I used my youngest daughter as the model for this little fairy. I was going to put her with a toad, but she wanted a kitty. This particular kitty, she named “Clever” after looking at the painting.  This is one of the pieces I’m working on for the Orange Moon Tea Society. They would like paintings of the various fairies now living in Mab’s greenhouse while they are rehabilitating and waiting to be returned to nature. Mab is one of the members of the Urban Fairy Rescue League. (URFL) they do amazing work with these magical beings. I’ll be documenting more soon. To learn more about Orange Moon Downs and the Tea Society, please stop by www.orangemoonteas.com

For the bat, this time of night is the beginning of their day. They view the world upside down and they fly skillfully  through the darkness. They can represent a rebirth and new beginnings. Bat can teach us how to change our perspective and look at our old world with new eyes. They teach us not to be afraid of the dark.

I find it interesting that the Bat is the symbol used to help get our new business of the ground. They inspired the amazing Lenormand Cards that Bethalynne has designed, the posters promoting the Orange Moon Tea Society. The bats reign!

Over the years I have tried many things. Bits and pieces of endeavors that for one reason or another didn’t go beyond the trial but did get me to the next adventure. Looking back, I can see that these ideas were not bad, not wrong but for the timing and the tweaking.

Now I am revisiting the old world with new eyes. Like the bat, I am learning to change my perspective, learning to see in the dark. And all those old ideas are being revisited and re-birthed in a new and unexpected way. It has taken time and experience to begin to see how the pieces can fit, to see that there is a place for them.

My life has been filled with a lot of hard work for a very long time. It is amazing to do something that is fun. Just for me. Just because. And to have it develop into something that can be sustainable, well…that would be the best.

The bat symbolizes triumph even in darkness. They are survivors and let’s face it, they’re adorable (especially in top hats). I’m thrilled to go along for this ride.

The Kitchen Witch in me is thrilled to be creating my teas again. Creating a tea to match the personality of a fictitious character is even more fun! The teas above do just that. They are created to represent the characters in the Snapdragon stories. These stories are about a town called Orange Moon Downs. And there, the most wonderful and mysterious things happen to strange and wonderful characters.

So in and among my more traditional art and mural painting, I get to create art for the palate. I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. To be able to partner in this endeavor with a dear friend whose inner machinations of the mind are as twisted and creative as mine, is wonderful. Who knows where this may lead?  But we’ve no doubt that we are going to have a blast along the way.

Please stop by our website: http://www.orangemoonteas.com/   There you will be able to read snippets of stories to introduce you to the world of Orange Moon Downs, see our teas, view the artifacts of this mysterious city and learn more about this new adventure.

It’s been awhile since I’ve pulled a card. Tonight in particular I was called to pick up the deck. The Three of Cups jumped out as I shuffled. Since that was the one that seemed to want to talk, I decided to listen.

I think it’s been talking to me all day. I’ve been mulling over in my brain the idea of play.  I mentioned something about that in my reading for the year that I did in January. Now a couple of months later I am beginning to see how that might work in my life. Play, as a sustainable way of living. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

The Three of Cups traditionally represents friendship and celebration, creativity and community.  As a culture, we tend to work an awful lot.  We work through our lunch breaks, we work on the weekends, we work through the night. For most of us, we don’t see much return for all that work we put in. So why not play once in awhile? What have we got to lose?

There is something to be said for doing that thing that brings you joy, makes you laugh, connects you with others. When you celebrate life, celebrate living, your energy changes and you begin to bring to you all those juicy things life has to offer. Who wants to hang out with someone who only works, is stressed, doesn’t take time for love, beauty and joy?

This card will pop up in your life when it’s time to celebrate. It’s YOUR time now.  Maybe you don’t think you have anything to celebrate, but you do. If you’re reading this, you’re alive. Celebrate that. You will begin to see more and more things in your life that are good. You will shift away from anxious feelings. And more and more good things will come to you.

Play with your work, make it a game. Play with your money, make it a game. You know it really is. Most of us take it so seriously. We get caught up in a mentality that keeps us forever stuck in a certain kind of relationship, a certain socio-economic status, certain jobs. We buy into the idea that we must work, work, work, work to be of any value. But what of the value of play?

Play brings laughter. Play brings joy. Play brings a creative mindset that allows us to see solutions to our problems. Play brings people together so that we can support each other and help each other. Play allows friendships to grow and relationships to flourish. There is great value in that.

Take the time. Make the time. You hereby have my permission. Go have some fun. You’re worth it.