We are in a waxing moon, friends. In fact, here in this little corner of paradise, we enjoyed a true New Moon on the first day of the New Year, and in my book that is pretty special. Magical, even. A waxing moon implies a swell of energy, a deep inclination toward fertility and life, freshness at every turn. Construction. Reaching up and out. Germination. Adding to Life. How perfect, as we embark on this crisp white 2014 calendar with new visions and goals, to enjoy a natural bend of energy like this. I love it.

As the year progresses and the seasons warm, the waxing moon phases will offer more obvious opportunities, especially in the garden. Any quick scan of the nearest almanac will give you list after list of ideal tasks you can perform at certain times of the month. I am all over that. But how about right now? And how about in  other areas of life, besides the garden? (Never mind. LOL The garden is all I care about. *wink*)

I have been paying attention to my personal energy levels for almost a year, taking good notes from month to month of when my creativity ebbs and flows, when I feel more contemplative and withdrawn, or when I am boiling over with grand ideas and motivation to get out of the house and do big things. No surprise, for me at least, that all of this coincides neatly with the moon. Almost perfectly, my natural access to fertile energy (building, giving, creating) happens during the two weeks that the moon is waxing full. Then, again almost perfectly, my systems slow down. I crave more reading than writing. I have the urge to work on closets rather than hang new artwork. I am more emotional and need to be alone more than socialize. You get the idea.

Wait, do you get the idea? Or do you think I’m wacky?

Have you ever noticed this yourself?

So this week and next, while the moon is growing from new (blank) to full (solid silver), I will be capitalizing in her shared energy. I have plans, and I will delay some of the other inner work for when the moon is exhaling again.

Yesterday our Christmas decorations came down, and there is still some spit-shining to do, which are somewhat deconstructive tasks; but now I am mostly in a state of build and imagine. Dream and create.  I have planned…

• Art projects.
• Weight lifting.
• Painting walls new colors.
• Sewing a few aprons.
• Starting early seeds and forcing spring bulbs.
• Maybe even writing a few chapters of this book I have in my head.
• Socializing with friends we miss dearly.

Above-ground type stuff, you know?

Speaking of above-ground… It’s early January, which means seed catalog season here at the Lazy W and everywhere a passionate gardener resides. This is perfect for a waxing moon! Sit with some hot tea or perfect coffee, a notebook, and some colored pens and start dreaming.

• What did well in last year’s garden? Do you want more of that?
• What new plants would you love to try this season?
• Walk around your dormant spaces (at least in your mind) and see what blank spots need filling, and with what? Remember edibles are often just as beautiful as ornamentals.
• What color combinations excite you this year?
• Are you growing flowers for your house, for cut bouquets? If so, what colors do your interiors crave? Are you trendy enough to try Pantone’s color of the year in your garden?
• If you cook a lot at home, what herbs do you find yourself wanting more of? Grow those. And if you decide to grow herbs, you might as well grow your own salad, too. Write that down.

Some people are extremely organized about this garden-planning business. Me? Less so. But I do enjoy the wild brainstorming. And this waxing moon phase is perfect for it.

What do you think of this waxing moon energy? How will you capitalize on it? And are you glued to your seed catalogs yet, like me?

Happy January to you, friends, however you spend it. And may your waxing moon weeks be inspired and productive!

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon

My soul expands in the worship of the Creator.

~Mahatma Gandhi

XOXOXOXO

or the beauty of

We woke a bit late this morning, a small miracle in itself for our eyes to not fly open before dawn… to a snow-dusted, sun-bleached farm. Much kinder than the usual thick cloak of ice, this snow was dancing and whooshing past us in great, billowy, magical plumes of white. The winds are so high and wild this week that a person might believe it to be springtime in Oklahoma, not early winter. All day, when the intense, though frigid, January sun has hit the whirling snow dervishes just right, each soft, dry flake has taken on the glittering, delicate appearance of metallic confetti.

The animals are enduring the cold just fine, for which I am so grateful. Chanta, our big orange and white paint horse, is the golden glowing boy in a pale blue and silver landscape, especially when he stands directly in the sunshine. He is so beautiful. He looks how my heart feels right now… Warm and peaceful. Safe. Fat. Ready.

Our life may be on the verge of big changes once again, and that is wonderful. God has been working both Handsome and me in so many ways, healing us from old hurts, training us toward outreach, comforting us, inspiring us, knitting us tightly together… And I know deep in my well fed bones that Love will have His way. While at first glance life’s details may seem wild and unpredictable like today’s spiralling snowflakes, just shine some light on them and suddenly they are beautiful, rare blessings.

I am now off to make pie crusts for a deep dish chicken pot pie, our chosen wintry feast. The chicken breasts and garlic aromas are mingling together already . Two fresh new books are waiting for me on the love seat near the sunniest east window. Prayers for my girls, my Aunt Marion, and so many other loved ones are constantly on my lips. Gratitude is swelling big and sweet in my belly.

I hope you all are warm and safe enough to slow way down and truly enjoy this rare day. I hope you can eat food you love and cuddle people and pets you love, too. I hope your snow is glittering and your heart is fat and ready . For anything.

So many unknowns. So much Love to answer them all.

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.

~Japanese proverb

XOXOXOXO