete and start fresh or pick up where I left off.
that's been the question.

oh candida....

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 15:53:00 +0000

Last Monday I saw my local Holistic Chiropractor and discovered I'd been walking around with several internal "situations"...one of them being Candida. The joy of candida = a complete dietary change. While eliminating things like sweeteners and wheat hasn't been a huge deal...I am missing my coffee on the hour.

What keeps me going is how obviously I needed this. I experienced immediate changes:
days 1 & 2 were pretty much hell- I was exhausted & cranky no matter how much rest I got (naps plus asleep for the night at 9:30)
days 3 & 4 were easier- I had more energy and did a bit of yard and house work but was still kind of foggy
and today, day 5- I weighed myself and already I've lost 5 lbs and am more alert than I've been in quite some time

Still... I have coffee on the brain. At this point I'd gladly settle for decaf...except that isn't allowed either. Anyone have any experience with Chicory Root "coffee"?

sleepy girl speaks of workshops and self care

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:39:00 +0000

I'm tired.
But I've been neglecting this space for too long.
So a short list:

1. Last Saturday I attended a Women's retreat hosted by the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding. Very powerful stuff.
Follow and support them. They are doing great things for our community.

a group shot at the end of our day

2. Tonight I went to a workshop called 'Curse of the Nurturer' given by Brandi Adair of The Vibrant Alternative. Lot's of great information plus new and helpful ways of simplifying life so that I can actually get down to the business of self care. Something really helpful for me to know about myself that I realized tonight- if I don't schedule it (it being exercise, meditation, making art etc.), it's just not going to happen. Brandi's next workshop, Discovering Abundance will be Tuesday, June 19 at 6 pm so there's still time to sign up.

I've dropped the ball on the whole self-care challenge, I'm well aware. I've been wondering if any of you have gone on without it anyway and made changes. If any Gainesville locals are interested in forming a small in person discussion group on how to best support each other in this either comment below or message me on facebook. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sabrina Ward Harrison

Shine

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:18:00 +0000

excerpt from Shine by Andrea Gibson

"...Gandhi said
You must be the change
That you wish to see in the world
So you’ve been curled up and sad?
Good
Depression is the first blessing
It means you’ve been in tune
But now the moon is waiting
For you to burn bright
And there has never
Been a time
When your light
Was needed more
Never a time like this before

Yes you are small
We are all as small
As a single breath
But tied to the rest
We are all the life of the world
The pulse that turns rocks to pearls
Inside the darkness
Of their shells
So become the well
Where wishes are born
Become the bell
That rings when even
The birds refuse to sing
Become the wings that fly
And every time you’re full of sorrow
Every time you wake up crying
Know that that day
Is a perfect day
To shine"

**Gainesville folks...this life changing poet/spoken work artist is going to be performing at the Reitz Union Amphitheater on April 13 at 7:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public....so be there, or be.....well, just go- your heart and soul will thank you.

"You are worth your joy"

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:24:00 +0000

So, the DAY AFTER I wrote about self care my Dad found his way to a hospital bed with 2 pretty serious infections. The past 10 days have been spent happily doing everything BUT self care for myself. Still, in the back of my mind...in the fleeting quiet moments...I keep returning to my last blog post. And I'm STILL pretty unclear on how our support challenge will go...but I'll get there.

For now...here is a piece written by my friend Jill Malone called Moral. For those of you who have never read any of Jill's stuff, you are in for it...in such a good way.

Excerpt:

Your life is worth more than having to talk yourself into work every day. And you may say that’s a privileged attitude. But joy is something you work at. Joy is something you prioritize. What is your joy worth to you? Is it worth making less? Is it worth having to work your way up all over again? Is it worth trying something entirely new? What is your joy worth, sister, ’cause I can’t imagine you sat in a classroom when you were 12 and announced, “When I grow up, I’ll put up with anything in exchange for three weeks of paid vacation.”

Jill Malone, Moral

Self-Care

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:47:00 +0000

50 Ways to Practice Great Self-Care Without Spending a Dime

This list is full of great reminders. Here are a few that stood out to me:

- Get complete about one thing you have left undone and that is tugging at your attention.
- Make a Self-Care Calendar and mark out times just for you.
- Write a “Let it go” letter about something it is time to let go of.

Recently I got to a point where I realized I was taking care of everyone and everything- -except myself. It's a challenge to change such strong habits so Im starting with 1 or 2 things that are MOST important to me. It's so easy to stop taking care of ourselves. How do you practice self care? What is one thing you'd be willing to do differently?

I'm considering doing a self care challenge on this blog- would you be interested in participating? My thoughts are that if we support each other in making healthy changes we'll be more likely to stick with it. Suggestions? What kind of challenge would most support you?

Gainesville, Satchel's Pizza employees need your help!

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:19:00 +0000

friends who sew

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:08:00 +0000

This past Saturday, what was supposed to be a celebration of my Dad's birthday, ended up being (for us 3 girls anyway) an afternoon of wine, chatting about our lives and brainstorming about our three very different sewing businesses.

You already know me...so meet Jacquelyn and Carrie:

Jacquelyn is one of my oldest and dearest friends- we've known each other since the summer before 6th grade. She is the extraordinarily talented owner and designer of Jacquelyn Brooks Designs. One of Jacquelyn's major focuses is community and she donates a good portion of her time (as well as her designs) to benefits such as the annual Runways and Rescues fashion show.

Carrie married one of my cousins so I am lucky enough to call her family! She is owner and designer of both Happy Little Monkey AND Monkey See Monkey Do. Carrie is one of the most forward thinking people I know and always has a few projects up her sleeve.

At some point, Carrie was able to snap a few photos of our gorgeous daughters enjoying some cousin time down on the the dock:

Every crafter/sewist/artist should have people like these in their life that GET what they are trying to accomplish and can help brainstorm ideas over an afternoon glass of wine.

GLAM Indie Craft Show 2011!

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:52:00 +0000

All the info you need to arm yourself for the GLAM event tomorrow:

You’ll be able to shop from nearly 50 local artists, crafters, and designers who are offering everything from T-shirts to tutus, and from hoola hoops to handmade soaps.
GLAM hours are 12pm-5pm

Vendors and links to their online shops

GLAM me up! -- an etsy treasury featuring several items available to purchase tomorrow

Articles by Indie Gainesville on a few of tomorrow's vendors:
GLAM vendors
Dragonfly Graphics
Miss Mermaid
Luellabird
Special thanks to The Sassy Crafter aka Kim Kruse for all her hard work in making GLAM a reality. Ride your bike and have plenty of room to park! Or take the bus. Villa East is on the 15 bus route.

301 N Main Street, Gainesville, FL

View Larger Map Driving Directions

thank-full (a better late than never blog)

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:13:00 +0000

Those who are Awake
live in a state of constant amazement ...

~ Jack Kornfield ~

This post has been in my head for easily two weeks now- what are the things in life I am most grateful for? How do I summarize that into a concise blog post that someone would even want to take the time to read? So, round and round in my head it has gone.
forgive me. this will be messy and unorganized.
and my grammar will suck.

Last weekend as I listened to my girls laughing in the other room with one of their friends, I was reminded how so much of what I love is processed through my ears. Music...always music. and laughter. from anyone.

I am grateful for all the people I share love with.
My family.
my beautiful, twirly, funny, creative, ever-changing children.
My friends who have seen me through the good and bad decisions- while lifting me with support.
My wise friend who said: to him...all we are are our relationships and our conversations.
Another friend- who has seen me through the same.old.shit. a million times. and is still here. and still smiling.
For another friend who said, "what are you THINKING?!? If anyone can get their massage license reinstated within a month, it's you!". And you know what? She was right.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude on amost a daily basis by how many people I have in my corner and could easily list 100 people who have done extraordinary things to support me (m0mmacat, this means you).

I am thankful for the beauty that surrounds me. For the sun as it cuts through the trees in my back yard, the breeze that brushes across my arm, my peck peck pecking chickens as they search for food and care for the two new little ones...

I am thankful for the time and space I've been given to explore my creativity and find out what I love to do.
And for the artists out there who are sharing their work. The singer-song writers, poets and philosophers especially. thank you for filling my soul on the days I was most in need.

and as I write, I am thinking of how much gratitude I have for you. whoever you are, reading this blog. whoever you are...looking at my work on etsy or at a local market...relating to a poem I post or trying a recipe...thank you. Thank you for having an appreciation for a part of me. and our connection.

last month on my trip to California, at a winery in Napa

No Bake Energy Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Confession: After 2 years of no peanut products in our home and being so completely vigilant of label reading- now that Violet has done the unimaginable and outgrown her peanut allergy- I feel a pang of guilt every time I use peanut butter. I wonder if any other parents lucky enough to be in my situation have ever felt the same.

And with that, I give you my recipe for No Bake Energy Bars. Sure there are zillions of variations on the web for these. What I am posting is a base recipe for you to build on!

Ingredients
1C peanut butter
1C honey (I used Sweet Dreams Merritt Island Wild Flower Honey)
3C rolled oats (uncooked)
Here's where you can get creative by choosing 1/2- 1 C or any add in you can think of!
A few ideas to get you going:
seeds (sesame, pumpkin, flax)
dried fruit
nuts
mini chocolate chips or carob
protein powder
coconut
brewers yeast

Directions
1. Combine peanut butter and honey in a medium size pot on low heat until mixed
2. Mix in the rolled oats and any other add ins
3. The intention is not to cook your mixture, just heat it enough so that combining the ingredients is easier
4. Press into a 9x9 or 9x11 inch pan (I greased mine with coconut oil)
5. Let cook and cut into bars
6. Wrap and store in the refrigerator

*Soon available for sale through Miss Mermaid*

For the lovelies who made it this far:
If you try this recipe leave me a comment and let me know what you use for add ins! I'm always looking for new ideas to keep healthy food interesting. And speaking of comments...I've been wondering lately, who is reading this blog? I'd love to hear from you and where you are located. If you have anything you'd like to suggest for a future blog post or questions you have for me leave that in the comments too! I love to hear from you and always respond <3

Fruit Cereal Bars (without a bunch of unnecessary crap!)

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:26:00 +0000

I love making these bars because you can make them into just about any combination of flavors you want; so much room for imagination and creativity here! They are awesome for packing into school/work lunches (kids as well as college students looking for a healthier alternative) or just an afternoon snack at home. After they bake, I cut and wrap them individually and store in the refrigerator. Grab one for an on the go breakfast as you're walking out the door!

ingredients
3/4 C coconut oil (butter can also be used)
1/2 C brown sugar, packed (I was out today so I used 1/2 C evaporated cane juice)

cream above together then add:

1 C white whole wheat flour
1 C buckwheat flour or oat bran or a mixture of whatever "flours" you like (you could just use another cup of the whole wheat flour). Today I used 3/4 C Buckwheat and 1/4 C ground flax seeds
3/4 C chopped nuts, dried fruit or seeds (Pumpkin Seeds are great in this recipe) (I omitted this today bc of 1. nut allergies and 2. my kids are pretty sick of raisins right now and that's the only dried fruit currently in the house).
3/4 C rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla (today I used 1/2 tea vanilla extract and 1/2 lemon extract)

Press 1/2 of the above mixture into a greased 9x13 pan

spread about 8oz of your favorite fruit preserves/jam on top (today I used the last of the strawberry jam I canned last summer)

Sprinkle then press the other half of the crumb mixture on top, pressing gently but firmly.

Bake at 350 about 30 minutes, checking at 25 minutes. If edges are getting brown, take it out.

Cool completely. Cut into bars. Eat. Enjoy.

Hi, my name is...

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Helen, and I have an addiction to beautiful fabric.

There are a handful of people who would ever be allowed to see the stacks of fabric I have in my sewing room. It's a little embarassing...

When I first started out sewing, I used to buy only what I needed for each particular project. Somehow (and very quickly) I gravitated to buying a minimum of 4 yards for each print I loved...and there is a LOT of gorgeous fabric out there, people.

Recently I had the experience of shopping with Sarah at Swell Cloth and it was hands down, the best fabric shopping experience I have ever had. Sarah was on it from the beginning- within an hour of my first email she had a custom order put together and posted for me to check out. The next day, my fabric shipped and again I received an email- this time with my tracking information.
All this, in my opinion should be standard for businesses. Sarah, went above and beyond to personalize this experience for me.

Today when my Swell Cloth package arrived, I finally realized I needed to sit down and write about this. Never before has a package of fabric come to me in such a beautiful and loving way. Each print was wrapped in tissue paper and sealed with a sticker...like opening a present! In that moment Sarah gained a customer for life.

The two Melody Miller prints I ordered from Swell Cloth:

What are your favorite places to buy fabric? Are there any small businesses you would recommend?

--------------------------------------------------------------------
places you can find Sarah
Swell Cloth on Etsy
Download the latest episode of her podcast, Stash Resolution for free on iTunes
Facebook
Twitter
Stash Resolution (blog)

perfect loveliness

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:44:00 +0000

St. Francis and the Sow

by Galway Kinnell

 The bud
stands for all things,
even those things that don't flower,
for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing;

 though sometimes it is necessary
to reteach a thing its loveliness,
to put a hand on its brow
of the flower
and retell it in words and in touch
it is lovely
until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing;

 as St. Francis
put his hand on the creased forehead
of the sow, and told her in words and in touch
blessings of earth on the sow,

 and the sow
began remembering all down her thick length,
from the earthen snout all the way
through the fodder and slops to the spiritual curl of
                the tail,

 from the hard spininess spiked out from the spine
down through the great broken heart
to the blue milken dreaminess spurting and shuddering
from the fourteen teats into the fourteen mouths sucking
                and blowing beneath them:
the long, perfect loveliness of sow.

------------------------------------------------------

The every so lovely Kathryn of Kathryn Kaye Photography has a new etsy shop!

If someone wanted to make me a very happy Helen they would purchase this

beautiful piece of art for my birthday <3 (oh, or this!)

Here are Kathryn's other links:

blog (a bazillion photos so striking you won't be able to stop looking until there are no more left to see)

facebook be the first to know when she makes a new blog post or has a promotion going on!

the bittersweet

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:08:00 +0000

"Turn around and you're two

Turn around and you're four

Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door"

As I type this, Ella is experiencing her first day of Pre K. Violet, not sure how to be without her partner in crime is looking every where for her...."where Ella go??".

Saying goodbye this morning was bittersweet. Violet had stayed home with her Dad so it was just me and Ella. The look on her face when we hugged and said goodbye- it was meaningful- I wish I could describe it better than to say...her face was brave and excited.

I feel so good about the school we have chosen; a place where peacocks and chickens run free and each child has access to a garden plot. A place where children can be children.

peacocks paying under the volleyball net


perched on the roof of Ella's classroom

my favorite and my best

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:18:00 +0000

It's hot as hell here in Florida. And yet...Fall will be here soon. My favorite time of year.

a cool breeze through my open windows
hot coffee
iced lemon zinger tea
baking
the Wednesday Farmers Market- actually staying to enjoy some music
planting a winter garden
more time outside in general
several drop offs to the thrift store as I try to keep our belongings to a minimum (forever, my losing battle)
and oh, the colors....oranges and browns, green, grey and yellow...
my heart warms just thinking about it.


joystclaire

shannspishak


Sylvia C Photography

sewjenaissance

 If You Were Coming in the Fall

by Emily Dickinson

If you were coming in the Fall,
I'd brush the Summer by
With half a smile, and half a spurn,
As Housewives do, a Fly.

If I could see you in a year,
I'd wind the months in balls --
And put them each in separate Drawers,
For fear the numbers fuse --

If only Centuries, delayed,
I'd count them on my Hand,
Subtracting, till my fingers dropped
Into Van Dieman's Land.

If certain, when this life was out --
That yours and mine, should be
I'd toss it yonder, like a Rind,
And take Eternity --

But, now, uncertain of the length
Of this, that is between,
It goads me, like the Goblin Bee --
That will not state -- its sting.

this post is brought to you by red wine, good friends and Lucinda Williams (NOT Bruce Springsteen)

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:24:00 +0000

Have you ever had a place
that you could go
and as you are driving up,
your heart slows
your breathing deepens, becoming more intentional
and your body just relaxes?

I am lucky enough to have a few spots like this scattered across Florida, North Carolina and Mississippi; they fill a part of me that is frequently emptied by the repetition of every day.

The one I am thinking of tonight is Lake Serene in Mississippi.

The girls and I usually visit Mississippi for a month every summer and this is the first time I had been back to Lake Serene since college in 1998. It was a much needed drive and I was so happy to be able to share it with my daughters and 12 year old niece.

Everyone should have a place like this, if only to catch your breath a couple times a year.

something new

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Test from my iPhone

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Green St,Petal,United States

that's my daughter in the water...

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:58:00 +0000

As an added bonus to my current giveaway contest, I'm activating a 10% off coupon code, good to the end of the contest (tomorrow/Friday at 5PM, Mountain Time). To use the code, simply enter 10OFF at checkout!

the time has come, the time is now

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:13:00 +0000

Kathryn Kaye & Miss Mermaid Giveaway 2011

Call me emotional...it's certainly the truth. Reading the blog post Kathryn wrote last night- and seeing the photos of her beautiful children wearing the dresses I made...it brought tears to my eyes. We met as bloggers when we were both trying to get pregnant five years ago and have seen each other through some pretty significant milestones. And now she has actualized her talent for photography and I'm sewing- and thriving in finding a place for my creativity...it seems only natural that we put our heads together and find a way to support each other in this too.

To view the contest blog post click here. The rules explain how to enter 3 times for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop, Miss Mermaid.

Oh, and it looks like Colorado residents get an extra super secret deal just for entering the contest....so what are you waiting for?

Giveaway StartsTomorrow!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:34:00 +0000

Keep an eye out tomorrow for information on a Miss Mermaid *GIVEAWAY* being hosted over at the gorgeous KathrynKaye's blog.
In the meantime...I will leave you with some of her beautiful photography...

Peanut Challenge This Morning...

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:25:00 +0000

...and THIS is what a child NOT ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS looks like!!


Photo Credit: Christin Lewin

Tonight after the girls go to sleep I'm going to bake some bread and tomorrow, I'm buying the BEST peanut butter I can find to pair with the blueberry jam I canned last year!

6 things I love this morning

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:49:00 +0000

sipping my ice coffee, trying to wake up. the girls have been waking me up at 6am this week (big change from their usual 8:30). so here are some of my favorites. If you were to look at my etsy favorites you would SEE...that I have favorited nearly every listing from LilyMoon. Something about her work really speaks to me. So far I haven't been able to decide on just ONE thing...and I have a feeling if I got started I'd soon have a home full of LilyMoon art. So, here are 6 listings that I love- each one for very different reasons.

.

FifiduVie

AdelynStone

TheModernQuilter

MeadowTea

kittyrogers

LilyMoon

Miss Mermaid & Friends: KathrynKaye

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0000

So my friend Kathryn....she has a way with words and a camera. I have such an appreciation for the way she articulates her passions (of which there are many!). I highly recommend sitting down with a good cup or coffee (or glass of wine) and perusing her blog. Beautiful photos. Beautiful words. Oh, and today's blog happens to have a few Miss Mermaid photos for good measure!

**If you are in the Denver area (ahem to all the cousins I have living there!) I highly recommend contacting Kathryn for a photo shoot!**

KathrynKaye Photography

Pin It
KathrynKaye the blog: http://kathrynkaye.com/blog/
KathrynKaye photography: http://kathrynkaye.com/
Miss Mermaid: www.missmermaidshop.etsy.com

Crafty Girls Swing AND Hop!

noreply@blogger.com (Helen-Miss Mermaid) — Wed, 11 May 2011 21:51:00 +0000

It's Handmade Wednesday again! Have you linked up yet? If not, head on over to Blue Eyed Blessings to promote your Crafty Blogs and Shops on their Blog Hop!

A look at one of the newest items from my shop: