Soul Coaching!

Tomorrow we start Jamie's Soul Coaching. I'm excited! I think that everybody needs, at least once in a lifetime, to deeply dive into ourselves and see what lies beneath. And that's what I intend to do in November, with Jamie's precious helping hand. I'll probably start at a slow pace, because... You know why!

I created a new blog just for recording my thoughts and progress in the journey, and it is displayed on my sidebar, so if anyone wants to see how things are going and leave a comment here and there, just have to click on the image that it will immediately link you to the page.

We meet tomorrow, you friends who'll journey with me!

Samhain for you, Beltane for me

I wish my friends a beautiful Halloween/Samhain night, with peace and sweet memories from the loved ones who are already gone.

... While here in the Southern side of the world, we'll celebrate Beltane (have I told you that my little witch was conceived during a Beltane? That's right, a special sabbath for us...)

Blessed be everyone!

Spotted little witch

I know you guys must be tired of my "only-subject-to-talk-about" these days! Bear with me, though, I'm so used to have my boy healthy and running up and down, that anything out of this ruins my days...

So last night I was taking some photos of a couple of new finished stuff for Carioca Witch, when Lucas allowed me to record this moment for future teasing (obviously I'll show this to his girlfriends... LOL):

He looks like a little strawberry, still cute, even with this funny face -he started loving making these faces when he sees a camera, as you can see above and below, with his sweet cousin Tatá).

Lucas is dealing bravely with all this, only, obviously, really upset with the itching and for not being allowed to run, jump, chase the cat (actually Baruck is finding strange not being annoyed by him!), but most of time he's ok. I am the one who gets all anxious and nervous (has anyone noticed it?? hehehe).

Today is Beltane here and I really don't know if I'll do anything. Maybe we'll pass him over a little candle to ask for protection and fast recovery. We'll see!

Updating and another giveaway at home

Good morning, friends. Things here are going just as expected with Lucas. New spots popping up everyday, the mild fever, and the itching getting more and more intense. I tried the oatmeal compresses Maebius and Kris suggested, but somehow it didn't make any difference, unfortunately. We keep bathing him with potassium permanganate on a big basin and putting on an ointment over the spots to help drying them, besides the antiallergic syrup. There's nothing else to do, I guess. I'm just exhausted of being awaken during the nights to watch him in his sleep - that's when he tries most to scratch himself without noticing. But everything is part of life with a little child, and I know in due time this stupid thing will be over, and he'll be the electric pinguim again, chasing Baruck and making us laugh with his fun remarks.

On a brighter note, yesterday arrived the gorgeous ceramic pot with lavender candle from Mad Hatter's Pottery I got at Mrs. B.'s Halloween giveaway (don't forget tomorrow it's the last day of the fun! If you didn't win anyhting yet, don't miss this last chance!!). The photo can't show how gorgeous this piece is. I'm very honoured to have won it, and already displayed it on my altar - I'll will lit it tomorrow at my Beltane ritual (a simple one due to you-know-what). It'll be enjoyed in good health and wisdom, as Candice, its creatix, well said.

Hope you all have a great day! Thank you so much for the sweet words of good wishes for Lucas, they're precious.

ABC Wednesday - O

While I do have to stay here at work until lunchtime when I'll take my little witch to the doctor - his red spots are getting uncountable and too itchy!! - I need to keep my sanity at a normal level, and thanks to the blogland this is possible! ;o)
This week we reached letter O at Denise's fun weekly meme.

I love owls, and I love our Old Owl wall keyholder, hand-painted by Lucas years ago.

You can find more posts at ABC's Mr. Linky, and at the no-comment page.

Tagged again!

The sweet and cool Boho Mom just tagged me for the six random things about myself!

I loved the be allowed to talk (more???) about myself again. Since I'm hre at work with zero to do and dying to go home to see my sick little witch, here I go!

Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.

5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

What else can I say about myself that you don't know already? LOL

1. My right minimum finger has four falanges - believe me or not, go figure it, and so on...

2. I'm chocolate addicted. I should and I must and I eventually will get over it, but by now, I just can't live without at least a weekly huge bar of sweet chocolate with crispies.

3. When I was 14 I was absolutely in love with Michael Jackson, knew all his songs and choreographies - thanks MTV - but never had any of his albums. Believe me or not, go figure it, and so on...

4. When I love a new song, I listen to it over and over again. It's insane, but it's soooo good! I can't help it. Lucas goes like, "but again, mom?" LOL

5. I love horror movies (except "The Exorcist" - too much for me), but if I watch them, I can't go to sleep alone, I annoy Rodrigo until he comes to bed too, even if he wants to watch something else, like sometimes it happens (I fall asleep faster than him, he's got a mild case of insomnia). How pathetic isit? Sad but true. And I call myself a witch. This one my son doesn't know about.

6. Since an early age, gods know why, since I have never got stuck anywhere, when I go to a new indoor place, I imediately learn where the emergency exit is, and also check any other possible escape route. Everything at a quicly look around. One never knows... Now how weird a person's mind can be?!

Now the fun and hard part, tagging 6 other of my bloggy friends. Just one thing: if you don't like to be tagged, please let me know, or from time to time I'll torture you!!! :o)

1. My sweet friend whom I call Miss Dragon, from Dragon Days.

2. Another sweet soul that I love talking to, Lilith, from Crunchy Loving Mom.

3. Patty, aka Autumn, from the coolest A Haunting We Will Go, the best blog to learn about haunted places, it's a must!

4. Janet, one of my artist friends, from her beautiful Artopia.

5. Delena, the raving, inspiring mind behind iGoddess page.

6. Michele, my sweet (and strong!) friend, from The Rocky Mountain Retreat.

Hope you all have fun with this!

Monochrome Monday

My belated contribution to my friend Aileni's great weekly meme: our lazy cat Baruck stretching himself under the sun, last Saturday morning - just before the Pox fell over our house.

For more - and cooler - posts, visit the Monochrome Maniacs!

Chicken pox boy

So now it's official, Lucas got chicken pox. Poor little boy! He started presenting on Sunday those little red spots on his neck and backs, and yesterday it was spreading to other parts of his little body. This morning his face, forehead, and arms are also full of them. He wants to scratch himself but cannot... I'm bathing him with potassium permanganate to releave his itch and to help healing later scars, and as it is in the first stage, things are quite fine. The problem will start when the itching worsens, he'll start taking an antiallergic so the symtoms are not to hard to feel.

Another thing is that I haven't got this when I was a kid! So maybe I'll get it from him. People say it's worse when you get it after growing up, guess I'll have to wait and see. I have to work, so my super-Rodrigo is taking care of him while I'm here at the office, can't wait for lunch time to be with my baby!!

Wish my little witch good luck during this! : (

Blargh weekend

UPDATE: Thanks everybody for the get-well-soon wishes, you're all the sweetest! I'm feeling ok already - I never get that bad - and Lucas is on his ups and downs - he feels better for some time, then gets all feverish again, but nothing too high. I took him to his doctor and she confirmed the sore throat. He's sleeping right now (5: 30pm), a little feverish again. My only concern are the little red spot he's got on his torso and neck (maybe mosquito's bites), as we recently had chicken pox cases in the city, I'll keep one eye on those, if they multiply.

Lucas got a cold this Saturday and spent the whole weekend feeling bad, the poor little thing. His old tonsilitis crisis. Thankfully, he's getting stronger as he grows up, and we didn't need to give him any antibiotics, like in the past. He started his day today vomiting three time (is there a better way to start the day?!), with a mild fever, but along the day we managed to make him hydrate himself well and in the late morning he was feeling much better, even playing with us the Halloween board game I printed on Friday (so cool, Lucas loved it!!I'll post photos asap). We believe that by tomorrow he'll be practically 100% recovered.

!

Now whose turn is it to get a cold? That's right, mine! Arght! Although it never lasts more than two days at the most, it sucks to have a sore throat and the feverish body. Guess I got this from you, Mrs. B.! LOL

I do holpe to be ok by tomorrow (thank gods, another day off, Civil Servant's Day).

Hope you guys had a better weekend! Kisses!

Tagged!

I got tagged by Turtle on Six Random Things Meme about myself.

Rules:

1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.

5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

So, let's see...

1. I'm mom's sixth child, born on the sixth day of the sixth month of the year, in 1969, on a Friday (called sexta-feira for us Brazilians, or sixth day of the week ) at 9am (inverted 6). Now imagine how my siblings adore to tease me about it till nowadays... Numerologists would love making my chart, I guess.

2. I simply can't drive (Mrs. B. reminded me of this when talking about the subject at her own list). Tried to learn once, never again. Total lack of direction, lack of space, road-scared, you name it. No surprise we don't have a car - Rodrigo suffers from the same malade! Thankfully everything is easily accessible here in Rio.

3. I worked as a drawNer for three years with my middle sister Claudia, at her husband's little company, back in the late 1980s. I used to create the final art for T-shirts' silk-screens, it was fun!

4. When I was 8 years old, I bit a neighbour's dog to release my leg from his own bite. My scar is gone, but I bet his is still there (that is, if he didn't die from my bite!LOL). By the way, dog's fur tastes awfully.

5. I looooooooooooove pasta, it's my favourite food. When I was at college it was my dinner every single night for the first six months, with all possible combinations. A beautiful gastritis showed up out of my stupidity.

6. The only sports medal I ever got back in high-school was for "best basketball player"! LOL I'm short, 1.60cm (5,2 feet, right?), and I was even shorter then, but I was really good at dribbling and good at free throws on the three-point line. Go figure it.

This time I tag:

Tori, from Tori's Path.

Spiderlady, from Pagan Homemaking.

Marcia, from Learning Mama.

Bret, from This Guy's Journey (when his moving is over!)

Angela, from Inner Musings from An Ecletic Pagan

Livia, from NeoPagan Ink (amazing tattoo pagan art displayed, btw!)

The Pay it Forward Plan

UPDATE: As I just joined the super-sweet Spiderlady's Pay It Forward too (go check her cool blog, tons of good pagan info!), there'll be three more entries available. Let's spread the kindness fun!

My friend Miss Dragon posted this today:

"The delightful Damama is participating in a pay it forward plan. I signed up and now I am paying it forward. Let the fun begin!

Here are the rules: The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay iy forward in their own way. This is how it works... I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry (please leave your email address if I don't all ready have it.).

In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. There are no cost restraints, but don't go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique fom where you live? And remember that kindness don't have to involve money; there are untold ways to hel others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around."

I couldn't resist joining this fun! Wouldn't it be great to send a little surprise to someone who has no clue what's inside the package and bring to this person a ray of light on, maybe, a dark day? If you want to join, be one of the three first bloggers to comment here, I'll love to send you something special. Let's pay it forward!

"The Annual Black Cat Panic"

Patti Wigington angrily posted about this unfortunate - to say the least - remark by the Humane Society of West Texas, Adoption Coordinator, Linda Cox, on this adoption of black cats article: "I believe, from the way I understand it, every city of any size is getting more and more witchcraft type people, you know that live in the cities, and these are people that we are concerned about adopting to."

Patti sent sent a concerned email to the West Texas Humane Society, and copied it to the news channel.

A few days after she received the following from Mary Hatfield, President of the West Texas Humane Society, in response to her email:

"As president of the Humane Society of West Texas, I most humbly apologize for the remark that a Humane Society volunteer made associating Wiccan beliefs with animal sacrifice and torture. It is certainly not the official position of the Humane Society nor any other animal rescue organization that Wiccans or members of any other neo-pagan religion are cruel or inhumane. The remark was motivated more by nervousness on the part of the volunteer than any opinion or idea about Wiccans (and let's also not say that such cruelty is the work of mischievous kids. Behavior like that goes far beyond mischief into misdeameanor and felony.).Along with others in my organization, I have a great appreciation for earth-centered and life-centered beliefs and practices and feel Wicca has made valuable contributions to our culture and to our discourse about how we should live on this planet. I feel our organizations are natural allies.I so profoundly and deeply apologize for the remark."

I only hope that this apology was made public on the same paper, not simply sent as a private email to Patti. Arght, we still have to face this kind of misinformation... Pagans are still related as animal sacrifice lovers! I understand that at this time of the year pet adoption's centers do have to be more careful because some people, who have nothing to do with the Old Path, do take these poor little creatures to be tortured - gods know how cruel and twisted some minds can be - specially on Halloween night. But Hello??! Let's read more, please. Most of us (let's not talk about those above-mentioned cruel&twisted minds) loves and respects all kinds of animals, and would never harm a pet, it goes against everything we believe!

*sigh*

ABC Wednesday - N

Today the letter is N in the ABC fun hosted by our friend Denise. And N goes for Neptune, god of the sea, aka Poseidon. He was the sixth child of Saturn with Rhea, and his kingdom was filled with creatures he designed himself. He's often related to horses, since, according to the Roman mythology, he was the one who created them.

I found the amazing poster above  at Shapers. So powerful!

The beautiful sculpture above is a bronze replica of Neptune Calming the Waves, by Lambert-Sigisbert Adam, whose original is in the Louvre Museum. In this work he is seen calming the sea to ensure the safe passage for Aeneas, as an effort to annoy Juno who has intruded into his domain. At his feet Triton, Neptune's son,gives a signal with his shell-horn.

For more ABC posts, visit its Mr. Linky page, and also its no-comment page.

I got Fun soaps!

Last afternoon, when I was going to take Lucas to school, our building keeper gave us s box with the Dugshop's (they have tons of other cool stuff!) skull & brain soaps I got from Mrs. B'.s Halloween giveaway. It's the first out of three that I got so far (first time I' so lucky at a contest, usually I win zero)! We got ten minutes late for school, but it was worthy! He absolutely loved both! The Yorick skull soap is huge, I was expecting something smaller, and there was that big white head, so cool! Its scent is terrific, like raw fruit, and the skin keeps it for a long time - we had to use it right away for Lucas 'demand! LOL. After school my little witch hanged it on the shower:

The brain soap was so fun, with a bubble gum scent that Lucas loved. It's the perfect size for a small hand like his. It wasn't used yet though, too cute to be wasted! - first he wants to take it to shcool today to surprise his little friends...

Mrs. B's Halloween fun is in its last days, don't miss the chance of winning something, there are so many amazing crafts being given away everyday, give it a try!

Monochrome Monday on a Tuesday

I'm a bit late for this great meme hostd by Aileni, where "original prints, but converted digital images, sepia and images that comprise black and one other colour only are allowed". We spent the weekend at my mother's house,  and yesterday was a lazy day back home - it was a holiday, Shop's day and everything was closed, including the office where I work, oh joy! :O)

While at mom's, Lucas took some weird photos as he loves doing. One of them was this, the old water consumption's meter that is outside the house. Gods know why he took this photo, but I think it looks nice in black&white.

You'll find more Mono Maniacs in the meme's Mr. Linky feature.

Weekend with the family

 We just arrived and Lucas is sound asleep after the bus trip. My middle brother Delcio (in the red shirt, with my other brothers Arnaldo and Evaldo, above) turned 50 last Saturday, so I went to Petropolis to mom's with Lucas while Rodrigo is in Minas for his monthly course. It was so good to be home with my family! It's always fun being there, all messy and noisy like an Italian clan.

Of course, mom was happy with all of her kids around her, this is clear in the photo above! Since I told her about Lucas' dream with Dedê, she got more resigned with her loss and allows herself to laugh out loud again. I was missing this! :o)

The highest point to me was to see my six-months-old little niece Beatriz, Delcio's daughter, so gorgeous and cute after her problem at birth, she's perfectly healthy!

It was a wonderful weekend, despite of the rainy, cold weather.  Hope you all had a great time as well!

Arthur

This is Lucas with his King Arthur. In my Etsy frenzy & migraines I simply didn't post about our Children's day! The high point was obviously the presents, specially Arthur, Lucas was longing for him for such a long time! Since he opened the envelope where it came in, they both became inseparable. I already thanked Kelli for making my little witch so happy first thing in the morning!

Arthur went with us to Ipanema park, where there would supposedly be the mini-circus event - that never happened, seems like the newspaper made a mistake on the place. I fumed... It was frustrating for Lucas, who wanted so much to see the clowns and magicians. He refused to play for some time in protest to what he thought wasn't fair, but we managed to distract him in other activities on the other side of the park.

We had our special lunch back home, and in the afternoon, with the weather already cloudy and on the verge of raining, he drew animals on his new book and - again - watching Peter Pan DVD. Then he chased Baruck with the mecanic arm - of course!!! The poor kitty was terrified with that weird stuff he has never sen in his life. My legs were also his contant aims.

At bedtime, Lucas took the King in his arms in a hug, and out it to sleep by his bed on the hanging jeans, afraid of smashing him.

It was a good day, but next time I read on the city's main paper about any event, I'll double-check it before going...

A couple of Carioca Witch stuff

So this week I've been busy choosing things to start my first batch of items for Etsy. But due to this stupid migraine crisis I couldn't go too far as I wished, only getting material ready, cutting image for decoupage, etc. But at least three things are ready.

I hand-painted this green tarot cards holder box with Earth element in mind and added craquelet varnish - it gives this cracking/old look in the painting - don't know if it's visible in the photo. I almost always use it because I really like the effect. I think of making one for each element.

Also, this one made by Rodrigo using a Rolling Stone controvertial (I love its irreverence, which doesn't mean I agree with it! LOL) poster, again with craquelet varnish. I think I want to keep this for me...

Remember that I have a magnetic Wheel of the Year at home? I wanted to make another version, and gathered some images on a wheel. But I want to try other possibilities, using natural materials. The little butterfly magnet marks the passing sacred dates:

I want to hand-paint again a version of the Night Wish box below, that I made for a giveaway carnival last April:

Well, so far so good, that's what I have. I need to hurry up (anxious, me? Naah...), make prim cats - thanks to Skullblossom! - with different embroideries and other cositas...

ABC Wednesday & Favourite Things Thursday Mix

With this Etsy thing, lately I have eyes to getting cool ideas for the crafts, and my time shrinked, so this time I'll have to make two memes at the same time, since my belated ABC Wednesday and my Favourite Thing would be the same subject. I do hope it's ok for Denise and Blue, friends creators of both memes!

I do read my friends' posts but with few comments, I'm sorry if sounds like I don't care, but this is not the truth, I'm only in a craft frenzy, plus dealing with my notorious migraine monthly phase... But of course, I couldn't help stopping by Mrs. B's great Halloween giveaways, last night I won a gorgeous pottery jar with a lavender candle, I went to bed all happy like a little girl at Christmas night!

So at the ABC fun, the letter is M and this stands for the Moon. and this is also My Favourite Thing today.

This Earth's natural satellite is very dear to me, and obviously to most pagans, but not only - so many people love taking a look at the sky at night just to have a glimpse of this beauty when it raises above the horizon, so many songs and poems were created in her honor. There's some mystique about it that can't be denied.

Since I was a child I feel a sense of safety when looking at the full moon. I remember my mom taking me on her lap so I could stare at it by our living room window while holding her neck on a tight hug. Maybe that's why its connection with the Mother aspect is so strong in me. It1s like being embraced by her gentle warm arms.

Someone needs a kidney donor

Mrs. B. posted about this blogger friend, Lisa Carroccio, who urgently needs a kidney donor for her 15-year-old daughter Marielle. If you can donate or know someone who can, please get in touch with her via her linked blog. I wish I could, but I was born with only one kidney. She gives directions in the post about the Hospital where her daughter is.

In order to be a donor, one must be in good health. And to be a donor to Marielle who is A positive, the donor must be either an A or O blood type (positive or negative).

One never knows where the help may come from. Let's spread the word!

A beautiful award

Angela, from Inner Musings from an Ecletic Pagan, honoured me with this sweet award. I want to pass this on Michele, we're all so happy that she's back!!! Everybody I know deserve this, of course, but I was so worried about her! So, Michele, may the Goddess bless your page, your life, your heart, always! :o)

News on the way...

Tcharaaaam...! Above, in first hand, is the banner for my Etsy shop - that it is still under construction (my first banner made by myself with the help of Banner Sketch page, it isn't that bad, uh?). I just wanted to share it with you guys, I'm so excited, my first Etsy! I'm very busy these days preparing the first batch of handcrafts to be displayed, mostly hand-painted wooden boxes and primitive felt animals. Let's see what happens... Cross your fingers for me! :o)

PS: Just a bit of explanation: Carioca is every person born in Rio de Janeiro city.

Monochrome Monday

Today is Mono Maniacs' Day! Aileni, my dear friend from Loose Ends, created this cool meme where the rules are: "original prints, but converted digital images, sepia and images that comprise black and one other colour only".

I took this photo about ten years ago, close to my husband's father's rural property. It shows an old deactivated railway and an empty old house - by the way, some say it is haunted. I never noticed anything weir when passing by it, but one never knows...

You'll find more Mono Maniacs in its own Mr. Linky feature.

October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Turtle also posted something very important here. I can't write anything better than this about it.

About Children's Day

Turtle asked about the origins of this day here in Brazil. I had to make some research, because this is one of those things you don't think about, it's like it has always been here!

In 1920, a deputy named Galdino do Valle Filho had the idea of creating a day specially to the children. The other congressmen aproved the idea, and October 12th became officially Children's Day by the then President Arthur Bernardes, in 1924.

But only in 1960, when the Brazilian toys' factory "Sol" decided promoting along with Johnson & Johnson the Robust Baby Week in October, to increase their sales, the date was taken from the bottom of the forgotten trunk and really started being celebrated, until nowadays. It became a very important day for all the toys' and other children articles' companies, for obvious reasons!

Unfortunately this marketing side is very strong and we are crushed under tons of TV ads demanding parents to buy the fanciest, most expensive toys you can imagine. At home, we are very careful on this subject. Lucas knows we cannot buy him everything that is announced, and thanks gods, he's not a spoiled boy (believe me or not! LOL) and we focus in other aspects to make it a fun, memorable day. We're lucky that there are, as I said, many events going on, so we can choose something to entertain him, outdoors and indoors! We decided taking him to our second favourite park, in Ipanema, where there will be a mini Circus (with no animals), with clowns, jugglers, magicians, face paintings... Hope the weather truly helps!

This week the manager of the building where we live was gathering donations in the form of old toys, for an orphanage in another neighbourhood, and last Tuesday Lucas chose many of his toys to give too. He was all proud when realized that two bags were full of toys, and that other children would be able to own and play with. He really wanted to personally give them to the guy in charge, slowly walking along the corridor with the heavy bags. That was cute.

But I learned through Wikipedia that "in 1954 the United Nations General Assembly suggested that all nations should observe a Universal Children's Day in 20 November as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children.
The date of 20 November marks the day in 1959 when the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, and is often the day chosen by countries as their own designated day to observe Universal Children's Day."

If I were you guys out there, I'd start celebrating this special day in November!

Children's Day

Lucas is waking up every morning asking if it is already Sunday. It'll be Children's Day here in Brazil and he knows there are some goddies for him hidden somewhere in da house.

Some weeks ago I ordered for him this little King Arthur from Dancing Goddess Dolls (his clothes are light brown), and it arrived on Wednesday, it's the cutest thing in the world! Lucas was asking me this for months since he saw it on Kelli's page, so it's great it arrived just in time!

He will also get one of those mechanic arms that grabs everything, you know what I mean? There's a certain cat that will spend long periods of time running away from him for his tail's sake! LOL

And to finish, a little book that teaches how to draw animals with a special pen that can be erased as any times s you want to, perfect for my little artist.

The funniest is that he asked me to prepare a special lunch for his day: integral rice & brown beans (as usual), crispy chicken, McCain Smiles on the oven and spinash. For dessert, yogurt with cereal (I never give him anything milk-based right after meals because it makes iron absortion hard, but only once is ok). The simplest meal ever, and his favourite for any occasion.

There will be a lot of events in the city with activities for children, so it will be a busy/fun day. I only hope that this crazy weather is sunny or at least it doesn't rain!

Another cool giveaway!

Lilith, from Crunchy Green Lovin' Mom, is giving away a Cd plus a beautiful tote bag from the great new band Melee. Don't you know this band yet? Go and check them out, they literally rock! Then take note of the names of the four band member and post them on a comment at Lilith's page to get a chance to win. Entries until October 15th. Do I need to say that I already posted mine? :o)

Favourite Things Thursday - Rita Lee!

Hello everybody! Thursday is around again with Favourite Things Thursday hosted by our friend Blue  whose Favourite today, by the way, it's a PERFECT CHOICE! Go and see what I mean...

I was thinking about something favourite to post today when the radio started playing one of them! The amazing artist Rita Lee.

I can't tell you how much I love her voice & talent. Since my childhood she's a constant on my radio and Lp player. She's an amazing artist, singer, composer, guitar, flute and percussion player, child's books writer.

Born in São Paulo in 1947, her father an american imigrant and her mother Italian, she kind of always knew her place was on stage. In '66 she joined the band Mutantes, pioneers in mixing rock with Brazilian thematic, leaving in '72 for her successful solo career. Her clear voice singing songs with smart, fun and romantic lyrics never stopped being a hit in this country up to now.  She's a camaleon, avid for new rhythms and super-active.

My childhood favourites, when I would go dancing like crazy for hours on our living room, were Lança-Perfume, with fun, sweet lyrics about love, and also Baila Comigo, where she describes what she would like to be, a bird, a lazy indian, a flower, just to dance. And for the Halloween atmosphere, there's her Doce Vampiro. For a goofy child like I was, it used to be great listening to her high-spirited songs, and to watch her fun performances on TV. She's got a special place i my heart. And up to nowadays, she's a successful musician with a new phase, bringing Bossa Nova back to Rio.

For more cool Favourite Things, go running to Blue's page!

Val's Challenge

I've been following up Val, the impressive illustrator from The Illustrated Garden, on the crazy but great challenge she got into: an entire month pledged to consuming only foods grown and produced within 200 miles of her front door!

At first sight, it seems very easy, after all, 200 miles are a large ratio. But and when you find out that not all the farmers and groceries around you don't choose growing/buying locally at a large range of products as well? I've been following it up like a soap opera, waiting for the next chapter, because I put myself in her place, and boy, I really don't know how much I would be able to do to "survive" at this strict diet. I had to laugh at her post two days ago on her raving over a simple tasty apple that she will have to wait some 25 days to eat again. While it's hard, I believe this is a truly valid challenge. It's an opportunity to the local producers to re-evaluate their concepts, and to grow a larger variety of edibles, bringing the benefits of fresher products and decreasing the product's traveling's oil waste.

So think about it. In the event of joining this challenge, what would you be allowed to eat? What would you do to keep it up the whole month?

ABC Wednesday - L

We're back to the ABC fun hosted by our friend Denise. Today is letter L. And L stand for... NO, it's not Lucas, aha, gotcha! LOL It would be tempting, but not this time... Today I go for another handsome, smart and talented guy, just like my son... :o): Laurence Olivier *long sigh*

The first time I watched Laurence Olivier performing was in Hamlet, when I was 12! I have always loved Shakespeare and it was a shock to notice that most of is text was cut from the original (I read that the movie had a reduced lenght of time - go figure it...)! But even though, I loved his performance forever.

Then I watced Henry V (perfection), Othelo and Richard III, and he was even greater. I wish I could have watched his Shakespeare plays - some say that in stage he was like a god!

But my favorite role is George Hurstwood, in Carrie. What a masterful performance, so doomed!! I suffered with him!

His last performance was in War Requiem, in 1988. For me he was a genius.

You can see more cool ABC posts here and here.