This years Summer Solstice was a powerful one, being that we are coming out of such transforming energy… into a new way of living.
Summer Solstice Ceremony
We began the weekend with a clearing ceremony, potluck and bonfire drum circle! In the ceremony we spent time with the altar, setting our intentions for what we wanted to draw in to our lives for the remainder of the year.
We also acknowledged and let go of that which no longer served our divine self. Jumping the fire is an old tradition for celebrating the fire of the sun!
Sunday morning started with a cacao ceremony lead by Josh Maurer. The ceremony really opened my heart which prepared me to receive beautiful energy from the sound meditation he took us on. Josh’s passion for ceremony and sound are evident in his reverence and grace.
After sound, we ate brunch and went into discussion about the use of art as a tool which manifests that which you desire; which generates energy into a state you wish to embody. We each worked on creating sigils that embodied the energy of that which we desire.
I wanted to give a special shout out to Jen at Blue View Farm, who donated beautiful arrangements for our amazing celebration. Her flowers were the perfect touch to our summer energy.
Blue View Farm offers monthly bouquet memberships, $10 daily bouquets, arrangements for special events and more!
Migwetch to everyone who attended, I am grateful for your presence.
This summer I took an art camp job, in person at The New Century School in Fells Point MD, during COVID19.
The New Century School is a small multi-lingual charter school in Baltimore City. Art camp runs from now until August 21st, 2020.
Two weeks down, and we’ve been having a wonderful time creating!
With 12 students a week, we have navigated this COVID paradigm with unconditional understanding and grace amidst of the unknown. Working for this school has shown me there are a lot of differences between public county schools and charter schools in the city.
The first week of camp the theme was Mythical, Magical Creatures.
We made dragons, unicorns, imaginary worlds, fairies, mermaids and more!
The second week of camp the theme was Birds, Bugs, and Butterflies!
We zentangled birds and butterflies, made styrofoam stamps of bugs, build birds from model magic and pipe cleaners!
Art helping us through COVID19
The students are having a wonderful time, even with having to wear masks all day, and having to stay at their own table 6 feet from other students. It has been a little challenging to get the kids to remember to keep their mask up or not to get to close to other students. But overall the experience has been fun.
Bringing up the story of the Phoenix. A powerful fire ceremony, balance through the water, and rising above the ashes.
The weekend started off with lots of rain, which canceled the awesome set The Wild Hymns were going to play! Instead they sat with us and Megan played a little guitar while we listened to the pouring rain.
Around 8pm my children came to me to tell me our tent had flooded and everything was soaked! I became so frustrated… and disappointed. It was a tough moment for me. And on top of that, when we went to get into the car… the door was locked with the keys inside! The universe was really testing me. The rain finally stopped around 8:30 pm, everyone tired, wet and ready for bed.
Saturday morning I woke up early to pray and meditate, to help ground and center my energy for the rest of the weekend, and was greeted by the fog, so peaceful and serene. The message was to breathe and let go. Let go of expectations, fears, worry and doubt.
Everyone woke up a little groggy, but ready to get into the heart of the summer solstice energy. Our schedule was adjusted a bit to accommodate time to clean up campsites. Breakfast was delicious and morning yoga was perfectly lead by Brenda. Our day was off to a more balanced start.
Brenda lead a garden tour, and tea making workshop while others spent time on their creative expressions for the altar. The time was so peaceful.
I was able to fix up the altar area and light the Solstice candle just before it started to rain again. Grateful that this time we were all prepared, we danced and made music to celebrate.
Our fire ceremony was to be held out by the pond, however with the rain we improvised and rearranged the tables under the pavillion to have our ceremony there.
It was divine.
After the ceremony the rain departed and the sky opened up to a beautiful night, where we saw shooting stars and celebrated with jumping the fire, a drum circle and fireworks.
Sunday started with Laughter Yoga, lead by Tammy and Jack Bray. The perfect ending to such a divine weekend.
At the end of the event on Sunday I went back to the altar to clean up and to my wonder, the Solstice candle was still lit! Even after all the rain!
I am so blessed to know so many beautiful and magickal people. So many kind souls to travel through this life learning from and growing with.
I am forever grateful for my dear sister, Brenda Solonoski. Without her love, support, and partnership this event would not have happened.
Check out the video of our event and look out for the next retreat …
Today Eli ArtSparkle and I harvested mountain mint, which will be used in our summer solstice event! The sun was HOT, but we gathered a lot. I would get flashes of how my ancestors might have felt, harvesting all day to eat and to store for the winter. I felt at home, squatting and cutting the mint quickly. Tomorrow we will harvest valerian, comfrey, and mullen! <3
The kids and I went to the Inner Harbor with my mom and my auntie Veronica, who came out to visit from Kansas. We ate lunch at Dicks Last Resort, which none of us have ever been to before. It was hilarious, and had me thinking
Then we went to the Aquarium. I had not been for a very long time! It was really fun going with Landyn and Element… they had never been before.
We got splashed by the dolphins, saw beautiful jelly fish and had ice cream afterwards.
I took Element to a cool water park down the street!
Yesterday was 8/8….and if you add 2+0+1+5 you get 8.
What an awesome date! Â Â 8/8/8
It was also a busy day as well… I hosted a maryland flag and crab painting party at The Stone Mill. Â It was a wonderful evening meeting new people, making new connections and creating new things!
So yesterday I did not have time to post my list of 9 things for my countdown…Which means you’ll get two lists today,
9 things I’ve enjoyed about summer vacation:
Spending time with my family
Teaching adults how to paint
Seeing their faces light up when they finish their painting and realize they CAN do it.
Meeting many new and amazing people who I can call friends
Traveling to Texas and networking with yearbook advisors
Hanging out with my friend Amber in Fort Worth
Traveling to California
Visiting the Getty Villa in Malibu
Exploring life with my family
8 things I want to do in the next 8 days
Finish reading “The Traveler’s Gift”
Go hiking on the Appalachian Trail with my family
Paint more expressively (as opposed to paint night paintings)
Plan a few things for the first week of school
Go camping with my family
Spend time with my new friends
Start a painting for the Teacher as Artist Exhibit
Work on Yearbook spread layouts
I think I can handle doing at least one of those things a day, if not two or more!
Today Element and I attended The Stone Mill’s open house summer event. It was a perfect day to be outside meeting local artisans and vendors! I also put up a little display for our painting party events.
Paint Nights at The Stone Mill
As soon as we got there Element had to explore, so we went on a little scavenger hunt to see what she could find! Bubbles, pretzels, baby dolls, high heels and rocking chairs were her favorite things.
Ilysa Peak from Peak’s Party gave the kids bubbles to play with and to take home! Element was thrilled. The pretzels were deliberately dipped into the delicious Stonehouse Mixes Roasted Garlic gluten free veggie dip!  She found a few vintage baby dolls resting in their cradle and a lovely pair of yellow high heels! But I think her favorite find was all of the rocking chairs!
All of the vendors were lovely to meet! When we arrived we spent some time with Dawne from Bloomin Crazy Designs. Dawne was doing painting demos for the paint line she uses to create a beautiful vintage finish. Â Not only does she paint furniture for sale, as well as refinishing kitchen cabinets and furniture for clients, she also teaches furniture painting workshops! She’s a woman after my own heart, doing what she loves and finding ways to make it work.
Dawne Walker, Bloomin Crazy Designs
In the kitchen area I was able to spend some time talking with Ilysa Peak from Peak’s Party, a staffing service for weddings, parties, events and any special occasion. Her and I really hit it off well being we both from from a Native spiritual background, Lakota and Chippewa. She is a beautiful soul full of a calm, loving energy. If I were to ever need a staffing service I know her company would bring great energy to my event.
Ilysa Peak, Peak’s Party
Working my way around the event, my next stop was the Thunder Ridge Vineyards wine tasting. I have to say, I really enjoyed their Ocean Breeze and Moscato! Not only was the wine delicious but it was lovely to see a father and daughter team! I love that they are a family owned and operated vineyard. Seeing Alex and her father Jeff work together gave me a little sense of excitement and hope that one day Element and I will be working in our art studio together.
Alex and Jeff Gormley, Thunder Ridge Vineyards
Set up next to the vineyard was The Turquoise Bullet. Kate Hepner creates one of a kind jewelry as well as repurposed furniture. Kate is like my soul sister, we are so alike it’s scarey. Her enthusiasm for life and whatever she is working on really shines through her constant smile and upbeat personality! Not only is she a creator, she also helps coordinate and plan weddings at The Stone Mill, along with photography. You can check out what she has available at her Etsy shop.
Kate Hepner, The Turquoise Bullet
Wandering around the grounds we came upon The Wandering Ewe. Another family team, this time mother and daughter. Â Hannah (daughter) really enjoys making her fiber art, and decided why not share it with the world. Her mother Holly creates beautiful pieces as well. Â They had everything from hats and headbands, to pins and dolls. Check out all the awesome things they create on their Etsy shop. You can also see some pictures of their lambs!
Hannah and Holly, The Wandering Ewe
Next on our journey was Kyle Gerlach who owns Fare North woodworking. Kyle was working away on a few pieces when we strolled up, hatchet in hand. He loves using local reclaimed wood for his work. The spoons he creates are gorgeous! He told me that he’s really about building beautiful wood furniture but started making ladles and utensils as Christmas presents for family and friends. Everyone would tell him “You should sell these!”, so he went for it!
Kyle Gerlach, Fare North Woodworking
Our last stop was at the Be A Doer tent! This just seemed so synchronistic for the whole day, the company focuses their apparel on inspiring action and motivation! Every vendor I spent time talking to at the event really displayed this type of “go-getter” attitude! Really putting the time in to do what they love and to make it work for them. The company has shirts with sayings such as “I can and I will”, “Go the Distance”, but my favorite by far is the “She’s a dreamer…” t-shirt!
Be A Doer
I really love listening to the stories every person has to tell, especially those who are pursuing their passion and hobbies. We are all creators, we just have to pay attention to ourselves enough to know what it is we have a passion for and to have enough willpower and motivation to get out there and BE A DOER!
Pam and Joe Hepner, Owners of The Stone Mill 1792
Thank you everyone for sharing and thank you Pam and Joe Hepner, owners of the Stone Mill, for hosting such a lovely event!
“#sassafras (sassafras albidum) is a #magical#herb with #antiviral#antibacterial and #antiinflammatory effects, as well as being #antispirochete. This plant has a long traditional use in treating #siphilis which is a #spirochete disease, with the same bacterial structure as #Lyme disease. As a result of that understanding, many herbalist including myself, are exploring this plant in herbal protocols against Lyme. This plant is also the original ingredient in #rootbeer which was actually a #medicinal ferment, far from the toxicity of #soda; in fact, deeply medicinal. The root tastes like root #beer and makes a beautiful tea with #maple syrup added in. The leaves are also what gives gumbo it’s unique #flavor and mucilaginous texture which is also healing to the gut. The leaves dried and powdered is known as #filè powder. As with all plans it is important to consider the importance of regeneration of ecosystems to save the biodiversity of these and other medicines that are right under our #feet. It may have taken 30,000 years or more for the ecosystem to even harbor the ability of these #trees existence, yet it could take an afternoon with a chainsaw to wipe them out entirely. Always consider your place in the #ecosystem how to harvest regeneratively.” Credit to Return To Nature
So I am on the hunt for some sassafras! I will be documenting my explorations and findings!!
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. – U.S. Department of Labor
I can honestly say that I didn’t fully grasp, or appreciate Labor day until this year; Having a summer full of many social and economic achievements towards my goal of having my own art school. I used to take this holiday at base level…I saw it as another day off. I realize now that its not just about having an extra day to rest, its also about celebrating the fruits of my labor! I will be taking this day to celebrate all I’ve accomplished, and to be excited about all the possibilities for the future!
Celebrate all you have achieved this year, and take a moment to set your intent for the up coming months to promote your continued success.
Appreciate all the work you’ve put into who you are and what you dream to accomplish.
July just flew by, and August seems to be following along! I think it might have something to do with all this nice cool weather, or just the fact that ALOT has been going on!
We went on the Steam Into History train ride! It was so much fun! I am going to be doing some art crafts on the train starting in September! It was awesome hearing about all of the history around our new town!
We’ve been hiking a few times on different trails in York County. The La Ho trail was a beautiful hike!
My friend Elizabeth and I went to the Summer Event at The Stone Mill. Oh it was a lot of fun…and its a beautiful place. The owner and I have discussed doing painting parties there! I am so excited!! Its a great opportunity!
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