A little taste of Sunshine
Posted by msterilinn on May 19, 2008
We have experienced a very strange Spring here in Oregon. Just last week, as odd as it seems, we had some truly strong hailstorms which actually covered the ground solid and instantly soaked those caught in the freakiness of it. Luckily we were indoors when it did occur, yet could see some unfortunate folks scrambling for shelter, totally unprepared.
Well, even though it had started to warm up just enough to turn our heat completely off, it took us by suprise to pop on up to 98.5 degrees in no time at all. Usually we get some wonderfully perfect days just above or below 80 degrees this time of year and it is such a lovely time to walk through our sweet little town to the river, enjoying all the Spring blossoms. What a shock to simply wish to drive to the river and cool off. Unfortunately the river was quite swift, and higher than we have ever seen it. The instant meltoff was creating quite the flow, which made it too dangerous to do much more than stick our feet in and experience the coolness of the rivers edge. Actually I felt it was quite beautiful and exciting just to be near one of Natures wondrous life-givers, as rivers are so very special. The energy and power was simply amazing to behold!
Needless to say, we did walk a little, my daughter, grandson and I. We brought our sweet little chihuahua, Canela and walked along the river to enjoy the freshness brought on by the spring run-off. We are quite happy to prepare for a very warm Summer, and will have the air conditioner installed as soon as possible. We love to camp, swim and explore, so we are truly looking forward to our outdoor fun! Meanwhile, I thank Mother Nature for the warning and for giving us a little taste of Sunshine.
A new smokin’ hot blogging Community!
Posted by msterilinn on Apr 18, 2008
When I started blogging, I had absolutely no idea how much fun it would be! I was really quite casual about it at first, and pretty much just blogged about things I am passionate about. I didn’t really think a whole lot about other people visiting my blog and actually being interested in what I had to say, although I did hope that I might touch some folks and get some attention gathered to help the endangered wildlife around the Earth. And I did think it would be great to get people interested in caring for the planet by stepping up and taking notice.
Never did I think one could actually earn money from blogging! Now I know better. Although this particular blog is not geared towards making money, primarily, it has served to teach me how I can do this with other blogs that I am creating. Through socializing with other bloggers in communities, I have not only gained a greater perspective of the blogoshpere and all the wonderful people and information available through this amazing aspect of the web, yet I have found many bloggers who actually make some serious money. This is how several successful bloggers make a living, and a really good one!
Social networking is one of the most powerful ways to gain exposure and build relationships. If you are seriously looking for ways to monetize your blog, or are just now considering blogging as a form of earning an income, a great first step is getting out there and joining some great blogging communities. The search engines just love these communities, and we can learn so much from other bloggers, as well as finding great opportunies all in one place. Meeting people from all over the world and learning about so many different subject matters is a very sweet bonus!
I would like to direct you to a hot new blogging community called SocialSpark. I have had enough experience with the people behind this project to feel confident with telling others just how powerful and big this is going to be! Their code of ethics is to be commended, and I truly feel that once they make it through the bumps of their newly launched community, this is going to be one of the finest places on the net to gather with other bloggers. People will be able to interact with fellow bloggers, as well as create profiles to put their best blogging face out there to gain some positive exposure. This is also a great place to advertise, either your blog or your business. You can get real time statistics and find the truly popular blogs to strike up a conversation, or help fellow bloggers get a foot up by mentioning their blog in a fair trade. There is so much more in the way of tools and socialization, so I really do encourage people to stop on by and see for themselves.
Some positive notes I would like to mention about SocialSpark…
-100% Audit-able In-Post Disclosure
-100% Transparency
-100% Real Opinions
-100% Search Engine Friendly
Well then, here is the opportunity to spark up some fantastic new relationships and learn from the pros. What finer way to gain a better perspective of this world we live in than touching base with people from all walks of life and different cultures? I am truly excited to add this to my favorite places to visit. And if I can earn some extra money to help care for my family and enjoy a better lifestyle, then this is just a sweet little extra bonus.
Happy Blogging!!
Creating a personal Greeting.. simply perfect!
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 14, 2008
Above all else, I am into Family. My entire family is quite secure in the knowledge of my Love and devotion to all things connecting us during our lives here on Earth. I am totally into creativity and personalization when it comes to just about everything, for any occasion or just because, including gifts, cards, calendars… you name it. I always prefer adding a personal touch, as this truly shows my Love, and how important my family and friends are by the mere fact of taking the time to create something special. I am never too busy to give special thought to giving my loved ones, and even those whom I do not know very well, gifts that are truly given from my heart.
Along with these lovely homemade gifts, the perfect form of personalization are Photo Greeting Cards. My particular favourite is the borderless full color photo card as can be created through CardsDirect. These premium folded photo cards are printed on thick 140 pound (14pt) white card stock using state of the art digital color press technology. Upload or email us your high resolution digital photo, and we will print it on the front of the cards in stunning digital full color. The finished product is a full sized 7 7/8″ x 5 5/8″ (Horizontal or Vertical orientation depending on your photo). Inside the photo cards, you can add one of our verses plus your personalized text, or create your own custom verse a choice of typestyles and ink colors at no additional cost. You will receive an electronic proof via email showing you exactly how your cards will look before your photo card order is printed. Lined envelopes are included and can also be custom imprinted with your return address.
Simply perfect!
The Lion and the Rose.. the “Jewel of Montford”
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 13, 2008
Ever since my daughter and I stated our intentions to travel, as she is older now, we have had so many great choices presented to us. We are quite adventurous, and both enjoy a bit of old fashioned atmoshpere to balance out our natures. So when we journey forth, we shall seek that which fascinates us in modern convenience, along with a bit of Old World style. There is just so much to be said about the quaint charm of a true Bed and Breakfast such as I have found in The Lion & The Rose.
The enchanting gardens, and luxurious interior of this lovely and romantic Asheville Inn would truly make a wonderful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern day life. There are five elegant and delightful rooms to choose from, and the gourmet breakfast is anything but standard, being the pride of resident inkeeper and chef, Jim Palmer. Jim and his wife Linda (and Harvey and Cedric) have created a beautiful atmoshpere sure to bring pleasure to our treasured time away from home.
And where might this delightfully sweet little Inn know as the The Lion & The Rose be found, one might ask? A place where we have friends that would love a visit from us, and that would be Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is surrounded by the natural beauty of the oldest & most lush mountain range in the world. But natural beauty is just part of its charm. The city itself, often referred to as “the Paris of the South”, is packed with art, crafts, antique shops, music, entertainment, varied & unique architecture, and many excellent independently owned restaurants. The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast is four blocks from downtown Asheville and just three miles from the Biltmore Estate.
Well then, I would be most happy to relate the wonderful details after a visit in person to this most enchanting little beauty known as the “Jewel of Montford”.
Enjoy creating our own Natural Soaps and Balms
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 12, 2008
This would be so perfect! My daughter and I have been lucky to find some quite lovely natural and homemade soaps, lip and face balms, as well as bath salts through family giveaways during Ceremony. Yet we have seriously considered learning how to make our own. We have several family members who can teach us, and one thing I had wondered about was where to find the best place to purchase supplies.
And now I have found one such place! Elements Bath & Body soap making & toiletry supplies company was created in 2001, and is family owned. Some of the items they carry include waterproof vinyl labels, lip balm tubes, twist-up tubes, organza bags, beeswax, disposable pipettes, cloth bags, lavender buds and flax seed. When you’re formulating your own soap, body lotion, lip balm, bath salts, or perhaps a special flax seed pillow, it is wise to find a place with wholesale prices.
My daughter has especially dry lips, and we are always seeking natural balms to keep them moisturized. If we can make our own, with a nice supply of lip balm containers, we can make some for our own personal use, as well as stocking up as a great gift idea.
Imagine how much fun we can have creating our own natural bath soaps, lotions, balms, and herbal spritz’s with giveaways in mind as well. What a lovely idea!
May I have a spot of Organic Tea please?
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 12, 2008
There is nothing like a delicious and highly nutritious cup of tea. Amongst my favourite herbal delights, drinking tea has got to be my top form of consuming natures finest. Not only for the wonderful aroma, which brings it’s own pleasure, yet the feeling tea gives me when I truly need a few moments of relaxation. Of course I have my own personal preferences, which include the lovely flavors of peppermint, ginger, cinnamon, chamomile, lemon grass, tila flowers, catnip, and hops, just to name a few. My daughter also has her own favourite… Madagascar Vanilla Red, which is made with rooibos and vanilla bean.
My family knows that I am quite enthusiastic when I recieve tea gift baskets. This is a form of giving that shows how much one cares, as it is a gift meant to pamper the person recieving the gift.
So, whether tea is offered and consumed in the form of ceremony or for the simple pleasure, remember that special person with a wonderful and lovely selection of tea gift baskets available for our own choosing.
Enjoy an Exhilarating White Water Adventure!
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 1, 2008
We have had some totally awesome spring-like days this week here in Oregon. Just enough of a taste to trigger our unlimited sense of Adventure, which has started us planning our Spring and Summer fun. Although we seek Adventure all year long right here in our own back yard, as our fun loving natures demand, there is nothing like the thrills Nature provides during the hot season in totally new places. So… what comes to mind when we think about hitting the river for more than just our favourite past time of trekking through the forest and swimming in Earths natural swimming pools? White water rafting of course! Now, this is a thrilling Adventure not to be denied.
Where does one go to book an exciting trip that is safe and fun for all members of the family from 5 on up? Lehigh rafting through Whitewater Challengers brings us whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River in the Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania… this is rafting just the way you want it, with rafting trips ranging from easy to exhilarating. A visit to Whitewater Challengers means real fun, real rapids, and real adventure! Come rafting for the whitewater… or come for the scenery. Either way, the Lehigh River is the perfect close-to-home whitewater adventure that feels a world away!
Make this year’s whitewater get-away an eco-friendly vacation adventure! Lehigh rafting at Whitewater Challengers offers the following…
~ New dam releases - Spring, Summer and Fall - Lehigh River rafting at its very best!
~ The very best whitewater in the tri-state area!
~ Five whitewater rafting trips that are perfect for all ages … easy to exhilarating!
~ Spectacular river gorge scenery that’ll make you feel like you’re out west!
~ The best values anywhere — free trips, free camping, free gifts, free shopping spree!
~ Special discounts, hot deals and Raft & Stay packages!
~ The closest whitewater rafting to most of the mid-Atlantic region!
~ The best bus shuttles … no long hike-in / hike-out!
~ The most complete rafting and camping facilities at the Lehigh River!
~ The most environmentally friendly eco-vacation ever!
We are definately looking forward to some awesome Adventures as Life takes us, and a thrilling ride through Nature, with all the wonderful views uniquely accessed only through the eyes of those riverbound thrillseekers, is sure to leave us breathless and exhilarated! We will be looking further into Whitewater Challengers and their Lehigh River rafting trips, then we will be sharing our Adventures!
Enjoy!
Our Kitchens are the Heart of our Homes
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 28, 2008
My daughter and I have been contemplating whether we shall buy a house, or have one custom built. Either way, we are so looking forward to creating an environment in our living space, which is all our own. If you are like us, and wish to create a unique atmoshpere which expresses your personal tastes, you may wish to view this sweet little video about Kitchen Design. It is family friendly, I promise you, and I was quite impressed with the unique and classic beauty of these luxurious kitchens. They are absolutely gorgeous! I am positive that you too shall be just as impressed with the style and character, as well as the obvious craftmanship of Master designers.
The kitchen is indeed the heart of the home, and from my point of view it is very important to feel the comfort and love in which we express ourselves through the food we choose to nourish our families with. Surrounding ourselves with such beauty only enhances that wonderful feeling which goes into those healthy meals we love to create. So, let us take a few moments to visualize our Dream kitchen.. then visit Kitchen Design and leave them a comment if you are as impressed as I am.
Enjoy!
A delightful Mediterranean Villa anyone?
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 26, 2008
Anyone who truly knows me can attest to how my eyes light up at the mere mention of traveling through the Mediterranean, exploring to my hearts content. Just imagine my joy at the thought of actually living there for a time, absorbing the culture and growing in spirit in oh so many ways! What adventures I could dream up.
I just spent a glorious hour or so dreaming of owning a sweet Villa along the coast of Spain. Searching through the spanish property for sale or rent in spain, depending upon ones desires, certainly served to bring about an irrestable desire within myself to travel to these exotic places in the Mediterranean. Whatever your Dream… simply to travel to an exotic destination on vacation, or a move for whatever reason, perhaps you too would enjoy searching to your hearts content. And perhaps you too shall simply fall in love with one of these sweet Spanish Villas which are loaded with charm and exquisite character.
I wish to share a site I discovered which has a really cool design and the search is smooth. I fouund more than 7000 properties for sale and rent in Spain, France, Italy and Cyprus. A feature I found to be quite unique is the web site is in 7 languages. English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian and Danish. All 7000 properties are 100% translated.
Not even the UN web site is translated 100% in all their languages. All pages at medhead.com can at any time be translated 100% to any 6 other languages. All properties are added once (by a private individual or an agent) and instantly translated into the other languages - this is 100% unique and not possible on any other web site. THIS IS NOT A MACHINE TRANSLATION! It is done by professional translators and all information is field based (you do not type in anything when you add a property - you only select fields that have all been translated).
I am definately looking forward to many exciting journeys in further exploration of our beautiful, sacred and bountiful Earth. Enjoy!
Simple pleasures.. cruisin’ along the beach
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 23, 2008
This simply has to be one of my most favourite past times… lots of sunshine, a fresh breeze, good company and a beach cruiser bike! Just imagine how wonderful and comfortable it would be to take a leisurely ride along the beach on one of these sweet bikes.
Well, if you are looking to add a cruiser to your bike collection, you may wish to consider a place I found recently. CruiserStyle.com seems fairly new, yet I am seeing that they are adding some quality cruisers as they grow. Although I haven’t bought a bike from them myself, as of yet, I thought the 26″ Shimano 7-Speed Deluxe Beach Cruiser for Ladies looks like a mellow ride. I could definately see myself comfortably cruising along the beach to my hearts content on one of these babies!
Now, these cruisers are not for the speed demons looking for a thrill whilst out biking. Although some days I am out for speed and distance, sometimes my sense of adventure calls for a beach cruiser bike so I can just kick back and enjoy the scenery and daydream, while perhaps looking forward to a romantic picnic on the beach, or possibly exploring new places. It just depends upon my mood. As each day unfolds, I feel like a new person as I live and grow. So… some days I just feel like cruisin’.
Enjoy!
Family friendly… just for the fun of it!
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 12, 2008
Ever so often, I like to do something just to lighten up the moment. This is one of those times! I found a little place which has fun online quizzes. After nurturing and caring for this blog for several months now, I was curious to see how others may view my little blog baby. Although Mother Earthbeats is still a bit young, I have put little pieces of my heart and soul into this online journal of mine. So I took the family friendly quiz. And I passed! LOL, I knew I would, yet I was happy to have my own thoughts confirmed. So I shall proudly display my new badge…
How do we find Happiness?
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 8, 2008
I am in general a very happy person, in spite of circumstances, and this truly shows to all who come in contact with me. Today I would like to share a message from a friend, which touched my heart and spirit. It reminds me why each day, I look for the good in all things…
A fleeting moment, or a way of seeing?
Ask any number of people to describe a moment of “perfect” happiness. Some will talk about moments of deep peace experienced in a harmonious natural setting, of a forest dappled in sunshine, of a mountain summit looking out across a vast horizon, of the shores of a tranquil lake, of a night walk through snow under a starry sky, and so on. Others will refer to a long-awaited event: an exam they’ve aced, a sporting victory, meeting someone they’ve longed to meet, the birth of a child. Still others will speak of a moment of peaceful intimacy with their family or a loved one, or of having made someone else happy.
The common factor to all of these experiences would seem to be the momentary disappearance of inner conflicts. The person feels in harmony with the world and with herself. Someone enjoying such an experience, such as walking through a serene wilderness, has no particular expectations beyond the simple act of walking. She simply is, here and now, free and open.
For just a few moments, thoughts of the past are suppressed, the mind is not burdened with plans for the future, and the present moment is liberated from all mental constructs. This moment of respite, from which all sense of emotional urgency has vanished, is experienced as one of profound peace. For someone who has achieved a goal, completed a task, or won a victory, the tension they have long carried with them relaxes. The ensuing sense of release is felt as a deep calm, free of all expectation and fear.
But this experience is just a passing glimpse brought on by a particular set of circumstances. We call it a magic moment, a state of grace. And yet the difference between these flashes of happiness seized on the fly and the immutable peacefulness of the sage, for instance, is as great as that between the tiny section of sky seen through the eye of a needle and the limitless expanses of outer space. The two conditions differ in dimension, duration, and depth.
Even so, we can learn something from these fleeting moments, these lulls in our ceaseless struggles; they can give us a sense of what true plenitude might be and help us to recognize the conditions that favour it.
A Way of Being
I remember one afternoon as I was sitting on the steps of our monastery in Nepal. The monsoon storms had turned the courtyard into an expanse of muddy water and we had set out a path of bricks to serve as stepping-stones. A friend of mine came to the edge of the water, surveyed the scene with a look of disgust, and complained about every single brick as she made her way across. When she got to me, she rolled her eyes and said, “Yuck! What if I’d fallen into that filthy muck? Everything’s so dirty in this country!” Since I knew her well, I prudently nodded, hoping to offer her some comfort through my mute sympathy. A few minutes later, Raphaèle, another friend of mine, came to the path through the swamp. “Hup, hup, hup!” she sang as she hopped, reaching dry land with the cry “What fun!” Her eyes sparkling with joy, she added: “The great thing about the monsoon is that there’s no dust.” Two people, two ways of looking at things; six billion human beings, six billion worlds.
Anyone who enjoys inner peace is no more broken by failure than he is inflated by success. He is able to fully live his experiences in the context of a vast and profound serenity, since he understands that experiences are ephemeral and that it is useless to cling to them. There will be no “hard fall” when things turn bad and he is confronted with adversity. He does not sink into depression, since his happiness rests on a solid foundation.
Once at an open meeting in Hong Kong, a young man rose from the audience to ask me: “Can you give me one reason why I should go on living?” This book is a humble response to that question, for happiness is above all a love of life.
__________________________
Excerpted with permission from Happiness: Developing Life’s Most Important Skill by Matthieu Ricard (Little, Brown and Company, 2006). Ricard, a former biochemist and Buddhist monk.
Pampering our bodies with Nature in mind
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 7, 2008
I have had a bit of a rough time in the past year. Although I am much healthier now, this was not so last Winter and Spring. I have always maintained excellent health, spiritually and physically. Yet we all fall prey to the beast called ’stress’ at some time or other. This particular ‘beast’ caught up with me, and I seemed to get sick all the time, and was quite slow to heal. Once I realized the cause of my distress, I took a good look at my Life and noticed I had gotten too busy to truly take good care of myself. My daughter and I decided I needed to be especially aware of pampering myself on a daily basis. So each day I must set aside some time to do something special to enhance my wellbeing, and teach my daughter to do so as well, so it would just become a natural part of our day.
As I am into all things natural, I began by sorting though my natural skincare products. I have quite the collection, and was pleased with my options. My daughter suggested a nice foot massage, and I found this totally delicious and healthy sounding B. Kamins Maple Sugar Body Scrub by Skin Dimensions Online. Skin Dimensions Online offers the exclusive Skin Dimensions SB product line. Their exclusive line includes moisturizers, green tea anti-oxidants, acne care and anti-aging products, and the increasingly polular and best-selling retinols, including the new 1 % starter introductory line. I will definately be adding Skin Dimensions Online to my natural beauty selection of resources.
Well then, allowing the Goddess within to hold sway over the moments of each day, I will be on the lookout for many ways in which to pamper myself and my daughter as well. We shall enjoy browsing through the natural skincare essentials to pamper ourselves and enjoy the pleasure of just being and living in each wonderful, loving and natural moment.
Enjoying the Beauty in Nature at Blueberry Lake
Posted by msterilinn on Jan 25, 2008
Thinking about taking a Vacation? I know I am! After the hectic Holiday Season, I am truly in the mood to travel to a place that will take me away from all the hustle and bustle of city life. My Love for Nature will naturally send me looking for a place that is comfortable, yet will leave me totally surrounded by the wonders and Beauty only Mother Nature can provide. I long to visit Canada, so if you are like me, take a look at what I have found…
25 minutes north of Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec, tucked away in one of nature’s most beautiful landscapes, Blueberry Lake awaits you. A true country experience in a well-appointed Quebec-style log home, with first class client services. More than just an escape to nature, Blueberry Lake provides guests with accommodation in luxury log chalets, first-class service and all modern amenities, such as high-speed Internet and 42″ plasma screen TVs. In addition to the onsite fine-dining restaurant, gourmet chefs can be scheduled to prepare fine cuisine for guests in the comfort of their own chalet. Professional therapists provide massages both at the lakeside spa and in the chalets.
Nearby national parks, ski resorts and golf courses offer the perfect opportunity for guests who want to get out and explore the Mont Tremblant region in Quebec. Visitors who prefer not to stray too far from their luxury log cabin can take advantage of all the on-site activities. A game of tennis, canoeing, ice-skating or hiking on our private trails are just a few of the options available.
Whether your stay is short or long, the sense of peace that overtakes you from the moment you arrive will delight you, ensuring that from now on, this will be your first choice for summer or winter vacations. The charms of each season complemented by a wide choice of activities make Blueberry Lake the ideal place to spend wonderful times with family, friends or groups, or to inspire excellent results from corporate events and meetings.
Well then, what are we waiting for? A Tremblant cottage rental awaits us adventurous souls!
