Saturday, 14 June 2025

Saturday Morning Comic 


email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

Friday, 13 June 2025

My Artist Voice #38 June 13, 2025

   Welcome to my 38th Letter. To receive these letters directly in your email inbox, please contact thechautauqua@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.  Please share this with friends who may also be interested.  Thank you so much for your support.

   My ornamental flowering plums bloomed this year!!!!! (photo taken May 14th).  They haven't bloomed in years!  Mom was still very much alive the last time they had more than a handful of blossoms.  Yesterday was the 6th anniversary of her passing.  Hard to believe it's been that long already.  Most of my fruit trees had blossoms too, so fingers crossed for fruit later in the season.
   This image (below) was sent to me so I have no idea where it originated, but it's certainly how I feel most days.  That is also how I literally lived for most of my 20's and 40's!

Celebrations: 

   I opened my yard/craft/gift/art sales on the Saturday and Sunday of the May long weekend.  I sold some items which made me happy, and created space for me to put more out.  I hope to have the sales open most weekends - weather and health permitting from 9 - 4 pm at 4910 47th St., Mirror.  I encourage you to please come visit.

   June 8th I attended the Bashaw School Sr. High musical - “Newsies” - as usual, an outstanding performance by all!

   I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online.  The first is a repeat from last year, and the 2nd is a new one!


Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter...

   I continued to play with the Walmart set of watercolours, and the remains of my Dollar Store set, and finished my third pad of 4x6 watercolour paper.  Near the end, I used the watercolours I won last year on one of the spreads (very vibrant colours) and my Inktense pencils (last page) - interestingly, I also discovered that the watercolours that I've been using all the time (and the Inktense), don't work as well on watercolour paper as they do on mixed media, or even regular, paper - who knew?!  You can view the flip-through here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/3917516788512401 

   I still need to set up a dedicated space for my bits and pieces so I can complete more mini collages on 4.5x6 mixed media paper.

   I completed my 37th cartoon comic booklet and you can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/9919202761473843

In Beth's Garden: 

   In my family, we never planted the garden till after the May Long weekend.  After I got sick in 2013, mom and I often didn't get the garden planted till the first week of June!  Now, it IS Alberta so it can snow/freeze till the end of May, and there were some years we couldn't plant earlier, even if we had wanted to.  In 2019, I shocked mom (by then she was in the hospital) when I told her I planted the garden on Mother's Day - I kept it simple and only planted peas, potatoes and carrots, because I was literally crawling around the garden (pre-labyrinth) to plant it as I was too weak to stand up!  Even though I planted early, it took FOREVER to come up, though it was such a bumper crop that year, I was giving boxes and bags of produce away to neighbours, friends, and Sis.
   This year, I wanted to try planting with the Moon.  Well, that's easier said than done in Alberta!  Even keeping it very basic and simple, the most optimal moon time was to be the full moon in Scorpio (a water moon) in May!  I also still had a bunch of little jars of seeds Dad saved 25 (30? 35? 40+?) years ago and I decided I would plant them all and see if anything came up - at worst, nothing would, and I end up with more dandelions and weeds in my garden, and at best, I’d have some surprises.
   May 9th I took my list and herb plant pot to leave at Tailcreek Greenhouse (Nevis) - my all-time favourite greenhouse, and had a quick look around.  Then I went to P.J's Plantation greenhouse (Tees) - my 2nd favourite greenhouse.  I saw lots of people I knew and visited with a couple.  Despite my best laid plans, I walked out of there with seed potatoes, onion sets (which I did need), and two daisies for the perennial bed.
   May 10th I made it out to the garden! I spent 1.5 hours pulling weeds on the west side of the garage - traditionally, that's been our small (extra) garden space, and I've used it as garden space since mom passed away.  Now that I have a better idea of what I want to plant in my garden each year, how compactly I can plant in the labyrinth spaces (with companion planting), and as it's only me eating the majority of what I harvest, I don't need that extra space so want to turn it back to lawn for now.  Maybe in the future, I'll plant fruiting shrubs back there, but that's just a dream at this point.
   I also put in 15 mins pulling the quack grass from around my 2 grape vines.  Then I spent 1 hr 25 mins pulling weeds from the tulip/perennial bed.  Only half of my tulips came up this year, and those that did, didn't bloom at all!
   Later in the afternoon, I spent 20 mins raking the west side of the garage before I tossed clover seed down.  I planted hollyhocks (from Dad's collection of seeds) and the two new daisies in the perennial bed.  I planted garlic chives on the west side of the grape vines - there are currently some on the east side of the vines.
   May 11th I managed to get out of bed (it WAS questionable!) and outside at 5:55 AM.  I spent 3.5 hours pulling HUGE dandelions, and planted potatoes, onions, half of the carrots, beets, and peas.  The whole process would have gone much faster if I didn't have to pull those darn dandelions first.  Half of the garden was done, and that was all I could handle for the day - I hoped because the full moon energy is around the day before and the day after the actual full moon, that it would still count as planting on the full moon.  Also, it was to rain the next day, and I wanted the seeds in the ground first.  I also planted pumpkin and sunflowers (from Dad's collection) in the perennial bed where the tulips didn't come up.  May my garden produce abundantly this season!
   May 12th we received an inch of rain - no puddles in the garden so it was really needed!  May 16th I woke up to frost!  I crossed my fingers, yet was sure the garden was fine as I'd planted root veggies and nothing too fragile yet.  More rain (1.5 inches) May 20 and 21st.
   I put in an hour the afternoon of May 22nd and pulled more HUGE dandelions.  The mosquitoes sure love me - no matter what I put on to repel them, it just seems to attract them even more!  Unfortunately, mosquito bites on me swell up to the size of toonies (without any scratching) and I end up sick if I get more than a handful of bites.  When there are too many bites to count, I’m in REAL trouble.  That makes it very challenging to do anything outside, unless I go out before the sunrise when it's too cold for them to be active yet - and you can't do everything at that time.
   May 25th, I headed out at 5:05 AM and finished planting the carrots, and a handful of potatoes left from last year - still in the Waning Moon phase, and an earth moon, so it counted.  Then I spent an hour weeding the garden.
   May 27th, I bought more bean seeds (think I got the wrong variety, but decided to plant and see what happened - I'm only a fan of beans if they are yellow, and I'm eating them fresh as I walk through the garden).  I went to PJ's greenhouse and bought 2 honeydew melon plants (plus a watermelon plant and strawberry plant!).  I also went to Tailcreek Greenhouse and picked up my plant order - half what I purchased last year so I hoped I could make everything work out as planned.  By the time I returned home, I was too tired to do anything more then put the pots by the house.
   May 28th we were under a heat warning, so it was a good thing I was outside at 5 AM when it was still cool!  I spent an hour and 15 mins pulling HUGE dandelions from the garden and the two beds along the house - everywhere that I needed to plant had been weeded!  
   May 29th I was outside at 4:30 AM.  It was "just" light enough to see what I was doing, plus we were still under the heat warning, and I was surprised how warm/humid it was at that time!  I spent an hour planting peas, beans, cucumbers (seedlings), pattypan squash, cantaloupe/honeydew/watermelon (seedlings), some petunias (seedlings), pumpkins, sunflowers, and LOTS of mystery seeds from Dad's collection. That just left the flowers still to plant.  As everything I planted (not sure about the mystery seeds) were plants that produce above ground, it worked that I planted on a Waxing water (Cancer) moon.
   I didn't get back outside till June 1st - put in an hour and 40 mins weeding behind the garage and around all my strawberries.  I was quite surprised that the asparagus I planted last year hasn't come up yet!
   I headed out June 3rd, from 5:30-5:50 AM, and planted flowers in only 3 flowerpots - much less than I had planned, but I didn’t feel physically able to do more, and I had to get the seedlings in dirt before they died.  After that, I called the garden planting completed!  
   A neighbour very generously mowed my lawn June 2 & 3rd and it looks SO MUCH better without the foot tall dandelions!

In Beth's Kitchen:

  On May 13th, I made up another quart of chia juice.  I also mixed up a pint of overnight oats (milk, oats, chia seeds - in fridge overnight) as that's something I've wanted to try for over 15 years and for some reason have never managed to experiment.  Turned out okay, and is something I'll do again, but not something I'd worry about making on a regular basis.
   May 23rd, I made up a batch of cinnamon buns.  I really love how quick and easy these are to make - though it didn't feel very quick and easy that day!  I also made another quart of chia juice.
   On May 24th, I wanted to make some rhubarb scones (recipe shared by Deanne Fitzpatrick of hookingrugs.com) but didn't have any buttermilk.  I decided to use a can of coconut milk instead (I find it easier to keep cans on hand for baking, than to make sure I have 2% milk, and so far it's worked in my recipes).  I made a half batch and made the scones smaller - froze half of them.  They were even better than Mom’s!  This recipe is definitely a keeper!
   May 28th, I picked some lilacs and prepped the blossoms for lilac juice and steeped them.  I dragged myself out of bed on May 30th (body felt VERY stressed!) and finished making the lilac juice - ended up with 17 cups.  I also quickly mixed up a 1/2 batch of rhubarb scones - tweaked the recipe a bit by also adding crushed dried orange + dried diced banana with the rhubarb (also cut the rhubarb smaller), and I used a can of coconut milk again.  I froze half of them.
   May 31st, I made more chia juice - it's been working out very well.
   June 7th I picked the rhubarb - I was surprised that there wasn't as much as I thought - HUGE leaves on really skinny stalks!  I prepped 1.5 cups for scones, 2 cups for a baked oatmeal, and the rest I prepped for juice.  As I thought I was going to get more rhubarb than I did, I had more water boiling than I needed, so steeped some dried dandelion in it overnight and made a quart of dandelion tea on June 8th - popped in the fridge to drink as iced tea.
   June 9th I was in the kitchen shortly after 5 AM. I drained the rhubarb - even less than I realized, but I still ended up with 9 cups of juice by the time I was done (which didn't take as long as expected because there was so little).  Then I made a 1/2 batch of rhubarb scones - cut the rhubarb smaller - this was my BEST batch so far! (full disclosure: when I halved the recipe before, I miscalculated the amount of milk somehow and this time I did it correctly).  I was on a roll and mixed up a rhubarb baked oatmeal.  I ended up with a can of coconut milk exploding all over as I didn't realize it was actually labelled upside down till I was opening it with the can opener.  What a mess!  All in all, I managed to get everything done and the oven off before 8 AM as it was to be a very hot day.  I also made another quart of chia juice.
   As I was doing all that making and baking, I had a moment and asked myself why I was still using our OLD Tupperware mixing bowls when there was a rarely used set of 6 stainless steel mixing bowls in the basement???  Mom did use the largest one through the years when she was making a large quantity of something for a church supper.  A couple of days later, I went through the cupboards and pulled out the Tupperware, and I now have the stainless steel set (plus 2 additional stainless steel mixing bowls in other sizes I found) in the cupboard to use all the time.

Jigsaw Puzzles:

   Since my last letter, I completed two 750 piece puzzles 
   I also found a 175 piece puzzle that was a gift back when Sis and I were Highland Dancing all time, so I completed it too.

UFO (UnFinished Object) Update: 

   As May was a 5-Friday month, the 2nd last week was a week holiday from the paper.  During the week, I got caught up on filing, paperwork, financials, correspondence and more that has been falling through the cracks for the previous 2-3 months.  There is still a wee backlog, but not as bad as it was. 

Courses and Challenges (free and paid):

   Era of Dreamers (free) with Maria Aleandra and Sage Adderley: I've been exploring different themes in my journal - the watercolour play with wax crayon resist didn't do what I planned at all!  Also, that isn’t all the books I've read this year, just the ones I really liked.

  Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I didn't get a chance to do much rug hooking for a few days, so it wasn't until May 18th that I finished the hooking part on my 3rd coaster.
    I completed the hooking part on my 4th coaster June 1st.  This was an experiment with different yarn and ribbon.
   June 10th I completed hooking a 5x5 mini landscape/coaster.  It was fun translating one of my sky drawings into a hooked rug piece.

Kiala Givehand’s 7 Books in 7 Days course: I still have ideas for books I want to make.

   Lou Reed's free Becoming Extraordinary year-long energy course: I had my first online meeting with my course coach on May 10th - 25 mins session, and it was a delight to meet her.  The purpose of the session was to integrate the teachings and insights from the first 3 lessons, and it went very well.  I’m all caught up, and recently finished the 6th lesson so it will soon be time for another meeting with my course coach.

   Amanda Sophia's free mini Divine Woman Awakening course (Celtic Wheel of the Year):  Bealtaine season certainly was one for the senses.  I was out in the garden.  I was baking and doing creative projects.  I thoroughly enjoyed the scent of the blooming lilacs - my favourite flower - and the smell of fresh cut grass.  I delighted in waking to the sound of birds singing.  There was wind, sun and rain (sometimes in the same day!) to feel on my body.  And so much more.  
   Now we’re just a week away from the Summer Solstice.
   In Demi Fox’s Morgan Le Fay Wheel of the Year, the Summer Solstice is the time of the Healer, with a focus on the element of water and herbalism.

Physical Activity:

   Rebounder: I'm back to 1 min at a time, every time I go down to the basement.  As I've been more active outside with the weeding, planting and watering, I'm okay with only doing a 1 min/day.

   Chakradance Full Moon - I missed the May full moon because I had used so much energy out in the garden.  For June's full moon (June 11th) I did the dancing on June 10th - it was very different from other Chakradance sessions I've done before, so I do want to do again.  I started my mandala in my Era of the Dreamers journal.

  "Mystery activity” I have done a little bit EVERY day for just over 41 weeks! 

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on...

- 13" round canvas (acrylics) - stalled for now 
- painting (18-20?) ceramic Easter egg people from Gramma's craft kits (acrylics) - stalled right now
- Era of the Dreamers journal - this is where I'm playing with my watercolour for now, as well as my other creative explorations.

Featured Art for Sale:

   For the month of June, I have three 5x7 paintings on canvas board available for sale for a Heart-felt Donation.  I do ask that the minimum donation amount be $10 to cover costs of materials and possible shipping.  Email thechautauqua@gmail.com to purchase.  Thank you for your support.
  
   I have inspirational card decks, journals, chapbooks, musical CD's and more for sale that would make gifts.  Please contact me at thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone 403-352-3837 to make a purchase. Or visit 4910 47 St, in Mirror, AB.  Items are also available for sale at Amy’s Bakery on Main Street in Delburne, AB.

Upcoming Projects: 

- I offer $50 Distance Reiki/Energy Healing sessions.  Energy healing works great from any distance and I've sent Reiki healing as far away as Queensland, Australia.  Please, contact me to set up your healing session.

"I have been suffering with Long COVID for over a year and have tried every healing modality in the book to get my energy back. Beth has been gifting me with healing Reiki energy for quite some time now and I have, for the first time in over a year, started to feel like myself again.  Much of my weakness has dissipated, and the dark cloud that I have been stewing under has lifted. Thank you Beth. ♥️" - Carla, Esthetician, Nova Scotia 

   Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to share with anyone you think might enjoy it.

Beth 

~~~~~~~~

As a life-long creative, and now artist, I weave my varied interests and wisdom together in an enlightening and entertaining manner, to make people think, but above all else, bring a smile to their faces and hearts, as my style is childlike in its simplicity and playfulness.  While bedridden for much of 2017, I developed 5 – 10 minute practices which allowed me to commit to them daily. I’ve been called the “Queen of Small Steps” because my simple practices – though they seem small individually – have added up to quite a body of work in a few short years. 

~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much for your support, to receive this newsletter directly via email please email: thechautauqua@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.  Thank you!

Back issues of this newsletter are found here: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/  under the category "Artist Newsletter"

To support my artistic journey, please consider purchasing my artwork, items available in person at 4910-47 St, Mirror, AB

or make a donation via
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer/PayPal to thechautauqua@gmail.com 


   Your support and kindness are always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to bringing you joy and inspiration! Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

A talent for following the ways of yesterday 
is not sufficient to improve the world of today. 
 - King of Zhao

Monday, 9 June 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday, 6 June 2025

June 6, 2025 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   Labels are funny things.  And they can have so many different meanings, depending on who is using the label.

   My younger sister and I are Gen X, based on our birth years.  Yet, both our parents were born before the end of WWII, so we actually have way more in common with Boomers (without the 1960’s angst), than our own peers, because of how we were raised.

   And, as one who didn’t live it, and is looking back on it from an historical perspective, I never really saw the point of much of that whole angst thing.  Yes, there were some good things that came out of the different protests of the time, but overall, what really was the point?

   Which brings me to 2025.  We have people protesting everything it seems.  Instead of protesting, we need people doing the work to make all our lives better.

   I ask, and encourage, as many readers as possible to please donate a minimum of $23 in honour of the 23 years I’ve been in publication.  That works out to less than a $1/issue for the year. Receipts available on request.  Thank you for your continued support.

Beth


Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e9I0WELSmCSF0GHCwQFSAf9k_P3gVNlU/view?usp=sharing


 Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 23 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it.  If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. 

Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer/PayPal to thechautauqua@gmail.com 

   Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua   

Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Life is much more like [a] circle dance:
 you are always progressing, 
but you come back to the beginning over and over again, 
hopefully with a little more wisdom under your belt each time.  
The circle dance of life is less about looking forward to a destination
 and more about finding joy in the steps where you are right now.
  - Madame Pamita

Monday, 2 June 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday, 30 May 2025

Attitude is more important than the past,
 than education, than money, than circumstances.  
Every day we have a choice regarding the attitude 
we will embrace for the day. 
 - Charles Swindoll

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

A day is not ordinary or extraordinary in itself. 
It is ordinary or extraordinary
 depending on how I view it 
and what I choose to do with it. 
 - Ruth Senter

Monday, 26 May 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Saturday, 24 May 2025

Saturday Morning Comic 


email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

Friday, 23 May 2025

Success is not measured by what you can accomplish 
but by the opposition you have encountered 
and the courage with which you have maintained
 the struggle against overwhelming odds. 
 - Orison Swett Marden

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

The belief that speech is purely human property was entirely alien 
to those oral communities that first evolved our various ways of speaking, 
and by holding such a belief today we may well be 
inhibiting the spontaneous activity of language.  
By denying that birds and other animals have their own styles of speech, 
by insisting that the river has no real voice and the ground itself is mute, 
we stifle our direct experience.  We cut ourselves off from 
the deep meaning in many of our words,
 severing our language from that which supports and sustains it.
  We then wonder why we are so often unable to communicate,
 even among ourselves. 
 - David Abram

Monday, 19 May 2025

 

Friday, 16 May 2025

May 16, 2025 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   No matter where you are in your views on the state of our world right now, we ALL need to work TOGETHER to create more positivity in our communities, and circles of influence.

   Now, more than ever, it’s important to treat those around us with whom we interact with kindness, and bring more hope into the world.

   One of the ways that I personally am bringing more cheer to those around me is through The Chautauqua.  Not only do I believe in promoting our rural communities, I also believe it’s important for us to have an occasional respite (sanity break) from everything that is going on “out there” that discourages, and tries to defeat, us.

   While I don’t pretend that what I do is going to change the world, I do sincerely hope that it brightens YOUR world a little bit by reading it.

   That is why I want to encourage as many readers as possible to please donate a minimum of $23 in honour of the 23 years I’ve been in publication.  That works out to less than a $1/issue for the year. Receipts available on request.

   It is only by working together that we create improvement.

Beth


Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JcJmgYrJ82lHIOI39VLMw53FGkF4HPIf/view?usp=sharing


 Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 23 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it.  If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. 

Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer/PayPal to thechautauqua@gmail.com 

   Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua   

Wednesday, 14 May 2025

You cannot choose the wrong dream. 
 - SARK

Monday, 12 May 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Saturday, 10 May 2025

Saturday Morning Comic 


email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

Friday, 9 May 2025

My Artist Voice #37 May 9, 2025

   Welcome to my 37th Letter. To receive these letters directly in your email inbox, please contact thechautauqua@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.  Please share this with friends who may also be interested.  Thank you so much for your support.

   My 3rd Anniversary letter!  How is that even possible?

   April 11th was a busy day.  After lunch, I went to Lacombe for their annual Encore Art Show & Sale.  There was quite a variety this year - even some of the regular artists were offering something different from what they have in the past.  I could not resist the western-themed print from BMaron Art! (https://www.facebook.com/p/B-Maron-Art-61552910006724/)  The other is a small hooked rug art piece that my neighbour (Margaret Blank of 3F Creations https://www.facebook.com/margblanktextileartist) made (the one who introduced me to rug hooking) - I was going to get it before Christmas, and things didn't work out so I was able to purchase it now.
   After supper, I went with my Sister and Brother-in-law to my Niece's school drama production at Alix.  Fun evening, and my niece played the bossy head of the League of Evil very well!

Celebrations: 

   After a stressful couple of weeks, and numerous phone calls to different players in the press drama, I have confirmation that the Lethbridge Herald press is printing The Chautauqua for me.  This whole situation would have been so much better if the people making the decisions actually shared the information with the rest of us, and had given us more warning.  Grrrrrrr
   While I'm relieved to have the hardest part figured out, I am now faced with another HUGE challenge as it will cost me $400/month more to print the paper!  If you'd like to help me out, I welcome donations (e-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com) and there is always the option to purchase some of my artworks!

   April 19th, I completed my 2,100th sky drawing on the iPad!
      And on April 27th, I did my 4th (!) anniversary drawing!  Wow!
    My birthday was May 1st, but I was too sick to celebrate it till May 3rd.

  I attended the Bashaw Art Club Show & Sale on May 4th.  Lots of lovely art, and it was great to chat and catch up with my various artist friends.

   I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online.  First is a repeat from last year, and second is a modification of my Easter header I did for Wondercafe.


Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter...

   I continue to play with the Walmart set of watercolours, and the remains of my Dollar Store set, in my third pad of 4x6 watercolour paper - I noticed the dollar store paints don’t work with the waxed crayon resist as well as the other paints.

   I still need to set up a dedicated space for my bits and pieces so I can complete more mini collages on 4.5x6 mixed media paper.

In Beth's Kitchen:

   On April 10th, I "finally" made a batch of oatcakes (used Deanne Fitzpatrick’s recipe from hookingrugs.com).  I say "finally" because I mixed the dry ingredients together way back on March 9th as the oatcakes were going to be the first item I baked when I started this kitchen adventure.  The best laid plans, etc., etc.  Truthfully, it was too big a task for the energy I had, but they’re made, and they turned out pretty good, considering my energy level dropped dramatically halfway through the process.
   I love, love, love oatcakes and mom's were great, however her aunt's were OUTSTANDING!  The first time I tried making them myself (I had often helped mom through the years) was when I was housesitting in my mid-20s.  They didn't work at all, and when I asked mom what I did wrong, she said I didn't roll them out thin enough.  Well, it's taken me around 25 years to attempt making them again - more because of what's been going in my life/health than a reluctance to try again.  This batch turned out much better than my first attempt, and it wasn't mom's recipe so I can't do a straight comparison till I find her recipe and make a batch with it.  All in all, despite the extreme energy drain making them, I'm glad I did and I look forward to eating them as I haven't had oatcakes in at least 15 years!
   Even though I was tired from the paper deliveries, I ventured into the kitchen on April 18th as I had some produce that needed dealt with (or I'd have to toss it in the compost).  I started off by making another no-bake nut pie crust - didn't work as I accidentally ended up over-processing it (oops) so it was more nut butter than nut crumbs. OY!  I popped it in the freezer - guess I'll use as a base for a square.  Then I made some almond flour chocolate chip cookies.  After that, it was time to deal with the produce, and I ended up mixing everything up into a rice casserole.  I froze half of it for future meals.  Later in the day, I was looking for ingredients downstairs and realized I have over 4 lbs of chia seeds still!  I was eating them LOTS before Mom died, but haven't for quite awhile as I was doing other things and eating differently.  I decided to take one of my many quarts of homemade juice and make "chia juice" (1/4 cup seeds to 1 qt/L of juice).  I'll let you know how it goes. [seems to be doing okay with my body so I made up another quart April 25th]
   April 19th was a wet, very windy morning, so I decided it was a good day to make more cinnamon buns.  I experimented a wee bit this time (because that's how I roll!) and added some crushed dried orange to the batter.  I couldn't find any raisins (I should have a whole brand new bag!) so instead, I added some diced dried banana.
   After a couple hours of rest, I tried the Tuscan burger recipe again - used roasted hazelnuts instead of pecans for the "meat."  Also tweaked the spices a wee bit too.  I made the patties a bit bigger than last time and they held up well.
   April 20th was the 22nd anniversary of my Dad's passing, so I thought it would be a good day to try making egg noodles (he was a macaroni fan, so not the same, yet still pasta) as I had found a recipe that used a potato ricer.  It was BEYOND an E. P. I. C. FAIL!  OY!  My kitchen was a nightmare, and I ended up with a massive glob.  To try and "fix" the situation, I decided to toss the glob in the frying pan and fry it to make it better.  Didn't work!  Just created a BIGGER mess in my kitchen.  I certainly won't be trying that again! [April 22 update: I put the glob in a pan and popped it in the oven to make a "loaf" out of it - didn't worked quite how I hoped, but definitely made it easier and more appetizing to eat, but not enough, so after the taste-test, it went into the compost] 
   April 28th, I mixed up a batch of coconut flour cupcakes - I've made them many times before - not sure what happened, but they didn't turn out!  
   As I couldn't figure out how the batch went so wrong, I decided to make a 2nd batch - at the risk of wasting more ingredients.  Discovered that the first time, I mixed up baking SODA and baking POWDER (oops!), and I completely missed one (moist) ingredient (double oops!).  Second batch was much much better, and I'm so glad I went ahead and made them again.  The first ended up as an offering to the birds and spring faeries (thank goodness each batch is only 9 cupcakes so not a lot wasted)
   My week didn't go as planned (ended up very sick on my birthday) so I didn't ice the cupcakes till May 3rd.
   May 5th, I was craving cinnamon buns so made up a batch.  Again, added crushed dried orange and diced dried banana.  I must say, it is getting easier to make these each time!  After a bit of a rest, I then made a batch of almond flour chocolate chip cookies.

Jigsaw Puzzles:

   Since my last letter, I completed a 1,000 piece, and two 500 piece ones, and then another 1,000 piece one 

UFO (UnFinished Object) Update: 

   My entire life feels like a UFO again!  Especially the outdoor yard work that didn’t get done last fall, and isn’t getting done yet this spring.

Courses and Challenges (free and paid):

   Era of Dreamers with Maria Aleandra and Sage Adderley: I've been exploring different themes in my journal - baking/cooking, money & ease miracles. 

  Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I finished the hooking part on my first coaster on April 10th, and started a second one.  Finished the 2nd on April 27th.  They certainly have personality!  I'm just using what I have on hand.
   On April 28th, I started my 3rd hooked piece - a 3x6 (?) landscape - as I waited for the federal election results to roll in.  I finished the hooking part the next day.
  My 2nd landscape (3x5?) was started on April 29th and I finished the hooked part on May 2nd.

   Kiala Givehand’s 7 Books in 7 Days course: I still have ideas for books I want to make.

   Lou Reed's free Becoming Extraordinary year-long energy course: I wasn't able to get back to this till later in April, and discovered that I didn't have access any more!  When I enquired, they had deleted my account because I hadn't started the program after I signed up!  That's weird because I had started, and I had posted in the training portal, so I'm not sure what happened?  My account was reactivated April 22nd and I started all over (thank goodness I had taken notes before!) and am all caught up again.  I have my first online meeting with my course coach tomorrow (May 10th).

   Amanda Sophia's free mini Divine Woman Awakening course (Celtic Wheel of the Year):  We're in the season of Bealtaine (began May 1) - this is the season of really experiencing life through your 5 senses - listening to the birds singing, smelling the air after a rain, tasting good food, watching sunrises, and feeling great textures on your skin (or warm dirt on your hands) for example.
   In Demi Fox’s Morgan Le Fay Wheel of the Year, Bealtaine is the time of the Faery Lover, which also focuses on living more fully through your senses.

Physical Activity:

   Rebounder: the end of April, I started doing 2 minutes every time I venture down to the basement!  That didn't last long and so on some slow (sick) days I only managed 1 minute. 

   Chakradance - April 6 was a more lively 15 mins session and I completed my mandala on cardboard.  April 13 was a slower 15 min session and I completed my mandala on cardboard.  My next session was April 19th - another slower 15 mins one - and I completed my mandala on cardboard (I took one of my earlier cardboard play pieces and painted it black with the light centre first, so a tiny hint of the previous painting still shows).  April 26th was a very s-l-o-w 15 mins session and I completed my mandala on the final piece of cardboard - this one is larger than the others.
   Instead of continuing with the 15 mins sessions, I decided to pivot slightly and try out Natalie's 10 mins Full Moon Chakradance sessions so I'll start that tomorrow (fingers crossed).  Depending on how it goes, I'll keep going each Full Moon.

  "Mystery activity” I have done a little bit EVERY day for just over 36 weeks! 

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on...

- 13" round canvas (acrylics) - I haven’t touched this yet as I’ve been too sick.
- watercolour play in 4x6 pad of watercolour paper 
- painting (18-20?) ceramic Easter egg people from Gramma's craft kits (acrylics) - stalled right now
- Era of the Dreamers journal 

Featured Art for Sale:

   I have inspirational card decks, chapbooks, musical CD's and more for sale that would make gifts.  Please contact me at thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone 403-352-3837 to make a purchase. Or visit 4910 47 St, in Mirror, AB.  Items are also available for sale at Amy’s Bakery on Main Street in Delburne, AB.


Upcoming Projects: 

- I offer Pay-What-You-Can Distance Reiki/Energy Healing sessions.  Energy healing works great from any distance and I've sent Reiki healing as far away as Queensland, Australia.  Please, contact me to set up your healing session.

"I have been suffering with Long COVID for over a year and have tried every healing modality in the book to get my energy back. Beth has been gifting me with healing Reiki energy for quite some time now and I have, for the first time in over a year, started to feel like myself again.  Much of my weakness has dissipated, and the dark cloud that I have been stewing under has lifted. Thank you Beth. ♥️" - Carla, Esthetician, Nova Scotia 

   Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to share with anyone you think might enjoy it.

Beth 

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As a life-long creative, and now artist, I weave my varied interests and wisdom together in an enlightening and entertaining manner, to make people think, but above all else, bring a smile to their faces and hearts, as my style is childlike in its simplicity and playfulness.  While bedridden for much of 2017, I developed 5 – 10 minute practices which allowed me to commit to them daily. I’ve been called the “Queen of Small Steps” because my simple practices – though they seem small individually – have added up to quite a body of work in a few short years. 

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Thank you so much for your support, to receive this newsletter directly via email please email: thechautauqua@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.  Thank you!

Back issues of this newsletter are found here: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/  under the category "Artist Newsletter"

To support my artistic journey, please consider purchasing my artwork, items available in person at 4910-47 St, Mirror, AB

or make a donation via
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer/PayPal to thechautauqua@gmail.com 


   Your support and kindness are always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to bringing you joy and inspiration! Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

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